Multiple same day shore excursion options in St Pertersburg

[Irishgael]

How much time between excursions does Regent require to allow booking same day excursions in St Petersburg? Looking at excursion that returns at 5pm and wanting to make another evening excursion leaving at 6;45pm?

[JMARINER]

That time is probably doable. You need to figure about an hour. You have to go thru Russian Security both boarding and debarking which adds a few minutes. Once you are onboard the ShoreEx will verify the times.The PM excursions like out to Catherine Place is usually several bus loads, so the loading times are extended.

 

J

[Belfast Taxman]

Just booked excursions in St P for our August cruise and yes the PDF of the excursions makes it clear that you can do a daytime excursion and an evening excursion on the same day.

[Irishgael]

Thank you both. Very much appreciate your experience and insights

[wripro]

Get ready to spend a lot of time on a bus.

[Got2Cruise]

If there is not enough time, the reservation will come back “not enough time between excursions” and will not allow you to reserve. 

[Belfast Taxman]

2 hours ago, Got2Cruise said:

If there is not enough time, the reservation will come back “not enough time between excursions” and will not allow you to reserve. 

Agreed and there was very limited choice for two daytime excursions on our Baltic cruise in August. The only ones we found were In Amsterdam. 

[Mudhen]

We did an excursion in the morning (forget which one) that put us back to the ship about 5-530ish and we were to leave for the ballet at about 6:30. We just put out all of our clothing changes in order in the closet....basically stipped from the daytime and changed for the evening. Very busy day, but definately do able. 

[wripro]

The question you have to ask yourself is how many times in your life do you expect to be in St Petersburg? If it's not more than this one cruise than you are cheating yourself if you do not forget about Regent's (or any cruise line's) ship excursions, even if they are included.) Instead use one of the many terrific local guide companies and book a private 2 or 3 day tour depending on how long the ship is in port. That way they pick you up in the morning and you are out all day seeing the sights, moving to the head of the line at most places, you are in charge of the itinerary and do not have to ride back and forth from city center to the cruise terminal which in traffic can take over 30-45 minutes each way. It's the best money you can spend in St. Petersburg.

[Sharle]

we spent 3 days in St Petersburg on Regent (2 nights) and did 2 tours each day. either morning and afternoon or morning and evening. It was our second time there so we tried to visit what we had not seen the first time

[GrJ Berkshire]

Book by phone, then the Regent operative will give you the options which can be combined. This is the best way for this to go through the bookings process.

[Irishgael]

Is there a private tour company that you would  recommend In St Petersburg? Thank you for suggestion 

[wripro]

39 minutes ago, Irishgael said:

Is there a private tour company that you would  recommend In St Petersburg? Thank you for suggestion 

There are several terrific ones. Dennis, Alla, SPT, RedOctober.  They will all offer two our three day itineraries which you can customize  to your liking plus they take care of the visa situation. 

[RJ2002]

13 minutes ago, wripro said:

There are several terrific ones. Dennis, Alla, SPT, RedOctober.  They will all offer two our three day itineraries which you can customize  to your liking plus they take care of the visa situation. 

 

Agree with this excellent advice...  just arrange a custom tour with any of the local tour operators.  If you look over at the Northern Europe & Baltic Sea forum, you will see lots of recommendations for all the companies.  They are more alike than different, and rarely do you see negative reviews.  We used SPB Tours when we were then, and were very pleased.

[1982CruzStart]

56 minutes ago, Irishgael said:

Is there a private tour company that you would  recommend In St Petersburg? Thank you for suggestion 

We decided to book Regent tours for some of the time and are arranging a private tour for 1 day.If you are on the August 28th sailing with Explorer we are going to the Hermitage and the Faberge Museum the first day and then Regent tours the rest of the time. We are looking for 1 or 2 couples to join us if you are interested in those 2 places. We are going to Catherine's with Regent as they have arranged for the tours there to be on the day it is normally closed. Belfast Taxman was interested at one point in time in sharing their 3 day private tour.   Visit the roll call if you are interested in discussing either option further. 

[AuntyJan]

On 1/9/2020 at 8:15 AM, Irishgael said:

Is there a private tour company that you would  recommend In St Petersburg? Thank you for suggestion 

You might want to check the general Saint Petersburg forum.  Lots of great information and recommendations.    We're doing a private tour, with Anastasia when we go in early July