Was there a problem with the Eurodam and officials in St Petersburg?

[sandydownunder]

I don't recall Rev Neal writing about delays by Russian officials to disembarking in St Petersburg.

 

The new Carnival Splendor overlapped the Eurodam's stay by one day. On Splendor's first morning they were told at the last minute by officials that the photo copies of the passenger's passports had to also have a Carnival Splendor stamp on them. This caused huge queues getting off the ship. Eighty passengers who had arranged private tours were not allowed off because they didn't have the correct documentation. When it was finally settling down John Heald (cruise director) decided he'd pay a visit to the Eurodam. He got off the Splendor was met on the dock by security and turned back.

 

Probably a warning here for those wanting to do private tours in St Petersburg. Make sure you have a visa. Carnival rallied for them and organised a ship's tour for them. Pretty decent of them at the last minute for such a large group.

[hammybee]

The 2 primary ports in St. Petersburg are well known for spontaneous changes to immigatation/VISA rules which can vary day to day and ship to ship. I suspect some of this may even come down to which immigration officials are working or not, at the time the ship requests clearance.

 

Most independent, non ship sponsored tours include tourist visas. Its not unheard of for a tour provider to temprarily fall "out of favor" with immigration officials and this can cause problems for passengers booked on such tours.

 

It is not uncommon for dozens of immigration officials, some of whom are armed and others, to board a cruise ship for inspection and of course breakfast or lunch. ;)

 

I think most of us would be blown away by the dynamics and politics associated with international port calls, if we knew just half of what goes on. Only thing certain, we ain't in Kansas anymore, Toto.:)

[hammybee]

 

 

Carnival rallied for them and organised a ship's tour for them. Pretty decent of them at the last minute for such a large group.

 

Rallied= negotiated = spontaeous contribution to the local economy.

[sandydownunder]

Hammybee,

I think I see the problem. When you stated dozens of officials staying for breakfast and/or lunch, according to John Heald's blog they were only offered pastries. Not enough so it seems.

 

In case anyone is interested you can read about the delays and see photos of the long queues (they'd test anyones patience)

 

johnhealdsblog.com

[Krazy Kruizers]

It took me a few minutes to contact a friend of mine who has been on the Carnival Splendor since she left Genoa.

He booked his tours through Alla -- had absolutely no problems what so ever.

So I am not certain what this is all about.

[sandydownunder]

Are you sure you friend is on the Splendor? It wasn't going to Genoa!

[Krazy Kruizers]

He started there -- Inaugural was July 2.

He will be on the Splendor until July 25th.

[MightyQuinn]

I don't recall Rev Neal writing about delays by Russian officials to disembarking in St Petersburg.

 

The new Carnival Splendor overlapped the Eurodam's stay by one day. On Splendor's first morning they were told at the last minute by officials that the photo copies of the passenger's passports had to also have a Carnival Splendor stamp on them. This caused huge queues getting off the ship. Eighty passengers who had arranged private tours were not allowed off because they didn't have the correct documentation. When it was finally settling down John Heald (cruise director) decided he'd pay a visit to the Eurodam. He got off the Splendor was met on the dock by security and turned back.

 

Probably a warning here for those wanting to do private tours in St Petersburg. Make sure you have a visa. Carnival rallied for them and organised a ship's tour for them. Pretty decent of them at the last minute for such a large group.

There's some discussion about this episode on the Northern Europe & Baltics forum & nobody else is reporting any similar experience. Let's hope it was confined to the Carnival Splendor. We did a private tour when we were in STP last month. Certainly there was no issue at all with the "blanket visa" provided by our operator.

 

Here's the link to the other CC forum for additional comments: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=809348