Moscow Excursion

[Cruiser Nonna]

We are thinking of doing the Moscow excursion that is offered by Azamara we have 3 days in St Petersburg so would still have 2 and one in Moscow but obviously pricey day- has anyone done the 1 day excursion and thoughts - good or bad - suggestions??

 

Thank you for your help

[TLCOhio]

We are thinking of doing the Moscow excursion that is offered by Azamara we have 3 days in St Petersburg so would still have 2 and one in Moscow but obviously pricey day- has anyone done the 1 day excursion and thoughts - good or bad - suggestions?? Thank you for your help

 

We fortunately had three days as our stop in St. Petersburg and did Moscow as an air trip through our cruise line. It was super great and here is what I posted earlier on the discussion board for our cruise line:

 

I'll offer up some added background, along with various pro/con factors for your consideration. My wife thought it was lots of money, but she viewed it as very much worth it after completing the trip as a "once in a lifetime" experience.

 

CON FACTORS: It's a long day! Leave the ship about 8 am (greeted by a small welcoming band dockside); lots of driving and traffic; get back by return flight to the St. Petersburg airport around midnight and back to the ship a little before 1 am. Our ship had a nice "snack tray" waiting in our room when we returned. The cost is is not cheap, but it does include everything, including all bus transfers, your jet air flights on regularly schedule commercial airlines, lunch on the bus, dinner in a nice/historic club/restaurant, admissions, etc., etc. Moscow is a super large city of about ten million people. There has been huge growth in the suburbs of this city during the past decades or so. Traffic and time from the airport to the main downtown takes about an hour. You can get a good feel as you travel into town through the coach windows about the “new Moscow” with its suburban growth, commerce, advertising, capitalism, etc. I would only do the Moscow day-trip if you could start your next day in St. Petersburg a little later than normal and be able to do a custom, private tour there. You don't want to short your options in St. Petersburg.

 

PRO FACTORS: It’s Moscow with its unique sights and sites, from Ivan the Terrible up through Lenin, Stalin and the new Russian leaders of today. After a stop at a new hotel for coffee/tea/break, we ride the Moscow subway and see a couple of their very unique and artistic stations. This subway ride offers a good sampling of real life for people who live and work in Moscow. You will see more key places enroute, including the home of the Bolshoy Ballet, KGB Headquarters, various Stalin era buildings, etc. Then we go to the Kremlin with its 19 historic towers. WOW, you’re really there!

 

Inside the Kremlin are three key “super stars”. First, was the State Armoury with its spectacular Faberge Eggs, plus so many carriages, crowns, gowns, jewels, etc. Our ship had a very good speaker on ship giving preview background on these Faberge Eggs, art of Hermitage, etc. There are no Eggs at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. Second are the various historic Cathedrals within the Kremlin Walls, plus the Tower Bells, historic Icon art, etc. Third is the Great Kremlin Palace with its spectacular reception halls, inlaid wood floors, gold and more gold, fancy ceilings, etc. The Czars were crowned here, plus the current heads of the Russian government, etc. The size and scale of these rooms are hard to describe in words, let alone reflect and capture the history that has happened in some of these rooms dating back to the late 1400’s. We’ve seen lots all over Europe, but this is something else for your eyes, heart and brain.

 

Then, it’s outside of the Kremlin Walls and walking next door to Red Square and St. Basil’s and the re-done Gum Department Store. Red Square is so historic, especially having grown up seeing the military May Day parades there, visuals of Lenin’s Tomb, etc. Have the words “spectacular” and historic been used too much? Maybe, but it fits for many of these unique places. To be able to “CONTRAST” and compare Moscow and St. Petersburg during these three short days adds to the benefits of seeing both of these great Russian capital cities. Each is a very different and special city.

 

Is one day too short and limited? YES! You can, however, do and see lots in only that one short day. You get a small sampling above. How often do you get to Russia? The Cold War might not come back in full force, but there are going to increasing and revisited tension in future years involving Russia and its access.

 

I will post some Moscow pictures to give you a sampling for what you can enjoy there in Moscow.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[Cruiser Nonna]

Hi Terry - thank you so much for your thoughts and definitely the PROS outweigh the cons. Definitely it would be using the tour through the cruiseline.

 

Couple of questions - what cruiseline were you on? When did you go?

 

I think we had already talked about doing a private company in St Petersburg and there have been many posts regarding choices - did you do a private company and if so - would you recommend them and if so which one? Definitely appreciate the candor regarding the time returning to the ship and next day to schedule a little later.

 

The pictures are great and thank you again for taking your time to share your experiences.

[Cruiser Nonna]

Thanks again Terry - your pictures are fantastic and detail is so appreciated.

 

I was thinking of doing St Petersburg day 1, Moscow day 2, and then St Petersburg day 3 - since you did Moscow first and then followed with 2 days straight - did you have the choice on how to break this up and your reasons if you do not mind sharing for your choice.

 

Thanks again - Kathy

[TLCOhio]

Thanks again Terry - your pictures are fantastic and detail is so appreciated. I was thinking of doing St Petersburg day 1, Moscow day 2, and then St Petersburg day 3 - since you did Moscow first and then followed with 2 days straight - did you have the choice on how to break this up and your reasons if you do not mind sharing for your choice. Thanks again - Kathy

 

THANKS, Kathy! Our cruise line had the Moscow trip on the first day of our three in Russia. That drove our scheduling and what we did in the St. Petersburg two days. If your cruise line offers the Moscow trip on the middle day, that does complicate things somewhat. You would need to work with your private tour folks in St. Petersburg to make things work around your split schedule. It is not ideal to do it that way, but I would give it a shot. As I have noted, we used Anastasia and she was great in adjusting to our needs to make things work and flow smoothly. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[Cruiser Nonna]

Hi Terry - I do not seem to find any email for Anastasia - do you have it?

 

Thanks - Kathy

[TLCOhio]

Hi Terry - I do not seem to find any email for Anastasia - do you have it? Thanks - Kathy

 

Here is the e-mail address that I have used:

info@anastasiaworld.com

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[Leejnd4]

Kathy - we are on a Baltics cruise on Crystal Symphony (same ship Terry was on) in about a month. Our ship also spends three days in St. P, and the Moscow day trip is also on day 2. Based on Terry's fabulous reviews of both his private tour with Anastasia, and his Moscow day trip with Crystal, we are doing both! I agree that working with Anastasia has been fabulous - she is extremely flexible, always very quick with her responses, and willing to do whatever it takes to make sure we get the best experience. I really can't wait to get there!

 

We have worked out an itinerary with Anastasia for days 1 & 3, and we've hooked up with two other couples from our roll call to join us, bringing the price down significantly. In addition to the day tours, we are staying with our Anastasia guide in St. P into the evening on day 1 - we're dining at a fine restaurant for dinner, then going to see the Folkloric Show at the Nikoloevsky Theatre. I know that Moscow is going to be a long day, and Terry's advice about starting day afterwards later is probably good, but I figure I can sleep all I want on our sea days. So we're starting our tour on the third day promptly at 9:00, so we'll hopefully be able to get in all the sites that we want to see.

 

As for contacting Anastasia, I should let you know that for some reason, she often doesn't get emails sent to her Anastasiaworld email address. I've learned that the best way to contact her is through her Yahoo address: anastasiadavidova@yahoo.com

 

She always responds when I send emails to that one.

[TLCOhio]

We have worked out an itinerary with Anastasia for days 1 & 3, and we've hooked up with two other couples from our roll call to join us, bringing the price down significantly. In addition to the day tours, we are staying with our Anastasia guide in St. P into the evening on day 1 - we're dining at a fine restaurant for dinner, then going to see the Folkloric Show at the Nikoloevsky Theatre. I know that Moscow is going to be a long day, and Terry's advice about starting day afterwards later is probably good, but I figure I can sleep all I want on our sea days. So we're starting our tour on the third day promptly at 9:00, so we'll hopefully be able to get in all the sites that we want to see.

 

Looking forward, LeeAnne, to reading your reports and complete travel details. Will you try to update us as you are traveling? Or, waiting till you get back?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[Leejnd4]

Terry, I'm bringing my laptop, and will try to post updates throughout the cruise. Depends on how good the internet access is, I suppose. If I can get onto CC, I'll post updates and photos. I'll probably do a thread in the Crystal forum, kinda like what Carolyn did for her Spices cruise. (Only not nearly as detailed, I'm sure!)

[TLCOhio]

Terry, I'm bringing my laptop, and will try to post updates throughout the cruise. Depends on how good the internet access is, I suppose. If I can get onto CC, I'll post updates and photos. I'll probably do a thread in the Crystal forum, kinda like what Carolyn did for her Spices cruise. (Only not nearly as detailed, I'm sure!)

 

THANKS, LeeAnne! I did a live posting series last summer and it worked well during the Baltics cruise. Got lots of nice comments and feed-back! I am sure you are planning to compose the report before Internet sign-on and then when done, go on-line for the actual posting. Plus, reading the comments from your earlier postings during the journey. Look forward to seeing the those reports. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[Cruiser Nonna]

Thank you Terry and LeAnne for all your help - I could not find anything for Anastasia or Anastasia World (do they not have a website?)- so have sent an email to both addresses per your suggestions and will see what can be done.

 

Please know how much I appreciate your taking your time to help answer these questions and I know we will have a great trip as I know Terry did and LeAnne will - Crystal Symphony is one of my favorite ships. We are sailing on Azamara and have not done that small a ship but the time and itinerary worked for us. If there is anything else you would like to share, please do not hesitate and I too will await your return LeAnne.

 

Thank you again - Kathy

[TLCOhio]

Thank you Terry and LeAnne for all your help - I could not find anything for Anastasia or Anastasia World (do they not have a website?)- so have sent an email to both addresses per your suggestions and will see what can be done.

 

Please know how much I appreciate your taking your time to help answer these questions and I know we will have a great trip as I know Terry did and LeAnne will - Crystal Symphony is one of my favorite ships. We are sailing on Azamara and have not done that small a ship but the time and itinerary worked for us. If there is anything else you would like to share, please do not hesitate and I too will await your return LeAnne. - Kathy

 

You can try her website at:

http://www.anastasiaworld.com

Then go to its english version.

 

We've posted lots of suggestions on planning your private tours in St. Petersburg. Don't be shy. Share what you are seeking, like, don't want, etc. Read some books such as Eyewitness St. Petersburg in order to consider all of your great options.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[sig]

Do any tour companies schedule tours of STP on day 1 and day 3. We are on the regatta. being in STP on july 2/4. Moscow on july 3.

[Leejnd4]

Do any tour companies schedule tours of STP on day 1 and day 3. We are on the regatta. being in STP on july 2/4. Moscow on july 3.

 

sig, that is exactly what we are doing - only one day off from you. ;) We're on Crystal Symphony, which will be in St. P July 3-5, with the Moscow day tour on July 4. (How odd will THAT be, to be in Moscow on the 4th of July?) Anastasia is doing a private tour for us and two other couples on days 1 & 3. She is extremely flexible, and has worked out an itinerary that is exactly what we want, taking into account our timing needs.

[sig]

Just received e-mail from anatasia. I would like to find a few more people that are on the regatta in stp. On july 2 and 4th that would like to do the 2 day tour. I will check the roll call. It has been very quiet for that ship on that date. Thanks

[TLCOhio]

Just received e-mail from anatasia. I would like to find a few more people that are on the regatta in stp. On july 2 and 4th that would like to do the 2 day tour. I will check the roll call. It has been very quiet for that ship on that date. Thanks

 

Keep plugging and looking for another couple to share a tour while in St. Petersburg. Some people plan way ahead. Others wait till much later to focus on those details. Get the basic tour booked and hopefully it will come together. That is what happened with us last summer and it was a great result.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[Cruiser Nonna]

Terry - we have booked the Moscow excursion and do have a couple of questions and since you have done it (we do not go until end of July so am hopeful to hear LeAnne's thoughts) -

 

1. For the flights - did you have a long wait at the airport prior and post to the flight? Not knowing if this is considered international and will be there 2 hours prior or a domestic and 1 hour prior?

 

2. Did you take a backpack or any type of bag to carry any personal items - obviously I would think no liquids and did you have any problems.

 

3. Our tour (Azamara Journey) states that it stops for coffee break in AM and then nothing about dining until dinner prior to return flight - hopefully there is some break where lunch is available since very long day.

 

4. Any suggestions of what we should or should not bring for that day

 

Thank you for your help - it is overwhelming trying to put all the pieces together.

 

Kathy

[Cruisenina]

Terry - we have booked the Moscow excursion and do have a couple of questions and since you have done it (we do not go until end of July so am hopeful to hear LeAnne's thoughts) -

 

1. For the flights - did you have a long wait at the airport prior and post to the flight? Not knowing if this is considered international and will be there 2 hours prior or a domestic and 1 hour prior?

 

2. Did you take a backpack or any type of bag to carry any personal items - obviously I would think no liquids and did you have any problems.

 

3. Our tour (Azamara Journey) states that it stops for coffee break in AM and then nothing about dining until dinner prior to return flight - hopefully there is some break where lunch is available since very long day.

 

4. Any suggestions of what we should or should not bring for that day

 

Thank you for your help - it is overwhelming trying to put all the pieces together.

 

Kathy

Even though your question was directed at Terry, I thought I might possibly be of some help. I just returned from Moscow with Celebrity (not Azamara).

We were off ship at 7.15 am, left port around 7.35 am in 2 coaches of about 40 people total. We did a quick St Petersburg City Tour on the way to airport. Traffic was light.

We arrived at airport at 8.40 (Domestic airport)

We were told to discard liquids before going through security.

We actually departed at 10.00 am on a regularly scheduled flight(9.40).

The plane carried between 130-158 passengers.

We were given a sandwich and beverage service on plane.

We arrived in Moscow at 11 am. Boarded 2 coaches again.

On our drive to the city we were given a box lunch with a croissant,sandwich,apple,botted water. We also had a coffee & cake break at hotel (around 2.30 pm) and then dinner later.(around 5.30 pm)

We carried a backpack but needed to leave it in the coach when we went to the Kremlin. So I took a small bag inside the backpack that I could take out with valuables that I did not want to leave in coach. The driver did stay with the coach when we were not in it.

What to bring? I would bring some kind of protection from posssible rain. We were lucky and did not need it. But when you are in Red Square, it is very open,with little shelter. You can always leave it on the bus if the sky is clear. Wear comfortable shoes of course. Lots of memory in camera and full battery or back up battery.

Hope you have a great day.

[Leejnd4]

Thanks for this info! Our Moscow tour (with Crystal) is on July 4 - imagine being in Red Square on the 4th of July! :D Anyway, I've been wondering about some of the particulars about how this tour runs myself, and you answered my questions. THANKS!

[Cruiser Nonna]

Even though your question was directed at Terry, I thought I might possibly be of some help. I just returned from Moscow with Celebrity (not Azamara).

We were off ship at 7.15 am, left port around 7.35 am in 2 coaches of about 40 people total. We did a quick St Petersburg City Tour on the way to airport. Traffic was light.

We arrived at airport at 8.40 (Domestic airport)

We were told to discard liquids before going through security.

We actually departed at 10.00 am on a regularly scheduled flight(9.40).

The plane carried between 130-158 passengers.

We were given a sandwich and beverage service on plane.

We arrived in Moscow at 11 am. Boarded 2 coaches again.

On our drive to the city we were given a box lunch with a croissant,sandwich,apple,botted water. We also had a coffee & cake break at hotel (around 2.30 pm) and then dinner later.(around 5.30 pm)

We carried a backpack but needed to leave it in the coach when we went to the Kremlin. So I took a small bag inside the backpack that I could take out with valuables that I did not want to leave in coach. The driver did stay with the coach when we were not in it.

What to bring? I would bring some kind of protection from posssible rain. We were lucky and did not need it. But when you are in Red Square, it is very open,with little shelter. You can always leave it on the bus if the sky is clear. Wear comfortable shoes of course. Lots of memory in camera and full battery or back up battery.

Hope you have a great day.

 

Thank you so so much for the information - this is exactly what we needed to know that is not listed anywhere. If I may ask a few additional questions -

 

1. Was there an escort with the group on the plane?

2. Dinner - do you remember where and what was served?

3. Did you feel that this was a great tour and would recommend it?

 

Since you did Celebrity (one of my favorites!) - if you do not mind my asking - was there anything that you chose that in retrospect would not do again? Highlights that you definitely recommend? Things you wish you had done? Any advise definitely appreciated.

 

Thank you again for taking your time to answer in such detail - it was everything that we have been talking about.

 

Leennn - have a wonderful tour and please post when you return - I will be thinking of you in Moscow on 4th as I watch our city parade!!!

 

Thanks again - Kathy

[Cruisenina]

Thank you so so much for the information - this is exactly what we needed to know that is not listed anywhere. If I may ask a few additional questions -

 

1. Was there an escort with the group on the plane?

2. Dinner - do you remember where and what was served?

3. Did you feel that this was a great tour and would recommend it?

 

Since you did Celebrity (one of my favorites!) - if you do not mind my asking - was there anything that you chose that in retrospect would not do again? Highlights that you definitely recommend? Things you wish you had done? Any advise definitely appreciated.

 

Thank you again for taking your time to answer in such detail - it was everything that we have been talking about.

 

Leennn - have a wonderful tour and please post when you return - I will be thinking of you in Moscow on 4th as I watch our city parade!!!

 

Thanks again - Kathy

 

Hi,

 

1.Celebrity had 2 escorts come off the ship with us for the day. In addition we had 2 local St Petersburg guides, one for each coach. They stayed with us until we returned to the ship.

Once we landed in Moscow, yet another 2 local Moscow guides joined us.

 

2.The Dinner menu was

Blini's,caviar,sour cream to start.

Salad.

Beef Stroganoff,potatoes,chopped pickels

Ice Cream

Wine, Vodka

The restaurant was old and charming. It is known as the Writers Club and we had it all to ourselves. An excellent meal with great service.

 

3. Yes, as everyone else says, it is a long day but I thought it was well worth it. Our guides were both very knowledgeable and entertaining.

 

We did not have any opportunity to deviate from the tour, so really could not say that I would have done anything different.

 

We did get a few minutes to wander in Red Square on our own and we quickly went into St. Basil's Cathedral. I think it was 150 Rubles each.

[Cruiser Nonna]

Thank you for the additional information -I am so glad to know that you too felt that it was a great experience.

 

In regards to other ports visited - any other suggestions? We start and end in Copenhagen - Our plan is to do Berlin, St Petersburg (private tour - did you do this or the ship tour - if private - may I ask which one you used - and your thoughts); Helsinki, Stockholm, Tallin.

 

Thank you again for all your time and sharing your information.

[Cruisenina]

Thank you for the additional information -I am so glad to know that you too felt that it was a great experience.

 

In regards to other ports visited - any other suggestions? We start and end in Copenhagen - Our plan is to do Berlin, St Petersburg (private tour - did you do this or the ship tour - if private - may I ask which one you used - and your thoughts); Helsinki, Stockholm, Tallin.

 

Thank you again for all your time and sharing your information.

 

Hi,

 

We did do a private tour (2nd day) St Petersburg with Anastasia and we were pleased.

Berlin, we did the ship's excursion and thought it was well done.

 

With regards to the other ports. I will say that in the past, on other cruises I have taken many more ship excursions than I did on this last Baltic cruise. After reading the many posts on this site, I felt that all other ports were easily done on your own.

Having said that, I do not know all the details of your trip,like how much time in each port or your fitness level or what you are interested in.

What I would do is read all the tours offered by the ship to get an idea what the key things to do and see are. Also look at what time the tour starts. Sometimes the ship docked at 8 am and the tour did not start until 10 am. For me I wanted to get going as soon as we were cleared.(sometimes 10 or 15 mins after docking)

After checking out the details of the tours,look at whether you can get to the key places that you want to see on your own. It does take some leg work to get the most out of your day. You may or may not have the time to devote to that much planning but personally I thought it was worth it.

A great book is Rick Steve's Scandinavia. I found people all over very helpful and willing to give directions. We did use public transport in several cities and found them to very tourist friendly. Do not be shy to ask if you are in doubt. Everyone seemed to speak english. I found there was virtually no risk and plenty of reward doing the ports on our own.

One more thing.. on this site there is a walking tour of Tallinn you can print out which is very good.

Enjoy!

[Cruiser Nonna]

Thank you so much for the additional information - we had looked at the "private tour" for Berlin but the price was so much higher than the ship tour that I think we will go with that (thanks for saying that you thought it too was a good tour)- we are also doing a private tour in St Petersburg for 2 days and I totally agree about the other ports -

 

I have downloaded the walking tour previously, and all the other posts that have listed ideas for touring on our own - I think that once we have done the tours that are pre-arranged we will definitely be ready to explore on our own - having done this before but not in this part of Europe we will make the most of it and have a great experience. I am truly excited about Stockholm as this is where my grandmother was born and to share this with my son and grandson will be very special.

 

Thank you again and if there is anything else please let me know.