kjoelic

m/s Peter the Great, May 14-30,04 would appreaciate your imput on this ship.
Thank you
Joe

Garfield

The ships that are used by foreign cruise companies are pretty well standard. The regular cabins are small. The ships are casual, no fancy dressing up for dinner unless you so desire. No elevators on the ships. Ports of call are all the same and events on board are the same. Cruise lengths are generally dependent upon the amount of time spent in Moscow and St Petersburg.

Garfield

For more information about the cruise see the report from International Travel News at:
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m36.../article.jhtml

Garfield

Further information about river cruises and travel to Russia: http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/PI/...Band+%2Btravel

aussiebeg

Did you get any useful info?? I am on the same trip and lack info. I did not use air transfers as have conference in Stockolm and Helsinki post trip. Leave from Boston . Not a US citizen but a return for me after 40 years.Looks like fun. We have a 400 cabin. Doesn't seem like a big deal!!Interested in your found info.

mommywels

I am taking Peter the Great in July. Can you give me information on the ship and the tour. What extra's would you suggest? Our room is on the Captains deck. Tedy

Underhill

Didn't you get information from the cruise company or a travel agent before you signed up for the tour? I'd sure want to have that in advance.

julies

Try this for info


http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/...siaRivers1.cfm

mommywels

I did check with my tour company but I wanted info from someone who had taken PETER the GREAT.What side trip did you take ? What was the dress code? anything else you cantell me about the ship and the trip

fbeifeld

I am booked on a cruise for September. The Ship is Dr. Zhivago and the cruise line is White Nights cruises. Like Joe, I am looking to see if anyone has been on the ship. And should I book my optional excursions for Moscow and St. Petersburg in advance or wait to see what they offer on the ship. It only offers one standard tour in each city. I will also have 3 extra days in St. Petersburg before the cruise begins and am looking for ideas on what to see and where to stay. Thanks.

djkbooks

With three free days in St. Petersburg, I highly recommend hiring a private tour guide (they're very inexpensive) for part of the time each day. Not only can they get you into all the cathedrals, museums, palaces ahead of the lines with their licenses, they also provide exceptional commentary in English.

You should be able to get more specific information from your cruise company with regard to optionals that may be offered. They hesitate to make promises, as all may not be possible to offer for your dates, but it would give you an idea.

We took optionals in Moscow, at the beginning of our trip. And more than half a dozen were offered in St. Petersburg, but we had opted for a private guide (which cost considerably less) because a) we were thrilled to get away from "the group" by then, b)and the optionals took a morning, afternoon, evening, with lots of time wasted in between that could have been used out seeing and doing.

We went with Viking. A very thick packet of information was received several weeks before departure with lots of information, dress codes, what to pack, even maps for getting yourself from the port to the city center.

While in St. Petersburg, our guide took us by several hotels for future reference. One you may wish to investigate is www.puskainn.ru. Website is in English. Rooms are basic but modern and clean. All have kitchens. Very nice and moderately priced restaurant on the ground floor with terrific food (20% discount if you're staying there). It's right around the corner from the Hermitage, an easy walk to downtown, with lovely views of a canal on one side, gardens on the other. Safe and quiet neighborhood.

You could spend three days at the Hermitage. But, there's plenty else to fill your time - cathedrals, museums, mansions, the theaters... Recommend Eyewitness and Insight guides.

rastro

djkbooks,

Where did you find a private guide in St Petersburg? Did you book in advance or through the city tourist infomation center. How much $$?

I am taking a cruise with an overnight stop in St Petersburg and am debating whether to book cruise excursions or to get a visa and go independently. We have 2 full days.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ronni

FauxSteMarie

I do not recommend a private guide to tour The Hermitage. I just spent two weeks on a wonderful guided tour of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Having said that, The Hermitage is very crowded. While my group was divided into 3 manageable groups, I just got the floor plan and went off by myself. I was a lot happier. If you have read up on what is there before you go, you will have no problem wandering around by yourself.

To get from the cruise ship to The Hermitage, just use the Metro. The St. Petersburg metro is easier to use than the one in Moscow because there are fewer lines. Traffic in both cities is absolutely horrendous.

You might want to consider a private guide if you want to go to Peterhoff, Pavlosk or the Catherine Palace (Amber Room). You cannot get to those places by Metro. You can get to Peterhoff by hydrofoil from the dock right by The Hermitage.

Garfield

However you can get to both Pushkin and Peterhof by using the metro and minibus, cost is just over $1.

FauxSteMarie

Garfield, you know everything.

I will stash that information away for the next time.

And, yes, public transportation is very cheap in Russia.

Kmikey212

I would like to hear of your experience on the cruise ship Peter the Great. Considering cruise with Brendan using that ship in June, 2005. Need some reassurance re quality of food and comfort of cabin. Luxury not expected, but reasonable comfort appreciated.

mwheilds

To djkbooks
How did you obtain a private guide?
Do guides charge per person or by small group? We are a family of five (two kids under 12). I think it would be best for all to avoid the adult groups.
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