1965

We're looking at a riverboat cruise with Gate 1 from St. Petersburg to Moscow, May, 2013. Would be interested in hearing from anyone who's done a riverboat cruise in Russia, and anyone who's traveled with Gate 1. Thanks.

tower

1965:
Not with Gate 1...but found Viking to be superb. And they own their own ships all over the world. They do not lease from Russian companies. Their headquartrs are very close to where I live in L.A. area and I found them to be excellent to work with...even got a major discount 30-days before they announced it. That's neither here nor there, but it sold us.

I had been to Russia during USSR days, and I found the changes no less than dramatic..almost surreal. You will enjoy it no matter who you sail with, I'm sure..but for a recommendation,I proposeViking. (we went from Moscow to St. Pete, then off to Belarus and Ukraine on our own),

stu

kenav

tower - HI!

We also took this trip with Viking and the boat, I believe, is quite a bit nicer than the one that Gate 1 uses. But it's also more expensive. However, we got a great deal from Viking ($1999/pp) and went (in October, 2011 - low season). Viking's prices have risen quite a bit since even last year when we went. Call them & ask about any deals they have. Don't buy if it's not the price you want. BUT - Once you've established a connection to one of the agents, ask him/her to contact you before any brochures are sent out, with new prices as they come in.

<u>As to the question above:</u> My father-in-law and brother -in-law are going on Gate 1 on July 21st. Hopefully, I will remember to get back to you once they get back from the trip and report how it went.

1965

Thanks guys for the responses. Our friends want to use Grand Circle but they are $1300 more pp than Gate 1. Have not looked into Viking, but definately will. Kenav- I'll try to remember to post after July to see how your relatives liked Gate 1. We used them once in '08 for a motorcoach/cruiseship trip in Greece and Turkey. The land portion was excellent, but the cruiseship portion was below par and below expectations. So wondering how their river cruises measure up. Thanks again.

rfbk50

I took a Danube river cruise with Gate 1 a few years and was happy with it. The price was very good and the room was fine. Since I don't spend much time in my room, I would rather have a good price than a fancy room. The shore excursions were also very good.

1965

rfbk50-We feel the same about the room a you do. As long as it's clean, with shower, place to sleep comfortably, we'd rather spend less on the room and have more $$ for future travel.

Jim_Tardio

I am sailing with Gate 1 from St. Petersburg to Moscow this August on the MS. Russ.

I have traveled with both Viking and Gate 1. Viking is a bit nicer with better food and larger rooms. That said, both lines travel the exact same route and offer the exact same excursions...at least through Russia. I could not reason paying more than double to sail on Viking just for a (slightly) larger room and another food choice at dinner.

I will try to write a report when I return at the end of August.

kenav

Gate 1 vs. Viking:

I know that the room that my father-in-law and brother-in-law are in on the Gate 1 boat is very much smaller than the one my husband and I were in on Viking.

Also on the Gate 1 boat in Russia, in particular, there is no separate shower in the bathroom - just a shower head over the sink, so I guess the bathroom is a "wet room". (How do you keep the towels dry?)

I know that both Gate 1 and Viking do the same stops along the rivers between Moscow and St. Pete. However, the Viking trip is 2 days longer than the Gate 1 so you have 1 more day each in Moscow and St. Petersburg. I personally think that is VERY important as I felt we still didn't have enough time in these two cities.

Also, I found that I spent a lot more time on the boat itself while on the river part of the trip than I thought I would, as you stop in one town per day and then only for 3-4 hours. Thus, you are spending a lot of time on the boat itself.

I cannot compare the food quality as I was only on Viking - and the food was very good.

If these things I mentioned don't matter to you - then Gate 1 is definitely a cheaper way to go.

adrienne

I was looking at both trips and noticed that on free days in Moscow and St. Petersburg that Viking offers optional tours but I did not see any optional tours offered by Gate 1. That means you either venture off on your own or book private sightseeing excursions. I believe I've read that if you leave the boat on your own you'll need a visa but if you go with a tour company then you do not need to apply for an individual visa.

Another thing to look at is what the companies offer while you're on the boat, cruising between towns. Is entertainment or lectures offered or do you amuse yourselves.

tower

as part of the river cruise, we saw a very professional balalaika orchestra performance (I play poorly.but it was a kick for me). Included was the Hermitage Visit, a lunch in an interesting St. Pete restaurant, a Cossack dance/musical, spirited and colorful, right by dockside in St. Pete, interesting history lectures on board, (I gave one myself on Russian folk songs..and did a duet with one of the lady guides), "volunteers" put on a cute Russian play, costumes and all and it was fun. We were taken to see Swan Lake at the Hermitage's theater..a few mavens on board thought it was amateurish, but I'd venture to say that everyone else found it colorful and quite beautiful...wife and I did. So sue us! All of this was part of the journey, no add-on costs except for a few optional tours which we didn't take as I have been to the old SSR several times over the years.. Guides were marvelous and well-informed, there were four busses and it was well-timed where there wouldn't be any backups. Food was plentiful, beautfully served, and as tasty as Kenav described. We were given plenty of time to go off on out own whch I appreciated. The entire trip was professional in every way. That's my story and I'm sticking with it. I'll post my 2008 pics below just to give you a feel for the Viking cruise.
Stu

tower

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Russia2008# (this was late October and yes, it was cold.)

Jim_Tardio

Yes, kenav, that shower set up on the MS Russ should be an experience I've stayed in hotels in Italy that had this same thing...but they were bigger rooms.

Gate 1 also offers the longer cruise. It is available only on a few sailings...at least it was when I booked.

adrienne...Gate 1 does offer the same optional tours. I saw the same thing you did and called them. The tours were on their site when I booked so this caught my attention. I was told they were removed because the tours can apparently change, or be cancelled, at a moments notice. But they assured me I could book on the ship.

I booked a tour with Alla tours on our free day in St. Petersburg.

There's a few threads on Cruise Critic that may help...I'll try to find the links.

kenav

We went on our own on the free days in St. Pete's and Moscow (didn't buy Viking's optional tours nor any other agency's), and no separate Visa was needed.

We enjoyed and were surprised by the extras that Viking gave us that were included - like concerts.

Got this offer from Grand Tours in my email yesterday:

<b>"Russia Revealed: Moscow to Petersburg"
Call 1-800-221-2610 and refer to this code: EKPS755
- $1795 for departure of July 12 (this year). </b>

So you never know when any company will be trying to sell their extra cabins for a lot less.

adrienne

This is all good info. Loved your photos, Stu!

iris1745

If you decide on Viking get their best price and then call this company for possibly a better price on the same tour. We have used them and our experience is that they are very reliable and respond promptly to all questions. www.cheapertravel.com/rivercruises.php