Funny...I did the same thing and got all kinds of info this morning from Alla. Percy, what a guy! You know all the right people.

However, I have not yet received Red October's group quote and I'm looking over some info from DenRus which seems a little less money.

trapsma

I am sure that any of the Big Three tour companies in St.Pertersburg would be fine.

At the end of the second day Alla comes to the cruise ship to Thank You and say Good-bye and she gives you a 3 hour DVD on St. Petersburg.

I am sure all the tour companies have about the same itinerary.

There were some extra specific places that I asked Alla to see and I saw them all.

Good Luck
Percy

Well its Alla for us - I say if its good enough for Percy - its good enough for me!!!

Actually asked Alla about the Ballet as she can't get tickets until 30 days prior and you can book them on a website now. She said that they would provide the transportation if we got the tickets through her. I asked if she can get tickets for the performance at the Hermitage which is their top notch ballet company. I am awaiting a reply on that. I may have to use the Percy hammer routine another call to Putin may be in order.

Trapsma - Alla said she didn't get my earlier emails and if the same happened to you perhaps her email was down. Probably because Percy had Putin check her out!! When are you going to be there and what ship are you on?

I'll be there on August 24th. We'll be on Carnival's Splendor. On Cruise Critics, someone said they were not allowed off the Splendor until all the ship's excursions were released. Someone had a train to catch, but there were no exceptions. However, Alla said she's not run into this problem even though she knows about it.

Trapsma - we are just a few days after you on the Rotterdam.

I am sure that you will be able to get off if you have a tour booked. As Percy said they try to intimidate you. If you just march up to the disembarkation spot and get in line I am sure you will be able to get off right away. I have never sailed on Carnival we always stick to HAL mostly but Princess and Celebrity as well. Never yet had a problem with disembarking - the only time they enforce that is when you are at a port where you are tendering and they give out tender timed tickets.

Yes, Percy has laid it out quite well, so I'm going for it. All the tour companies are aware of the scare tactics. I'm just thinking of the "what if" scenario.

Yes, that is right, just go to the disembarkment place and walk right through like you own the ship!

My Travel Agent told me that there is no way they can keep you on the ship when you have a private tour guide waiting for you.

I was prepared for maybe a comment from the security people...but at 7 AM I handed them my ship card ,they scanned it and gave it back and said "have a nice day".

When I walked outside I must have been the first one off the ship

...because there was no one else around and no line up at the Customs Shack( I expected a line up) and the Russian Band was playing music to entertain you while you wait in line.

I had all the papers and documents ready to show the Custom Lady...but
she only asked for the passport...

she stamped it and gave me a Red Card( don't lose the card !) and off I went...smooth as silk.

Percy

Hi Everyone and Percy,
I have read everything and I have a question about what guide you used in Copenhagen?
I too am making plans with Alla but I havent had to use your name Percy. She has been great. I did almost all my excursions for Alaska with private companies and it turned out perfect. I did do alot of homework. But this is Russia and I don't speak Russian. However Alla seems to be on the ball and has answered all my questions. I don't think I can do as much homework as Percy, but maybe he can answer a few questions. Do you remember where you had lunch in SPB? Also you knew alot about Copenhagen. Did you do the canal cruise? Where do you recommend for dinner for my 20th anniversary? We will be in Copenhagen that day. Isn't it perfect timing? Any advice would be appreciated. thank you

Hi timetraveler1028

I had lunch and a beer at several places.
1.At St.Catherine's Place
2.At the Hermitage (Winter Palace)
3. I had to have a good Russian Beer( in a large Blue bottle )at the Astoria Hotel across St.Issac's Square at the St.Issac's Cathedral.!

Yes, I did the canal tour from Nyhavn.

This is the best place from which to do the canal tour..and you will see alot ...so it is best to know some of the places.
You will pass by the Little mermaid if you have not already seen it by then.
Also you can just sit at anoutside table by the canal and people watch and have a drink.

There are so many nice places to eat along the Nyhavn..there is a great place in a "Blue" building but for the life of me I am trying to think of the name !!

Did you read my Trip Report from last August.!?

I came two full days earlier and stayed and extra full day after the cruise.

There is another very nice place to eat at the Tivoli Gradens ,which you must visit.

Good Night
Percy

timetravler1028

Just thought of it before bedtime !!!
That very nice restaurant at the Tivoli Gardens is called:

Groftens Restaurant..one of the oldest in Copenhagen.

Percy

My budget in Tivoli

allowed me a plate of ableskivers...there are in a cute little white and blue building near a large amount rides...

scrumptious..and about 3euros for 3

we ate at the hot dog cart by the Radhus, grabbed a beer from 7-11 and the sat on a bench staring at Bishop Absalon and the incredible architecture of the Radhus

In Copenhagen, what currency did you use? I'm planning to use public transportation, so I'll probably have to use the krone for that. My brother and children camped there many years ago and a bus ran right past the campground, but we only used the krone then.

Hi Percy and anyone else out there who plan to go to the Baltic this summer. Yes I did read your fantastic trip report. It is so detailed and so much info that it doesn't stay in my brain unless I keep refering back to it. It is really great that you take the time to write back to those of us who still haven't gone to give us advice. I have looked into having dinner at Tivoli and that is probably what we are going to do. As for the rest of the ports we are probably using the shorex of the ship except for SPB. It gets tiring playing tour guide to my husband and 2 teenage kids all the time especially when I have never been to these places. But I do read and try to know about what I am going to see. Thanks for all your info.

timetraveler1028

Will you be having a full day in Copenhagen or are you coming in early and then boarding the cruise ship in the late afternoon.!?

I know what you mean because I was the tour guide/organizer for the other three in my group.!!

Percy

Hi Percy and Baltic tourists,
We will be staying one night before the cruise and two nights after so about 2 and half days in Copenhagen. So we will be touring by ourselves. What tour guide did you have in Copenhagen? Anyway since I make all the arrangements if anything goes wrong it is me who pays for it. So that is why i chose the cruise excursions except in SPB but I have told my husband all the details so he can take responsiblity also. We went to Madrid and Northern Spain and Paris last year and I did alot of homework we did not take any tour, except the HOHO bus in Paris. But Spain I felt comfortable because I speak spanish and it was my third visit to Paris. Everything worked out great except we left the hotel in Paris at about 8-9 in the morning and didnt get back to about 10-11 at night, but we only had four nights. Anyway what else did you do on your night in SPB? I am so excited because maybe I can relax an hour or two on the ship. Where are you going this year? Thanks

traveler1028

oops ,it posted before I was finished !!

Okay, you are going to be in Copenhagen enough days to have a private tour guide.

I will give you her e-mail address.

Since you read my Trip Report you know how terrific she was and also she will take you out of Copenhagen to Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerod and also to Kronborg Castle.

One the way back stop off at Karen Blixen's House.

Here is a short list of what you should try to see in Copenhagen:

1. Absalon(Bishop) Statue Across from Stock Exchange Building..he is the founder of Copenhagen.

2.Rosenborg Castle ,walking distance from Nyhavn.

3.Christianborg Castle..right down town, lots to see around here.

4.Amalieborg Palace (home to Royal Family),also right here is the Frederik Church copied after the Vatican in Rome.
In the centre of Amalienborg Palace Square is a staue of Frederik V.

5. City Hall Square ( you cannot miss this) here are several statues and monuments..like the Dragon Fountain and a statue of Hans Christian Andersen..he is sitting down and looking across the street to the Tivoli Gardens.!

6. Gefion Fountain, this is the largest monument fountain in Copenhagen...it is of a lady with a whip in her hand,and driving four oxen....(guess why she is doing this !!)

7. The Round Tower.... walk up here it is an easy walk because it is a circular ramp going to the top . Nice views at the top.

8. Of course it goes without saying that you will walk the Stroget ( pronounced Stroy-et), this is the longest Pedestrain Street in Europe.

Here among other places and monuments you will see the Stork Fountain at the Amgeratorv Square.

Be aware that the Stroget has FIVE different street names as you walk along..so when you see different signs on the posts don't be alarmed thinking you are off the Stroget, because you are not.!

You can start walking the Stroget from the City Hall( Raduhus) Square and walk it all the way to the Kongens Nytorv Square

..because this Square is a must see place ,with it's Opera House and the most expensive and prestige Hotel in Copenhagen called Hotel D'Angelterre (Hans Christian Andersen lived here for several years), The Rolling Stones stayed here also...only the wealthy I guess !!

Also it is right HERE that Nyhavn begins and where you will take your canal tour.. there is a Huge Anchor right here, so take a picture by the anchor.

9. Another nice building is The Stock Exchange, it is just a block away from the Christianbrg Place....but don't worry you will see many of these place from your canal tour.

10. Do I even have to mention this one !!!!!
The Little Mermaid !

Also very near the Mermaid is a nice monument called the Huitfeldt Monument for the Captain who died in the Koge battle against Sweden in 1710.
You are right here anyway so you might as well see it.. right !

And finally..........

What you do not see on your own you will with your tour guide.

Her name is Grethe and she is an Angel and you can tell her that for me.

and yes,
Please mention my name to her as she does know me well.(if I knew your e-mail I would send you pictures of her and I ).

Grethe Arani - H.A.T. Tours
E-mail Address is :
[email protected]

Good Night
Percy

Hey Percy,
I had to finish my taxes, but I really wanted to thank you for all your advice I take copies of everything with me so I can refer to all the notes you have given me. I will definately look into getting your guide to Copenhagen. Thanks again so much.

timetraveler1028

You are welcome and have a Great Time.

Percy

Actually I've come to expect such posts from Percy. He is a gentleman. :-)

Ahh !!

Bless your heart jacketwatch, that is so kind of you.

The feeling is mutual I can assure you.:)

Percy

Percy, I believe lots of us are beginning to heed your advice.

About Currency:

I seem to get away with murder !!!
because...............

I went through the whole Baltic Cruise and NEVER had to exchange currency!!!!!

I used US$,or euros or my Mastercard.

Copenhagen , Tallin and Helsinki were no problem at all.

In Gdansk Poland I paid for lunch with my credit card.
then
I went to a Polish Bakery( you have to go into a Polish bakery!!!)
I wanted a few sweets and when I handed her some US$ she added that she would prefer local currency.

I told her I had none and was only here for the day off a cruise ship.

and did not want to get local currency just to buy some pastry but I would be happy to pay extra for them in US$..... she started to bend down like she was going to put the pastry away ...but

instead put them in a paper bag and gave them to me FREE!!.. so down Long market Street I went ,past the huge town hall eating my poppy seed covered pastries.

Then came Oslo, and out Cruise Director on the ship said you will have to exchnage into local currency because few places will accept euros or US$.

I got off the ship in Oslo , got a taxi and told him I only had euros and $US and that is all I could pay him with.

He smiled and said "get in". and off we went !!!

In Stockholm,they told us on the cruise ship that The Vasa Museum will only take local currency or a credit card ( but that it was complicated using the credit card).

I paid in euros for any place I went and for any purchases ( beer!!)I made in Stockholm.

I am not a beer drinker as such but I always have the local beer whereever I go on holidays in Europe.!!

Do I have beer in my fridge right now..no I don't.

It was a bit tricky in St.Petersburg but I made it through with only US$ or euros or my credit card.
Good Luck to all you Baltic travellers.

Also you do NOT have to wait that long wait to disemabrk and waiting to get your number color tag called!

Percy

Thanks once again, Percy, concerning currency. I've written to a few of the cities' tourism offices to get some feedback. Also, I've been reading the letter sent by Carnival, and it is, indeed, written with very tricky wording. It talks about the individual Russian Tourist Visas persons time of disembarkation under St.Petersburg Immigration Process, which has nothing to do with the way a ship disembarks its passengers.-

It would be interesting to know if anyone on a cruise ship in St.Petersburg went to disembark and was told to go back and wait for another hour!!!

I just cannot see that happening.?!

You are at the Exit/ Extrance of the ship...you are ready to disembark...you have ten feet to walk down the ramp ...and they tell you "No!"

Has this happened to anybody.?

Percy

Trapsma and Percy - do you think they mean passengers who do not have a visa arranged for them by the tour companies not necessarily Carnival. Perhaps there is more red tape so to speak in getting a visa if you are going off on your own. Just guessing about this but maybe they check everyone who has a visa from a tour private or Carnival and then issue visas to individuals????

Percy - I know you are monitoring this thread so I will ask my question here. I am now in the process of booking a tour in Athens. I have a rate from athens taxi (Paul) who came highly recommended but as he says he knows all of the info but isn't a licensed tour guide. I see you recommend Dennis so I will email him (do you think I will get such excellent info from him cause I know "Percy"!!!) In your opinion do you think it is better to use him if he is licensed? Paul sounds like a neat guy but we will be in Athens for a few days so we can spread the touring out a bit. Your kind advice is always welcome (and needed) Thanks Percy.

PS I would like to see the picture of you Grethe the guide in Copenhagen. We will be touring there as well. [email protected]

Hi traveller69

Your fellow Paul will be okay,get a price from Dennis also.

You see it goes like this:

You have to be a licensed tour guide in many European Countries.

That is why is some places ,you have a driver and a tour guide , like I did in Rome.

Now this does not mean that the driver does not know anything......it just means that he is not licensed and therefore it is not legal for him to start guiding you.

If Paul says he know all the info,then I am sure he knows all the info.

I think on another thread I listed places to se in Athens.

Now about the tour guide in Copenhagen ...Gretha.

I will e-mail you a few pictures.

But for sure mention my name.
Gretha is in Dresden Germany right now....Dresden is a georgeous place.

Please tell her Percy says Hi !
Percy

Here is how the immigration process is worded from Carnival: "Guests on a Carnival tour.....will disembark first upon arrival in St. Petersburg. Those guests with individual Russian Tourist Visas will disembark after the tour guests........

In addition to the above, guests not on a Carnival tour must present the following:
- Russian Tourist Visa attached to each passport
- A Standard Tourist Confirmation verifying service arranged by the Russian travel agency sponsoring the individual Russian Tourist visa

We anticipate guests with individual Russian Tourist Visas being able to disembark at approximately 9:30A.M.....Guests who have not purchased one of our tours and do not possess an individual Russia Tourist visa, or whose visa is not properly supported by the proper documentation (such as a Standard Tourist Confirmation), will not be permitted ashore in St.Petersburg."
*********
I believe the documents one receives from Alla, Red October, or DenRus is what "Standard Tourist Confirmation" means. Also, the word individual may not apply to the use of a Russian tour company, unless individuals are going out totally on their own. The wording is very tricky.

On another site, one person said their group could not leave until the ship's tour customers, but didn't mention the circumstances.

Thanks for the information trapsma.

Actually when I booked with Alla
She ...

1.Send me an e-mail confirmation for the dates I was being in St.Petersburg.

2. e-mailed me tickets for both days

3. I had my passport (Alla took care of the visa problem)

However.....

When I disembarked and went into the little Customs Office...all the Customs lady asked for was my passport.

I guess she assumed I had everything else !

But , holding people back until 9:30 AM is cruise ship bribery to take their tours.

I was on Princess and they gave me no hassle at all and I was off the ship at 7 AM!!!

Can you imagine having ,say, Alla waiting for you.... you can see her and you only have to walk 15 feet to get off the ramp and the cruise ship is telling you to wait for another 2 hours !!!!

Amazing if anyone lets themselves be intimidated to that extent!!

hmm
Percy

No, Percy, I cannot imagine being held back. The letter is, as I said, very sneaky. If not read word for word, it almost makes one believe the worst. For instance, one line reads: "We anticipate guests with individual Russian Tourist Visas...." I noted the "anticipate". There are a number of other carefully worded sections.

I received a letter from DenRus letting me know they have received hundreds of correspondences pertaining to this issue, and all they can decide is that the cruise line doesn't like the competition and St.Petersburg is the only port they can accomplish this sort of intimidation.

Has anyone used Anastasia for 2 day tour in St. Petersburg? Need Help please. what was the cost- are they relaible and does it include the cost of blamket visa? what is their contact person and e-mail

Hi I have just come off a Costa Cruise .And yes this is what the cruise ships say as they want you to book with them . I booked with my husband and 2 other friends with Red October it was approx 475.00 US for 2 days they picked us up from the ship and dropped us back so we were not with the herds . They send you a letter of introduction as well as 2 tickets and with 2 photo copies of our passports we got straight off the ship went through the custom line o.Out to the van and away we went . The only draw back with this was we couldnt wander around by ourselves we had to have a guide with us the whole time .,but we saved 70.00 on visa . If you need more info please contact me .

Thanks, yakka, for your reply. I and a few others I've met on the Internet have booked with DenRus and expect no problems from the ship's staff. We'll be on the Splendor, and this year is its first visit to Russia.

This forum is great for information.