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