Hi, <BR>We are booked on Galaxy's Baltic cruise Aug. 25 to Sept. 8. I'd love to hear from anyone else who's going to be on that cruise. <BR> <BR>I'm also hoping that people who have already taken a Baltic cruise will tell me about it, and in particular discuss their experiences with shore excursions. Did anyone go it on their own in St. Petersburg? Is the trip to Berlin too long and too costly? What was great -- what wasn't? <BR> <BR>Looking forward to many replies (I hope!) <BR> <BR>Libbie

Did the Baltic last summer. We enjoyed the tour that included the Viking ships in Oslo, the tour to Gdansk, and our private tour in St Petersburg. You will not be able to read anything in Russia, and i beleive it would be easy to get lost. We did not go to Berlin, and heard from people that it was a long trip, and you were rushed to see the sites. (Our travel agent suggested that we make Berlin a part of a trip to Germany rather than try to include it as part of the cruise.)We took the train into Rostock and enjoyed a great meal and local beer. The port city of Warnemunde was also a great place to walk around. We toured on our own in old Stockhom, and in Estonia. Both places were easy to get around with enough English spoken. We were disappointed with the tours to Helsinki and Copenhagen. For the most part, the ships tours were well organized and delivered what the description promised.

Jim, thanks for your reply. I'm most concerned about "getting it right" in St. Petersburg. How did you arrange your private tour? Whom did you use? Did it cost less than the ship's excursions? How many were in your party? Did you need a special visa arranged before arrival? I really want to spend some time in the Hermitage. Can it be done? Thanks for your advice.<BR><BR>Libbie

Libbie,<BR>I wrote a reply last night, but I don't see it here so I will try again. Our private tour was arranged through Celebrity shore excursions. Our travel agent arranged it for the people he booked. we had 14 people on a small van with a Russian driver and a guide who spoke fluent English (and German). She was very funny and made the day most enjoyable. We started out at the Summer Palace, and pretty much worked the tour out with the guide as we went. She took us to a local restaurant for lunch and vodka. We did not do the Hermitage with her. Instead the next day we took a regular Celebrity tour. We were somewhat rushed. The Hermitage is worth the entire trip. So you may want to consider a private tour. We believe St. Petersburg will be our grandchildren's Florence if they get the money for restoration. You will be saddened to see the open windows in the Hermitage; humidity can't do the works of art any good. If you take a ship's excursion, you will not have to obtain an individual visa. You will go through a custom's and security post upon leaving the ship. Some mean looking women in uniforms run it. A couple of people from our group kind of missed the bus on purpose at the Hermitage, and had a great deal of trouble getting through the security gate into the ship yard and with the KBG at the custom and security post at the ship. I wouldn't suggest you try that. I did notice several couples who took a private ship arranged tour in a Mercedes car with a driver and guide. Your travel agent should be able to help you with the cost. If you can go to the ballet on the evening excursion do it; most enjoyable. Of all th eplaces we visited, St Petersburg is the city we will return to some day. e-mail me direcxt if you have any other questions.<BR>Jim

Libbie, we are going it on our own (against the advice of just about everyone) for one day in St. Pete and using a private guide for the second day. I'll let you know how they compare when we get back. We're leaving tomorrow!<BR><BR>Check out the boards at www.cruisecritic.com. Lots of info re: Baltic cruises.

Now I'm looking for anyone on the Galaxy on the Aug. 25th cruise who would like to share a private tour of St. Petersburg with my husband and me. The cost is approximately the same as the ship's tours (depending on the number in the group) but the tour sounds much nicer. E-mail me for details. After July 20, my current e-mail address will not work and I can only be reached then at [email protected]<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR><BR>Libbie