Russian river cruises - best deals
Jan 1st, 2006, 03:37 PM
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Russian river cruises - best deals
I've been on two cruises, one trans-Atlantic and the other on the Nile river. And I found that cruises seemed to be the easiest form of travel to get a better deal than rack rate. But it's been a while. We're thinking of a Grand Circle or similar cruise in Russia. And if you recommend Priceline, I'd be glad to hear more about how it works.
Jan 6th, 2006, 07:58 AM
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Joe18,
We took the Grand Circle Russian Cruise in September of 04. It was a fantastic trip. At that time, Grand Circle was chartering the boat from Volgaflot and Volgaflot ran the optional tours. We had no complaints about any of it, but the boat cabins were not up to Grand Circle's standards. Since then, Grand Circle operates their own boat, which is a major upgrade in accomodations. The optional tours were also more expensive than Grand Circle's are now. The Grand Cirlce program directors were excellent as were the local guides in each of the cities. Grand Circle puts a major emphasis on getting you to understand the local people and culture, always using natives of the coutries visited as program directors. On our trip they had a staff of 7 people in addition to the ships crew, an American tour director, with two Russian assistants and four Russian program directors for about 150 people. In additon, in each city they had four local guides. We would be glad to answer any questions either on this forum or via Email. We have always been totally satified with Grand Circle. We have taken 6 trips with them in the past three years.
Jack and Ann
We took the Grand Circle Russian Cruise in September of 04. It was a fantastic trip. At that time, Grand Circle was chartering the boat from Volgaflot and Volgaflot ran the optional tours. We had no complaints about any of it, but the boat cabins were not up to Grand Circle's standards. Since then, Grand Circle operates their own boat, which is a major upgrade in accomodations. The optional tours were also more expensive than Grand Circle's are now. The Grand Cirlce program directors were excellent as were the local guides in each of the cities. Grand Circle puts a major emphasis on getting you to understand the local people and culture, always using natives of the coutries visited as program directors. On our trip they had a staff of 7 people in addition to the ships crew, an American tour director, with two Russian assistants and four Russian program directors for about 150 people. In additon, in each city they had four local guides. We would be glad to answer any questions either on this forum or via Email. We have always been totally satified with Grand Circle. We have taken 6 trips with them in the past three years.
Jack and Ann
May 27th, 2006, 08:13 PM
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Jack & Ann,
On your tour did you feel that you had enough time to tour the Hermitage Museum. I realize that it is huge & it would be impossible to see it all, but I would like to think I would have plenty of time there.
It also seems that there are a lot of optional events to choose from. What did you do about those?
Thanks!
On your tour did you feel that you had enough time to tour the Hermitage Museum. I realize that it is huge & it would be impossible to see it all, but I would like to think I would have plenty of time there.
It also seems that there are a lot of optional events to choose from. What did you do about those?
Thanks!
May 29th, 2006, 07:05 AM
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Marsh,
The tour of the Hermitage was excellent, with an excellent local guide and our program director. As it was a year and a half ago, we are not sure exactly sure how long it was, but we are guessing 3 - 4 hours. As you are apparently staying in a hotel in St. Petersburg, rather than on the ship, as we did, you should be able to get back there the next day, if you wish. I haven't haven't been able to put my hands on the CDs with the pictures I took, but I wouold be glad to send you copies. If you haven't travelled with Grand Circle before, and have yet to book this trip, we can give you a referral number, which will save you a hundred dollars and also give us credit toward future travel. We would be happy to correspond with you either through this forum or via Email.
Jack and Ann
The tour of the Hermitage was excellent, with an excellent local guide and our program director. As it was a year and a half ago, we are not sure exactly sure how long it was, but we are guessing 3 - 4 hours. As you are apparently staying in a hotel in St. Petersburg, rather than on the ship, as we did, you should be able to get back there the next day, if you wish. I haven't haven't been able to put my hands on the CDs with the pictures I took, but I wouold be glad to send you copies. If you haven't travelled with Grand Circle before, and have yet to book this trip, we can give you a referral number, which will save you a hundred dollars and also give us credit toward future travel. We would be happy to correspond with you either through this forum or via Email.
Jack and Ann
May 29th, 2006, 07:36 AM
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Marsh,
I may be mistaken on you staying in a hotel in St. Petersburg. It appears that it is the case for 2007 trips, but the 2006 trips will stay on the ship. There are both trolleys and subways convenient to the river port, however, so you should still be able to get there independently.
Jack
I may be mistaken on you staying in a hotel in St. Petersburg. It appears that it is the case for 2007 trips, but the 2006 trips will stay on the ship. There are both trolleys and subways convenient to the river port, however, so you should still be able to get there independently.
Jack
May 29th, 2006, 02:12 PM
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Joe,
I took a Russia River cruise thru Grand Circle last year. I thought the itinerary was close to perfect--4 nights in St Peterburg (on the boat), 7 nights cruising, and 4 nights in a hotel in Moscow. Grand Circle did a great job--there were lots of tours included and one also has a chance to do their own thing.
Also, the boat that they used for this trip was fairly new and comfortable.
The only thing I regret if that I didn't spend an extra day or two in Moscow.
Faith
I took a Russia River cruise thru Grand Circle last year. I thought the itinerary was close to perfect--4 nights in St Peterburg (on the boat), 7 nights cruising, and 4 nights in a hotel in Moscow. Grand Circle did a great job--there were lots of tours included and one also has a chance to do their own thing.
Also, the boat that they used for this trip was fairly new and comfortable.
The only thing I regret if that I didn't spend an extra day or two in Moscow.
Faith
