My husband loves to cruise and I'm not as fond of it as he is, primarily because I hate the short amount of time in each port--usually 6 to 8 hours or so. I can see, however, how cruising would be a great way to see some of the major cities of Scandinavia and the Baltics and, of course, St. Petersburg. Does anyone know of cruise itineraries that provide 2 days, say in Stockholm, Copenhagen, Riga, etc. and 3 or 4 in St. Petersburg?

Thanks for any help you can give me on this.

I do not know of any cruise that provides 2days in the places you mentioned ....other than 2 days in St.Petersburg.

However, you could go to Copenhagen 2-3 days before the cruise embarkment(as I did) and then you do have the 2 full days in St.Petersburg.

If you want to see more of Russia...then I would do the Russian River cruise which starts in St.Petersburg ( or Moscow) and goes down to Moscow ...you of course stop at places along the way.

There us lots to see at each stop,but one day is enough on this river cruise , except of course whenyou are in Moscow (or St.Petersburg)

This way you will have 4-5 days in St.Petersburg and the same amount of time 3-5 days in Moscow.

I usually get a private tour guide in places where one is needed...this way you do not waste your time getting from point A to point B.

Percy

Thanks. Sounds like a good plan and a good idea.

Your best bet may be an Azamara cruise in July 2009 that is round trip from Copenhagen (you can stay pre or post cruise), 2 days in Stockholm and THREE days in St. Petersburg (you need that much time there).
Azamara is a very nice and affordable cruise line.
Oceania also has 3 days in St Petersburg but only 1 day in Copenhagen.
Good luck

Thanks. That sounds like it might be perfect. Then if we really like St. Petersburg (and if I don't go nuts on a cruise) we can look into following up in a year with a river cruise that starts in st. Petersburg and ends in Moscow. thanks. I think I now have quite a workable plan.

I really think you would enjoy this itinerary. It is fairly port intensive and thus you woul not have too much time to "go nuts".
It's also a perfect time for the Midnight Sun in that region.
I believe Percy has an excellent review of this(similar) trip - very informative.

Okay here is the link for my trip report to the Baltics last August.! that Paulchili mentioned.

I am happy that he found the trip report worthwhile enough to mention !

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35060844

I outlined what the major sites are to see in each port.

Percy

Percy,
it is an outstanding trip report. For anyone doing that itinerary, all thay have to do is read your report and pack their bags - you've done all the work for them.
I enjoy reading it and re-living some of the same experiences.

Thank You very much Paulchili.

I have had people tell me that they printed out my report , port by port and they told me they were going to do:

Percy's Copenhagen
Percy's Stockholm
Percy's Helsinki etc.

I guess I am glad I was able to help because we are all here to help each other.

Before my trip, I read helpful reports written by jacketwatch and a fellow called BillJ.....
and
I read bits and pieces from others.

So as others have helped me, I am pleased I am able to help others in return.

Thank you for your kind words and for remembering my report.

Percy

Percy - you are welcome.
That is (or should be) the spirit and the purpose of this board - for travelers to help each other through their own expriences.
Happy trails to us all!