coconut_wireless

OOPS!
Forgot to ask did you go to the Armory and if so did you feel it was worth the 'optional tour'?

kenav

HI - Note: Red Square and The Kremlin are separated by a wall, the wall which encloses the Kremlin. You have to pay and go through a gate to get into the Kremlin area. Not so with Red Square, which is just an open area. Viking takes you inside the Kremlin area - so it's all paid for.

We first went to the Kremlin with Viking. In the Kremlin, we spent time going into two churches - too much time in my opinion. But it was also a terrible day weather-wise. Rainy and very chilly. Had about 1 hour to spend on our own in Gum or wandering around Red Square before we had to go back to the bus. Since it was an awful day we spent the time inside Gum.

I didn't feel we spent enough time in Red Square (You do see the Bell.) So the next day, on our own, we went back. When we went back it was a much nicer day so we spent a bit of time just hanging around Red Square for a bit, which is where Gum is. Remember: Don't confuse Red Square with The Kremlin.

We didn't go into the Armory although I've heard great things about it. We were told, by Russians, not to go to Lenin's tomb, not worth it and and no one is really sure if it is in fact Lenin or a wax replica.

If you go back on your own, you could probably go into the church you want to go into, which is in Red Square. Viking didn't take us inside there.

You can email me - [email protected]

Just a note: We're leaving for Switzerland today, so I probably won't be able to answer any more questions until after we get back which is on April 18th. Will be happy to do so at that time, and send you the link to our pix. Hope they will get you even more excited.

I know you'll have a fabulous time. (I want to go back.)

Mahalo to you too.

laverendrye

We travelled with Viking (Kirov, renamed Truvor) in 2010 and enjoyed it very much.

Regarding the ballet, we bought tickets online before we left for Swan Lake at the Mariinsky (ex Kirov)in St. Petersburg and it was absolutely superb. Our seats (second level box) cost about $55 each. By comparison, the ship arranged tickets for the Bolshoi in Moscow at a cost of about $160 each.

We got to see Swan Lake on two successive nights as the Viking tour, advertised in advance as an opera or ballet evening, turned out to be Swan Lake at the Hermitage Theatre. It was interesting to see the theatre, but the small pick-up company which apparently does two performances in one evening for the tourist trade was no match for the Mariinsky. I'm glad that we saw the Hermitage performance first.

southeastern

We did Viking Russia and were happy with it. The one thing that bothered me was the two dining rooms. We were in the main and made friends with couples in the upstairs dining. We were not allowed to "cross the lines" for dinner. We would have really enjoyed eating together. We joked that we were behind the gates on the Titanic. Had to have drinks together and then go our seperate ways. We always book the least expensive rooms because we are never in them. Rather spend the extra on future trips. Other river boats do not have seperate dining.

laverendrye

The Viking Truvor (ex Kirov) on which I travelled has only one dining room, as do the Helgi(Surkov) and Ingvar (Pahkomov). Of the four Viking ships on this itinerary, only the Rurik (ex Peterhof) has two dining rooms.

southeastern

The one we are going on with Viking to Ukraine has 2 and it is the same one we had in Russia. The Lomonosov.

Todd_Jenkins

the lenin is a wax replica and has been for a very long time there is a story behind that lol....

NGail

wish list!

hvsteve1

We booked the Truvor for next year. How many people are their in each tour group? How many get on the bus each day? How crowded is it for the rid into the city?

kenav

I don't this particular boat, but I know Viking changed the names of their boats a couple of years ago.

We went in October, so not sure if the whole boat was sold out and thus the buses weren't necessarily as full as during peak season. Probably 25 people on each bus. (They have multiple buses.) It didn't feel crowded. It was fine and we're not fans of group tours.

elainek882

My husband and I are considering the St. Petersburg/Moscow cruise in 2014. It will be our first river cruise and the first trip to Russia. A few questions please. 1) Is the waterway from St. Petersburg to Moscow rough at all? 2)Is it worth paying extra for a balcony? 3) Is travelling in Russia safe? 4) Viking indicated that the vessel is "Akun" but I haven't been able to find that name on the internet?? Thank you so much!