Susan33

I'm interested in cell phone reception on the river cruise while on the ship. I've spent alot of time looking on the internet for a report of anyone that actually used a cell on the ship, but so far I haven't found any information. It would be nice to be able to send and receive text messages while on the ship and not to spend time look for an internet when in port. I would appreciate any information.

jackandann

We would agree on learning the Cyrillic alphabet. It would give you a fighting chance at reading subway stop names and signs. Once you can translate alphabets, many Russian words become understandable, such as restaurant, cafe, post office, etc.

Jack and Ann

Isadore204

Rudy: "One evening we went to the Hermitage Theatre, built for Catherine the Great, to see the ballet "Gizelle".
Being a retired dancer myself, this event must have been a wonderful experience.

kettamic

To Henda: I recently returned from a Viking River Cruise (Moscow to St. Petersburg). I can't give you an answer on the cell phone question. I know some people had them but I never saw anyone actually using them. As far as doing the optional tours independently, it can be done but depending on which ones you are considering it might be a lot easier to do it thru Viking. It will cost you more but it might save you a lot of time and frustration. In the case of Peterhof, they get you there early and you are one of the first groups thru the door. If you don't want to return to the boat with the tour you can take the
hydofoil back to St. Petersburg for the afternoon. I used the subway in St. Petersburg and it is very easy. You can count the stops and read the signs....even if they are in Cyrillic.
Also, the locals are very helpful and will tell you when to get off. I hope you enjoy the cruise as much as I did.

Henda

Thank you for all the advice. I quess I will do Peterhof and Catherine the Great's palace by optional tour and the rest on my own.

Philbill

Just back last night after a few days in London following the river cruise.
Intrav was absolutely fantastic. Everything was included with no extra optional tours (including Petrhoff, Catherine's Palace, 4 meals at 5 star hotels ashore and one dinner at a dacha, ballet and opera). The cabins are basic and the food I cannot say was great, but we knew all of this ahead of time. I will try to write a short trip report. Fabulous value for money. We could never have done this for this price ourselves and we travel a lot. Reading this thread was so helpful.
Thanks to everyone.

Philbill

PS Great cell phone connection even when on the river. No problems.
Internet is opposite the boat in St. Pete's and in the Hermitage.
In Moscow go to the Post Office on the Arbat opposite Cafe Mu Mu (can't miss it; there is a large cow outside and it is only about a block from the metro station). Moscow $1 for 30 minutes, 20 rubles 20 minutes at the Hermitage (25 rubles to the dollar). So very reasonable and the one opposite the boat I did not used but understand it was even less!
You can WALK to the Porcelain Factory shop (15 mins.) from the boat dock and can get beautiful porcelain. We splashed out and bought a tea set but we also got a couple of lovely vases for gifts. There is a wide price range.
Best souvenirs: Uglich.
Have started a new link trip report

phxtrvlr

Can anyone tell me if they used a debit card to get cash in Russia? What about credit cards for purchases? I am in interested in buying lacquer boxes,porcelain and similar stuff in shops. Philbill, you mentioned Uglich as a great place for souveniers, did you use credit cards there. I would like to take as little cash as possible. That works really well in Europe, not so sure about Russia. Thanks.

Philbill

We just took cash. We exchanged cash at hotels for rubles for 25 to the dollar. Some people used an ATM, but when I looked they were credit card ATMs and not Plus or Cirrus. It was just easier to have cash as only needed Russian currency for the metro and admission to museums on our final day after we disembarked. I did need rubles for the internet and the supermarket. The souvenirs' stalls took dollars as did the watch shop if I recall. They took ccs anyway. That is in Uglich too, but prices have risen with the exchange rate. I think half the ship purchased Chaika or the "Russian army" watches.
So, I am not much help except to say we use ATMs all over the world. but it seemed to be simpler with cash in Russia. Our boat had a safe, but we left money in a locked case under the bed as we were assured that would be fine.

neeps

We live in Russia and use our US Wells Fargo ATM cards exclusively to get cash. We use our US credit cards here also.

FauxSteMarie

I used the ATM's in Russia without a problem. In fact, one ATM I saw in Moscow would give you rubles, dollars or euros. I have never seen that before. Usually you just get local currency.

If you have cash, you can get a better price for items in places that take credit cards than if you use your credit cards.