My river cruise in Russia
Sep 13th, 2002, 12:10 PM
#101
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Late June can be warm--70's-80's in day (as it was this year) or cooler--one night I was at an open air performance of an opera outside of St. Petersburg and it was in the low 40's.<BR><BR>15 May-5 June 2003 will be extremely crowded both because of the festivities and the street closings when heads of state pass through. That late in June will be crowded at places like the Hermitage and the other main tourist sights (and with long lines), but it is nothing like, say, Paris or Rome at peak season.
Jan 26th, 2005, 04:03 PM
#106
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You will find some cruises that run to Astrakhan, which is about 100km from the Caspian Sea, none of them would run right from the Baltic and are for Russian Passengers. A number of foreign cruises run from Rostov on Don through to either Moscow or St Petersburg. Orthodox Cruise Line has one from Constanta in Romania through to St Petersburg.
May 18th, 2005, 01:11 PM
#108
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Questions for Rudy or anyone recently on the Waterways of the Czars cruise!
I am booked on the Kirov with Viking for May, 2006 and was wondering about the optional excursions in St. Petersburg. I know you were there a while ago, but if you remember what was offered, I would appreciate it. I don't want to waste a minute and not see as much as possible on the free days. Thank you.
I am booked on the Kirov with Viking for May, 2006 and was wondering about the optional excursions in St. Petersburg. I know you were there a while ago, but if you remember what was offered, I would appreciate it. I don't want to waste a minute and not see as much as possible on the free days. Thank you.
May 26th, 2005, 01:44 PM
#111
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We went with Viking last year. To my recollection, optionals in St. Petersburg included Catherine Palace, Canal Boat Ride (with Champagne & Caviar), Russian Folk Show, and some others. If you e-mail me [email protected] I'll find the sheet with the complete list.
However, we booked a private tour guide for two days in St. Petersburg. We ended in St. Petersburg. Believe me, by then, we were thrilled to be off on our own, away from the "group" and off the big tour bus. You can do the same excursions with a private guide, for less, on your own schedule. If you take the optionals, it's breakfast, on the bus, optional, bus back to ship for lunch, lunch, on the bus for afternoon optional, bus back to ship for dinner, back on the bus for evening optional...
Though you do miss a few included meals if you set out with a private guide, we really didn't care about that. In fact, we were sorry we met her at the ship after lunch when we could have met her in St. Petersburg after the morning tour and enjoyed several more hours in the city (versus transit back and forth).
However, we booked a private tour guide for two days in St. Petersburg. We ended in St. Petersburg. Believe me, by then, we were thrilled to be off on our own, away from the "group" and off the big tour bus. You can do the same excursions with a private guide, for less, on your own schedule. If you take the optionals, it's breakfast, on the bus, optional, bus back to ship for lunch, lunch, on the bus for afternoon optional, bus back to ship for dinner, back on the bus for evening optional...
Though you do miss a few included meals if you set out with a private guide, we really didn't care about that. In fact, we were sorry we met her at the ship after lunch when we could have met her in St. Petersburg after the morning tour and enjoyed several more hours in the city (versus transit back and forth).
May 26th, 2005, 02:16 PM
#112
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djkbooks - how did you go about finding and booking a private guide, and how far in advance did you do so? My mother and I are going on a tour in July and will have a free day each in Moscow and St. Petersburg. I'm not wild about the optionals that are offered, but I also know we won't get definitive schedule information until the start of the trip - so I'm (just) starting to think about alternatives. Thanks much!
Jun 20th, 2005, 03:00 PM
#113
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I am planning on taking a Russian Cruise but I'm booking through friendly planet so we'll be on the M/S Mayakovski Cruiser. I hear most of the boats are very similar. I was wondering if your cruise had any people in their 20's. I've always wanted to see Russia but I'm hesitant to be stuck on a cruise. Also, is there anything that you can think of that would've been nice to have along with you?
Jun 21st, 2005, 04:57 AM
#114
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Hi - We are just about to hop in the car, head for SF where we pick up the plane for Paris then another for St. Petersburg, and board the Litvinov. Yes, people here have said that the ships are all similar.
We, too, were VERY reluctant to sign on for a cruise. In fact, we are calling it a boat trip, not a 'cruise'. We get back July 7th. We'll let you know if there were any people in their 20's.
We, too, were VERY reluctant to sign on for a cruise. In fact, we are calling it a boat trip, not a 'cruise'. We get back July 7th. We'll let you know if there were any people in their 20's.
Jun 23rd, 2005, 03:47 PM
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My wife and I just returned from this same trip and I'm glad to say that most of what Rudy posted several years ago is still current and true. In fact, it was partly because of her post that we took the trip.
However, after several years some things have changed and so I thought I'd bring a few things up to date.
By all means, do whatever you can to get one of the bigger cabins. There are only two sizes, one is 90 square feet and the delux one is 200 square feet. Several of the passangers we met commented that the regural cabins were one person dresses at a time. They are so small that one person sits in bed while the other dresses or goes out and gets coffee.
However, there are only 6 B cabins and they are the ones that go most quickly, almost a year ahead. So, if you want a large cabin and you want to save some money b getting a B cabin, you need to book this year for next year.
As far as breakfast is concerned, the buffett is still there. However, in addition to your own freshly cooked omlet, you can also get fried eggs, poached eggs, pancakes and french toast.
In the forward bar they also have a continental breakfast that includes rolls of various kinds, pastries, cheese, lunch meat, sliced melon, coffee, tea, milk and orange juce.
When Maurine and I were running a big late, that is where we headed.
On your first full day you will climb on a numbered bus. which bus you get on is up to you. This will be the number of your bus for the rest of the trip. Also, a guide iassigned to each bus and your first guide will stay with you for the entire trip.
If you get the chance, get Valera as your guide. He is the head guide, good and funny.
The lessons vary from good to so bad we did not go back for the second on on Russian History. One of the best was on Russian artifacts, the stuff you are going to buy.
The guide that gave the lesson gave lots of good information on what to look for, what was good and what was bad. The guides were also good in telling you at every stop which kind of artifact was a good buy at that stop.
Back to food. Forget to say that wine is no longer free as it was when Rudy was there. It now costs 3 eruos per glass.
Take her advice and take gloves! We went the end of May/first of June. While it did not snow on us, it did rain and it was sometimes cold.
At the Hermitage, that was the most crowded museum we have been in, perhaps because we did not get there till after lunch. If I were to do it over, I'd study more what was at the Hermitage before I got there. Then I'd find out where the bus was going to be and the time to board. Then I'd go off and search out the things I wanted to see.
It is really hard to get lost there.
We found that $50 in $1s would be enough. We also got about $170 worth of rubbles out of an ATM and that was more than enough. But then, we did not shop much.
Don't get the wrong idea, there were many (too many) places to shop. It's just that we really do not need any more dust catchers.
While you will be giving tips to the crew at the end, they ask that you put in $10 per day per person, you can also tip a bit as you go along. Once in awhile I left @1 for the bar maid after a late afternoon, early evening of a couple glasses of wine. Suddenly my pours were bigger.
Credit cards in the bit towns, the museums, Gum, etc. are okay. The venders waiting for you when you get off the boat, probably not. A few took cards, most wanted either euros or American. They would take rubbles if needed.
I disagree that you get a feeling of how people live by your touring the rivers. The only way to do that is to get away from the group and tour towns on your own.
As far as I am concerned, the only reason to stop at Mandroguy is to shop. They are slowly trying to build a village in the old style. But all that is currently there are shops and artists who fill the shops with stuff. If you like shopping, this is for you. I don't and so it was not for me.
Finally, one thing to look out for. The schedule is sometimes wrong. They will have a late night thing and then you need to be on the bus the next morning by 8.
An example. We got there. We settled into our cabin. We had dinner. There was an orientation and finally we got to bed after being up for 31 hours. The next morning we had to be on the bus at 7:45 to start our tour.
I understand the reason for the early start, a vain attempt to beat the traffic (impossible, it is bad all the time, it just gets worse as the morning goes on) so we can be the first tour group at Catherin's Palace, as an example.
But after a late night, to have finished breakfast and be on the bus by 7:45 is bit much.
There is too much of this and they need to rethink some of the schedule.
But all in all, a great trip.
Also, take a portable hair dryer that will work on their electrical system. The cabins, even the most expensive, do not come with them so you need your own.
Phil
However, after several years some things have changed and so I thought I'd bring a few things up to date.
By all means, do whatever you can to get one of the bigger cabins. There are only two sizes, one is 90 square feet and the delux one is 200 square feet. Several of the passangers we met commented that the regural cabins were one person dresses at a time. They are so small that one person sits in bed while the other dresses or goes out and gets coffee.
However, there are only 6 B cabins and they are the ones that go most quickly, almost a year ahead. So, if you want a large cabin and you want to save some money b getting a B cabin, you need to book this year for next year.
As far as breakfast is concerned, the buffett is still there. However, in addition to your own freshly cooked omlet, you can also get fried eggs, poached eggs, pancakes and french toast.
In the forward bar they also have a continental breakfast that includes rolls of various kinds, pastries, cheese, lunch meat, sliced melon, coffee, tea, milk and orange juce.
When Maurine and I were running a big late, that is where we headed.
On your first full day you will climb on a numbered bus. which bus you get on is up to you. This will be the number of your bus for the rest of the trip. Also, a guide iassigned to each bus and your first guide will stay with you for the entire trip.
If you get the chance, get Valera as your guide. He is the head guide, good and funny.
The lessons vary from good to so bad we did not go back for the second on on Russian History. One of the best was on Russian artifacts, the stuff you are going to buy.
The guide that gave the lesson gave lots of good information on what to look for, what was good and what was bad. The guides were also good in telling you at every stop which kind of artifact was a good buy at that stop.
Back to food. Forget to say that wine is no longer free as it was when Rudy was there. It now costs 3 eruos per glass.
Take her advice and take gloves! We went the end of May/first of June. While it did not snow on us, it did rain and it was sometimes cold.
At the Hermitage, that was the most crowded museum we have been in, perhaps because we did not get there till after lunch. If I were to do it over, I'd study more what was at the Hermitage before I got there. Then I'd find out where the bus was going to be and the time to board. Then I'd go off and search out the things I wanted to see.
It is really hard to get lost there.
We found that $50 in $1s would be enough. We also got about $170 worth of rubbles out of an ATM and that was more than enough. But then, we did not shop much.
Don't get the wrong idea, there were many (too many) places to shop. It's just that we really do not need any more dust catchers.
While you will be giving tips to the crew at the end, they ask that you put in $10 per day per person, you can also tip a bit as you go along. Once in awhile I left @1 for the bar maid after a late afternoon, early evening of a couple glasses of wine. Suddenly my pours were bigger.
Credit cards in the bit towns, the museums, Gum, etc. are okay. The venders waiting for you when you get off the boat, probably not. A few took cards, most wanted either euros or American. They would take rubbles if needed.
I disagree that you get a feeling of how people live by your touring the rivers. The only way to do that is to get away from the group and tour towns on your own.
As far as I am concerned, the only reason to stop at Mandroguy is to shop. They are slowly trying to build a village in the old style. But all that is currently there are shops and artists who fill the shops with stuff. If you like shopping, this is for you. I don't and so it was not for me.
Finally, one thing to look out for. The schedule is sometimes wrong. They will have a late night thing and then you need to be on the bus the next morning by 8.
An example. We got there. We settled into our cabin. We had dinner. There was an orientation and finally we got to bed after being up for 31 hours. The next morning we had to be on the bus at 7:45 to start our tour.
I understand the reason for the early start, a vain attempt to beat the traffic (impossible, it is bad all the time, it just gets worse as the morning goes on) so we can be the first tour group at Catherin's Palace, as an example.
But after a late night, to have finished breakfast and be on the bus by 7:45 is bit much.
There is too much of this and they need to rethink some of the schedule.
But all in all, a great trip.
Also, take a portable hair dryer that will work on their electrical system. The cabins, even the most expensive, do not come with them so you need your own.
Phil
Jun 24th, 2005, 11:03 AM
#116
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Phil--
Thank you for your very recent update on the Russian river cruise. We leave July 27th on the Viking Surkov from Moscow to St. Petersburg. As a recent poster has said, I, too, am referring to it as a "boat trip" rather than a cruise. We may regret choosing to book the small cabin. (We travel Amtrak on occasion, so think we can appreciate the challenge of the small space.) Will post the outcome!
After rereading Rudy's thread, I am reminded of her admonition that it can be bitterly cold in the spring in that part of the world. Am hoping that an assortment of layers will suffice in late July/early August.
We will be using a private guide on our free day in St. Petersburg and also after we disembark following the cruise (boat trip). We are staying over a night and doing some additional touring. What can you suggest that we do with the private guide to augment the things we already will have experienced through the ship excursions? Our brochure says nothing about visiting Peterhof, though Rudy mentions touring it--was that part of your tour?
Thanks for your suggestions.
Sandy
Thank you for your very recent update on the Russian river cruise. We leave July 27th on the Viking Surkov from Moscow to St. Petersburg. As a recent poster has said, I, too, am referring to it as a "boat trip" rather than a cruise. We may regret choosing to book the small cabin. (We travel Amtrak on occasion, so think we can appreciate the challenge of the small space.) Will post the outcome!
After rereading Rudy's thread, I am reminded of her admonition that it can be bitterly cold in the spring in that part of the world. Am hoping that an assortment of layers will suffice in late July/early August.
We will be using a private guide on our free day in St. Petersburg and also after we disembark following the cruise (boat trip). We are staying over a night and doing some additional touring. What can you suggest that we do with the private guide to augment the things we already will have experienced through the ship excursions? Our brochure says nothing about visiting Peterhof, though Rudy mentions touring it--was that part of your tour?
Thanks for your suggestions.
Sandy
Jun 24th, 2005, 01:55 PM
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Sandy,
Layers of cloths should fine. Just expect anything and remember, it can rain like a bucket has been turned over one moment and the next the sun is out.
Yes, Peterhof was part of our tour, a full morning. Well worth seeing. This is something you might do with your guide.
You might also want to go back to the herimatage. There is no way you are even going to scratch the surface in the couple of hours the tour provides.
Lonely Planet has a guide book on both St. Petersburg and Moscow. I'd read them to see what it is that interests you.
If you do the optional vodka tasting, be careful. We didn't but talked to several who did. This is not like a wine tasting where you sip the vodka to learn what different kinds taste like. Instead you simply toss it back.
At the tasting they were pouring double shots unless you were carful.
Many people were not too good the next morning.
Phil
Layers of cloths should fine. Just expect anything and remember, it can rain like a bucket has been turned over one moment and the next the sun is out.
Yes, Peterhof was part of our tour, a full morning. Well worth seeing. This is something you might do with your guide.
You might also want to go back to the herimatage. There is no way you are even going to scratch the surface in the couple of hours the tour provides.
Lonely Planet has a guide book on both St. Petersburg and Moscow. I'd read them to see what it is that interests you.
If you do the optional vodka tasting, be careful. We didn't but talked to several who did. This is not like a wine tasting where you sip the vodka to learn what different kinds taste like. Instead you simply toss it back.
At the tasting they were pouring double shots unless you were carful.
Many people were not too good the next morning.
Phil
Jun 24th, 2005, 05:05 PM
#118
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Phil--Thanks for the feedback. No more free wine, but more than ample vodka in the tasting!
I've been studying the guidebooks, but I am not clear how much is already included in the ship excursions.
Others have mentioned giving clothing to the cabin attendant at the end of the cruise and that it was appreciated very much. I would love to do that, but not if it is viewed as an "ugly American" thing to do. Seems like a great idea for an extra bag--fill it on the way over with things otherwise destined for the used-clothing store here. In case there are gifts and mementos to be packed for the return, an empty bag is available.
Appreciate ideas from anyone who has been there.
I've been studying the guidebooks, but I am not clear how much is already included in the ship excursions.
Others have mentioned giving clothing to the cabin attendant at the end of the cruise and that it was appreciated very much. I would love to do that, but not if it is viewed as an "ugly American" thing to do. Seems like a great idea for an extra bag--fill it on the way over with things otherwise destined for the used-clothing store here. In case there are gifts and mementos to be packed for the return, an empty bag is available.
Appreciate ideas from anyone who has been there.
Jun 25th, 2005, 01:59 PM
#119
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Sandy,
Just a slight clearing up. While we did Peterhof with the tour, actually it was an option. We thought it was well worth while and about the right amount of time.
What was included in our tour in St. Petersburg was a bus tour of the city which allows you to get out several times. St. Peter and Paul. Catherine's Palace. The Hermitage. a night ballet performance
In Moscow the included stuff a city tour, an evening performance of the Moscow State Circus, a tour of the Kremlin including the Armory.
There are also several optional excursions.
Have not heard about giving clothes. Most of the wait crew that you will mingle with are college students, at least on our cruise.
Phil
Just a slight clearing up. While we did Peterhof with the tour, actually it was an option. We thought it was well worth while and about the right amount of time.
What was included in our tour in St. Petersburg was a bus tour of the city which allows you to get out several times. St. Peter and Paul. Catherine's Palace. The Hermitage. a night ballet performance
In Moscow the included stuff a city tour, an evening performance of the Moscow State Circus, a tour of the Kremlin including the Armory.
There are also several optional excursions.
Have not heard about giving clothes. Most of the wait crew that you will mingle with are college students, at least on our cruise.
Phil
Jun 26th, 2005, 01:30 PM
#120
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Good point to consider the age of the cabin attendants. Maybe I'll bring some of my "L.A. cool" daughter's things instead! And, of course, this is in addition to an appropriate monetary tip.
Bedar is on the Russian waterways right now. Hope to hear about their experiences, too.
Bedar is on the Russian waterways right now. Hope to hear about their experiences, too.
