We are getting ready to book a river cruise with Grand Circle through Russia and are looking for any comments or advice. We are leaning towards cruising from Moscow to St. Petersburg, as opposed to the opposite direction, does it make a difference? We are also considering at least one of the extensions, either Kiev or Helsinki, any recommendations? We are traveling in July and are so excited!

It doesn't really make much difference which direction you travel although some cruise lines have longer stays in either St. Petersburg or Moscow depending upon which city you start from.

Before you book your trip, you might want to go to the River Cruise board on Cruise Critic

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=191

You'll find lots of useful information about Russian river cruises there. You should also check the cruise reviews on Cruise Critic as well.

I travelled with Viking from St. Petersburg to Moscow two years ago--it was a great cruise and I was very favourably impressed with Viking. I have no experience with Grand Circle so can't comment on them, but you should find comments on Cruise Critic.

Can't tell you much about this particular trip, but I have done a couple land tours with Grand Circcle and found them to be a class act all the way. Friends have done cruises with them and enjoyed the trips immensely.

A year or two9 ago, someone on this forum did the Grand Circle Russian trip and wrote a detailed report. Try clicking on Russia and see if that brings it up.

The cruise is on my list of places I would love to do. I think I would choose the Kiev extension as I would be least likely to get back there on my own.

You should know that in Russia you will hardly communicate in English.

I just topped several cruise trip reports for you. Maybe you will find them helpful.

I tried to bring up the Russia cruise report, but it no longer seems to be where my bookmark is.

Thank you very much for your help. We have actually just decided to postpone our trip till 2013. Our circumstances this year have not allowed us the time and energy needed to investigate and prepare ourselves for a big trip like this.