[lpkshop]

I am taking a cruise on Celebrity starting in Amsterdam stopping in Helsinki , Copenhagen Stockholm and st Petersburg . Plan to take the excursion in st Petersburg . Any tips or suggestions for other shore excursions
Thanx

[LI SNOWBIRD]

so arew e-- when do you leave?

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by lpkshop

I am taking a cruise on Celebrity starting in Amsterdam stopping in Helsinki , Copenhagen Stockholm and st Petersburg . Plan to take the excursion in st Petersburg . Any tips or suggestions for other shore excursions
Thanx

All of the Scandinavian cities have excellent tourist infrastructure so, whatever you decide to do, I should recommend doing it through a "local" operation rather than using a ship's tour. It will be half the price and twice as good.

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by lpkshop

I am taking a cruise on Celebrity starting in Amsterdam stopping in Helsinki , Copenhagen Stockholm and st Petersburg . Plan to take the excursion in st Petersburg . Any tips or suggestions for other shore excursions
Thanx

I have done that cruise. You will love it!

Check with Viatours.com. They are an excellent company with good guides.

[vclaes]

We are taking that cruise and have booked tours for St. Petersburg and Berlin through SPB tours. Which departure date are you sailing? The cruisecritic website has some excellent information.

[scoutii]

Please don't post the dates that you will be gone for an extended time on a public forum. We certainly have had enough break-ins lately without advertising when we will be out of town.

[vclaes]

Originally Posted by scoutii

Please don't post the dates that you will be gone for an extended time on a public forum. We certainly have had enough break-ins lately without advertising when we will be out of town.

You are so right. As soon as I hit the Reply button, I thought the same thing, so I sent a PM to the OP.

[EnjoyTheVillages]

In St. Petersburg be sure to tour The Hermitage and also attent the ballet at the Hermitage. Both are wonderful experiences. The Hermatage is one of the oldest and most interesting museums in the world, founded in the late 1700's.

[shcisamax]

The Hermitage is world class. Do not leave St. Petersburg without seeing it.

[villager]

Be aware, when you are in St. Petersburg, you will absolutely have to be on a tour to get off the ship. You can not roam around by yourself. If you do, you are taking a big risk of being arrested. I know this because I used to teach classes on cruise ships and it was a big problem for us with guests trying to take off on their own.

[peteg]

To visit Russia it is easiest to use the group visa provided by the ship but you HAVE to go on their trips. It is possible to get your own visa before travelling.
Everywhere you may visit on this cruise will be very good but remember that the Scandinavian countries are VERY expensive

[Cathy H]

The russians are geting unfriendly & if the US does something bad & you are there we may not see you again for a while.

[EnjoyTheVillages]

Don't let negative thoughts interfere with your travels. Russia is a fascinating country to visit and I have found the people to be very friendly and helpful. Enjoy the culture, you won't find it elsewhere.

[racedaygal]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

All of the Scandinavian cities have excellent tourist infrastructure so, whatever you decide to do, I should recommend doing it through a "local" operation rather than using a ship's tour. It will be half the price and twice as good.

Originally Posted by Travel by Char

You can only go ashore on your own in Russia if you have a visa (you would need to get it in advance). Last I checked it was $200 per person. If you are on a tour, you won't need one but you must stay with the tour - can't stay in town to shop or anything. It's difficult on your own without an English speaking guide anyway as English is not widely spoken or understood.

Many of the local tour companies will supply you with a tour visa, but I believe you do have to book the tour with them in advance.

I second Cruise Critic and have been a member since 2004 and use it all the time. We have been on over 30 cruises and always use Cruise Critic to meet other people going on the cruise with us, plan excursions, etc.