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Re: COSTLY EXCURSIONS

Julie-traveler — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:33:27 GMT

Hi, my first post...

It does seem very high. I have been to St Petersburg several times, the first two times on Star Princess and Emerald Princess. The last time was solo, with a visa for 3 weeks. It is a stunning city....but with some rough edges, and the most interesting city I have ever visited.

I have been through all these issues before, the cruise ships contract with a local tour operator and sell shore excursions to their passengers and really mark up the price as their commission. A car to visit the city from the new passenger port should be about $300 with guide and driver per day. A van should be $450 or so for 8-12 people total.

I read the itinerary of the 3 day tour for $460 and was surprised how few destinations it included, that is about $100 more what I paid for a tour by using a non-ship sold tour that included about twice inside visits and tickets.

There is a big misunderstanding that cruisers reach when reading the ship warnings about visas. Any tour operator licensed in Russia can give a tour as the visitor's sponsor and no visa is required but the ships usually write that only the tours they sell are visa free. That is not true at all. I did get a visa for my solo trip because the visa free is only available to cruise ship passengers, not people visiting by train or air.

I visited the web site for the tour operator I used before on Princess and saw they had a dedicated tour for Olivia passengers. Others might also.

If you get a visa, you can wander on your own without supervision of a sponsoring tour company but they are kinds of a hassle to get. Luckily I have a Russian consulate close to my home in Northern California so I could apply in person and pick it up a week later. The cost was $140.

If you have any questions about the Baltic, and particularly St Petersburg, I've done a lot of research and spent a bit of time there in the last 5 years. It really is the crown jewel of the Baltic and spending 3 days in port is a real advantage. To see most must sees would take 300 days, not 3. I have been to the Hermitage 6 times and figure it would take another few dozen visits to see it all.

Julie P
Marin

Re: COSTLY EXCURSIONS

labrys1 — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:00:05 GMT

EVEN THOUGH THE $850 IS FOR THREE TO A CAR, THAT MAKES IT $283.00 PER PERSON FOR A CAR TOUR. STILL SOUNDS VERY INFLATED !!!!!

Re: COSTLY EXCURSIONS

Michele — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:17:37 GMT

On page 40 of 85 of the brochure Jeri Umble posted indicates that cars are per vehicle and hold 3 passengers. Vans are also priced per vehicle and hold 10 passengers. Hope that helps since persons booking a car or van are responsible for arranging the group and the cost sharing arrangement.

Michele

Re: COSTLY EXCURSIONS

labrys1 — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:11:39 GMT

IT DOES SPECIFY THAT IT IS "PER CAR" BUT DOES NOT MENTION HOW MANY CAN FIT INTO THE CAR.

Re: COSTLY EXCURSIONS

Laureen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:29:50 GMT

Hi, where in the info pkg did you find that the prices are per vehicle? Because what I see is per adult price, which is very high. Thanks, Laureen

Re: COSTLY EXCURSIONS

ITPURS — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:12:43 GMT

Hold on...upon further reading (which I should have done) the high prices are per vehicle, not per person. If one reads the descriptions below, the prices are in keeping with other tours. This company needs a better PR person to advertise their tours. It sure was a sticker shock to see the rates posted like that. Jan

Re: COSTLY EXCURSIONS

ITPURS — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:59:20 GMT

I agree. Wow $850.00 each for a ride to the Hermitage and a stop for shopping is a bit much. The other countries are not out of line, but Russia certainly is. Maybe Olivia can suggest an alternative, or negotiate a better deal than what is offered here. $1700.00 for less than a day excursion is over the top in my books. Any one else feel this way? Jan

COSTLY EXCURSIONS

labrys1 — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:17:55 GMT

I HAVE GLANCED AT THE AZAMARA EXCURSIONS FOR THIS TRIP AND THEY SEEM VERY PRICEY. ALSO, THEY PROVIDE A VISA (REQUIRED IN RUSSIA) ONLY IF YOU PARTICIPATE IN AZAMARA EXCURSIONS. PERHAPS IT IS A BETTER IDEA TO GET A VISA B4 THE TRIP AND BOOK OUR OWN TOURS? ANY THOUGHTS ?