cruiselover11

Hi there!

First of all there is no issues with Visas. You can apply for a visa on your own and explore the city on your own.

And for those of us who would rather get the taste of the city with the guide we don't have to worry about visa. Since we are booked on the tour with a private tour guide or a cruise ship tour the tour ticket acts like visa.

There are top 3 tour companies in Saint Peterburg:

SPB tours

Alla tours

TJ tours ( or some like that ).

The groups are no more then 16 people . But you can read all that on their website.

there are also numerous reviews on Cruisecritic or TripAdvisor.

Hope this help!

Hello Travelanni,

We just found out that our ship will dock in Rostock and not Warnemunde . Our original plan was To visit Rostock and on way back explore Warnemunde .

Now since we are docking in the Industrial Port of Rostock which would you suggest ? Rostock and Wismar or Rostock and Warnemunde ? :confused:

Thank you so much for your feedbacks and help to all of us !

Meanwhile, back at the ranch....

Do any of the folks who got significant free time during their tours know the name of the company used? As 3 of you have confirmed it, I certainly beIieve you and I am wanting to investigate more. Thank you!

This tour is offered by SPB tours:

"

Private Vehicle

Reserve a private driver (without guide) for 3 hours. During this time you can eat at a local restaurant, see parts of the city by twilight, do a bit of personal shopping, and just get a feel of the city during the evening.

This option also available for those making their own ballet arrangements who only need transportation.

Please note the "starting price" per person is from 16 pax! The price chart for smaller groups:

02 pax: $75 USD per person

04 pax: $37.5 USD per person

06 pax: $35 USD per person

08 pax: $25 USD per person

10-12 pax: $20 USD per person

14-16 pax: $15 USD per person

*3 hours is the minimum amount of time vehicles can be hired.

I also understand that you cannot just book this Evening tour by it self. You would have had to be part of their day tour also. Then they drop you off at the ship at 5-6 pm and pick you up for this Private Vehicle " tour" at 7.

Thanks everyone ! We'll be making plans to see the Northern Lights via land vacation in the later time.

I guess I didn't phrase my question correctly. Provided that the sky is clear would the Northern Lights be visible from the ports and areas around these pots : Eidfjord Norway, Alesund, Geiranger, Bergen ?

I am looking at the cruise from Amsterdam to Norway on August 27.

On the Norway lights forecast site it says season starts on August 25- April.

Can anyone tell me once the ship is near these ports : Eidfjord, Alesund, Geiranger, Bergen will we be able to see the Northern Lights from the cruiseship?