bandr

Hi Chepar, I have an idea you are asking this question on the wrong website, I doubt Celebrity have oversight of cruise critic or at least would not respond to questions such as yours:(:(. By the way, tough luck docking way out there.

I would like to second/thousandth a recommendation for Alla Tours. Oh how I wish that all online sellers had the attitude to potential clients' questions and requirements that Alla have. Whether it be via the messaging feature or their facebook page, you are pretty much guaranteed a response by the 'next' day.

We had a situation where we may have had to cancel our booking and asked many questions about our options. They were all answered fully and without any punches being pulled in respect of where we stood and more importantly WHY, since some aspects of visiting Russia are out of the control of the tour companies.

Our guide on the 'Comfort Tour' was Katya, she barely took a breath over the two days, so encyclopaedic is her knowledge. By the way, she is also a teacher of English so you can imagine how proficient she is with the language.

Anyway, whichever tour company you use, definitely use one of them. Independent tourists were waiting in line (queueing) for as much as 4 hours to gain entry to The Petergof because they did not have a registered guide to get them priority entrance.

p.s I haven't updated my profile so unless I tell you, you won't know that I was on the wonderful Celebrity Silhouette Baltic cruise 28May - 9th June 2018

Thank you all for your help, it has been very helpful for all aspects of the .trip, interesting to hear of all your previous experiences, I don't think I will bother getting roubles, have booked private tours with Alla who have been brilliant so far with communication so I am sure they will also be helpful.

Totally concur with your experience with Alla Tours and the communication with Polina, first class. Are you on the May/June cruise?

Celeb. Silhouette, Baltic 14 days May 26 out of Southampton. Sailing with Married couple, would like to hook up with single lady, just to round out the table and conversation