J Belleek

It is my understanding:

The big Russian tour company that provides the tours for the cruise ships is now an ownership partner with the Marine Facade (cruise port). So - my assumption is that this is why the new rules have been instituted - it is an effort to drive out the small local companies.

The excuse given to the local companies was overcrowding during disembarkation/long queues at immigration - so those booked on independent tours would need to wait until the cruise ship tours have gone through immigration.

A trial run was conducted last year - the problem was not ameliorated with the cruise tours departing first. So - who knows what will occur during the upcoming season? As far as I am concerned, I think that this complicity between the cruise port & cruise tours is a complete scam!

Someone suggested that the shops at the port of St.Petersburg is a good place to shop. Did you notice any port shops?

Are there shops and time to shop as you tour St.Petersburg over the two day stay if you take the ship tours. We are taking NCL’s “Best of Tours” throughout our cruise.

Use a CC or bring rubles?

Should we bring low denominations of US currency?

We did this and chose the ballet. As I remember, it wasn't so expensive that it sticks in my mind. With our group we had dinner at a local restaurant which was pretty good. ALLA tours dropped us off and sent another bus/driver to take us to the theater.

 

I'm glad we skipped the Folkloric dance option as they offered it on the ship for free. Swan Lake was lovely but let me tell you that after a very long day touring with much walking, by Intermission we were dragging.

 

It happened that it was Summer Solstice that night and we did get to experience Russia's White Night. No problem with sleeping, we were that tired. :D

 

Sue

Was the Folkloric dance preformed in the ship? During daytime or at night?