silton1

we used Alla tours for st Petersburg and we paid with our creation credit card and the cost was £421 a lot less than CMV £598. we were in a minibus for 16 but only 8 passengers and so in and out was quick at each stop. the tour guide Natalia and her driver were first class.We were taken to a nice restaurant on day1 and had a packed lunch day2. tips as usual were expected .

I am just about to book this with Alla tours. Thank you for the info. May I just ask how did you tip please? Currency? Etc

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thank you. I don't intend booking with ship for this. All the info is very useful.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thank you, yes I think viator and Alla are cheaper by a little, I might book with them. Just deciding now which tour....too much choice. I have not found a roll call for this cruise. I like to do a meet if there is one.

See you there.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thank you for that.

 

We've booked for the Magellan. 10th Aug 2017. A long way off but 3 cruises in the meantime. [emoji3]

Hello papcx, We have just made a late booking for the same Baltic cruise. I cannot get into the excursions as yet for prices. I can see all the lists though. Viator and Allah seem good if they are much cheaper but as yet cannot compare. Have you booked with cmv ?

Gill

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Seems unfair. When I looked at the atol site it said you needed a signed letter from a solicitor too. So that would cost.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

If it was paid by credit card might be worth asking them for the £150

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Was that atol

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I received refund in full from ABTA. It was a cruise only and nothing extra.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

My V of D cruise (no flights) was refunded by ABTA with no problems in full. Deposit was credit and final payment on debit. Refunded to my bank with no queries.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I have received my refund for v of d cruise ( no flights ) from abta. Very satisfied with how it has handled.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We have done Minerva and loved her. Just done Fred Balmoral and though different we were not disappointed, just a different experience. Depends on your expectations...it's more mass market.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thank you for so many helpful replies. I will update if I gain any more info myself

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I'm getting so much conflicting information. I paid the deposit direct using credit card, then balance with debit card same bank. They say as there was not a flight booked only cruise they cannot pay.....atol is for booking with flight ( though I have an atol certificate!) so I have lodged a claim with ABTA ....we shall see.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thank you to all that have contributed to this page. It has been difficult for everyone waiting to see the outcome. Sadly as expected. This is life. When booking today it has been difficult as all agents so busy with rebooking. This will not put us off cruising just reminds us to use good agents.

Sent from my iPad using Forums