Is a Russian Visa required for Canadian resident?

[JEBEAM]

We have booked a Baltic cruise for this summer (July 2017). We were told that we would NOT require a Russian Visa if we did excursions with Royal Caribbean. We were told we would ONLY require to purchase a Russian Visa before our trip IF we planned to debark independently. Any Canadian who can confirm this?

Thank you,

Jennifer

[Biker19]

That sounds like the same rules as for US citizens and sounds about right.

[Ashland]

The same is true if you book a private excursion and not with the cruiseline.

 

We used TJ Travel and they took care of everything...amazing private tour..Do consider using a private company...you won't be sorry.

[zumbalover]

We did a Baltic cruise this past summer. If you do a ship's excursion you don't need to get a visa, they will take care of it. Likewise, if you book with a private tour company, they will take care of the visa for you.

We used Ludmila tours and they were excellent. For 4 of us, we had a private excursion for 2 full days, saw more than the ship's tour and it cost less than the ship's tour.

 

However, if you want to roam around on your own in port and not take any tours then you must get your own visa. It is about $200 CDN each and quite a lengthy process to get. It is much more convenient to book with a private tour company or use the ship's excursion. The disadvantage of booking a tour is that you can't roam around on your own and must stay with your tour guide at all times.

[Beachammo]

We did a Baltic cruise this past summer. If you do a ship's excursion you don't need to get a visa, they will take care of it. Likewise, if you book with a private tour company, they will take care of the visa for you.

We used Ludmila tours and they were excellent. For 4 of us, we had a private excursion for 2 full days, saw more than the ship's tour and it cost less than the ship's tour.

 

However, if you want to roam around on your own in port and not take any tours then you must get your own visa. It is about $200 CDN each and quite a lengthy process to get. It is much more convenient to book with a private tour company or use the ship's excursion. The disadvantage of booking a tour is that you can't roam around on your own and must stay with your tour guide at all times.

When we were in Russia our tour guide allowed us to wonder around on our own and we had a meeting place. There was 10 of us.....some went to McDonald's (2 lol) and some had a authenic Russian meal (8). I guess it was a couple of hours. This was in Moscow on our 2nd of three nights in St. Petersburg.

 

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[cruzgryphon]

Agree definitely go private tour operator for Russian excursion. If you go to the ports of call - Northern Europe and do a search for St.Petersburg private excursions you'll find lots of reviews and information.

Enjoy your trip - Baltics are great.