Booked NCL Breakaway - St. Petersburg for September 2018, IS IT SAFE???

[Afgonz]

With everything that is going on I'm concerned as one of the stops is St. Petersburg and wondering how safe it is. Does anyone have input on this?

[KeithJenner]

Yes, it is safe.

 

The cruise line will pull out before the average traveller would.

[littlelulu01]

Ncl’s track record is to cancel prior to other lines. A couple years back Ncl pulled out of Turkey prior to any other lines. Ncl got great replacement ports and times. The other lines who waited too long got sea days or less desired ports and times. Ncl and Disney cruise line seem to be the two most cautious.

[Carnac767]

I don’t know how things are now, but when we there in 2007 you couldn’t leave the ship unless you were on an organized tour, either a ship’s or private. There was no opportunity to wander about on your own. We were docked in an industrial area several miles from downtown. You’ll be fine.

[pr0pel]

What's going on? There was a blast on the SPB metro last April and we still cruised in August. You can't leave the ship without a visa which can only come from an organized tour. You will be fine.

[zqvol]

Not sure that I would want to visit Russia right now as a US citizen. Too much crazy political stuff going on.

[KittyloverCA]

Visit the Baltic ports board. There’s been some discussion there. Consensus right now is it’s perfectly safe. They have the World Cup in Russia this summer and they wouldn’t risk all the lost money. I’m feeling perfectly clmfortsbl3 for July.

[pe4all]

I am doing this cruise at the end of August. Would hate to see the SPB portion of the cruise canceled, but it is too early to really worry about it now. And if they do cancel it, I will just enjoy the rest of the ports!

[AusQueen]

Don't worry about it just yet. For sure they will give everyone ample time to cancel. Any tour around St Petersburg is normally well controlled. You can get your visa upon disembarkation at the port but you need to be part of a tour group or a cruise in order to be able to avail of such visa at the port. We had our tour of St Petersburg amidst the dramas of Ukraine shooting down a Malaysian Airline plane. It still proceeded. St Petersburg is a must to see. The Hermitage and Peterhof is a must in this lifetime. So just relax for the time being and lets hope all these diplomatic rows will calm down in the coming months.

[the2006Junket]

With everything that is going on I'm concerned as one of the stops is St. Petersburg and wondering how safe it is. Does anyone have input on this?

 

What are you specifically referring to when you say "with everything that is going on?" We're sailing in mid June and I'm not at all concerned (except for how long the lines with Russian customs will be!).

[Envelope21]

They closed the American Consulate in St. Petersburg. There's that.

[kitkat343]

We traveled during the last crisis in 2014 with our 3 year old and felt perfectly safe. I hope the port won’t be cancelled, and right now I’d guess no but no one can make you any guarantees. If it is cancelled I hope you’d get an extra day in Stockholm, as that is also a lovely city. It’s a fabulous trip and I hope all goes well for you

[littlelulu01]

A couple years ago many cruises called on Turkey. Ncl announced port changes omitting Turkish ports very early on. They replaced with some great ports and times in Croatia and Greece. Celebrity Hal and carnival kept Turkey port of call even after repeated bombings and specific warnings to cruise passengers and cruise ports. I know by the time Carnival omitted Turkey they just replaced with sea days. Not sure what the other lines got. I ended up canceling my celebrity sailing and kept the Ncl itinerary. I think Celebrity ended up canceling around the time the government ordered all non essential military out but before overthrow attempt?

 

Ncl never said the replacement was due to safety concerns but I’d trust their intell and track record over other lines. Disney was the other line that canceled early on. It was a shame because the previous year i had a wonderful time in Turkey with my kids and was really looking forward to returning with my husband but I was thankful we sailed Ncl and that they were ahead of the game with ability to still offer a great itinerary.

[xitappers2bx]

With everything that is going on I'm concerned as one of the stops is St. Petersburg and wondering how safe it is. Does anyone have input on this?

 

There is no chance NCL would dock there if it wasn't safe. Of course, in a foreign country you always have to be cognizant of where you are and the cultural norms of the people, and there will always be people who try and take advantage, but if you think smart you'll be fine. But NCL would never dock anywhere that wasn't safe, the bad PR would be too much to risk.

[beckeye]

Cruising the 8/18 NCL itinerary. WIth the unrest, staying with the group seems best. Since I am doing that would I still need to buy a separate visa ordered ahead? They are expensive!

[steamboats]

First: There is no unrest in Russia or St. Petersburg!

 

Second: You don´t need an idividual visa if you are booked either with the cruise line or a certified tour operator.

 

steamboats

[SClakeliving]

First: There is no unrest in Russia or St. Petersburg!

 

Second: You don´t need an idividual visa if you are booked either with the cruise line or a certified tour operator.

 

steamboats

I agree. I am booked on Aug 27th Baltic cruise and the only worry I have about St Petersburg are pickpockets and muggers...I read about that on Port Boards and in guide books that is a big problem, but you are safe if you stay with your tour guide/group.

[njkate]

I agree. I am booked on Aug 27th Baltic cruise and the only worry I have about St Petersburg are pickpockets and muggers...I read about that on Port Boards and in guide books that is a big problem, but you are safe if you stay with your tour guide/group.

 

And crossing the street so I'm told, they drive like maniacs

[njkate]

Cruising the 8/18 NCL itinerary. WIth the unrest, staying with the group seems best. Since I am doing that would I still need to buy a separate visa ordered ahead? They are expensive!

 

I'm on this cruise as well. You have to go through the ships tours or a private tour company in SPB. The only time you would need your own personal visa is if you wanted to wander with out an escort

[twruger]

As long as you take the typical precautions against pickpockets that you should do for every port, don't worry. If you get there and are still worried, you need to buy a bottle of vodka. If that doesn't work, keep buying vodka until the worry disappears. :D I'll be there in July and have no concerns taking my 10 and 12 yo boys. It's going to be a great trip!