Getting off ship in St Petersburg

[debsters41]

Hi all,

I think I heard it mentioned on the podcast that the reason Disney won't let you off the boat in St Petersburg unless you are on an official group excursion has less to do with the crime, and more to do with the fact that Russia requires a visa. It is my understanding that Russia offers a blanket visa for organised excursions, but if someone wants to leave the ship to tour independently, he or she will have to arrange for a visa.

Anyway, I am no expert. This is just some bit of trivia which has somehow got into my brain. I may be very much sadly mistaken, even But my two cents nonetheless.

Anyone know anything more?

 

[grizbuzz]

I lived in Moscow for a few years after college (already 15 years ago now ). What you write about visa requirements sounds correct to me, as Russia was really strict about visas when I lived there and I imagine they still are. I actually almost got stuck in Russia, as my visa had expired unbenownst to me and they wouldn't let me on my plane out of the country.

I also wouldn't necessarily recommend that people just tour around St Petersburg on their own without knowledge of the language or the city. It's not like visiting Western Europe. Unless you know what you're doing and can speak the language, I think getting on an organized excursion is a very wise thing to do.

I can't believe Disney is going to Russia! It's great! Just seems a little unreal...

 

[Kristineamb]

My parents were in St. Petersburg on a Holland America cruise in May 2007. St. Petersburg was their least favorite port. They heard many stories of fellow cruisers being robbed and there was apparently an incident with a crew member's Visa being stolen and the captain holding the ship until everything was worked out.

 

[safetymom]

When you booked one of those cruises you were told that you needed a russian tourist visa and needed to get it way ahead of time.

 

[Boardwalker]

It isn't difficult to get a tourist visa for Russia.* Just go through the website for the Russian Consulate to get a list of requirements and an approved list of agencies.As far as safety, St Petersburg requires more caution and awareness than most other European ports, but is continually improving.
With the fall of communism, the city fell on some hard times, but has begun to prosper again.
However, you won't get by with english, and since even the alphabet is different, it isn't wise to try to muttle through on your own. If you don't speak the language, arrange for a guide and driver, and see the city with an escourt.* It is a remarkably beautiful city, and the Hermitage is one of the best museums in the world.

 

[checkwriter]

If you do get off the ship, just make sure you say only pleasant things about that nice Mr. Putin of theirs.

Not that I'm saying anything bad would ever happen to you if you didn't.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

 

[Boardwalker]

If you do get off the ship, just make sure you say only pleasant things about that nice Mr. Putin of theirs.

Not that I'm saying anything bad would ever happen to you if you didn't.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Now, checkwriter, as I understand it, Mr Putin is very supportive of dissenters. As a matter of fact you can see several of them in his martial arts video... they are the ones bleeding from the ears.
But that doesn't change the fact that St Petersburg is really a lovely city, with it's palaces, museums and onion-domed cathedrals.

 

[tammydel]

Wow!
Disney in Russia.
I majored in Russian in college and spent a summer in St. Petersburg (of course it was Leningrad then). I traveled to Russian many times in the few years after college. I taught an elementary school Russian program for 7 years.

Fast forward. $$ ran dry for Russian program, teaching 4th grade, 2 kids and travel to Disney now.

Disney and Russia together is like being in my 20's and my 40's both at the same time!

Really though St. Petersburg is an amazing city filled with great beauty and facinating history. I'd really reccomend reading some history if you plan on going it will make the trip much more interesting.
Of course it was then and I'm sure still is a big city with big city crime, combined with the dramatic changes that have occered there in the past 20 years (OK, has it been 20 years!?!).

If you get the chance, go! I'm intrigued by the idea of being able to share this part of my experiences with my family. I never really thought I'd try to venture there with kids....Hmmm...

Tammy

 

[grizbuzz]

Wow!
Disney in Russia.
I majored in Russian in college and spent a summer in St. Petersburg (of course it was Leningrad then). I traveled to Russian many times in the few years after college. I taught an elementary school Russian program for 7 years.

Fast forward. $$ ran dry for Russian program, teaching 4th grade, 2 kids and travel to Disney now.

Disney and Russia together is like being in my 20's and my 40's both at the same time!

Really though St. Petersburg is an amazing city filled with great beauty and facinating history. I'd really reccomend reading some history if you plan on going it will make the trip much more interesting.
Of course it was then and I'm sure still is a big city with big city crime, combined with the dramatic changes that have occered there in the past 20 years (OK, has it been 20 years!?!).

If you get the chance, go! I'm intrigued by the idea of being able to share this part of my experiences with my family. I never really thought I'd try to venture there with kids....Hmmm...

Tammy

You didn't by chance study with ACTR, did you? I was a Soviet Studies major (dates me, I guess) and then studied in Moscow with ACTR and stayed on to teach English and then came back a couple years later to work with IREX. Maybe you know these acronyms. Never thought I'd find any fellow Russophiles on the DIS. I'm intrigued by the idea of taking my kids to Russia, but they will only be 5 and 7 in 2010 and the Northern European cruise is so pricey. Doesn't look like it's going to work out for us this time.

 

[tammydel]

Oh, I'm just as dated as you are, I studied in Leningrad remember? And no I didn't study with ACTR - American Council of Teachers of Russian. I did a program at the University of Leningrad, it was run through the State University of New york at New Paltz. Then later a program through NYSAFLT (NYS ***. Foriegn Lang. teachers) to teach an English course to Russian teachers of English in Russian. I chaperoned a People to People trip of high school students eek: ) was a guide for my undergraduate college's trip (Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY). Then I taught Russian in a magnet elementary school in Poughkeepsie, NY. And yes, in addition to history, literature and laguage - we had a course called Soviet Union Today!

Probably I won't get to do this cruise either - but what an idea! My kids will be 12 and 14 in 2 years. Old enough to travel, but I don't think they could fathom what they'd be seeing.

And I'm stumped with IREX. But I'm sure we could trade some amazing stories of living and going to school in Russia!

Tammy

 

[disneyholic family]

i'm dated too....when i was there it was still leningrad (and jimmy carter was only president-elect december 1976/january 1977 to be exact)....

as for crime in russia - yes, it is very very serious ....
but it's not a problem if you're in a group....

and st petersburg is certainly a beautiful city that's worth a look....

 

[grizbuzz]

Oh, I'm just as dated as you are, I studied in Leningrad remember? And no I didn't study with ACTR - American Council of Teachers of Russian. I did a program at the University of Leningrad, it was run through the State University of New york at New Paltz. Then later a program through NYSAFLT (NYS ***. Foriegn Lang. teachers) to teach an English course to Russian teachers of English in Russian. I chaperoned a People to People trip of high school students eek: ) was a guide for my undergraduate college's trip (Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY). Then I taught Russian in a magnet elementary school in Poughkeepsie, NY. And yes, in addition to history, literature and laguage - we had a course called Soviet Union Today!

Probably I won't get to do this cruise either - but what an idea! My kids will be 12 and 14 in 2 years. Old enough to travel, but I don't think they could fathom what they'd be seeing.

And I'm stumped with IREX. But I'm sure we could trade some amazing stories of living and going to school in Russia!

Tammy

Ah...you know ACTR! IREX is International Research and Exchanges Board - a non-profit similar to ACTR.

Now ages 12 and 14 would be great to see Russia. You should go!

 

[schoen]

Another Russian degree holder here! I too lived in St. Petes for awhile. It is am amazingly beautiful city. I so enjoyed white nights, and I believe that the summer palace is the most beautiful place I have ever seen (although it is outside of the city). I would go to for sure. Yes, it is a big city, with big city issues. Most of the folks in the city speak English though, and if you stay in well populated areas you should be fine. You do have to be careful of pick pockets. Letting fear, and a very easy Visa issue deter you from the chance to see this amazing city would be a shame. It is Russia's window to the west. It is so unique! Western Europe, with a Russian flare. Everyone should go, have some vodka, eat some plemini and enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I loved St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the Winter Palace. The Cathedral on the Blood is also beautiful, but it sticks out a bit, as it is distinctly Russian in it's architecture, among European buildings. I so wish I could afford one of these cruises! I would love to go back!

 

[tammydel]

schoen you are taking me back! I remember going out at like 1 am during white nights to watch the bridges open over the Neva, the Hermatage and trips out to the summer palace. Shopping on Nevsky Prospect when there really wasn't anything to buy! Anyone ever go to a hard currency bar called the Chaika?
Tammy

 

[schoen]

I was very fortunate to be there during white nights. I spent most of my time in volgograd, which is lovely, but not nearly as amazing. are they sailing there in early May? Probably not, plus it would probably be a day trip thing... I am so bummed that I can't combine my two passions in life, Disney and Russia! I am a Russian teacher as well. sadly I live in a state that has cut all Russian programs. I am doing corporate training instead. Not what I went to school for. Oh well!

 

[granmaz]

I was very fortunate to be there during white nights. I spent most of my time in volgograd, which is lovely, but not nearly as amazing. are they sailing there in early May? Probably not, plus it would probably be a day trip thing... I am so bummed that I can't combine my two passions in life, Disney and Russia! I am a Russian teacher as well. sadly I live in a state that has cut all Russian programs. I am doing corporate training instead. Not what I went to school for. Oh well!

We are booked on the first Baltic cruise on 12th June 2010. Can you tell us anything about white nights? Someone mentioned it on the cruise thread.

 

[schoen]

White Nights is a time in parts of Russia, St. Pertersburg for sure, where it just does not get dark at all. The sun will not set until very late (after 10) and the sun rises VERY early. It will get like twilight, but never be completely dark. There are festivals, and celebrations. It is just a really neat experience. It is midnight, but it is light out. It goes on for a few weeks. I was there in mid to early May and it had just started. I think it would still be going on in June.

 

[granmaz]

Thank you. That sounds something special. We are there over Midsummer's day, so hopefully we should have a good experience.