The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[jilljill]

Wow... her prices have gone up. She quoted me $1182 for 4 (2 Adults; 2 kids). This does not include a visit to Catherine's Palace. This is for 1 1/2 days of touring... I'm sure she is charging for the full 2 days because she can't lose the 1/2 day income waiting for us.

Were you only pricing out the tour for just your family?
We toured with 2 other families, so we had a total of 12 in our group. Sharing the tour will lower your overall cost. When I first priced it out for just the 3 of us it was around $1200 total for us.

 

[jilljill]

our quote was 1500 for 2 adults 1 kid. was hoping to keep it around 1000. that would make sense about losing the half day.

Check on your meets thread to add another family or 2 to lower your tour cost. The more people in the group the cheaper the tour.

 

[Madisonznana]

Check on your meets thread to add another family or 2 to lower your tour cost. The more people in the group the cheaper the tour.

Our quote was $1820. for 4 adults and 3 children with Anastasia. But I am not sure if that will change, I hadn't mentioned we get in at 12:30pm.

 

[sbell111]

The SPB prices that were quoted in the other thread were as follows:

3 people 405 each 1215 total
4 people 335 each 1340 total
5 people 315 each 1575 total
6 people 295 each 1770 total
7 people 282 each 1974 total
8 people 270 each 2160 total
9 people 260 each 2340 total
10 people 250 each 2500 total

These prices are USD and were for a cruise that arrives in St Pete early.

 

[MrsScooby]

Laurie, the set of nesting dolls that was on the ship was a very large set, about 12 or 14 dolls and it stood about 16-18 inches tall.
Sorry I can't help you any more with the dolls.


Yes that was a 2 day tour with Anastasia. I didn't figure a percentage just used a dollar amount. We paid $700 (it was more like $692, but I rounded it up to make life easier for paying) for the 3 of us for the 2 day tour, so I guess the guide got 15% and the driver got 5%.

No-- you're a huge help with this, thanks
The percentages sound fine too
My first trip to Europe and I can use all the advice and info I can get

 

[DW2DH&DS]

Beth-

That quote sounds kind of high. May I ask which company gave you that?

We just sent an email off to Denrus and now I'm scared!

Joanne

That was for Anastasia. I am still waiting for DenRus quote.

Were you only pricing out the tour for just your family?
We toured with 2 other families, so we had a total of 12 in our group. Sharing the tour will lower your overall cost. When I first priced it out for just the 3 of us it was around $1200 total for us.

yes jsut our family for now. I would like to maybe join one other family...DH and i are just discussing this option now. was thinking of putting it out there on my meet thread tomorrow if that is what we decide to do!!

Our quote was $1820. for 4 adults and 3 children with Anastasia. But I am not sure if that will change, I hadn't mentioned we get in at 12:30pm.

Check your itinerary. if you mentioned Disney Magic, they already know it is 12:30. Your itinerary will have the time they pick you up from the ship.

 

[flower91882]

We're doing a tour through SPB. It'll be just the two of us (which makes it more expensive). It seems more expensive compared to what you all are quoting, but I think more is included. Make sure you're comparing apples to apples when you're comparing your quote to someone else's.

 

[gydell]

our quote was 1500 for 2 adults 1 kid. was hoping to keep it around 1000. that would make sense about losing the half day.

Ours was $1700 for 4 adults and 1 child. I don't think that is too bad for a day and a half private tour. I can't imagine seeing all that we have scheduled for that price. I would think it would be MUCH more with DCL!

 

[gydell]

The SPB prices that were quoted in the other thread were as follows:

3 people 405 each 1215 total
4 people 335 each 1340 total
5 people 315 each 1575 total
6 people 295 each 1770 total
7 people 282 each 1974 total
8 people 270 each 2160 total
9 people 260 each 2340 total
10 people 250 each 2500 total

These prices are USD and were for a cruise that arrives in St Pete early.

What's SPB?

 

[DW2DH&DS]

Ours was $1700 for 4 adults and 1 child. I don't think that is too bad for a day and a half private tour. I can't imagine seeing all that we have scheduled for that price. I would think it would be MUCH more with DCL!

I agree Gydell!!! 1700 for 5 isn't bad but 1500 for 3 is too steep. But we are chock full of must sees too!!
You must be getting excited seeing as though you are on the inaugural. We are going to pay in full by the end of the month..can't wait to get that off our shoulders. going to put in on the AMEX and get all the miles...woohoo!!!

What's SPB?

I was wondering the same thing!!! we are waiting for a quote from DenRus, and i will be putting a request in with Red October as well.

 

[mardonna]

I was told my DCL Concierage that prices get posted Monday. I have quotes from red october, Anastasia, and Denrus.......I have never heard of SPG? Since we are a party of 10 and 5 of those are children (3 of them under 5) I am still undecided on whether to bring them.....I think Red October doesn't charge for kids 5 and under which would be nice but not sure how that quote works out....I have an inquiry in to them....does anyone know who Disney is using? And does anyone know what the quality is for these tours? Like 5 star, 4 star, or what?

 

[DW2DH&DS]

starting to get busy...I like it!!!!!

 

[sshaw10060]

I was told my DCL Concierage that prices get posted Monday. I have quotes from red october, Anastasia, and Denrus.......I have never heard of SPG? Since we are a party of 10 and 5 of those are children (3 of them under 5) I am still undecided on whether to bring them.....I think Red October doesn't charge for kids 5 and under which would be nice but not sure how that quote works out....I have an inquiry in to them....does anyone know who Disney is using? And does anyone know what the quality is for these tours? Like 5 star, 4 star, or what?

St P. is the only port I will not be bringing our 3 yo along. What I want to see/do and what he is willing to tolerate are two very different things.

 

[jilljill]

We're doing a tour through SPB. It'll be just the two of us (which makes it more expensive). It seems more expensive compared to what you all are quoting, but I think more is included. Make sure you're comparing apples to apples when you're comparing your quote to someone else's.

This is the same advise I was going to put out there for everyone. One venue change from your itinerary to someone else's can make a big difference in price.

Also, ask your tour operator if they are including photo and/or video permit charges in the tour price or if you will have to pay that separately. Most of the venues charge you to take pics and videos inside. The cost isn't much, just a couple to a few dollars, but it does add up in the end.

Here's a pic of the photo charge sign in either St Isaac's Cathedral or The Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood:

 

[mardonna]

has anyone taken the time to do a description of all tours with info......it makes me nuts that Disney doesn't have something we can print out....I think they do it on purpose.....I rather have some actually paper to look at and make notes on....I know someone out there must be ambitious....

 

[mardonna]

This is the same advise I was going to put out there for everyone. One venue change from your itinerary to someone else's can make a big difference in price.

Also, ask your tour operator if they are including photo and/or video permit charges in the tour price or if you will have to pay that separately. Most of the venues charge you to take pics and videos inside. The cost isn't much, just a couple to a few dollars, but it does add up in the end.

Here's a pic of the photo charge sign in either St Isaac's Cathedral or The Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood:

I wonder if Disney includes these fees.....can you take pictures outside for free? How do they police it?

 

[MJGirl]

I wonder if Disney includes these fees.....can you take pictures outside for free? How do they police it?

I don't know how they police it ... but I do know I wouldn't want to get caught breaking the law in Russia!!

 

[sbell111]

What's SPB?

A tour operator in Berlin and St Petersburg. (I guess that it would be St Pete & Berlin.)

SPB Tours website

 

[flower91882]

This is the same advise I was going to put out there for everyone. One venue change from your itinerary to someone else's can make a big difference in price.

Also, ask your tour operator if they are including photo and/or video permit charges in the tour price or if you will have to pay that separately. Most of the venues charge you to take pics and videos inside. The cost isn't much, just a couple to a few dollars, but it does add up in the end.

Here's a pic of the photo charge sign in either St Isaac's Cathedral or The Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood:

At first reading these posts I got scared and thought "oh my god, am I overpaying???" Then I realized that I'm going to at least two extra museums, photo passes are included, as are lunches (both days) and subway & hydrofoil rides. Those things add up, quickly. So, now I'm feeling a BIT better about it. I'm still spending a lot of money, but I think (read: HOPE) it'll be worth it. This is the only port we really plan on spending much anyway. Might as well go big or go home. Right??

 

[RJAYL]

St P. is the only port I will not be bringing our 3 yo along. What I want to see/do and what he is willing to tolerate are two very different things.

Truthfully I am traveling with 4 children who will be 6/9/15 &17 & unless it is not a full day tour I will not consider bringing my 6 year old, as she would be happier in the clubs anyway!

My 9 year old says she wants to go on all tours but I will hedge my bets!