russian visa

[oops!!!]

We are going to visit St Petersburg as tourists next year Anyone know the best and cheapest way to obtain a visa? I think the russian embassy is best but not sure.
Any help will be appreciated.
We will be on a cruise ship and it is staying there 3 days so will need to enter 3 times I guess.
Thanks in advance.

[grasscarp]

We went there in August. It involved a trip to the Embassy and you have to do the form on the internet and then print it out. Read through everything you need carefully or you will have to go back. Tour companies help with the letter of invitation, which you will need to accompany the application. Also need to show travel insurance. It is a lovely place and I am sure you will enjoy it. There are various agencies help with Visas, but will obviously cost more than doing it yourself. Depends where you live I guess.

[Buenchico]

The cruise company might be able to provide the necessary documentation, otherwise you'll have to go through a recognised agency. See here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Travel/Question 443495.html

Chris

[oops!!!]

Thanks guys for all info I feel a lot better now about the visa thing
Now we just can't wait to go... ;))

[Cathyhuns]

If you are going on a cruise ship and leaving the ship on their organised tours this includes the ability to enter Russia on a special visa - ie you don't have to do anything else.

If you want to leave the ship on your own - ie not on the organised tours - you need to organise your own visa. This requires that you have a letter of invitation from someone in Russia. The cruise ship/line will not provide you with this letter so you need a Russian company to provide this.

When we went a year or two ago we didn't find anyone who had managed to organise their own visas and those who had tried had found it impossible.

Therefore the only sensible way to enter Russia when arriving on a cruise ship is on their organised tours.

[oops!!!]

Thanks Cathy that is very informative .I do appreciate all your advice.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

the cruise ships organise many tours in to st petersburg,you could take a different tour every day,and you would see a awful lot more then doing it yourself,are you sure you are there for 3 days,they dont usually stop for that long,we only had 2 days there in august.

[oops!!!]

Hi Norman,You are right !!!
The first day we arrive at 10 pm ,So we have 2 full days after that.
Ty for drawing my attention to it.
We have decided to do the organised tours and agree we will see a lot more
than doing it ourselves.
Thanks to all for your sound advice.
Now for the next question what do you suggest we should see....so many tours to choose from.

[Cathyhuns]

We did the Winter Palace on one day and the Hermitage on the second. Both were half day tours. Both locations were magnificent but very busy. We were there in July and at the Hermitage in particular it was a case of shuffle around with everyone else.

There were some tours which provided you with a private view of the Hermitage as part of an evening trip to the ballet (I think) so if you're really into art that might be worth paying for.

However what ruined both tours for us were the large Americans who complained continually at having to walk anywhere. How they expected to visit an art museum without walking I don't know but we didn't have this problem on the other organised tours we did.

[netibiza]

I was also there this September, it was very dark and damp and no one smiled, but I loved it. If you go to the Hermitage Museum, remember that it shuts on Mondays, and it is impossible to see everything there. As for visas, if you are going with a company let them do it as it'll be easier. The actual visa is all translated into russian, even your name and is wonderful, I'm right proud of mine.

[oops!!!]

Hi again Cathy.
We are going with Fred Olsen early next Sept so don't expect to have many on our ship,mostly Brits. We hope Sept not as busy as the summer or too cold.lol
Ty for your input give us plenty to think about.

[grasscarp]

We went in August and it was very warm, unusually so. We were taken round Peterhof - huge gardens and fountains which are very spectacular. If any tour includes that it is excellent. The park has palaces in it as well. You can find plenty about this place on the internet. You may seem brides all dressed up in their white dresses and veils. They seem to spend the day wandering about in public places!

[oops!!!]

ty Netibiza and Grass lots of info from u 2 ty so much ;)) for all your input and time

[VillageVicar]

I often take the ferry between Tallin and St Petersburg, where I use the ferry as my accommodation. In that instance a visa is not necessary. Others are right, as long as your domicile is the ship, you should be free and clear. Thankfully, I now use a multiple entry visa for Russia. If you are planning on returning, for your own peace of mind, you 'could' consider applying for one..but I should warn you - you will need either a business or home sponsor.

Have a wonderful journey!

Fr Bill

[oops!!!]

Hey Fr Bill Village Vicar
Ty for your kind words can't wait to go now
.We will have a super time from what you ,Fr Bill ,and all you other ABERS have told us.
Thanks SOOOO much to all ..
.Didn't realise my question would find me so many lovely ppl ready to help me out..Forever grateful.

[VillageVicar]

Имейте славное отключение!

Fr. Bill

(have a great time there!) :-)

[oops!!!]

Russian lesson too... ty 4 translation
ABERS rule !!! lol ;)))

[netibiza]

Yes there were lots of brides having photos taken and it was really chilly, but as I said I loved it. Peterhof was cancelled due to the rain. Look at the normal buildings and you'll see how poor the people still are, such a contrast to the millions of palaces that are on almost every corner. I was fascinated and want to go back.

[oops!!!]

Hi again Neti
It all sounds so lovely we are so happy we have chosen this hol with all the words of encouragement we have received.
Will be looking out for all those brides and visiting those golden palaces.
many thanks again.
...

[auntiebertie]

The best cruise site for info is http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.ph p?f=19

if you want to DIY then the highest recommendations go to Red October, Alla and Denrus

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php? t=632755