Saint Petersburg
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Topic author - Able Seaman
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- Joined: August 2014
Saint Petersburg
We recently cruised on Arcadia arriving in St Petersburg on 31 July 2014 for a two-day grand tour booked with Alla Tours and prior to disembarkation we and fellow travellers had expressed doubts about stepping outside the comfort zone of a P & O (expensive) excursion - many said what if etc?. Once through customs we were met by a wonderful guide, Valentina, who, over two fully days gave us (a group of 16) the most wonderful and memorable experience using her vast knowledge not just of the many palaces, churches and buildings but also Russian history and culture. Visitors to St Petersburg - do not hesitate to use Alla Tours - they are good value for money and the excursion went without a hitch. Alla Tours can be found on the internet
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- First Officer
- Posts: 1963
- Joined: January 2013
Re: Saint Petersburg
I have read extremely good reviews of Alla Tours but I always wonder what would happen if their transport broke down. I know PO wait for their excursions to return but they wouldn't for a private tour. I might risk it with Alla Tours for the first day of a two day visit but I would prefer to stick with PO on the day they are due to sail. I'm afraid there are quite a few places in the world where I would not want to get left behind and St Petersburg is one of them. I'm sure others will feel differently.
Maureen
Maureen
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- Site Admin
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Re: Saint Petersburg
Not a problem about being left behind.
Arrange to be in St Petes on the second day so there is less of a problem with distance.
Whilst any vehicle can break down fron my experience the vehicles used for these tours are fairly new.
Finally - if they miss getting you back to the ship then they will lose their tour licence - and their business.
Arrange to be in St Petes on the second day so there is less of a problem with distance.
Whilst any vehicle can break down fron my experience the vehicles used for these tours are fairly new.
Finally - if they miss getting you back to the ship then they will lose their tour licence - and their business.
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- Senior Second Officer
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Re: Saint Petersburg
I'm sure they,and the other excellent tour companies in St Petersburg, are aware of the risk, Kenmo, and have a contingency plan in place. They will always allow sufficient time to overcome any difficulty because, as David says, they have to take responsibility for the tourists in their care and ensure that they get back to the ship or the penalty is severe. I have never heard of anyone ever being left behind in St Petes - has anyone?
The benefits of a private tour far outweigh the risk which is so small that it can be safely ignored.
The benefits of a private tour far outweigh the risk which is so small that it can be safely ignored.
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- Third Officer
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- Location: Wirral
Re: Saint Petersburg
Kenmo1 wrote:I have read extremely good reviews of Alla Tours but I always wonder what would happen if their transport broke down. I know PO wait for their excursions to return but they wouldn't for a private tour. I might risk it with Alla Tours for the first day of a two day visit but I would prefer to stick with PO on the day they are due to sail. I'm afraid there are quite a few places in the world where I would not want to get left behind and St Petersburg is one of them. I'm sure others will feel differently.
Maureen
We have done a 2 day Alla tour and can agree they are great. They organise it so taht day two you are in town so it is no distance at all back to the ship.
On day one of our tour another of their buses was actually run into by a car whilst parked up. They got a replacement minvan there very quickly.
Also they do tours for Berlin from Hamburg and there is a discount if you do both.
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- First Officer
- Posts: 1963
- Joined: January 2013
Re: Saint Petersburg
I'm very much a 'what if person'. We used to do private tours in the Caribbean so long as we did them in the morning but a few years ago PO stayed in port for a reasonable time into the evening so there wasn't that rush to get back. Now they leave places much earlier. On the spur of the moment we recently did a private whale watching trip one afternoon in Iceland and I was very much on edge in case we didn't get back for the last shuttle back to the ship, but we did quite easily.
I guess I am just a natural born worrier so the few odd times we do an excursion we tend to stick with PO for my peace of mind and that is what we did in Saint Petersburg last year and will do the same when we return, hopefully next year or the year after. That way I don't drive hubby nuts keeping on worrying.
Maureen
I guess I am just a natural born worrier so the few odd times we do an excursion we tend to stick with PO for my peace of mind and that is what we did in Saint Petersburg last year and will do the same when we return, hopefully next year or the year after. That way I don't drive hubby nuts keeping on worrying.
Maureen
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- First Officer
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- Location: Poole Bay, Dorset
Re: Saint Petersburg
Evening All
Enjoyed all the contents of this thread
One of our memorable POC
So much
We "dun" it thrice
Luboo all
The Slightly Teary Giant of Cerne Abass
Enjoyed all the contents of this thread
One of our memorable POC
So much
We "dun" it thrice
Luboo all
The Slightly Teary Giant of Cerne Abass
Gentle Giant of Cerne Abbas
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- Able Seaman
- Posts: 6
- Joined: February 2014
Re: Saint Petersburg
When we visited st Petersburg we used TJ Travel for the 2 day tour and they were fantastic, and we have booked with them again for our next visit. On the second day in the afternoon we came out of The Hermitage to find our car was not there and all the streets were closed to traffic. Apparently the president of pakistan was visiting which is why they did it. Our guide phoned our driver and we just had to walk over the bridge to find him again. We arrived back at our ship in plenty of time, but all the p & o tour buses were late! We were told they won't let the ship leave until they know everybody is back on board anyway.