After booking this cruise last year I didn't really know what to expect as reviews on this site have been mixed. So hear goes. We travelled to Southampton to meet the ship, the journey taking approx 2 hours, which was good given the amount of traffic on Sat 1 Aug. The embarkation process was faultless and we boarded the ship at 11.30am, we where able to go straight to our stateroom whereupon two of our three suitcases had already arrived.
We ate freestyle and always managed to obtain a table in the restaurant, and went to the Crown Grill on one occasion which was excellent, who ever thought of giving a selection of all the puddings on one plate, well done they where brilliant. The steaks where faultless and cut like butter...all our food experiences where very good even the buffet where it is often difficult to obtain a seat but we just struck lucky and always managed to find somewhere to sit.
We arranged to do all our trips ourselves but booked a private company for St Pete's found on TA because the visa is £100, this was included in the price with the tour company very good really. The weather was in the late 70degrees and remained constant for the whole cruise, this really made the trip as many of us had planned for cold or rain.
Our cabin was well kept and clean, large enough to meet all our needs, plenty of hot water, comfy bed, well stocked fridge, hair drier and plenty of socket but you will need an adapter for English electrical products, and a wonderful steward who kept it clean every day.
Took the Hop on bus really easy to get around and good for those who like culture
We took the hop on bus, this gave us lots of flexibility and we could plan the day how we wanted excellnt place for those seeking out culture
We booked an excusion which was excellent. Wonderful place to visit lots of culture to see and be part of. Places to see the Peterhorff Palace, Cathrine Palace, the church of the Spilit blood, the Userper Palace, a canal trip or the hydrofoyle on the water ways, the Russian underground plus many, many more cultural sights
We used the Hop on bus, very good to get to all the sights.
Home port, the embarkation was very easy and we were home in two hours
We used the Hop on bus, this is a great place for anyone seeking out culture
Took the Hop on bus, great to get around. The old quarter was brilliant and had many places to eat and potter around