We chose this cruise because we wanted to see Russia and the Ocean cruise visits are restricted by virtue of being visa free - this means that you are 'herded' in organised groups; counted off and counted on. Vikings cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow was with Visa and meant that you had free time to visit as you pleased.
The ships, Ingvar was ours, are larger than Vikings normal European ...
Arrived in Moscow to be picked up by Viking. Headed out to the boat to eat and sleep. Moscow is a traffic nightmare. The activities were great once you got there. We saw the changing of the guard in Red Square and sampled caviar in GUM Department Store, the Kremlin, and walking tour. Those were the highlights of Moscow. Cruising down the river, we had plenty to do with touring and classes in ...
We've never been to Russia. This was the perfect way to get introduced to Russian culture and people.
Our trip started at Moscow and ended at St. Petersburg. That was a lucky choice since that is probably better than starting going the reverse direction. For us, the airport at Moscow was 2 hours from where the ship is docked. Whereas the St. Petersburg airport is only about 1/2 hour away ...
We had always wanted to visit Russia and as we have been on previous cruises with Viking we knew that we would have an enjoyable and enriching experience.
We were not disappointed. Viking excel in attention to detail. We were able to meet the people and share in the culture of this vast and diverse country.
The ship was comfortable and well appointed, as we have come to expect. All members ...
We had taken two previous Viking cruises and knew the quality would be wonderful. Also loved the opportunity to meet other guests which is impossible on the ocean cruises. It is a joy to be part of a ship's cruise that you are able to meet, tour and have meals with folks that you get to know. We loved Russia. We loved the tours, the tour guides were wonderful. The Russian food on the menu was ...
We wanted to see as much of Russia as possible in the 2 weeks time we had to spend. It looked on line like this cruise would offer us a lot to see. The flight started off great but after arriving at the airport in Russia it all went down hill. We had to wait a long at the airport before being taken to the ship.
Our cabin was not ready we we arrived at the ship. The food offered in the dining ...
We chose this trip to see St Petersburg and Moscow. It was our first sailing with the Viking line and it was of interest to experience a river cruise with the company.
The trip was well planned and the trip documentation (information) on the various stops was excellent. The river boats were well appointed and well maintained. Food was excellent with authentic dishes provided in a dining room ...
My review tends to compare this trip with our previous Viking cruise on the Danube from Budapest to in November 2013. The high point of both was the Hotel Manager, Rebekka, who had the same role on both. Her brightness and that of her three escorts, Tatana, Polina and Julia, overcame the dullness of the Russian captain and his people and made every day special, even in the rain. I sensed ...
Loved it all. Great crew, great food and great ports. Even though we had to change ships. because of a problem with a river lock, the transition was done seamlessly. Viking does a great job with the things it can control and it does an amazing job controlling issues that are out of its control. The guides that Viking hires are well informed and do a commendable job explaining all the ...
As children, we hid under our desks at school because "the Russians were coming." We saw Khrushchev bang his shoe at the UN. We felt the chill of the Cold War.
Viking guided us to a new reality. Friendship instead of enemies. Trust instead of fear. Beauty instead of ugliness. Viking's well planned submersion into everyday Russian life made our world a lot smaller. We loved every moment. ...