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Norwegian Fjords Cruises

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Experience Norway’s spectacular fjords with Norwegian Cruise Line.

On your cruise to Norway, explore a fairytale landscape of cascading waterfalls, lush forests and rugged mountains that seemingly slide into the sea. From fly fishing and kayaking to hiking and more, this country truly is an outdoor playground with a diverse lineup of activities. Tour picturesque villages, including Geiranger , and vibrant cities like Olso where you can dive into Viking history, savour local cuisine and enjoy a glimpse of local culture set against a spectacular natural backdrop - all on one unforgettable cruise holiday.

About NORWEGIAN FJORDS CRUISES

Unpack Once and Experience the Best of Norway

Enjoy front-row seats to incredible vistas whilst cruising Norway's dramatic fjords. Serene waters, rugged cliffs rising from the sea and unlimited outdoor adventures await your discovery. View Europe's largest mainland glacier in Jostedalsbreen National Park, located outside Måløy. Enjoy a boating tour of Hardangerfjord - one of the world's longest fjords - and hike through lush forests to towering waterfalls.

Cruise from Bangkok , Hong Kong or Singapore and immerse yourself in the natural beauty, dramatic history and rich cultures of Southeast Asia on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. In Phuket , visit historic Buddhist temples or splash the day away on some of Thailand’s most spectacular beaches. At the Samui Elephant Sanctuary on the island of Ko Samui , learn about these incredible animals during close-up encounters. Explore traditional kampung  (villages) in Langkawi or journey inland and hike among waterfalls and hot springs.

Dive Deeper into the Country's History and Culture

Famous for its stunning art nouveau architecture, Ålesund stretches across seven islands and is surrounded by natural beauty. Tour the city's historical churches and unique architecture or reel in a grand adventure in what is considered Norway's fishing capital. Then in Oslo, explore the city's historic roots with a visit to the Viking Ships Museum which includes three well-preserved Viking-era burial ships.

Enjoy front-row seats to incredible vistas while cruising Norway’s dramatic fjords. Serene waters, rugged cliffs rising from the sea, and unlimited outdoor adventures await your discovery. View Europe’s largest mainland glacier in Jostedalsbreen National Park, located outside Måløy. Enjoy a boating tour of Hardangerfjord — one of the world’s longest fjords — and hike through lush forests to towering waterfalls.

Remarkable Port Cities Cruises to Norwegian Fjords

Kristiansand, Norway

Geiranger, Norway

Bergen, Norway

Oslo, Norway

Delightful shore excursions on norwegian fjords cruises.

Discover More of Norway with a Shore Excursion

Uncover the awe-inspiring natural beauty of Norway's fjords or journey into the region's dramatic past whilst exploring Viking history on a shore excursion with Norwegian.

Uncover Hidden Gems On A Norwegian Fjords Cruise

Alesund, Norway

Cruise to Alesund, one of Norway's most beautiful towns, renowned for its Jugend-style architecture and art nouveau style.

Bruges, Belgium

The ultimate European city, Brussels has tonnes of museums, fountains, gardens and great shopping.

Cruise to Norwegian Fjords FROM COPENHAGEN

Before embarking on your fjords cruise, experience all Copenhagen has to offer. With 250 miles of bike lanes, the city is ideal for touring and riding alongside its peaceful canals. Stroll along one of Europe's longest pedestrian-only shopping avenues, Strøget. Then visit some of Copenhagen’s historic sites including the 17th century Rosenborg Castle.

We’ve revamped everything from the carpets to the chandeliers and created brand new places and spaces in one of our most extensive ship renovation yet. Unwind in luxury and enjoy the breathtaking views from your spacious balcony in the new, exquisitely finished Haven Deluxe Owner’s Suites. The brand-new Pit Stop, a 1950’s American bar, takes you back to the era when classic cars sported chrome finishes. And dance the night away at Bliss Ultra Lounge, the newest hot spot on the club scene. Come aboard the newly polished Norwegian Jewel and see what makes her shine.

We’ve revamped everything from the carpets to the chandeliers and created brand new places and spaces in one of our most extensive ship renovations yet. Unwind in luxury and enjoy the breathtaking views from your spacious balcony in the new, magnificently refinished staterooms. Savor every bite at six new restaurants, including the addition of our fine Italian outlet, Onda by Scarpetta. And dance the night away at Bliss Ultra Lounge, the newest hot spot on the club scene. Come aboard the exquisitely updated Norwegian Spirit, completely reimagined from the outside in.

Explore Our Norwegian Fjords CRUISE ITINERARIES

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Norwegian Fjords Cruises

On our Norwegian Fjords cruises you’ll encounter one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on the planet. Witness cascading waterfalls plunging into crystalline pools from the snow-topped mountains, climb the towering heights of Pulpit Rock, and engage with the captivating indigenous culture.

Nestled in the heart of Scandinavia, these deep, glacially-carved inlets offer a surreal landscape that beckons travellers from around the world. Norwegian Fjords are nature’s masterpiece, a geographical wonder that paints a picture of rugged cliffs, serene waters, and pristine wilderness.

As you set sail, you’ll be enveloped by a sense of tranquility that’s hard to find elsewhere. The Norwegian fjords, with their sheer cliffs and crystal-clear waters, create a breathtaking backdrop that changes with the shifting light, making every moment unique.

Some of the most popular cruise destinations in Norwegian Fjords are:

Explore the Flam Railway, hike to Stegastein viewpoint, cruise the Aurlandsfjord and Naeroyfjord, visit the Flam Church, go kayaking, taste local cuisine, visit museums, enjoy nature walks, and admire waterfalls.

Stavanger, a coastal gem in Norway, enchants with its historic charm and modern vitality. With a picturesque Old Town, vibrant food scene, and access to the awe-inspiring Lysefjord and its iconic Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Stavanger offers a captivating blend of cultural richness and natural splendour.

Ålesund, a coastal jewel on Norway’s western shores, is celebrated for its Art Nouveau architecture, creating a captivating ambiance against a backdrop of fjords and mountains. This charming town invites exploration of its unique streets, rich maritime history, and panoramic views from Mount Aksla.

When is the best time to visit the Norwegian Fjords?

The best time to take a cruise holiday to the Norwegian Fjords depends on the region you want to explore and the specific experiences you’re seeking.

The ideal time to visit the Norwegian fjords is typically during the summer months, from late May to early September. This period offers the most favourable weather conditions for exploring these breathtaking natural wonders.

During summer, the days are long with extended daylight hours, and the fjords are framed by lush green landscapes and vibrant wildflowers. It’s an ideal time for activities such as hiking, kayaking, and cruising through the fjords to appreciate their stunning beauty. Moreover, the weather is relatively mild, making it more comfortable for outdoor excursions.

It’s also essential to consider factors like local holidays, festivals and peak tourist seasons. It’s always a good idea to consult with one of our cruise agents who will give you the best advice!

Which cruise lines sail to the Norwegian Fjords

Ambassador Cruise Line , Azamara ,   Celebrity Cruises , Cunard , Disney Cruise Line ,   Fred Olsen Cruise Lines , Holland America , Hurtigruten , MSC Cruises ,   Norwegian Cruise Line , Oceania Cruises , P&O Cruises , Princess Cruises , Regent Seven Seas Cruises , Royal Caribbean , Scenic Ocean Cruises , SeaDream Yacht Club , Seabourn , Silversea Cruises ,   Viking Ocean Cruises & Windstar Cruises .

Book Your Norwegian Fjords Cruise

Our cruise specialists at Southampton Cruise Centre are here to help! Call us from 9am to 9pm, 7 days a week on 02380 658 386 . Or search our collection of Cruises to the Norwegian Fjords below and send us an enquiry online! 

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Norwegian Fjords Cruise: 32 Tips You NEED to Know

In June 2018 I took a cruise around the Norwegian Fjords with my lovely Mum. In this post, I’ll share with you the things I wish I knew before my first cruise to Norway. Including:

When to cruise to Norway What to pack on a Norwegian Fjords cruise What to do onboard What to do in: Bergen, Olden, Stavanger and Aldalsnes.

When is the best time to cruise the Norwegian Fjords?

The Norwegian Fjords cruising season runs from May until September. The only cruise line that offers Norwegian Fjords cruises all year round is Hurtigruten. Peak time tends to be in July and August with this itinerary being particularly popular with families.

In the UK children are off school from mid-July until early September so if you can avoid travelling at this time I would, not only will it be busier but it’ll be significantly more expensive!

When is The Best Time to Cruise to Norway? Seasons, Price, Weather and More

Norwegian Fjords tip #1

• I would recommend cruising at the beginning or end of the summer season. You’ll get the best deals at this time and the ships won’t be too busy. May-June or September would be be my recommendation. You still have a good chance of some sunshine but more on that later in the post…

Norwegian Fjords tip #2

Be aware that if you travel in the summer, it will be light a lot of the time. Sleeping is never a problem for me, but it is a bit confusing when you have been out for dinner, watched the show, come out and it is still daylight! – Gaynor Le Teace (my mum)

It’s true! In some parts of Norway they even have a ‘midnight sun’. Cruise ship cabins usually have pretty thick curtains so I don’t have any trouble sleeping but if you are somebody who cannot tolerate even the smallest amount of light in the room when you sleep then you might want to consider an inside cabin.

What is the weather like on a Norwegian Fjords cruise?

The weather in Norway is unpredictable and very often wet. The weather in Summer SHOULD be dry and can even be pretty warm. We cruised in June and it rained every single day… However, I have a few friends who cruised two weeks earlier had glorious sunshine every day and temperatures reached 30c! (90f). I would not base your decision on when to go around the weather. It’s extremely unpredictable!

The weather means that you need to remember to bring the following things…

What to bring

Norwegian fjords tip #3.

• Take sensible shoes, a waterproof jacket, jeans, jumpers (sweaters). As I mentioned above we had rain every single day. Annoyingly the UK was experiencing a heat wave at the time! A waterproof jacket/a coat is without a doubt the most important thing you should pack. I wore my red coat every single day.

Norwegian Fjords tip #4

• Make sure you pack some dresses/shorts! This one might seem a bit silly given what I said above but the weather can reach 30c (90f). It can also vary a lot between ports so just because you have one rainy day doesn’t mean it will rain for the entire cruise.

Norwegian Fjords tip #5

Pack some small binoculars – I forgot mine. Obviously didn’t pay enough attention to the holiday packing spreadsheet in my excitement! – Gaynor Le Teace (my mum)

The views are INCREDIBLE as you sail around the Norwegian Fjords. I don’t really use binoculars but mum likes to so if you’d like to spy on people as you go by it can be worth packing binoculars. A good camera with a zoom can also work the same way.

Norwegian Fjords tip #6

• Bring the best camera you have! (Or at least your phone). All of my photos were taken on my iPhone because quite frankly I have no idea how to use a decent DSLR camera. You’ll want to take SO many photos. Look at this!! It’s INCREDIBLE.

Norwegian Fjords tip #7

• Bring your phone and use it. I usually say you should keep your phone in airplane mode when you are at sea. However, when cruising around the Norwegian Fjords you’re often close enough to land to be able to pick up 4G from land. If you are in doubt about how your phone will work at sea I have another post about that here: How do mobile phones work at sea? (If you’re American a mobile phone = a cell phone). I know we don’t go on cruises to spend all of our time on our phone but being able to send messages/emails/photos to friends and family back home is always a bonus.Mum mostly used it to send photos of me to my dad…

 What to do onboard

These tips are general to the whole of Norway. There are more specific tips about the ports that we visited at the end of this post.

Norwegian Fjords tip #8

Book a balcony cabin!

Norwegian Fjords tip #9

• Make sure you book whatever tours you’d like to do as early as possible. We booked ours onboard and a lot of them were already sold out which limited our options. Ideally, you should book the tours before you travel. It’s usually possible to do this on the website of most cruise lines. If not try and book the tours on the first day to avoid disappointment!I am below looking very pleased with myself at the Briksdal glacier in Olden.

Norwegian Fjords tip #10

• Be aware that a lot of things are closed on Sundays! If you are docking on a Sunday don’t assume that shops will be open. It’s always best to do your research and check before you cruise.

Norwegian Fjords tip #11

• Look out for weird things in the souvenir shops… I managed to find a whale sausage!

Norwegian Fjords tip #12

Always get up early to see the sail in to port, the views are incredible. (Even if you have to wear the aforementioned jeans, jacket, jumper, hat etc. – Gaynor Le Teace (my mum)

Norwegian Fjords tip #13

• Bring your quilt onto the balcony! (Duvet). I’m not kidding. If you can also make yourself a cup of tea that’ll make it even better! I mostly had to do this because I hadn’t planned for such cold weather so didn’t bring the right clothes. Hopefully by reading this post you won’t make the same mistake that I did! (I thought June would be okay!)

Norwegian Fjords tip #14

Unless there is somewhere you particularly wish to visit, look at at the weather forecast before booking excursions..

It is rather a waste of money to book an expensive trip up a mountain or to see the Troll Wall when everything is shrouded in fog, and you can’t see anything anyway! When we got to the top of the funicular railway in Bergen this is the view that we were greeted with…

This is what it was meant to look like!

In the next section of this post, we talk about the ports of Bergen, Olden, Stavanger and Andalsnes.

Bergen cruise port tips

Norwegian fjords tip #15.

• Take the funicular railway! The number one attraction in Bergen appears to be the funicular railway. It is a gentle stroll to the bottom of the railway, and easy to pay by credit card – no kroner needed. Approx £9.75 for two adults one way. Once at the top it is a lovely walk back down the hill on a tarmacked road, through the wooded hillside. No need to pay for an excursion!. We found out from a fellow passenger later that there is actually a lake ten minutes from top of the hill, may be worth a look if its a sunny day.

Norwegian Fjords tip #16

• If you do take the funicular railway go later in the day. We went in the morning and couldn’t see a thing because of the fog! We could have been anywhere. If you are physically able to, make sure you walk back down. The path is a winding road and you’ll see some amazing sights along the way! It was really cool for us to be able to get below the clouds and see the ships.

Norwegian Fjords tip #17

• Look out for the trees that have their own jumpers! I’m not kidding.

Norwegian Fjords tip #18

• Be aware that you may sail away from Bergen quite early. I’m not too sure why they do this but a sail away of 3 pm can be quite standard. It’s probably just because this is the last port on the itinerary for cruise lines like P&O and Princess. The cruise line will let you know what time the ship is set to sail.

Stavanger Cruise Tips

Norwegian fjords tip #19.

• Visit the old town. It is easy to wander around is and genuinely just a lovely place! There will be a lot of tourists here. I wonder what it would be like to live in one of these houses with thousands of tourists wandering up and down your street. No wonder they all have net curtains.

Norwegian Fjords tip #20

• Visit the petroleum museum. Okay, this one is a little weird. I had no idea that there was a petroleum museum in Stavanger but SO many people have asked me if I went. They all seem to love it! It has a 4.5/5 star rating on trip advisor so must be something special…

Norwegian Fjords tip #21

• Be careful when walking around the roads. Even in the newer part of town, the roads can be a little difficult. If you are in a wheelchair it may be a good idea to stick to the main streets and not venture up and down all of the little cobbled streets that I found myself wandering around.

Norwegian Fjords tip #22

• Check out the other ships. There are usually multiple cruise ships docked in Stavanger at the same time. Make sure you get out and have a peek at the other ships! This is always one of my favourite things to do in a port. We were docked beside the MSC Orchestra and the Viking Sun. (Bit ironic since it rained every day on this cruise).

Norwegian Fjords tip #23

• Wander around the lake at Stravanger park. There is a lovely little park not too far from the cruise port. It is easy to walk there and wandering around the lake is very pleasant. Even in the rain, it was lovely. The park is right beside a cathedral.

Olden Cruise Tips

Norwegian fjords tip #24.

• Have your photo taken with a troll. Go on, you know you want too!

Norwegian Fjords tip #25

• Visit the Briksdal glacier. I would 100% recommend doing this. The glacier is SO COOL (mind the pun) and there are lots of lovely paths to walk around near it. There is even a couple of toilets here which I really appreciated. It takes around 45 minutes to get here from the cruise ship but you’ll get to see some amazing views on the way.

Norwegian Fjords tip #26

• Skip the Loen Skylift. We took the Loen Skylift and I honestly wouldn’t recommend it. The price of this is around £50 per person! (I know Norway is expensive but that is mad). The skylift only goes up and down every 30 minutes and 35 people fit in one skylift meaning you can’t really see anything on the way up or down. I really hate to be negative and tell people not to do things but I honestly just thought this was a waste of money. The views are really good but I don’t think £50 worth of good. Maybe it would have been better if it wasn’t so blooming cold!!

Norwegian Fjords tip #27

• Take as many photos of the ship as you can! There is NO better backdrop than that of the Norwegian Fjords. Even in bad weather, the ships look amazing. I honestly think the clouds and fog add a little something which makes it seem mysterious?!

Norwegian Fjords tip #28

• Do NOT miss the sail away! As we departed Olden a small cafe on the ship blasted out ‘I am sailing’ by Rod Stewart followed by ‘Time tooo…. say… goooddbyyyyyeee’ by Katherine Jenkins.  Don’t pretend you didn’t just sing that in your head. I did!

Andalsnes Cruise Tips:

Norwegian fjords tip #29.

• Take a gamble on the troll wall? I’m not TOO sure if this really counts as a tip but I would say think twice about booking a trip to the bottom of troll wall. If the weather is bad you won’t see a thing. I hadn’t ever looked up the troll wall before so I had no idea what I was meant to be seeing.

Norwegian Fjords tip #30

• Head UP the troll wall. I made some friends on this cruise and they told me that they had been UP the troll wall and had amazing views from up there. If I went again I would pick a tour that took you to the top of the wall whereas ours just took us to the bottom where we stared up at the clouds.

Other bonus tips!

Norwegian fjords tip #31.

Put a currency converter on your phone for Norwegian Kroner. Its pretty expensive, and you don’t want to get a nasty shock when you open your credit card bill! Do you really need a wooden troll or reindeer sausages? I think not… – Gaynor Le Teace (my mum)

Norwegian Fjords tip #32

• Eat as much food as you can on the ship so that you don’t have to eat in port… Norway is really expensive and I have no interest in paying for food when I have an unlimited supply on the ship! Make sure you eat a big breakfast and you’ll be fine for a while. If you have kids though it may be worth bringing some snacks.

My cruise onboard Britannia

This was my first P&O cruise and I was REALLY impressed with the food and service onboard. If you are cruising onboard Britannia make sure you check out this post. P&O Britannia: 8 free ‘must do’ activities.   Britannia is an amazing ship but she is HUGE and it can be difficult to make the most of your time onboard.

I also filmed a tour video when I was onboard and will be posting daily vlogs in each port.

Are you taking a cruise around the Norwegian Fjords? (Or would you like to?)

If you have any questions please leave a comment or join our Facebook group ( Cruising Isn’t Just For Old People ). We have 1600+ members all of whom would love to answer your questions and see your photos/hear your stories!

– – –

FURTHER READING:

A CRUISE ADDICTS GUIDE TO EXPLORING THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS. – CRUISE ADDICTS BLOG

CRUISING THE FJORDS OF NORWAY – THE CRUISE BLOGGER

Monday 3rd of September 2018

Really interesting, thank you. I have booked to go on Iona maiden voyage

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• Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

Celebrity's Journey to Moscow excursion

By psygist , March 7, 2012 in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

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I will be in St. Petersburg in June on a Celebrity ship. Having been there previously, we would like to do the Journey to Moscow excursion. Celebrity lists it in the shore excursion brochure for my sail date, but it has not been available for booking on their website.

I have called Celebrity twice and both times was told that even though it is listed in the shore excursion brochure, it probably isn't being offered since it is not listed for pre-booking on the website. I have emailed Celebrity twice and received a different response. They responded that they were still working with the tour provider on the details and is not yet available for pre-booking.

Anyone have any experience with this that could offer some advice? It's frustrating that cruise line agents can be so misinformed and inconsistent in what they tell us.

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I will be in St. Petersburg in June on a Celebrity ship. Having been there previously, we would like to do the Journey to Moscow excursion. Celebrity lists it in the shore excursion brochure for my sail date, but it has not been available for booking on their website. I have called Celebrity twice and both times was told that even though it is listed in the shore excursion brochure, it probably isn't being offered since it is not listed for pre-booking on the website. I have emailed Celebrity twice and received a different response. They responded that they were still working with the tour provider on the details and is not yet available for pre-booking. Anyone have any experience with this that could offer some advice? It's frustrating that cruise line agents can be so misinformed and inconsistent in what they tell us.

Having done this one-day trip to Moscow and back on another cruise while in St. Petersburg, I might be able to share some insight. First, from dealing with some Celebrity folks about Europe options, certain of them are limited in their personal experiences and knowledge about this part of the world. Shouldn't be this way, but it is. They know more on the familiar Carib options as that is what is both closer and for which they get more of their calls/question. If they haven't done it, nor is is clear on their computer screen, they can't be of much help.

Second, that excursion to Moscow has been "evolving" during the past few years as they have switched from doing it by air flights to connection by high-speed rail. On trips like this one that is more costly and highly specialized, you will probably need to "press and push" to reach someone who is more likely to know this somewhat of a "needle in the haystack".

It's sad that you've gotten the "run-around", but sometimes the staff is not as informed and experienced as you would like, expect and need.

Do you need any background info for what you would see and do in Moscow , how it works, etc.???

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik . Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 68,189 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

What you said makes perfect sense. Thanks.

I also looked into doing this tour privately, but one tour provider informed me there were no available trains or planes to fit my ship's time in port. We will be there on a weekend so its possible that transportation does not run as frequent. I just wish Celebrity could get their act together and tell me definitively whether they will be offering the Moscow excursion.

Terry, What you said makes perfect sense. Thanks. I also looked into doing this tour privately, but one tour provider informed me there were no available trains or planes to fit my ship's time in port. We will be there on a weekend so its possible that transportation does not run as frequent. I just wish Celebrity could get their act together and tell me definitively whether they will be offering the Moscow excursion. Paul

If your cruise puts you into St. Petersburg on a weekend, that could be another complicating factor. Openings at certain places, rail schedules, etc., could be different for some days of the week. It is possible to do the Moscow trip by some private tour companies, but if there are any weather and/or scheduling complications, that could make things more difficult. Doing it through the cruise ship, makes it "their" problem, not yours!!

Doing the one-day trip to Moscow is very interesting and special. Lots of cruise lines do it now and have the practice down to a "science". BUT, that weekend timing could be delaying their finalization some on schedules.

• 3 weeks later...

I will be in St. Petersburg in June on a Celebrity ship. Having been there previously, we would like to do the Journey to Moscow excursion. Celebrity lists it in the shore excursion brochure for my sail date, but it has not been available for booking on their website.   I have called Celebrity twice and both times was told that even though it is listed in the shore excursion brochure, it probably isn't being offered since it is not listed for pre-booking on the website. I have emailed Celebrity twice and received a different response. They responded that they were still working with the tour provider on the details and is not yet available for pre-booking.   Anyone have any experience with this that could offer some advice? It's frustrating that cruise line agents can be so misinformed and inconsistent in what they tell us.

I was able to book this for a June cruise in the past few days. If you look carefully in the fine print for the excursion, I believe it is because you have to begin the online check-in process since they need your passport/ID information before you can book this excursion. Try to do as much of the online check-in as you can, and I think it should appear for purchase.

It would be nice to know what the actual schedule for the Moscow excursion is. I don't believe it is actually 18.5 hours, but that is just to make sure that you can't book anything else on that day.

I was finally able to book the tour online. They just made it available for online booking the other day. I sure hope they reach the minimum number of guests so it isn't cancelled.

Not sure why it leaves at 9:30. If it indeed is an 18.5 hour tour, we won't get back until 4 am.

I was able to book this for a June cruise in the past few days. If you look carefully in the fine print for the excursion, I believe it is because you have to begin the online check-in process since they need your passport/ID information before you can book this excursion. Try to do as much of the online check-in as you can, and I think it should appear for purchase.   It would be nice to know what the actual schedule for the Moscow excursion is. I don't believe it is actually 18.5 hours, but that is just to make sure that you can't book anything else on that day.

It looks like Celebrity edited the description to say that, for those excursions on a weekend, the actual tour will be shortened by about 2 hours due to less traffic on a weekend.

Terry (or anyone who has been on the Journey to Moscow excursion before):

Can you give me a little detail on the itinerary? The tour description says that we will have a walking tour of Red Square and the Kremlin, as well as visits to the Armoury and one of the Kremlin cathedrals. Was wondering what other Moscow sights we will get to see. Or will the rest be in the form of a panoramic bus tour? Any opportunity for souvenir shopping?

Thanks for any insights you can offer.

• 1 month later...

This was just cancelled for my cruise :( Didn't meet the minimum number of people interested in going.

There might be some options through private tour companies. We used Anastasia for our part in St. Petersburg, but she is doing these Moscow arrangements for friends, two couples, from here in Central Ohio, in late June. I would contact a couple of key, experiences firms such as Anastasia, see what she and others can offer to make this one-day train trip over and back.

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik . Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 82,951 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 70,872 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Which sailing are you on that the Moscow excursion was cancelled? I booked it for my Eclipse cruise June 23 sailing and haven't heard anything

• 2 months later...

soakedbythesea

You have probably figured out now that not only excursions, but many other things aboard ship are misleading, if not downright fraudulent. The ship crew, staff and clerks are all going to do pretty much what they want to, but not only on the Royal Caribbean's Celebrity brand, but almost all cruise ships - the captain can almost get away with murder. Aren't you glad you don't have to work on one of these vessels? Also make sure you don't get involved in any type of dispute, as even some crime gets swept under the ship - well, not all, like the Costa that crashed & tipped over, but not sure even then much will happen, as all passengers signed all their rights away before they got on board.

Hope you have enjoyed your cruise by now and maybe look back here on the board. About the only way to get any knowledge about the ships, excursions, etc. is through sites like this.

As we are sailing a year from now on Celebrity Constellation - Aug 12, we were wondering too about shows aboard, excursions (both ship and private), if you ever got to Moscow, etc. Please write to us at:

john at shifferds dot com - thanks

• 5 months later...

Ywlke,   Which sailing are you on that the Moscow excursion was cancelled? I booked it for my Eclipse cruise June 23 sailing and haven't heard anything

We will be in St. Petersburg in July and want to take Celebrity's tour to Moscow. Please let us know if you liked it or not and how long it was. This is going to be our second time in St. Petersburg but will like to take a private tour on day #2. Did you do something the day after your Moscow tour? We are traveling with our teenagers and worry about them being too tired :rolleyes:

• 6 months later...

Kevin's girl

I thought I would bump this up. We will be on the Brilliance this time next year and are very interested in doing this our. Are there still people out there that have done it? I would love to hear what you thought of the tour, the travel part and what you were able to see while in Moscow. Was it worth the price?

I thought I would bump this up. We will be on the Brilliance this time next year and are very interested in doing this our. Are there still people out there that have done it? I would love to hear what you thought of the tour' date=' the travel part and what you were able to see while in Moscow. Was it worth the price?[/quote'] We just did this tour and really liked it, but this was our second time in St. Petersburg. If this is your first time there I don't know if it's the best choice. You spend most of the day in airports and buses. Our meeting time at the ship was 6:45 AM, followed by a 45 min. long drive to the airport. Then we had to wait for a 10:00 AM one hour flight to Moscow. As you can see we arrived after 11:00 AM followed by another 30 minutes ride to the city. We were taken to the Red Square, to take a subway ride, followed by a coffee and tea break, then to the Kremlin armory museum (where we spend most of our time), also visited the Cathedral of the Annunciation, and back to the Red Square. Were only given half hour for shopping, followed by a really long dinner at a local restaurant. Our flight back to St. Petersburg departed half hour late, arriving at 11:30 PM. It took a while for the bus to pick us up, another 45 min. drive to the port and we were at our rooms by 1:00 AM. This means that if you want to see St. Petersburg the next day, you are going to be really tired. BTW, I'm not complaining, this tour was so popular on our cruise that they had two groups for the first time. Most of my friends were on that group and they had the worst time. Their flight left earlier than ours and although they were taken to more places than us, they ended up on a later flight and arrived in St. Petersburg after 12:30 AM. The problem was that the tour company knew that they were not going to make it on time to the bridges that connect the city to the area where the ship docks. The elevated bridges go up at 1:30 AM in the morning and are taken back after 5:00 AM. Can you believe that our tour guide made fun of the fact that the other bus was not going to make it on time? It was really frustrating for them to watch the bridges go up in front of their eyes. They finally found online a bridge that goes down for periods of 15 min. and were able to go back to the ship after 3:00 AM. Some of them couldn't make it to their tours the next day. Remember, this is Russia, if you don't make it to your tour the next day, you won't be able to leave the ship. My friends tried to take a taxi and catch up with us, but their visa stated a 9:00AM pick up time and had to stay on the ship. We liked our tour, but it is up to you to decide if it's worth it. The time that you actually spend in Moscow is really limited. If by any chance you are given a late flight on your way back, start screaming and demand an earlier flight. The tour company hired by Celebrity is going to buy the cheapest flights to make more money. Just my two cents. I tried to research this tour before our cruise and didn't find too much information. Hope this helps. BTW, I was concern about the planes used for the flights, if you are too, don't be. The flight was great and were even given a sandwich with juice or water. I do have to say that we felt that we were on a PanAm 1970's flight. The attendants were all really young, skinny and beautiful, wore heavy make up and complicated hair styles. I was also not impressed by either St. Petersburg or Moscow's airports. No restrooms close to the gates, two flights leaving at the same time through the same gate, just a mess!! Before our tour I couldn't understand how Edward Snowden could hide for such a long time on an airport, after visiting Moscow's international airport it just made sense. Hope you enjoy your Baltic cruise.

Thanks for the details. I was quite curious about it. Unfortunately it doesn't sound like you got to see so much there. Fortunately as you say it was your second time in SPB, so you can compare and see the differences between the cities. They are very different.

On our Celebrity cruise, it was sold out, but I didn't come across anyone who took the tour to find out their experiences.

drarill, I had to laugh at the comment about how Snowden was able to hide in the airport ... I had wondered the same thing, but now we know!! LOL

We just did this tour and really liked it, but this was our second time in St. Petersburg. If this is your first time there I don't know if it's the best choice. You spend most of the day in airports and buses. Our meeting time at the ship was 6:45 AM, followed by a 45 min. long drive to the airport. Then we had to wait for a 10:00 AM one hour flight to Moscow. As you can see we arrived after 11:00 AM followed by another 30 minutes ride to the city. We were taken to the Red Square, to take a subway ride, followed by a coffee and tea break, then to the Kremlin armory museum (where we spend most of our time), also visited the Cathedral of the Annunciation, and back to the Red Square. Were only given half hour for shopping, followed by a really long dinner at a local restaurant. Our flight back to St. Petersburg departed half hour late, arriving at 11:30 PM. It took a while for the bus to pick us up, another 45 min. drive to the port and we were at our rooms by 1:00 AM. This means that if you want to see St. Petersburg the next day, you are going to be really tired. BTW, I'm not complaining, this tour was so popular on our cruise that they had two groups for the first time. Most of my friends were on that group and they had the worst time. Their flight left earlier than ours and although they were taken to more places than us, they ended up on a later flight and arrived in St. Petersburg after 12:30 AM. The problem was that the tour company knew that they were not going to make it on time to the bridges that connect the city to the area where the ship docks. The elevated bridges go up at 1:30 AM in the morning and are taken back after 5:00 AM. Can you believe that our tour guide made fun of the fact that the other bus was not going to make it on time? It was really frustrating for them to watch the bridges go up in front of their eyes. They finally found online a bridge that goes down for periods of 15 min. and were able to go back to the ship after 3:00 AM. Some of them couldn't make it to their tours the next day. Remember, this is Russia, if you don't make it to your tour the next day, you won't be able to leave the ship. My friends tried to take a taxi and catch up with us, but their visa stated a 9:00AM pick up time and had to stay on the ship. We liked our tour, but it is up to you to decide if it's worth it. The time that you actually spend in Moscow is really limited. If by any chance you are given a late flight on your way back, start screaming and demand an earlier flight. The tour company hired by Celebrity is going to buy the cheapest flights to make more money. Just my two cents. I tried to research this tour before our cruise and didn't find too much information. Hope this helps. BTW, I was concern about the planes used for the flights, if you are too, don't be. The flight was great and were even given a sandwich with juice or water. I do have to say that we felt that we were on a PanAm 1970's flight. The attendants were all really young, skinny and beautiful, wore heavy make up and complicated hair styles. I was also not impressed by either St. Petersburg or Moscow's airports. No restrooms close to the gates, two flights leaving at the same time through the same gate, just a mess!! Before our tour I couldn't understand how Edward Snowden could hide for such a long time on an airport, after visiting Moscow's international airport it just made sense. Hope you enjoy your Baltic cruise.

Thank you for posting your experience. You have given me a lot to think about. It just seemed like a good idea, now I need to think really hard about it. I would hate to have our second day messed up in SPB.

We did Celebrity's Journey to Moscow excursion in July 2012. We had been to St. Petersburg before so decided to do something different. Interestingly, this excursion had been cancelled on some of the previous cruises that summer as a result of not enough people signed up. There were about 20 people on our excursion.

In a nutshell, I recommend the excursion and would do it again, but there are some caveats:

1. I would probably not go to Moscow if this was my first time visiting St. Petersburg. SP is full of wonderful sites so I would spend my two port days there seeing all the city sites, including the Hermitage, as well as visiting one of the palaces outside the city.

2. If you go to Moscow and plan on taking a tour in SP the next day, be aware (as someone else posted) that the tour returns to the ship very late and you might have difficulty getting up early enough the next morning for your SP tour. Our flight didn't land back in SP until after midnight and we were unable to cross the bridges before they rose. We didn't return back to the ship until after 2am, but because we anticipated that this might happen, we booked an afternoon private car in SP. We actually ended up enjoying being out late in SP with the bridges up as our bus and guide drove us around the city late at night and it was a surreal experience, especially during the white nights of summer.

3. We thought the time in Moscow could have been better organized, allowing us more time to see Red Square and the Kremlin buildings, but we were prevented from doing so due to horrendous traffic around Moscow, a very long-winded local tour guide, and too much time spent stopping for a coffee break (which was entirely unnecessary IMO). We also had almost no time to shop and the time spent in Red Square was much too short. Again, I mostly blamed this on our guide who talked too much rather than allowing us free time to wander around. I ditched the guide and our group before we were actually dismissed for free time so that I could wander around Red Square and make a few purchases from a street artist (local art and crafts on the street are of high quality and inexpensive IMO).

4. The dinner, while served in a beautiful, elegant setting, was mediocre at best. Lots of alcohol, but I've had better beef stroganoff in a school cafeteria.

Having provided you with these caveats, I still would take the tour again. It was a fascinating and magical experience. From the very interesting airport and airplane experience, to having the opportunity to visit the Kremlin sites and Red Square, it was worth it for us. It was a whirlwind of a tour, lasting about 18 hours from the time we left the ship until we returned.

I hope this helps others make a decision about this tour.

• 3 years later...

I was finally able to book the tour online. They just made it available for online booking the other day. I sure hope they reach the minimum number of guests so it isn't cancelled.   Not sure why it leaves at 9:30. If it indeed is an 18.5 hour tour, we won't get back until 4 am.

We are on May 21, 2017 Eclipse and want to do the same tour.

There are several trains per day even on weekends and holidays. If it is the weekend I would say you are better off flying as traffic will be a little better than on a weekday especially in the morning. There are probably several flights an hour. The train is modern and comfortable but not especially scenic.

Since you need a visa anyway you could also consider arranging a Moscow tour guide to meet you at the airport and arrange your own transport to Moscow. An airport taxi should be easy to arrange in St Petersburg or use Uber. Aeroflot tickets are easy to buy online.

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