Overview
Moscow is a truly impressive destination - see the best it has to offer!
A world away from St. Petersburg, Moscow will showcase some of Russia's most majestic achievements!
An early morning transfer from your ship to the train station begins your day. Your escort will accompany you on the "Sapsan" high-speed train which will take you easily to Moscow to meet your guide. Already in the middle of Moscow when you arrive, your city tour will take you past Red Square, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, and a tour of the Metro, including what are considered the most beautiful subway stations in the world.
Next, you will find yourself in the middle of Red Square, one of the most recognizable places in the city (maybe the world?). The famous location is home to some of the country's most important landmarks, including the State Historical Museum, the enormous GUM Department Store, and the iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral. You'll tour the inside of this ornate, colorful 15th-century masterpiece, containing 9 main chapels as well as the crypt of the church's namesake, St. Vasily the Blessed. While in Red Square, you will also see the modernist mausoleum for the revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin.
A quick stop for lunch will follow your introduction to Moscow and your guide is happy to recommend the best places with fast service.
Refreshed and ready to begin your tour, you will first head over to the Kremlin grounds, Moscow's seat of power. Your guide will inform you about this history of this place before letting your imagination take over. Please note that the Kremlin grounds are closed on Thursdays. On Thursdays, the Tretyakov Art Gallery, showcasing masterpieces of Russian art from the 11th - early 20th century, will be substituted instead.
Next, you will see several sights by car including the world-famous Bolshoi Theater, site of ballet, opera, and theater performances since 1856. You'll proceed to the former KGB headquarters, a monument to the monks who wrote the Cyrillic alphabet, and the birthplace of Mikhail Romanov — the first of the Romanov dynasty.
Driving along the river, take in a breathtaking view of the Kremlin with its massive fortress towers, and then visit the biggest Orthodox Cathedral in Russia "Cathedral of Christ the Savior."
Your journey continues out of the city center to a quiet spot from the bustling city, the stunningly beautiful New Maiden Convent, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll make a stop to capture some memorable photos before crossing the Moscow River to the highest point in Moscow. Take in the splendid panorama of the city skyline, including Russia's largest football stadium and one of the Stalin Skyscrapers — Moscow State University.
A quick ride to the train station, a high-speed train ride back to St. Petersburg and a return to your ship finishes this fascinating day of discovery.
- This excursion is a non-visa tour for cruise ship passengers. According to Russian Federation law, visas are not required for shore excursions if you book through companies that are officially licensed and authorized by the Russian government to receive foreign cruise passengers and to operate inside St. Petersburg port areas.
We will supply you with the tour ticket, called a blanket visa or booking confirmation, which you will pass to the customs/immigration offices. -
We will need the following information at the time of booking: Each passenger's full name as it appears in their passport; Citizenship; Date of birth; Passport number; Passport issue date; Passport expiration date; Arrival date into St. Petersburg; Departure date from St. Petersburg.-
Any information forwarded to ShoreTrips that is necessary to obtain a visa must be exact. We will pass on a $10 processing fee if corrections are necessary after we receive the visa. This is a per person fee, charged for each visa that requires changes.- Cost of food and beverage is not included. Suggestions will be supplied by your guide for lunch that will be quick and typical.
- Gratuity is not included. We suggest a 10% gratuity to your guide and 5% to your driver.
- This tour is only available if you are in port for 3 days and must be booked for the second day you are in port. -
VERY IMPORTANT: YOU MUST BRING YOUR RUSSIAN TOURIST TICKETS (BLANKET VISA) WITH YOU AS WELL AS YOUR SHORETRIPS TRAVEL VOUCHER OR YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM. IF YOU FAIL TO BRING THESE THERE ARE NO REFUNDS.- PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU OPEN YOUR RUSSIAN TOURIST TICKETS ON A LAPTOP OR REGULAR COMPUTER AS MOST SMARTPHONES OR TABLETS DO NOT SUPPORT PDF FORMAT AND YOU WILL SEE THEM BLANK.
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You are not able to move around St. Petersburg alone. Your blanket visa requires you to travel only with a guide.
- SHORETRIPS WILL SEND YOUR BLANKET VISA AFTER THE BOOKING IS CONFIRMED. THIS IS A DIFFERENT DOCUMENT THAN YOUR PRE-PAID VOUCHER, AND YOU MUST HAVE A PRINTOUT OF YOUR TRAVEL TICKET/BLANKET VISA BEFORE YOU DEPART. If you cancel your trip after the travel tickets have been issued, a $75 per person fee will be charged.-
PLEASE NOTE: The Kremlin is closed on Thursdays. The tour of the Kremlin will be replaced with a guided tour of Tretyakov Art Gallery. - The order of sites visited are subject to change.
- Guests with pacemakers might be asked to show a pacemaker ID card for security purposes at the entrances to museums. Please bring your card along if applicable.
Days offered: 7 days a week
Departures:- 05:45 AM, duration: 18.5 hours Tour arrives back in St. Petersburg at approximately midnight.
