ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

• Passengers on Fred. Olsen organised tours do not require a Russian Visa. If you intend to tour independently, or indeed step off the ship alone, a Visa MUST be obtained. We suggest that non-British citizens seek advice from their embassy or consulate. Private tours are available, which do not require a separate visa application. For further information, please see the tour details.

• Passengers must carry their passport at all times. When leaving the ship for tours, you will have to pass through Immigration (and on your return). To assist us with meeting Russian immigration requirements, it would be greatly appreciated if ALL passengers can bring with them a photocopy of their passport – photo page only – and hand this to our check-in staff. This is in addition to bringing your full passport with you.

• Individual permits to take photographs or use video cameras in the Hermitage, Catherine Palace or Peterhof can be purchased (the cost of which will be advised onboard ship).

• Flash photography is forbidden inside many parts of museums.

• Photography is prohibited in the Kazan Cathedral. Permits can be purchased to take photographs in St Isaac’s Cathedral.

• Flash photography and video cameras are not permitted at the ballet.

• Photographs must not be taken of the port area, or of any uniformed officials.

• Large bags, overcoats or bottles of water will not be allowed in the Hermitage, Catherine Palace or Peterhof.

• A small umbrella is a good idea – as queues are often encountered to enter the various sites. If not required it can be left on the coach during visits.

• The Hermitage is closed on Mondays.

• The Catherine Palace is closed on Tuesdays and the last Monday of the month (especially opened for tour participants when necessary).

• The Grand Palace of Peterhof is closed on Mondays and the last Tuesday of the month (especially opened for tour participants when necessary).

• St Isaac’s Cathedral and the Church of Our Saviour on the Spilled Blood are both closed on Wednesdays (especially opened for tour participants when necessary).

• Scaffolding may be in place on some of the buildings.

• Toilet facilities may be limited on tours, and therefore queues should be expected. There is often a charge – usually Rouble or Euro coins will be accepted.

• Our tour itinerary has been carefully planned to allow you to take a variety of excursions during your stay in St Petersburg. It is usually possible to take two half-day tours in a day (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), although you will have limited time for lunch.

• It is worth considering that thousands of visitors throng to St Petersburg in the summer months. Attractions such as the Hermitage, Peterhof and the Catherine Palace can be very busy. Tour guides do their best to keep groups of passengers together, and give a commentary that is audible to all. In the Hermitage and Palaces we shall have the use of headsets in order to better hear the guide. When possible we arrange early morning openings of the places visited, to avoid lengthy queues, however queues are inevitable, and unavoidable at every venue.