Sea cruise is one of the most non-trivial ways to discover new countries and draw on the impressions of exploring foreign cities. There are a lot of positive aspects of such travels, the main of which is the opportunity to see several places at a time and the lack of the need to constantly register in different hotels.
In addition, if the starting point in the trip is a city with direct access to the sea, then many countries can be visited without making long flights and, accordingly, without overpaying extra money for the trip. One of such cities in Russia is our cultural capital.
Features of sea cruises from St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg today has the largest seaport in Russia. It is called the “Marine Facade” and can take liners and ferries up to 330 m long at 7 berths. The annual passenger flow is more than half a million people, moreover, it has a tendency to steady growth.
Sea cruises from St. Petersburg are extremely popular among both local residents and city guests. From here you can go to the countries of Scandinavia and the Mediterranean resorts. Less often - in transatlantic travels and to the Black Sea.
Ships cruise the Gulf of Finland year-round, so the New Year’s cruise with a celebration on board the ship is also quite common.
Of course, you can leave St. Petersburg both by train and by bus, fly by plane ... However, travelers who have already tried ferry cruises unanimously say that there is nothing more romantic than the opportunity to fulfill your childhood dream of long-distance sea voyages , to see the vast expanse of water, feeling complete freedom. And the views of the picturesque coast, floating outside the windows, certainly will not leave anyone indifferent!
As a rule, most flights between cities are carried out at night, so that passengers can have in stock all day to get acquainted with local attractions on land.
In addition, sea cruises from St. Petersburg have an affordable price, unlike similar trips from other cities. This is explained by the close proximity of the metropolis to the border of our country, as well as, as already mentioned, by the available exit through the Gulf of Finland to the Baltic Sea, from where the ship can then enter the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, there are now so many companies offering such services that for the sake of competitiveness, and even in the off-season, you can often get a good discount on sea cruise from managers.
Popular Cruise Destinations
Sea cruises from St. Petersburg are carried out in the following directions (in descending order):
- countries of Northern Europe and Scandinavia (Finland, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany);
- Mediterranean countries (Spain, Italy, France, Turkey, Egypt, Israel);
- Round-the-world transatlantic and Pacific flights (countries of the Americas, India, Asia).
Northern Europe: prices, reviews
Ferry cruises to the Baltic countries are the most common. Tours can last from 3 to 10 days or more. In most cases, one excursion day is allocated for visiting one country, so it is quite realistic to visit a couple of European countries for one weekend cruise.
In a number of individual cases, swimming is possible not only in the Scandinavian countries, but also in the Netherlands or Great Britain. However, these countries are less popular - many tourists prefer to get to them by other means of transport.
Sea cruises in Europe have a different cost, which varies depending on the exchange rate, number of days, cabin class, liner star rating, selected food and season. The average rates are as follows:
- autumn-winter period - from 50 euros;
- spring-summer period - from 120 euros.
Tourists mostly speak positively of sea voyages to Northern Europe. The main advantages are the opportunity to visit different countries in just a matter of days, it is interesting to spend time on a ferry, there is also a relatively low cost of tours (especially when buying cabins of a low class) and a wide range of services for every taste. At the same time, many note that it is best to go on such a cruise in the warm season - the weather is more favorable, and the landscapes look much more beautiful.
Mediterranean: prices, reviews
These cruises are less popular, as they are carried out mainly in the warm seasons. You can make them both on traditional routes, which include the southern coast of Europe, and with a call to more exotic hot countries. A sea cruise in the Mediterranean will cost from 1,100 euros per person.
Travelers in particular like the climate, lack of pitching, good service and great food. The main disadvantages are the rather high cost and the inability to swim in the sea. An ideal option for those who want to relax from the hustle and bustle, not to be distracted by trifles while traveling, but at the same time enjoy excursion programs and good company.
Travel around the world: prices, reviews
Cruises to exotic and particularly distant countries are most often available on request. These trips are the most expensive and longest (some are able to reach even 20-28 days), therefore the most wealthy tourists use such services. However, to reduce costs, some companies may include flights from St. Petersburg to the place of departure and vice versa.
Batch filling is issued individually. But starting prices are roughly as follows:
- destinations whose farthest point of arrival are the United States or Canada (with calls to the ports of the countries of Northern Europe) cost from 1800 euros;
- destinations with arrival to Australia, New Zealand, French Polynesia, Canaries, Africa, to the islands of Oceania and the Caribbean - from 3000 euros (minus the flight).
Reviews of sea cruises in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans are extremely enthusiastic: the most sophisticated travelers, having seen tropical countries from an unusual point of view, discover them from a new perspective. And even arriving in the United States with the Atlantic crossing on a sea liner gives rise to a completely different feeling than a flight on an airbus. Such impressions will remain for a long time!
What is included in the cost of the cruise?
There are many companies that provide services such as sea cruises from St. Petersburg. Services and fees for additional services may vary for each operator, but most often the standard package includes the following:
- Breakfast. As a rule, this is a buffet served between 07.00 and 10.00 in the morning.
- Cabin of the selected category for the entire trip. The simplest furnishings include two or four beds, a wardrobe, air conditioning, a bathroom. The more expensive apartments have an expanded area, additional amenities in the form of small household appliances and a TV, a seating area and a beautiful view from the window.
- Entertaining activities. Adults will be interested in visiting cinemas, discos and theater performances, while children for leisure time can be taken in special playrooms.
What is paid extra?
Additional services associated with travel are divided into two categories: external (before boarding) and internal (on board a ferry or liner). You can use them in the following way - order in advance from the operator, or purchase it yourself on the spot:
1. Outside:
- flight to the point of departure and back;
- hotel reservation and transfer to it while the liner is in port;
- registration of visas, fees and insurance;
- excursion programs and recreational activities.
2. On board:
- visit to beauty salons, tanning salons, SPA, saunas;
- shops, casinos, bars, additional meals, gala dinner (if this is a New Year's cruise);
- Internet, telephone;
- dry cleaning, laundry;
- additional medical services not included in the insurance;
- gym and pool;
- parking space for a car;
- other services provided by the carrier and ferry personnel.
Instead of a conclusion
A perfectly organized service, an accurate schedule, comfort and safety on board the ship, a rich program, and most importantly - vivid impressions that you will share with each other for a long time - this is what distinguishes sea cruises. Although their prices sometimes seem high, in reality your vacation will have the same cost as when staying in a regular hotel.