St. Petersburg
Often referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’ or the ‘Paris of the East’, the Russian city of St. Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
One of the most beautiful cities in the world and a UNESCO world heritage siteOften referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’ or the ‘Paris of the East’, the Russian city of Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. From the White Nights festival in summer to outstanding theatre, ballet and concerts on magical winter evenings, the city offers a vibrant cultural life that is second to none. The whole of St Petersburg is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site and attractions here can overwhelm even the most seasoned traveller. This is why we highly recommend that you leave the luxury MSC cruise ship to join one of our excursion packages; these will help you benefit from the best deals and are also the most effective and time-efficient way to discover this magical city. Leave the ship for a city tour that covers the main St Petersburg sights including the magnificent Peterhof Palace and Gardens (Petrodvorets), home to the Summer Palace and set amidst beautiful sculpture gardens embellished with extravagant fountains, as well as the Hermitage, one of the world’s greatest art museums. Catherine’s Palace, with its elaborate blue and white façade and stunning interiors will also be a highlight of your St Petersburg vacation. No holiday in St Petersburg would be complete without visiting the decorated and onion-domed church of St Saviour on the Blood and strolling the main shopping street, Nevsky Prospekt. Take home Russian tea in decorated tins, charming Russian nesting dolls and authentic fur hats. |
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Directions
Ship docks at the Vassily cruise terminal (20 minutes by tram to town) or on the industry harbor (15 minute walk to harbor entrance, from there on a 20 minute ride).
Port average temperature
Saint Petersburg experiences a humid continental climate of the cool summer subtype, due to the distinct moderating influence of the Baltic Sea cyclones, with warm, humid and short summers and long, cold winters. The average daily temperature in July is 22°C, summer maximum is about 34°C, winter minimum is about −35°C. The record low temperature is −35.9°C, recorded in 1883. The average annual temperature is +5.4 °C. The River Neva within the city limits usually freezes up in November-December, break-up occurs in April. From December to March there is 123 days average with snow cover, which reaches the average of 24 cm by February. The frost-free period in the city lasts on average for about 135 days.
The city has a climate slightly warmer than its suburbs. Weather conditions are quite variable all year round. Average annual precipitation varies across the city, averaging 600 mm per year and reaching maximum in late summer. Soil moisture is almost always high because of lower evapotranspiration due to the cool climate. Air humidity is 78% on average, while overcast is 165 days a year on average. The temperate figures shown are based on monthly average weather conditions for the selected port. Weather data is not real-time, and sometimes no data is shown for a specific date, month or port in general.
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SPT01 - CITY TOUR, ST. ISAAC CATHEDRAL & PETRODVORETS - full day with lunch - 2012
After leaving the port we will set off for a fascinating sightseeing bus tour of this important Russian town. We will take in the city's key attractions before stopping to take photographs at the Church of our Saviour on Spilled Blood, frequently called the "Spilled Blood" Cathedral ! Our tour will take us along the famous Nevsky Prospective to St. Isaac Cathedral which we will visit inside. Enjoy a lunch of typical Russian cuisine before enjoy a 1-hour coach drive to Petrodvorets - also known as Peterhofs - considered one of the loveliest of the tzars' summer residences with its wide park, a dazzling array of glittering fountains and manicured gardens. Time at a souvenir shop is scheduled.Please note: this tour is not recommended for guests with mobility problems or in a wheelchair; long periods of walking on uneven ground involved. The order of the visits may vary. For 2-day calls in St. Petersburg this tour is foreseen on following dates:
MSC Lirica: 17 & 28 May 2012 + 07 June 2012
MSC Poesia : 22 August 2012
MSC Opera : 08 & 18 May 2012
Price per person $175.00 Adults $123.00 Children
SPT02 - CITY TOUR & HERMITAGE - full day with lunch - 2012 During this comprehensive tour of St. Petersburg you will see the University, the Decembrist's Square, the Admiralty and cross the Holy Trinity Bridge to the Peter and Paul Fortress which we will spend time visiting. We will drive past the Field of March and enjoy photo opportunities at the Church of our Saviour of Spilled Blood, known as the "Spilled Blood" Cathedral. Leave the bus and enjoy free time to shop before continuing the tour to the famous Nevsky Prospective and to a restaurant to enjoy a typical Russian lunch. The highlight of the excursion will be a visit to the Hermitage, the world-class museum home to three million major works of art by renowned Italian, Dutch and French artists.Please note: this tour is not recommended for guests with mobility problems or in a wheelchair; long periods of walking on uneven ground and steps at the Museum involved. The order of the visits may vary. For 2-day calls in St. Petersburg this tour is foreseen on following dates:
MSC Lirica: 16 & 27 May 2012 + 08 June 2012
MSC Poesia : 22 August 2012
MSC Opera : 08 & 19 May 2012
Price per person $162.00 Adults $113.00 Children
SPT03 - CITY TOUR & PETER AND PAUL FORTRESS - 3,5 hours - 2012 
A great all-round city tour. Our first stop will be St. Isaac's Square to admire St. Isaac's Cathedral. You will then visit the Peter and Paul Fortress, located on a small island in the Neva river delta. The fortress, better known as the Cathedral of the Saints Peter and Paul was built between 1712 and 1733 and has been the burial church of the Romanov dynasty. We will return to the port via Nevsky Prospective, the city's main thoroughfare. Time is scheduled during the excursion for souvenir shopping.Please note: for 1-day calls this excursion always takes place in the morning and can be combined with following half day afternoon tours: SPT05, SPT06 and SPT07.
Combination of am/pm half day tours is not valid for 2-day calls in St. Petersburg this tour is foreseen on following dates:
MSC Lirica: 16 & 28 May 2012 + 07 June 2012
MSC Poesia : 22 August 2012
MSC Opera : 08 & 18 May 2012
Price per person $70.00 Adults $49.00 Children
SPT04 - CATHERINES PALACE IN PUSHKIN - 4 hours - 2012 After a 1-hour drive you will reach Catherine's Palace that is considered one of the masterpieces of world architecture. The stunning 300 metres long baroque façade is adorned with a profusion of Atlantes sculptures, columns, pilasters and ornamental framings. Enjoy plenty of time to visit the Palace and marvel at the famous Amber Room which was once considered to be the "eighth wonder of the world". Visit the park and ground before returning to the ship.Please note: for 1-day calls this excursion always takes place in the morning and can be combined with following half day afternoon: SPT05, SPT06 and SPT07. This tour involves walking on uneven ground so is not recommended for guests with mobility problems or in a wheelchair.
Combination of am/pm half day tours is not valid for 2-day calls in St. Petersburg this tour is foreseen on following dates:
MSC Lirica: 16 & 28 May 2012 + 07 June 2012
MSC Poesia : 22 August 2012
MSC Opera : 09 & 18 May 2012
Price per person $74.00 Adults $52.00 Children
SPT05 - YUSSUPOV PALACE AND CANAL CRUISE - 3,5 hours - 2012 
This excursion includes a visit to Yussupov Palace, built between the XVIII and the XIX centuries. You will admire the wealth of the Empire which spans from Soviet Russia to the present day Republic. St. Petersburg is also known as the "Venice of the North", a title that will seem well-earned as you embark a scenic canal cruise admiring the sumptuous houses and opulent villas that lie along the river banks.Please note: for 1-day calls this excursion always takes places in the afternoon and can be combined with following half day morning tours: SPT03 and SPT04. This tour involves walking on uneven ground so is not recommended for guests with mobility problems or in a wheelchair.
Combination of am/pm half day tours is not valid for 2-day calls in St. Petersburg this tour is foreseen on following dates:
MSC Lirica: 16 & 27 May 2012 + 07 June 2012
MSC Poesia : 22 August 2012
MSC Opera : 09 & 18 May 2012
Price per person $84.00 Adults $59.00 Children
SPT06 - PANORAMIC CITY TOUR & SHOPPING - 3,5 hours - 2012
A visit to St. Petersburg is always an unforgettable experience and this is the ideal excursion for all those wishing to learn more about this amazing city and to see the sights in a short amount of time. We will stop for photos at the main attractions such as St. Isaac Square, the "Spilled Blood" Cathedral with time for shopping in a souvenir shop also included.Please note: guided shopping is during this tour. For 1-day calls this excursion always takes place in the afternoon and can be combined with following half day morning tours: SPT03 and SPT04.
Combination of am/pm half day tours is not valid for 2-day calls in St. Petersburg this tour is foreseen on following dates:
MSC Lirica: 17 & 27 May 2012 + 08 June 2012
MSC Poesia : 21 August 2012
MSC Opera : 09 & 19 May 2012
Price per person $49.00 Adults $34.00 Children
SPT07 - CANAL CRUISE & PETER & PAUL FORTRESS - 3,5 hours - 2012 Start your tour with a fascinating cruise along the canals of St. Petersburg to admire the historic houses and palaces that lie like jewels along the river banks. We will continue our trip with a visit inside Peter and Paul Fortress, located on a small island in the Neva river delta. Built between 1712 and 1733, the fortress Cathedral is the burial church of the Romanov dynasty.Please note: for 1-day calls this excursion always takes places in the afternoon and can be combined with following half day morning tours: SPT03 and SPT04. This tour is not recommended for guests with mobility problems or in a wheelchair as walking on uneven ground is involved.
Combination of am/pm half day tours is not valid for 2-day calls in St. Petersburg this tour is foreseen on following dates:
MSC Lirica: 17 & 28 May 2012 + 08 June 2012
MSC Poesia : 22 August 2012
MSC Opera : 09 & 19 May 2012
Price per person $70.00 Adults $49.00 Children
SPT13 - PETERSBURGS GEMS : PETRODVORETS & HERMITAGE - full day with lunch - 2012 The tour begins with a drive west to Petrodvorets - also known as Peterhofs - the former summer home of Peter the Great. Built in the early XVIII century by the Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, Petrodvorets is considered to be the most dazzling of all the Russian tzars' summer residence. After visiting the magnificent Palace, we will follow our dedicated guide to the Lower Park where we will admire the beautiful fountains. Set in 300 acres of parkland, the fountains are a key feature of these world-class gardens. After lunch, the day continues with more superlative sights as we visit the famous Hermitage Museum, home to three million works of art by Italian, Dutch and French artists and where we will look around the grand reception rooms of the Russian royalty.Please note: this tour is not recommended for guests with mobility problems or in a wheelchair as long walking on uneven ground and steps at the Museum are involved. The order of the visits may vary. For 2-day calls in St. Petersburg this tour is foreseen on following dates:
MSC Lirica: 17 & 27 May 2012 + 08 June 2012
MSC Poesia : 22 August 2012
MSC Opera : 08 & 18 May 2012
Price per person $161.00 Adults $113.00 Children
SPT19 - BEST OF ST. PETERSBURG - full day with lunch - 2012 This is certainly a day when you should have your camera at the ready as we will set off for an unforgettable trip around one of the most beautiful cities in the Baltic. Our first stop will be in Pushkin, a town founded in the 18th century as summer residence of the Russian tsars. Here we will visit Catherine's Palace, which dates back to 1717 when Catherine I of Russia asked the German architect Braunstein to build a summer palace. Over the years, the plans for the Palace were expanded and then, founded to be outdated by Empress Elizabeth, were replaced by a much grander edifice in a lavish Rococo style. We will spend time visiting this sumptuous residence and its glorious park. More sights are in store in St. Petersburg as we visit St. Isaac's Cathedral, which, when it was built in 1818-1858 was the largest church in the Russian Empire. Break from sightseeing with a delicious typical Russian lunch. Art lovers will be in their element during the afternoon, which includes nearly two hours in some of the halls of the world-class Hermitage Museum, home to three million works of art. The final attraction of the day is the Peter and Paul Fortress; built in 1703, this former citadel of the town sits on a small island in the Neva River. Round off the day with a little free time for shopping before returning to the ship.Please note: this tour is not recommended for guests with mobility problems or in a wheelchair as long walking on uneven ground and steps at the Museum are involved. The order of the visits may vary. For 2-day calls in St. Petersburg this tour is foreseen only on 17 May 2012 (MSC Lirica) and on 22 August 2012 (MSC Poesia)
Price per person $108.00 Adults $76.00 Children
SPT20 - Catherine's Palace, Neva River Cruise & City Sightseeing: full day & lunch - 2012 A visit to St. Petersburg is always an unforgettable experience and this is certainly a day when you should have your camera at the ready. Leave the port and drive to Pushkin for an interesting visit to Catherine's Palace, one of the masterpieces of world architecture. The stunning 300 metres long baroque façade is adorned with a profusion of Atlantes sculptures, columns, pilasters and ornamental framings. Enjoy plenty of time to visit the Palace and marvel at the famous Amber Room which was once considered to be the "eighth wonder of the world". Enjoy a short visit to the park and ground before reaching a restaurant for a delicious typical Russian lunch. Your afternoon will begin with with a fascinating cruise along Neva River: a good opportunity to take photographs of some of the main tourist sites such as the Spit of the Basil Island, Peter & Paul Fortress and famous Cruiser Aurora as closely as possible. Back on the ground enjoy a bus sightseeing tour around one of the most beautiful cities in the Baltic with views of St. Isaac's Square and of the Spilled Blood Cathedral. A short stop in a souvenir shop will conclude your day out in St. Petersburg.Please note: this tour is not recommended for Guests with mobility problems or in a wheelchair as long walking on uneven ground and steps are involved. This tour is not foreseen for the calls by MSC Opera. The order of the visits may vary. For 2-day calls in St. Petersburg this tour is foreseen on following dates:
MSC Lirica: 16 & 28 May 2012 + 08 June 2012
MSC Poesia : 22 August 2012
Price per person $162.00 Adults $113.00 Children
The excursions in the program above are intended to provide MSC Guests with an idea of the different tours that can be arranged in each port of call; this program is merely a guide and confirmation of each excursion and its description and prices will be made during your cruise. Full information can be found in the onboard Tour Magazine.
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