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10 Top Boston Harbor Cruises

Venture on the water to explore Beantown's waterfront, maritime history and more.

Courtesy of City Cruises by Hornblower

Take in stunning city views from the water.

Boston is the most populous city in New England – and for good reason. This Massachusetts metropolis may host modern shopping, dining and cultural attractions, but Boston is built upon a rich American tapestry created over the centuries that's still visible in its quaint neighborhood streets and stone houses. The city's historic harbor along the Massachusetts Bay set the scene for a significant portion of Boston's story; once the site of Revolution-era protests like the Boston Tea Party, this body of water is now primarily used for revelry. No visit to Massachusetts' capital city would be complete without some time on Boston Harbor.

If you're planning to spend some time in Beantown during the warmer months, consider boarding a schooner for an hour or two of sightseeing, or head out on a boat you can pedal or sail yourself. Cruises on the harbor offer a range of historical tours, romantic dinners on the water, unique brunches with friends or even the chance to spot some endangered whales. Whether you opt for a tall ship or a smaller, more eco-friendly vessel, soak in city views and enjoy your time on the water with the following top Boston Harbor cruises.

Boston Harbor City Cruises by Hornblower

Hornblower's City Experiences brand offers a wide variety of land-based and on-the-water tours, which includes City Cruises. While the brand has greatly expanded over the past century to 125 U.S. cities and more than 100 countries, it all began with Boston Harbor Cruises, founded in 1926.

Today, Boston Harbor City Cruises encompass a range of ways to see the city from the water. You can book a brunch, lunch or dinner cruise on a dining vessel like the 600-passenger Boston Odyssey; time your sailing for sunset; or plan a big outing for a holiday such as the Fourth of July. Dare to ride Codzilla, a thrilling speed boat designed to leave slow-paced sightseeing tours in its wake. Zoom around the harbor for around 45 minutes at up to 40 miles per hour – and since you likely will get wet, ponchos are available on board. This 70-foot harbor boat, complete with a toothy paint job, also boasts an original soundtrack.

If you're looking for a different kind of enjoyment with a little less aquatic adrenaline, Boston Harbor City Cruises partners with the New England Aquarium for a series of spectacular whale watching trips. From Boston's Central Wharf, you'll head to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, one of the world's most active marine sanctuaries. Whales in the region include humpbacks, minke whales, the endangered right whales and more. You can also try to spot sea birds, dolphins and other marine life – but if you don't see whales on your cruise, a free ticket will be offered to you for a future whale watching trip.

See more of Boston: Things to Do | Hotels

Classic Harbor Line Boston

Courtesy of Classic Harbor Line Boston

With a fleet that includes schooner Adirondack III and motor yacht Northern Lights, Classic Harbor Line is a great choice for a Boston Harbor cruise. Join a guided sightseeing tour or charter your own yacht for the day; the schooner is designed for 40 people or less, while the motor yacht can accommodate just under 150 guests. Classic Harbor Line offers themed cruises, if your interest is piqued by either an adults-only nighttime City Lights sailing (perfect for couples) or a cruise that pairs a day of harbor islands and lighthouses – including the country's oldest – with a picnic lunch. The two-hour sunset cruise aboard Northern Lights is accompanied by the nightly cannon fire from the USS Constitution , also known as "Old Ironsides" – the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat, built in 1794.

If you want to sail Boston Harbor with a cold beer, you can't go wrong with Sails & Ales, a special themed cruise created in partnership with the local favorite Harpoon Brewery. Sail along the waterfront at sunset past sights like Independence Fort as your Harpoon representative explains beermaking techniques. You'll sip four flagship or seasonal beers plus one cider. A ticket for a future free tour of the brewery is included, and you'll know exactly where it is because this cruise sails right past it.

Boston Green Cruises

Right on Rowes Wharf behind the Boston Harbor Hotel, Boston Green Cruises has a fleet of three vessels: the 350-passenger Sir Winston and two low-emissions boats known as Beach Cat, a 44-foot catamaran that seats 30 people, and Zulu. Boston Green Cruises, which calls itself Boston Harbor's first eco-friendly fleet, offers a 60-minute, fully narrated sightseeing tour for all ages that covers the city's marquee waterfront sights. A 90-minute sightseeing cruise is also on offer on one of the company's smaller ships and includes time passing the historic locks along the Charles River. If you're looking for the ultimate intimate Boston Harbor cruise, consider a private charter, which can run anywhere from two to eight hours. Be aware that in the event of inclement weather, cruises will be rescheduled but not refunded, per company policy. Past Boston Green Cruise participants have said the captain they sailed with was friendly and knowledgeable, providing a great history lesson on the harbor.

Massachusetts Bay Lines

Courtesy of Massachusetts Bay Lines

Massachusetts Bay Lines, referred to locally as Mass Bay Lines, offers sightseeing tours and private charters in Boston Harbor – but also floating concerts and DJ sets you can experience with up to 379 of your closest new friends. Beyond traditional sightseeing tours and music cruises, Mass Bay also hosts a handful of themed options. Once per month from May through October, you can take part in a two-hour Full Moon Cruise, which sets sail under the lunar light of a full moon and the city lights of Boston in the background. Passengers 21 and up may choose to celebrate New Year's Eve or Independence Day by cruising in the city known as the birthplace of the American Revolution: The adults-only sailings on Dec. 31, July 3 and July 4 mark the occasions with a cash bar, dancing and a prime place to watch the fireworks. Dog owners will be happy to know Mass Bay even welcomes one four-legged friend per each adult ticket on its Dog Days of Summer sailings – but you're not required to bring a pooch, so if you're simply a dog lover looking to see the sights, head down to Rowes Wharf.

Cycleboat Boston

Courtesy of Cycleboat Boston

If you've walked around Beantown but still want to get some steps in – even on the water – consider booking a sightseeing harbor cruise that you can pedal. Cycleboat Boston lets you ride on bike seats and cycle your way through Boston Harbor to help propel the boat, but it's not required if you'd rather relax in the lounge. Tours focused on U.S. history cover the Boston Tea Party Ships , Bunker Hill Monument and the Charlestown Navy Yard, among other local sites. Pedal along during the day, by night or at sunset; the morning cruises encourage mimosas, but you must provide valid ID and bring your own beverages (with coolers and ice provided). Recent reviews rave about the captain and first mate and say if you're not looking for much of a workout you can just sit back and have fun.

Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships

Courtesy of Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships

Board a schooner from the Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships and sail Boston's historic harbor in fitting style. Your two-hour tour begins by embarking the 125-foot Liberty Clipper at Long Wharf, or you can opt for a more intimate, 90-minute experience on the Liberty Star, which is less than half the size of the Liberty Clipper. Tickets and drink tickets can be purchased ahead online or during your cruise; otherwise, you can bring your own snacks and bag lunches.

The fleet sails Boston Harbor from June through September, offering sunset cruises, history sailings and evening cocktail cruises where the rum never stops flowing (with group discounts available for parties of four). Sailing enthusiasts may want to join the Sail Through Time Cruise, which documents the history of some of Boston's most famous sailing ships, as well as the people who lived and worked on them; you can enjoy this fact-filled day on the water with a docent from Boston by Foot as your guide and even help hoist the sails. Passengers appreciate the serenity of seeing the city from a new perspective.

Boston Electric Boats

@urbanophoto | Courtesy of Boston Electric Boats

India Wharf was one of the largest commercial wharves in the Port of Boston during the 19th century, and today the India Wharf Marina, just a short walk from the aquarium, hosts boats for rental or charter through Boston Electric Boats. Those seeking a self-guided Boston Harbor cruise will be pleased to take advantage of the Be Your Own Captain Rental, available for two hours at a time. No experience or boating license is necessary to pilot the boat – though the company will make sure you're comfortable before you set off – and up to 11 people can sail along with you.

If you'd rather leave the steering to someone else, a Captain Provided Charter accommodates up to six passengers, allowing you to take in the breeze and enjoy any refreshments you may have brought. The boat's canopy provides shade, while the open deck is perfect for basking in the sun; the enclosure windows can be opened or closed to adjust for the weather. These electric boats are more eco-friendly with no fuel odors and a quiet motor. Boaters have commented that preset GPS routes make piloting the boats much easier, and a top speed of 6 miles per hour keeps the ride safe and relaxing.

Boston Harbor Islands Ferry

Beginning in May, a ferry service provided by Boston Harbor City Cruises connects downtown Boston to the Boston Harbor Islands. This transport gives a unique chance to experience some of the wilder elements of Boston's seaways, with ferries that run to Spectacle Island, Georges Island and Thompson Island during the warmer months.

On Thompson Island, accessible only on weekends, you'll get a brief orientation to start your visit; on Saturdays, a National Park Service ranger hosts a guided walk to explore the island ecosystems, including salt marsh, beaches, meadows and forest. Spectacle Island is a 114-acre island perfect for a day of hiking and swimming, with an accessible lifeguarded beach and occasional weekend jazz concerts. Georges Island offers up the history, as it houses the Civil War-era Fort Warren; ranger-led tours are available.

Charles Riverboat Company

The Charles Riverboat Company was founded in 1990 and remains a family-run business whose five vessels now carry more than 50,000 passengers per year. The company believes that whether you're a visitor or a local, seeing the city from the water is a spectacular experience that all will enjoy. Guided historic sightseeing cruises feature Harvard University, modern skyscrapers like the Prudential Building and more. Learn about the architecture and building design of landmarks along the harbor and Charles River on the two-hour Architecture Cruise.

As you might expect, many of the Charles Riverboat offerings focus on its namesake river, which flows into Boston Harbor, whether you want to see fall foliage, hear haunted tales or simply enjoy a cocktail at sunset with live music on the Charles River. The company also has a booming charter business for graduations, engagements, retirements and other special celebrations, with recent customers citing extraordinary service from staff.

Boston Duck Tours

If you can't choose between tours on land and boat, you don't have to. It's nearly impossible to visit Boston and not run into one of its renowned duck tours. This type of amphibious automobile was originally created as a military vehicle under the code name "DUKW," and now these boat-bus hybrids can transport tourists in and out of the water. To cap off your city visit, venture slightly beyond Boston Harbor with this cruise along the Charles River.

The vehicles used today by Boston Duck Tours are uniquely designed to roll past city sights like Boston Common , the Old North Church and the Fanueil Hall Marketplace before or after launching into the Charles River for views of the Cambridge and Boston skylines. This Boston boat experience is unlike any other, led by beloved "conDUCKtor" guides: You might meet Duck Tracy, Florence Waters or Professor Quackenstein, who will regale you with their own take on Boston's top attractions. A lighthearted but thorough excursion through city history, Boston Duck Tours has won many accolades. Past customers remember these unique tours as one of the best parts of their visit – and as a special draw for kids, the tour guides may allow children to briefly steer the boat in the water for a particularly memorable experience.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Boston Tours
• The Top Things to Do in Rhode Island
• The Top River Cruise Lines
• The Top Statue of Liberty Cruises
• The Top NYC Dinner Cruises

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Winter Wildlife Cruise

Where: https://www.bostonharborislands.org/event/winter-wildlife-cruise-2023/ Boston Harbor Surrounding areas Boston , MA

Admission: $0-30

Categories: Animals, Kid Friendly, Photoworthy, Seasonal

Event website: https://www.bostonharborislands.org/event/winter-wildlife-cruise-2023/

Grab your camera and join National Park Service Rangers and local naturalists to observe animals who make their wintertime home in Boston Harbor!

Hop aboard a (heated) high speed ferry and discover how alive the harbor is in the winter months during this curated 3-hour cruise. Naturalists include representatives from the National Park Service and more!

Ferry features ample indoor seating and refreshments available for purchase.

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Winter Events on the Harbor for Every Type of Outdoor-Loving Person

Boston Harbor Now Filed under: Blog | Tagged as: art , Boston , Boston Harbor , Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park , Boston’s Black Heritage Trail , events , fitness , History , Light installation , NPS , programs , Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial , winter , Winter programs | January 17, 2023

Boston Harbor and its Islands are still ideal destinations for exploration and recreation during the colder winter months. As an ever-transforming landscape, the eventual seasonal snowfall will blanket the waterfront and reveal breathtaking vistas primed for capturing lifelong memories in. The magic of these moments is in the ephemerality of these experiences –the Islands becoming a peaceful sanctuary for a wide variety of wildlife that calls the Islands home, our harbor’s shorelines icy and blanketed with nature’s wintery palette, and the many historic sites coated in the morning frost, feeling even more frozen in time. 

We’re hearty New Englanders, used to the cold and snow, so despite the weather, winter is a great time to get outside and explore. The Boston Harbor area and its Islands come to life during the winter season with unique opportunities for visitors to experience something new and exciting. From wildlife excursions to educational lecture series and art exhibits, the Boston Harbor Now team has collaborated with our network of community partners to create a variety of events that are perfect for every outdoor-loving person looking for activities during the slower winter months. 

Here’s a list of the many winter activities happening on the harbor, Islands, and waterfront, matching each to the type of person who would most enjoy each. So bundle up, board the cozy ( heated ) ferries, and prepare for winter fun all season long!

For Animal Lovers :

Winter Wildlife Cruise

Calling all wildlife lovers! Observe the beauty of the wildlife that makes its wintertime home in Boston Harbor with our Winter Wildlife Cruise. Embark on a 3-hour cruise that will showcase

 the lively Boston Harbor Islands and their inhabitants during the winter season. Get ready to witness wildlife up close with help from our naturalists, including staff from the National Park Service.

This event is perfect for bird watchers, wildlife photographers, and people who enjoy winter sightseeing! The Winter Wildlife Cruise will take place Saturday, January 21, 2023, from 12:00 – 3:00 pm. 

Click here to register. 

For Casual Hikers :

Winter Wander

If you are fond of hiking through a picturesque winter wonderland, then the Winter Wander event is perfect for you. Thanks to our partners, the National Park Service and the Department of  Conservation and Recreatio n, this event allows  visitors to, as the name implies, wander the trails of Peddocks Island at their own leisure on self-guided hikes. Take in the sights and sounds of Peddocks, discover wildlife, or enjoy an island-side bonfire. Winter Wander is perfect for people who want to get away from the city and enjoy a peaceful day surrounded by nature.

For families :.

Winter Warmer at Moakley Park

For more of a family-centric outdoor adventure this winter, join us for the Winter Warmer at Moakley Park. Visitors can enjoy warm drinks, yummy snacks, games, crafts, dance, and music by A Trike Called Funk, and more, all while enjoying the sights and sounds of Moakley Park. Connect with your local community around a fire while enjoying the outdoors. This event is perfect for families with children looking to get outside and have some winter fun. 

Click here to RSVP for this free event.

For History Buffs :

Revolutionary Harbor Lecture Series

Looking to learn more about the Boston Harbor and its Islands from the comfort of your home? Then our Revolutionary Harbor Lecture Series is your perfect winter program. Join us for a free virtual lectu re series presented by the National Parks of Boston.

Revolutionary Harbor: Environmental Justice & the Boston Harbor Islands 

Wednesday, February 15, 2023 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Join Melanie Gárate from the Stone Living Lab and Boston’s National Park Service for an evening of learning about the historic and contemporary significance of environmental justice and its various intersections with the Boston Harbor Islands and discover how communities have engaged with the islands through a lens of reciprocity and communal use, while others have seen it as a source of boundless resources that can be taken advantage of. 

Register Today

Boston’s Black Heritage Trail 

Learn something new about Boston on the Black Heritage Trail Walk. The Black Heritage Trail runs through the Beacon Hill area. The interactive walk showcases residences and community buildings associated with the Black community that shaped Beacon Hill before, during, and after the American Civil War. Some of the buildings featured on the trail walk include the Abiel Smith School and the African Meeting House. 

Click here to learn more about Boston’s Black Heritage Trail.

Photo Credit: National Park Service

For Art Lovers:

Winter Optics: Light on the Greenway

Watch the Greenway come to life at night with colorful lights at Winter Optics. With help from the Greenway Conservancy, a series of light installations will brighten up various areas along the Greenway for visitors to view as they walk through the park. Winter Optics is a perfect place for a winter photo op or for a casual stroll with family and friends filled with beautiful art.

Click here to learn more about Winter Optics: Light on the Greenway.

For Fitness Fanatics:

Winter Harbor Walks/Runs

Is movement one of your resolutions for 2023? Start your new resolution off right with a self-guided walk, jog, or run along Boston’s Waterfront! Many routes throughout the Harbor Walk will take you past some of the best museums, restaurants, and sights Boston has to offer. An interactive map presented by Bundle Up Boston is available online, so you can plan your map around the sights you want to see! 

Need suggestions? Here are our recommended routes around the harbor to get outside and get moving.

• Castle Island – Dorchester Heights – 2 miles
• Paul Revere House to Bunker Hill Monument – 1.3 miles
• Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center to Seaport – 1.3 miles
• Maverick Station to Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor – 1.5 miles

Boston Harbor Now and our community partners have a variety of other winter programs for visitors to enjoy throughout to season. To learn more about Winter on the Waterfront programs presented by Boston Harbor Now, visit https://www.bostonharbornow.org/winter/ .

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Discover your inner explorer on Spectacle Island. This 114-acre island is the perfect location for hiking, swimming, boating, and learning.

With panoramic views of the Boston Harbor and an accessible lifeguarded beach, Spectacle Island is ideal for outdoor adventures or a relaxing day by the sea. Over the years, Spectacle Island has served several purposes, from supporting farming to housing resort hotels. It now functions as a park for the public to explore. Enjoy a day of hiking, listen to the sweet sounds of a jazz concert, or take in the breathtaking views from the top of North Drumlin.

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• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.

Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?

My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

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If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.   Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?   My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

• 4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

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