Hi all

Just seen a post over on cruise critic saying that due to the G8 summit in July, there won't be any docking of cruise ships in St P from 13th - 17th July.

We are on the Navigator supposedly getting there on the 17th. Does anyone here know (especially those of you who are TAs) anything about this and whether this is a)true and b) whether Regent are changing the itinerary??

I haven't yet been able to get hold of my TA as I'm at work and thought if anyone would know it is some of you guys........ :)

Thanks for any knowledge!

I saw that post too. We are in St. Pet. July 3-5, so we should be ok, but I know that rerouting would be majorly disappointing to those affected. Especially since final payment has likely been made.

Yes - we have fully paid. My TA knows nothing yet but is digging around to see what he can find out - he does think that RSSC having smaller ships means it is easier for them to be flexible

I now have found this which seems to confirm that no ships will be going in on the 17th

http://www.inyourpocket.com/russia/st_petersburg/en/feature?id=55962

All the UK info has to come via Fort Lauderdale so I don't know if any of you who are TAs know a definite answer yet as to what Regent are doing

I have been waiting for word on this subject. All I have so far is the Voyager schedule is not changing but they are due to be there 18, 19 and 20. Nothing on the Navigator.

I have now heard provisionally that they are going to Helsinki first meaning we do St P on the 18- 20 (like Voyager). Unfortunately that means we only get 2.5 days in St P and only 4 hours in Visby.
Do you think they will offer any sort of sweetener to make up for this like shipboard credit/upgrade etc? Is it worth asking?

I am on the July 8th cruise and was to be in St. Petersburg 7/11-13. Regent has rerouted us to be in St. P 7/10-23 then in Tallinn on 7/13.
I would assume they will make a similar adjustment to the following week.
This is directly from RSSC.
Hope it helps

Looked on RSSC site....new itineraries are on their site.

I sent in an inquiry on this and got this back from Regent.

We were recently advised that the Russian government will be restricting all navigation in the waterways around St. Petersburg during the upcoming G8 Summit which will involve many high ranking political dignitaries. As a result, the Port of St. Petersburg will be closed between 9am July 13 and Midnight on July 17.

The July 8 and July 15 sailings of the Seven Seas Navigator are impacted by this news. Be advised that this does NOT impact the Voyager since her scheduled calls to St. Petersburg fall outside of this range.

To maximize the Navigator’s time in St. Petersburg, we are changing the port order of the itineraries while retaining all the ports on the itinerary.

This change will be implemented on our web site in the coming days. We will be preparing letters which will be sent to guests on these two cruises.

Geranium, if you are still looking, my Navigator's cruise, 7/8/06 has been adjusted, again. It now includes Helsinki instead of Visby...I am thrilled! I hope it sticks. Keep checking RSSC website.

Helsinki is a wonderful port! We were right there in the city port on Navigator. There may be another one further out. There is a great street market just off the ship; we were there in the beginning of the cruise and bought nice warm slippers, used a lot on the balcony later! Also took a taxi to the Rock church, and from the balcony, enjoyed the string ensemble that was entertaining the RSSC excursion people!

Thanks, jhp. This is my third cruise to the Baltic, so I have been to Helsinki. I love the street market..there is a woman there who sells hand spun yarn from her sheep farm. I usually come home with a lot of yarn, but I will try to find the slippers. Last time I walked to the shipbuilding yard and watched them build the Carnival Miracle for an hour!!! Much better port than Visby.

Kirky5--does the yarn lady set up at any special place in the market? I want to be sure to pick up some yarn when I am there, I think the week before you.

Diane, the two times I have been there she has been in two different locations. Three years ago, she was in the line nearest the street. It is a very small stall, and she usually has a couple of finished products displayed. Somewhere I have her business card, I will try to find it.
Lynn

Diane, I got lucky! I found the card with her email address. The companyis RIIHIVILLA, and her name is Leena.
The email is LEENA.RIIHEL@PERNIO.SALONSEUTU.FI
Let me know if you get in touch with her, and if you find out her location. I hope this helps.
Lynn