The Baltic excursions are listed on the RSSC site now and as I look at the St. Petersburg listings, there aren't any that mention the Hermitage.

This is such a wonderful museum. I truly loved it on my last Baltic cruise and am wondering why it has been left off the list. Does anyone know the reason why? This is very disappointing.

Beth, I just took a look over there, and there are lots for the cruise I looked at:
http://www.rssc.com/voyage/details.jsp?code=VOY050723&page=ports&portcode=STP07252005

Beth,

In the Radisson website on July 7( 3rd day in St. Pete) they list several Hermitage museum options. Did they take these out in the final excursion request form?

Beth,

It depends on what date you are looking at. It seems that the very first Baltic cruise on June 25 has excursions listed by day. Monday and Tuesday have no Hermitage excursions because I think it is closed on those days. There are Hermitage options on Wednesday.

The later dates, like the one I am on in August, still have a full generic listing of all St. Petersburg options, not yet sorted out by day. As time gets closer, I think they will be sorted out by day with the prices as well. I am waiting to see myself. I notice there is no evening folklore show option. I may look into Red October for that.

The museum is open daily, except Mondays, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The museum closes at 5.00 pm on holidays and preceding days.

http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/02/hm2_1.html

Beth, your cruise lists the Hermitage and Gold Room excursion on July 7th.

Thanks, Y'all,

I didn't realize the excursions were listed by days. (We're booked on the July 2 cruise.) I thought what was listed on the first day was the offerings for all 3 days. So I will get my Hermitage and the Gold Rooms excursion after all. YIPPEE!

Forgot to mention, it also lists Treasures of the Hermitage on that day as well!

You'll have a great time, Beth!!! Then you can fill us in on the wonderful details!

Beth: YIPPEE is right - J

Hi Denise,

Both Hermitage visits are on the last day. I had wanted to do the Catherine's Palace excursion and the Hermitage and the Gold Rooms. Guess I can't do both. Looks like Peterhof Palace on the first day, Moscow visit on the second and Gold Rooms for the third.

I'll fill y'all in on my return.

Quite frankly I loved the Hermitage museum but was less than overwhelmed by the "Gold Rooms". I wished that at least half the time we spent in the gold rooms had been added to the rest of the museum.

Hi Maria,

Thanks for your comments. I'll take them into consideration and maybe revisit the museum instead.

Hi Beth,

You're doing the Moscow day excursion? I can't wait to hear about that. We've decided to splurge and do that, as well. We really can't visit Russia without visiting Red Square and the Kremlin.

Alan and I are both of Russian ancestry (I'm 1/2 Russian, 1/2 Hungarian, Alan is 100% Russian). This will be a very special 3 days for us.

Hi Denise,

My brother, sister-in-law, niece and I are taking the day trip in Moscow. After posting a thread here earlier this year, the LCTers convenced me it was one of those once in a lifetime experiences not to be missed.

With yours' and Alan's deep Russian heritage, I know your days in St. Petersburg and Moscow will be special ones. When we were in Gdansk in '93, it was a special day for me as I am 1/4 Polish. Lap up the sights, sounds and smells to savor for many years.

My comments on The Gold Room.

The items in the Gold Room are amazing, the problem we had was that it was LONG LONG LONG in there and from memory very warm. The guide spoke forever about each piece. With nowhere to rest and standing in one place that long we all just got worn out. I was with Cruiseluv when she visited so I know what she means. It may have just been the guide we had - they have specialised guides JUST for the Gold Room. Different guide could be an entirely different experience.

Ngaire,

Sounds like it may have been too much of a good thing! Hopefully, we will have guides that won't go on and on like that. Too many things to see and do!

Beth, that trip to Poland must have been fantastic for you. It's a little bit like going home!

We are really eager for our Baltics trip to get here! I'm sure you feel the very same way!

Beth,

Glad you can do the Hermitage afterall! Have you considered using a private guide? Just curious, that way, you can arrange your schedule according to your wishes.

Can't wait to hear your comments about the cruise! The more I read about St. Petersburg, the more excited I am getting.

We felt the same way as Maria ABOUT the Gold Room. We felt rushed through the incredible art works and would have preferred to have spent more time there. The art is incredible. The finest works collectively that I have EVER seen. I wish we were going back with you this year.

Hi All,

I have been to the Hermitage before & it truly was fascinating. The Faberge jewelry, artwork, malacite and lapis pieces were some of my favorites. It was one of the highlights of the cruise. If each individual piece in the Gold Rooms is discussed, I'd imagine it could be a bit much. No one else in my family is interested in the Hermitage like I am, so a private guide may be a bit expensive for just me.

Denise, you are right about that "going home" feeling. I had a special tingle all day and tried to take everything in.

Can't wait to go..... this is getting me excited as time gets more near. I know the PIPsters are just all over the place in their excitement!!!

Andi, I'd like to say there would be room in my luggage for you... but I think not. I am accused of packing everything but the kitchen sink!!!

How fortunate that you visited The Hermitage before, Beth. Our excursion will be but a small sampling. But a small sampling is better than none.

I am hoping our guide gives a well-balanced tour, rather than devote too much time to one area.

I've been very laid back as far as this trip goes and I simply don't know why, as I always plan myself into a tizzy! I am now (finally) kicking into plan mode and it's thrilling. We are now
2 1/2 months away and we are counting the days!

Denise,

I used to do all the planning and research (it's the librarian in me) ahead of time... would pick out most of the excursions. Mom and sis would say, "Where are we going today, Beth?" Now I still do some of the research, but am passing it along to my 28yo niece... She needs the experience!!

I might have missed my calling. Maybe I should have been a Librarian!

I'm a control freak when it comes to planning our vacations. Delegating is something I just can't quite do, right now! You are teaching your niece well, Beth!

mmmmm, librarian: control freak? Yep there are alot of similarities!!!!!!

Beth, I think you and I need to plan to cruise together sometime soon!

Hi Denise, That sounds like a great idea. Where do you want to go next? I have my sights on Egypt, South America, Antarctica and the Pacific in the next 10 years. (but not limited to these) Can't believe I'm wanted to plan that far in advance!

Beth: Had I known you, too, were up at the crack of dawn I would have e-mailed you for company!!! Joanna

Hi Joanna,

I like to get to school near 7am..... gives me time to plan my day and enjoy the peace and quiet before the lil darlings get there. We are doing state testing this week..... crunch time for us. If you have chat software, maybe we can banter back and forth in the AM as I get ready.....

For anyone who is interested,there is an excellent DVD(2 hours),which we purchased in the Catherine's Palace shop,titled "The Hermitage,a journey into time and space".

Chat software???? I couldn't even figure out the webcam for baby shower -

Thanks for the great DVD information. I'll be certain to check into that!

Beth, our 2 year plan is to take our land tour in 2006 and visit NZ and possibly Australia in 2007 (so there you have the Pacific). We're not looking further than that right now, but everything you've mentioned sounds wonderful!

Denise and Beth, I like planners. I'm an information junkie myself! Traveling with the two of you could be fun. NZ and Australia are on my 2007 list too. My problem is that I want to go everyhwere!

Can I join the club of compulsive planners? :) I have 2 trips this year for which I haven't completed arrangements but that hasn't kept me from starting on next year's plans!

Denise,

Are you also doing a river cruise as part of your land trip? I remember you were looking into it.

OK Joanna, If you had an instant messaging program, you'd be chatting all the time, I bet. I got addicted to it a few years back and would chat with lots of people in different parts of the world. There was a guy in Wales I used to chat with some... he told me about Who Wants to Be A Millionaire before it came to the US. (webcams can be a bear sometime, tho)

EV, I might need to get that DVD, I love the Hermitage.

Denise, Donna & Maria, sounds like do we need to start a Compulsive Planner thread. I'd bet there are alot of us (some closet planners) here on LCT. The question would be "Can the control freaks turn over the planning to another???

Yes, Denise, NZ and OZ are in those Pacific plans. Not sure if I can go in 07. I can retire next month, but want to continue working for a few more years. Time will tell.

Donna, I want to go everywhere too!!!

Just to add my 2 cents:

re: DVD. If you buy one, please be sure that it will play on the American standard. DVD protection is geographical. So, just be sure to ask.

The Hermitage. from my point of view, you can skip just about everything else & spend as much time as you can here. It was awesome. Amazing. Wonderful.

We had a very good private guide who managed to push other groups away (Oh, the guides spoke harsh words to each other, but I did not understand a word they said!) from the major paintings.

There is just so much to see.

When I go back (not 'if'...when), I shall spend all my time at The Hermitage... even if Paul McCartney isn't playing outside in the square.

Doug

Doug,

I feel the same way!

Hi Maria,

We scrapped plans to do a river cruise, as nothing seemed to fit into our group's specifications. Instead, we've opted for a land tour, using private guides for each city and outlying areas. I do think a land tour is the best way to approach this trip, allowing us to really see each city more fully and experience the countryside, as well.

I've managed to locate the city my grandmother was born in, in Hungary - Miskolc. It's about 2 hours out of Budapest. We plan on visiting there, which, for me, will be a realy highlight.

Maria, Beth and Donna,

Compulsive Planners! I love it! Yes, we need to form an alliance! We are so misunderstood by so many!

I'm planning on going and seeing everywhere, too!

Thanks for the info, Doug. Russian guides with attitude! Sounds like Christina on Steroids to me! Maybe Alan needs to stay on the ship while we're in Russia (you get my drift, Andi and Doug!).

Doug, Thanks for the info on the DVDs. You are so right about the Hermitage. It is one fascinating place. My mother laughs at me because I think it is so amazing.

Denise, My SO would really like this thread about Complusive Planning. I have to know where and when we are going to do things about a week in advance, though I am trying to break myself of this habit. Luckily I am okay if our plans change.... sometimes. :rolleyes:

Alan is safe. These guides didn't yell at the paying tourists, only one another.

Denise, if you like to research and you are searching ancestry, you should look into buying an online subscription to ancestry.com. This is how I found my family in Paris. It is a fascinating website.

Beware the "dragon" ladies in the Hermitage! I was leaning against a marble pillar listening to the guide and an old matron came over and fussed at me!

Beth, we'll need to get this thread going soon. I'm sure that there are a lot of "Closet Compulsive Planners" just waiting to be heard.

Thanks for the site, Andi. I will surely look into it.

Denise:
No worries!
These guides, as Andi said, only bully each other.
AND THEY REALLY DO EXCHANGE WORDS! in russian.

So, actually, they may have been taking about the weather. But the looks I saw told me otherwise (g).

Go. enjoy with Alan. He will love it, as will you.

Everything else is second rate compared with The Hermitage.

Maria: We would have a great time in The Hermitage just wandering from room to room!

I have to share: I have always been a lover of art. But somehow I had an awakening of the genius of Rembrant (sp?) after our visit. I - at last - understood what all the fuss was about. His lighting was amazing. I -at last - got it!

Doug