high speed catamaran ferry

• Anchor Handling Towing Supply
• Offshore Platform Supply
• Multi-Purpose Construction Dive Support
• Accommodation Work Boat Crane Barges
• Lift Boats – Jack Ups
• Fast Crew Supply FSIV
• Work Boats – Utility Supply Boats
• Patrol Boats
• Survey Research
• Pipe Lay / Cable Layer Vessels
• Drilling Rigs Platforms JU Semi-Sub
• Dredgers / TSHD / Hopper
• Power Generation Vessels
• Floating Dry Docks
• Anchor Handling Tug Supply
• Harbor Tugs
• River Tugs / Push Boats
• Deck Barge / Bin Wall Barge / Spuds
• Crane Barges – Deck Barges w Land Cranes
• Hopper Barges – Covered or Open
• Tank Barges Oil Chemicals Water
• Lift Boats – Jack Up Barges
• Self Propelled Barges – Sand Aggregate Cargos
• Roll On / Passenger
• Landing Craft
• Passenger Ferries – Catamaran High Speed & Single Hull
• Passenger Excursion / Dinner
• MOTOR YACHTS
• Cruise Ships
• Roll On / Roll Off Cargo – Sale or Charter
• General Cargo Tween Deck Box Hold
• Multi-Purpose / Heavy Lift
• Container Shipping Competitive Rates – International Ocean Transport
• Refrigerated “Reefer”
• Freight and Dry Bulk Cargo Shipping Quotes Worldwide
• Cement Carriers
• Sand Carriers
• Livestock Carriers
• Crude Oil Tankers
• Oil Chemical Tankers
• Product Tankers
• Bunker Tankers
• Asphalt Bitumen Tankers
• LNG LPG Gas Carriers
• FPSO Floating Production Storage
• Lobster Boats
• Commercial Fishing Trawlers Seiners Longliners Factory Flash Freezer Processor Vessels
• Ship Cranes
• Diesel Engines
• Diesel Generators
• Ship Bow Stern Azimuth Thrusters
• Decompression Chamber
• International Ocean Shipping & Freight Forwarding – Competitive Rates
• LIST YOUR VESSEL WITH HORIZON
• BULK COMMODITIES FUELS SHIPPING QUOTES
• Sale & Purchase Terms
• Puerto Rico Relief Effort
• Artificial Reef Ships MANTA & DOLPHIN – Fort Walton Beach Destin Florida USA
• Matters of Faith

Passenger Ferries – Catamaran High Speed & Single Hull

Contact us with your requirements for a high speed passenger ferry – contact s&p dept..

--> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> -->

	Image	Vessel Type
16516			138'	23'	3'	2018					CCS	China	POR
16506			131'	36'	10'	2015		65			KR	Korea	POR
16390			39'			2015					Built to DNV	Africa	POR
16382			249'	52'	7'	2024		650	2400		INSB	Greece	POR
16381			246'	59'		2024			2499		INSB	Greece	POR
16380			276'	52'	10'	2024		600	1928		INSB	Greece	POR
16331			112'			2000		20			DNV	Australia	$228,000
16293			115'	33'	7'	1991					KST	Korea	POR
16276			131'	36'	10'	2015		65			KR	Korea	POR
16084			131'	33'	7'	1996		53			KR	Korea	POR
16074			138'			1996					KR ex DNV	Asia	$1,400,000
15865			131'	36'	10'	2015		65			KR	Korea	POR
15800			138'	23'	3'	2018					CCS	China	POR
15745			131'	33'		1996		53			KR	Korea	POR
15712			115'	33'		1997					BV	EU	POR
15682			262'	62'	7'	1998		162			KR	Korea	POR
15666			144'	36'	7'	2002					KR	Korea	POR
15590			144'	36'		2002					KR	Korea	POR
15549			141'	39'	3'	1996		36			KR	Korea	POR
15504			75'	26'	3'	1997					KOMSA	Korea	POR
15489			141'	39'	7'	1996		36			KR	Korea	POR
15349			230'	46'	10'	2017		750			KR	Korea	POR
15329			144'	36'	7'	2002					KR	Korea	POR
15326			115'	33'	7'	1997					KST	Korea	POR
15288			141'	39'	3'	1996		36			KR	Korea	POR
15245			262'	62'	7'	1998		162			KR	Korea	POR
15192			115'	20'	3'	1991			2610		BV	Greece	POR
15154			131'	33'	13'	2004		47			KR	Korea	POR
15129			131'	33'	7'	2004		47			KR	Korea	POR
15066			115'	23'	7'	2020					JG	Japan	POR
14853			499'	82'		1978		3133			RINA	Med Sea	POR
14815			75'	26'	3'	1997					KOMSA	Korea	POR
14589			95'	26'	3'	1990			3798		CRS	Adriatic Sea	POR
14509			157'	39'	7'	2009		83			DNV	Asia	POR
14402			548'	82'	20'	2002		4870			KR	S. Korea	$11,500,000
14239			141'	39'	3'	1996		36			KR	Korea	POR
14124			138'	39'	3'	1993					KR Coastal	Korea	POR
14077			115'	36'	7'	2011			2160		CRS	Adriatic Sea	POR
14076			115'	36'	7'	2011			2160		CRS	Adriatic Sea	POR
14075			157'	39'	7'	2009			9240		CRS	Adriatic Sea	POR
14074			184'	43'	10'	2001			12444		CRS	Adriatic Sea	POR
13975			154'	36'	3'	2009					DNV		POR
13974			164'	56'	7'	2023		300			ABS		POR
13906			256'			2023					BV	China	$6,500,000
13895			256'	46'	13'	2023						China	POR
13731			282'			1998			35348		TL	Asia	POR
13586			144'	36'		2002					KR	Korea	POR
13531			144'	36'	7'	2002					KR	Korea	POR
13442			233'			1998					KR HSLC-SA2	Korea	$4,100,000
13404			118'	36'		2005						Asia	POR

• How to book?
• EUR (€) GBP (£) USD ($)

The Fastest & Biggest Catamaran Ferries

Catamaran Ferries are faster than traditional ‘monohull' ferries. These ferries can achieve much higher speeds. In Europe, you have several of these fast catamaran connections that you can take.

Take for instance the ferry on the connection between Hirtshals and Kristiansand:

The Fastest Ferry

The Franciso ferry remains the fastest ferry, built by Incat:

HSC Francisco is a High-Speed Catamaran built by Incat in Hobart, Tasmania. Powered by liquefied natural gas, she is currently the fastest passenger ship in service, reaching a speed of 58 knots (107 km/h; 67 mph). The propulsion is by two GE LM2500 water jets. Connecting Buenos Aires with Montevideo .

A ferry connection is considered fast if more than 40 knots can be achieved. Only ferry catamarans make this. Boats that are often high and therefore have less friction with the water.

All fast Catamaran connections in Europe

Catamaran connections in Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea

• Aarhus – Odden
• Rønne – Ystad (2 pieces)
• Gothenburg (Sweden) – Frederikshavn (Denmark)
• Gran Canaria – Fuerteventura ( Leonora Christina )
• Hirtshals (Denmark) and Kristiansand (Norway)
• Viking FSTR – Helsinki to Tallinn (Very fast!)

You also have these ferries in the British Isles, including from Stranraer to Belfast and ferries from England to the Channel Islands. Since these often change locations, it is difficult to pin them to one location or connection.

You also recently have more of these High-Speed ​​ferries available around Greece.

The Largest Catamaran Ferry

The largest diesel-powered catamaran ferry is the  HSC Express 1 and 2  between Aarhus and Odden (as well as Rønne and Ystad) in Denmark. More information about this catamaran can be found  here on Wikipedia  . The newer variants of this Ferry. For example, the HSC Express 3 is slightly smaller, so it may well be the case that these will remain the fastest and largest catamarans in the world for a very long time.

UPDATE: By the way, the  Express 5  will eventually become the largest.

Sometimes you hear that the Hodor pleasure yacht (  Astilleros Armon  ) is the largest catamaran with 60 meters, but this is incorrect. It is much smaller than the HSC Express at  112.6 meters .

Images of the highest-speed Catamarans in the world

Use our ferry guides and maps

To Nova Scotia from US

Ferry to Portugal

Island hopping through the Dutch Wadden islands

Top 20 EU Passenger Transport Countries

Tags: Africa Global South America

The editorial team at FerryGoGo writes travel guides and creates route ideas for ferry travel, along with everything else that might be of interest to travelers and tourists.

• Ferries and Dogs: The Complete Guide

• This is the cost of a beer across Europe

• Significant Drop (-22%) in Rental Car Prices Across Europe

• This is what you’ll spend this summer on a ferry crossing.

The Bajamar Express is a beauty, love to see more of these catamaran ferries in Europe!

The White Blue ferry is the Iris 6.1 Catamaran Passenger Ferry. I think the project failed:

” The philosophy underpinning the design concept was the need to achieve three important targets. Most importantly, it had to be able to transport passengers in comfort. In order to impose a mimimal environmental impact on ports, estuaries and banks, it had to generate a low wake at all operational speeds. Lastly, it had to meet these standards without negatively influencing the hull form, which was designed to maximise speed and economy.”

The ferry is still active somewhere in Croatia. When you spot it let us know 🙂

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Smooth sailing with the FerryGoGo ferry guides to your dream destinations. Discover the perfect ferry routes with our interactive maps and essential travel insights.

About | Contact | Disclaimer  | Privacy & cookies

🌐 Deutsch      🌐 Dutch

At FerryGoGo, we aim to make ferry travel accessible and straightforward for everyone. By offering practical information on ferry routes, guides, and alternatives, we help you make the best choice for your journey, whether you prioritize comfort or speed. Discover the ferry routes that best suit your preferences and needs with FerryGoGo.

• Ferries to Spain 
• UK to Norway ferry (Indirect)
• Ferries to France from the UK / England
• Ferries to Ireland (from the UK)
• Avoid Seasickness
• #1 Alaska Interactive Map
• To Portugal ! (from UK)
• To Spain from England
• Ferries to the Netherlands 
• Dover Calais Ferries
• Below Deck Filming Locations – on a budget by ferry
• Price of a ferry crossing, a beer and a bratwurst during EURO 2024.
• Historic ferry crossings from the UK to Scandinavia
• Project Brave: New Ferry Rosyth-Dunkirk
• Follow us on 𝕏

• New state-of-the art highspeed vessels by Hellenic Seaways

Explore the Saronic Gulf in no time with Aero Highspeed ferries!

• Ferry Tickets

The ferry company Hellenic Seaways operating in Greece has recently added 3 new and impressive ferries to its fleet! Aero Highspeed 1 , Aero Highspeed 2 and Aero Highspeed 3 guarantee a fast, smooth and comfortable trip. 

See where you can sail in Greece with these new highspeed ferries, learn more about the services offered and the on-board experience, and book tickets on Ferryhopper with no hidden fees .

Aerial view of Aero Highspeed vessel in open sea

New Hellenic Seaways ferries: services, tickets and prices

In August 2022, Hellenic Seaways launched its 3 new-built Aero highspeed catamarans on the Saronic routes .

The three new Aero vessels, Aero Highspeed 1 , Aero Highspeed 2 and Aero Highspeed 3 , can accommodate up to 150 passengers each. They connect the port of Piraeus with the islands of Aegina, Agistri, Poros, Hydra, Spetses, and the towns of Ermioni and Porto Heli in East Peloponnese.

On board the ferries, you have access to comfortable aircraft-type seats , seats for people with disabilities, a vending machine, overhead luggage bins, as well as specially designated luggage areas. Additionally, there are dedicated areas for bicycle transportation and dedicated air-conditioned kennels for pets. Keep in mind that there’s no car deck for vehicle transfer. 

The Aero highspeed catamarans are also more energy efficient , since they are equipped with solar panels, and their extremely light construction contributes to the reduction of fuel consumption . 

Standard ferry tickets for the Saronic routes start at €19 one-way depending on the season. As for Hellenic Seaways ferry discounts, there’s a 50% discount for children aged 5-10, while children up to 4 years travel for free .

Ferries at the port of Hydra, Saronic islands

Hellenic Seaways ferry timetable for Saronic routes

In 2022/23, you can travel to the Saronic Gulf with the Aero vessels by Hellenic Seaways. There are frequent ferry crossings from Athens (port of Piraeus) to many sought-after Saronic islands, including  Aegina , Ydra , Spetses , and more destinations!

Explore the most popular ferry routes with the new high-speed catamaran vessels below:

Travel from Piraeus to Poros, Hydra and Spetses

With stopovers at Poros and Hydra, the Piraeus - Spetses ferry route is one of the most popular in Greece with many travelers departing from the main port of Athens to Spetses on a daily basis.

With the Aero Highspeed ferry you can reach Spetses in about 2.5 hours ! 

The high-speed ferry to Spetses is available at least 2 times per day between June and October. Standard tickets for the fast ferry to Spetses by Hellenic Seaways are €54 .

Travel from Piraeus to Aegina and Agistri

With the Aero highspeed ferry you can reach Aegina and Agistri  in 40 minutes and 1 hour respectively. 

There are at least 5 daily crossings with the Hellenic Seaways fast ferry from Piraeus to Aegina and Piraeus to Agistri between June and October. Standard tickets for the fast ferry to the two islands are around €19 .

Travel from Piraeus to Hermioni and Porto Heli

It takes the Aero highspeed ferry around 2.5 hours to reach Hermioni and 3.5 hours to reach Porto Heli. Both crossings are usually available once daily from June to October and one-way tickets cost approximately €44 to Hermioni and €56 to Porto Heli.

Book Hellenic Seaways ferry tickets between Piraeus and the Saronic islands 

On Ferryhopper, you can find all Saronic ferry routes from Piraeus with the Aero highspeed catamarans of Hellenic Seaways. Download the Ferryhopper App , book ferry tickets easily with a few taps and swipes, get your e-ticket , and sail away!

Latest article

Keep on reading

• 50% vehicle ferry offer to the Balearic Islands with Baleària August 29, 2024
• Sardinia ferries 2024: routes, prices and offers August 27, 2024
• 40% ferry offer to Morocco & Tunisia by GNV August 23, 2024

💥 $125 Two Year Advanced Ticket Sale - Buy NOW  💥

• Fares, Fees & Schedule
• Going to Key West
• Going to Fort Myers Beach
• Going to Marco Island
• Raving Fans

The Key West Express Ferry Fleet

The key west express fleet.

So, you’re ready to enjoy some fun in the sun? There’s no better destination for adventure, from water sports and riding bicycles to live music and entertainment venues, than Key West. And there’s no better way to get there than the Key West Express! We currently operate two, high speed, impressive vessels which operate at different times according to port of call (Fort Myers Beach or Marco Island), time of year and occupancy: the Big Cat Express Catamaran , and our flagship vessel, the Key West Express Catamaran .

Get ready for your trip by getting to know our fast-cats even more, click on the vessels below and view photo galleries and amenities. 

The Key West Express Catamaran

As our flagship vessel, the Key West Express is ready to take you to and from Key West in style. You'll be cruising through the Gulf waters at more than 30 knots (that's about 40 mph for the nautically challenged) and enjoying every minute of the trip. After all, we make getting to Key West half the fun!

Click the button below for more information and photos on the Key West Express catamaran.

Read More About This Vessel

The Big Cat Express Catamaran

The Big Cat Express has all the same amenities as her sister ship the Key West Express. This vessel is often used for our Marco Island to Key West leg and during the off-season in Ft. Myers Beach . 

Click the button below for more information and photos on the Big Cat Express catamaran.

Prepare, Plan & Go!

Places To Go

Shopping, museums, tours, water activities

Explore Now

Places To Stay

Resorts, B&Bs, Waterfront

Places To Eat

Famous Bars, Fresh Seafood, Waterfront

• Gift Certificate
• Pay Balance

 100 Grinnell Street  Key West, FL 33040

  239-463-5733

Fort Myers Beach

 1200 Main Street  Ft. Myers Beach, Florida 33931

Marco Island

 951 Bald Eagle Drive  Marco Island, FL 34145

The Great Lake Short Cut!

See lake michigan like you've never seen it before, skip the traffic, take the lake michigan fast ferry shortcut and avoid chicago traffic frustrations., the lake express provides fast and easy daily roundtrip service between muskegon, mi and milwaukee, wi. just 2-1/2 hours from coast to coast., avoid hundreds of miles of driving when you travel across lake michigan instead of around through chicago., you’ll enjoy unrivaled freedom as you move around our comfortable and modern passenger cabins and unforgettable sights as you cross the world’s 5th largest lake..

• The Experience

Reserve your trip today

Plan your trip and purchase tickets online, muskegon, mi, milwaukee, wi.

For additional questions and trip planning view our FAQ’s .

© 2024 Lake Express Ferry. Terms & Conditions | Employment Opportunities

• Visit Muskegon, MI
• Visit Milwaukee, WI

• Students & Group Tours
• Haunted Happenings
• Visitor Centers

• Notable Locals
• 10 Free Things to Do in Salem, MA
• The Destination Salem Radio Show
• Education & Community
• Native History & Indigenous Acknowledgement
• Weekend at a Glance
• All Listings
• Museums & Attractions
• Psychics & Spiritual Growth
• Salem Heritage Trail
• Sweets & Treats
• Restaurants
• Witch Shops & Occult
• Chocolate & Candy
• Inns and B&Bs
• Regional Accommodations
• Transportation
• Map of Salem
• Information Centers
• Salem Witch Trials of 1692
• Modern Witch & Occult
• Hocus Pocus
• The Journey from 1692 to Salem’s Modern Witch Community

Salem Ferry

Home » Transportation » Salem Ferry

10 Blaney Street Salem, MA

1-877-733-9425

https://www.cityexperiences.com/boston/city-cruises/boston-harbor/salem-ferry/

• Motorcoach Parking: No
• ADA Compliant: Yes
• Pet Friendly: No
• Function Space Available: No
• Advanced Tickets Recommended: Yes
• Family Friendly: Yes

Hop aboard at Boston’s Long Wharf and in less than an hour you’ll be sightseeing, museum hopping, sampling the specialties of local chefs, and shopping in Salem’s many quaint boutiques and quirky shops.

Click here for schedules and more information. We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

One Way : Adult – $25.00, Senior – $23.00, Child (Ages 3-11) – $19.00

Round Trip : Adult – $45.00, Senior – $43.00, Child (Ages 3-11) – $34.00

RESIDENT, COMMUTER AND MULTI-RIDE RATES

Salem Resident Round Trip Rates: Adult – $19, Senior – $15, Child – $11

North Shore Resident Round Trip Rates: Adult – $31, Senior – $26, Child – $19

Commuter Round Trip Rates (Mon – Fri rush hour trips only): Adult – $16, Senior – $8, Child – $8

Ride Passes: Non-Commuter – $200, Commuter – $72

*North Shore Resident rates are applicable to the following locations Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Marblehead, Peabody, Swampscott

Nearby Listings

Salem Witch Walk

1058 steps away

Coffee Time Bake Shop

1429 steps away

Charter Street Cemetery/Old Burying Point

1156 steps away

Timeless Life Treasures

891 steps away

The House of the Seven Gables

395 steps away

Witch History Museum

1383 steps away

Privacy Overview

Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran

The best way to explore the gulf of thailand.

Lomprayah High-Speed Ferries Co., Ltd. has operated a catamaran ferry service since 1999, and operates the routes to Koh Tao, Koh Nangyua, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

The company has 7 high-speed ferries with a capacity of 140 to 461 passengers.

Explore the Gulf of Thailand with this company and order a one-day trip full of kayaking, snorkeling, sightseeing and more, with a friendly English speaking guide.

Select Lomprayah if

• you want fast, safe and convenient service

Boat Features

• 140 - 461 passengers
• Air-conditioning
• Office hours: 5:30 AM – 10:00 PM
• Opption to book flight ticket, make bus reservation

Rating Google

Rating tripadvisor, price range.

Cover Image (1)

How to contact Lomprayah

+66 (0) 2629 0011

[email protected]

154 Rambuttri rd., Banglumpoo, 10200 Bangkok

High speed catamaran ferry

case study approach to ethics

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

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

Recommended Posts

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.

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

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

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• Hurricane Zone 2024
• Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com Summer 2024
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!
• How To: Follow Topics & Forums (Get Notifications)

Write An Amazing Review !

Click this photo by member XFrancophileX to share your review w/ photos too!

Parliament, Budapest

Features & News

LauraS · Started 6 hours ago

LauraS · Started Friday at 06:18 AM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 08:19 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 04:07 PM

LauraS · Started August 27

Cruise Planning

Find a cruise, popular ports, member reviews.

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...