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• Norwegian Cruise Line

Mediterranian Criuse - Use Shipmate for Excursions

By edmund36 , April 8 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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Booked Mediterranean Cruise. The Excursions they offer do not go to Sorrento and Amalfi Coast. Shipmate has them. Should I trust a Shipmate Cruise?

Do I have to worry the Ship wont wait for me if a little late?

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Due to extreme traffic issues large buses have been banned from the Amalfi Coast - thus the cruise lines have drastically reduced tour options for Sorrento and Amalfi if not even totally removed them.  So, for the most part, you're limited to smaller, private tour companies which provide tours in smaller 15 passenger buses/vans.  Traffic in this area is BAD.  I know last year I ended up doing an NCL excursion (ugh) just to Sorrento, and we were 50 minutes behind schedule before we even got to Sorrento!

Do ships wait for non-cruise affiliated excursions - No.  There may be exceptions, but it isn't the norm.  Last year many NCL excursion were running late in this area due to traffic so some may say they got back late and the ship waited however it was for the NCL excursions they waited, and they just got lucky.

I'm not familiar with Shipmate Cruise so I cannot comment on their services.  There are several major well known travel companies in the area which "guarantee" getting you back to the cruise ship (now is that Naples or your next port?).  I'd recommend going over to the Port of Call Board and check out Italy Ports where you'll see this topic often discussed.

We did Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast through a private company MAINLY because there was a bus strike for a couple of days of the cruise (but not during that portion of the trip so we could have used NCL's excursion) and booked everything through a private company. It was great BUT like said above, the traffic was TERRIBLE. I would definitely make sure you understand the private company's policy and guarantees on return time. On the way back, there was an accident and we still made it back to the ship in time but I was a little nervous. The "good" thing about it was that all the excursions were coming back late due to the accident so we beat most of the NCL sponsored excursions back to the ship. 

Sailing12Away

No, the ship won't wait. Haven't you seen all the hubbabaloo over the group in Africa that was left behind when their private tour ran late?

If you book independently, go with a small group (private to your group only if possible/affordable) and give yourself a lot of extra time. If the ship is schedule to leave at 5pm, tell the tour guide you have to be back at 3pm. Better to cut it short and not miss the ship than to be SOL and stuck in Italy without recourse.

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Booking Excursions With The ShipMate App

How to book an excursion with the ShipMate App

Hey cruisers! Frequently the more cruises you experience, the more confidence you pick up when it comes to booking your own excursions OUTSIDE of the cruise line. That’s definitely true for us, and we’ve just booked two shore excursions for our upcoming Asia trip using ShipMate App. Our subscribers asked us to make a video about our booking experience, so we took screenshots of every step and we’ll share the exact process and experience with you, including how we dealt with our silly booking mistakes.

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Ship-sponsored vs. independent shore excursions on cruises: Which should you book?

One of the reasons why we board cruise ships is to experience the world, whether that's island hopping in the Caribbean, animal watching in Alaska or stepping into fairy-tale towns across Europe. But is it better to do your in-port exploration on a ship-sponsored tour booked through the cruise line or independently, either by booking shore excursions on your own with a third-party company or exploring the port without a tour?

There's no right or wrong approach. When I think back to my two favorite tours, one was ship-sponsored (a plant-based cooking class with a Rastafarian in Jamaica through Princess Cruises) and the other (a walking and history tour with a lifelong resident in Havana) was independently booked online. On both, I found what I was looking for — a glimpse into local culture.

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Consider the pros and cons of both types of shore excursions as you're sifting through the choices on a cruise line's website. And remember: This isn't an all-or-nothing game. You might choose a ship-sponsored tour in select ports or when traveling with certain people but opt to venture out on your own on other trips or in other destinations.

Ship-sponsored tours: Pros

You'll be back to the ship on time

Because everyone on the tour is a passenger on your ship, there is no way the ship will leave without your group back on board. Communications between the shore excursion guide and your ship are tight, and if the tour runs late due to traffic or another reason, the ship will wait for your bus to return.

If the ship's itinerary changes, you won't miss the tour

On one visit to Grand Cayman, high winds forced the ship's tender boats to shuttle passengers to a different pier than originally planned. Thankfully, my plans were fluid — take a taxi to Seven Mile Beach — but had I booked an independent tour, I might have missed the scheduled pickup time due to the new arrival location. Guests who booked a ship's tour were simply picked up at the new arrival point.

The same principle holds true for any itinerary changes that cause you to miss a port or arrive later than planned. Ship-sponsored tours either will adjust to accommodate you or issue you a refund. With independent tours, you're at the mercy of that tour operator's cancellation policies.

Related: Avoid these 10 mistakes when booking cruise shore excursions

Changes to the tour can be made while sailing

A ship's cruise shore excursions desk is for booking — and canceling — tours. If the weather looks bad for the day of your bicycling tour or you've had enough beach time and decided you want something different, you can usually cancel your tour within 48 hours for a refund. (Be sure to check the cruise line's policies.)

It's trickier to change your mind when you have to call or email a third-party provider, and that company may have different cancellation policies.

Bottom line: It's easier to cancel tours on board.

You'll optimize a short stay in port

Ship-sponsored tours usually focus on more than one activity. There's often a restaurant or boutique stop, as well as one or two other highlights. If you're a person who likes to check off lots of boxes, this is ideal.

I recently booked an Alaska shore excursion ("Best of Ketchikan: Totems, Wildlife Cruise & Alaska Appetizers") for a visit to Ketchikan through Princess Cruises that satisfies my love for fresh seafood, sailing and local art — all in the span of a few hours.

Tours are vetted by the cruise lines

Sure, you could pop off the ship and flag down a person holding a sign advertising a tour, but how will you have time to check review sites to make sure they're legit? When booking through the ship, you know the tour has been vetted and, more importantly, endorsed.

I would have been hesitant to hop into a small van and trek up a muddy mountain to a stranger's house in Dominica to learn cooking skills if I hadn't booked through Celebrity Cruises . That excursion was an amazing glimpse into local culture that was made possible by a ship-sponsored tour.

Ship-sponsored tours: Cons

Ship-sponsored tours might offer less physical activity

Although hiking and kayaking outings have been added to ship-sponsored shore tour rosters in recent years, these active excursions cater to the average cruiser and not athletes. What's strenuous to you and what's strenuous to the average Holland America traveler might be completely different. If you're a fitness buff or an experienced hiker, biker and/or kayaker, you might be disappointed.

When choosing tours, consult the activity level for terms like "moderate" or "strenuous," and also look for the number of miles walked, kayaked or biked. That said, I brought up the rear on a Scenic Cruises vineyard bicycling tour in Bordeaux, France, due to the ship's surprisingly active seniors. To go at your own pace, rather than the group's, you're better off on your own.

Related: Do cruise ships have gyms? Here's how to stay fit on a cruise

Groups tend to be large

Instead of a more personalized experience, passengers on some ship-sponsored tours are packed onto motorcoaches with little or no opportunity to engage the guide if they aren't sitting in the first few rows. If possible, look for a tour with a limited number of spots, especially if you'll be walking, so you can interact. A tour guide speaking through a microphone to a completely full catamaran or through a VoxBox headset isn't necessarily intimate.

There's a chance they'll sell out

There's a reason you're advised to pick tours early: They book up. Even if you log into your cruise line's website to book tours the second they open up (which could be at midnight), shipmates in more expensive suites or with higher loyalty program status might have snatched up all the spots on the hottest tours.

Independent options can also book up in advance, but you usually have more choices of operators and flexibility on when to book, so you can find something you like.

Cruise ship tours don't venture off the beaten path

A 5,000-passenger ship can hardly offer three tours with 15 people on each, especially when partnering with the island's most eccentric artist or chef. They have to offer tours en masse to attractions used to handling thousands of travelers each day.

When I dock in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, I hail a taxi to Grand Case on the French side and opt out of ship-sponsored tours. That means I'm not one of 50 people still in line for a pain au chocolat at a bakery while the motorcoach driver tells me I have "five more minutes."

Look to the smaller cruise lines for more options for small-group tours, and know that those excursions are likely to be expensive and sell out quickly.

You're likely to pay more for ship-sponsored tours

Speaking of price, ship-sponsored tours are often more expensive than the same tour offered directly through the operator. That's because the cruise line serves as the middleman and inflates the fees so it can take a cut before it pays the tour company.

Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise

Independent tours: Pros

Independent tours take smaller groups

When you sign on to an existing third-party tour, instead of filling up a motorcoach, you will probably be one of fewer than 20 people hopping in a van or spreading out on a bus. Book a private tour for your travel party, and it might be just you and your group.

This small setting allows you to ask a lot of questions and even customize the day's schedule with activities for antsy kids or photo stops at sights of interest. You can slow or quicken the pace and potentially choose what you see.

They're more physically active

A rock-climbing tour probably isn't going to partner with a large cruise ship. People who wish to scale boulders are a small niche of travelers. Even that hike or bike ride offered through the cruise line will be fairly easy. If exerting adrenaline is a must, go off on your own or find a local guide. You can tailor the day's activities to your fitness level and skill and go at your preferred pace.

Independent tours can go to less touristy places

Tour buses stick to the tourist hot spots to accommodate the general interests of first-time visitors. If you've already visited a cruise port before or prefer less-crowded or gimmicky options, you might need to ditch the ship-sponsored tour for a private guide or explore on your own.

Get recommendations from a co-worker, a friend or online travel forums ahead of time. Don't be shy about asking crew members or shop, gallery or restaurant workers for the best conch salad in Nassau in the Bahamas or a locals' beach. You might find yourself gazing out to sea at a family-owned shack by the side of the road while having an amazing local meal or enjoying a quiet strip of sand while your shipmates are herded around in tour buses.

Private cruise excursions cost less or offer more value

As I mentioned earlier, going straight to the tour provider can snag you the same tour your ship is offering for a lower price. Small-group or private tours, on the other hand, tend to be pricier than large-group cruise ship excursions.

However, you'll get better value for your money when you can customize the tour to your preferences or spend more time sightseeing and less time waiting around for other people in your group. If you can get together a group of eight or 10 people, you can split the costs to make a private tour more affordable per person.

Sometimes you don't need a tour

For ports close to a downtown area or the beach, you don't need a tour to enjoy your day. Take a cab to the beach, window shop in town or grab lunch at a local eatery. All you need is a map and some cash.

After lunch on the beach in Bridgetown, Barbados, I took a short taxi downtown, stopped in the locals' version of a dime store and strolled through a farmer's market. I didn't need a guide for that, and I was happy to get away from the tour bus hordes for a few hours.

Independent tours: Cons

You might be out of luck if your itinerary changes

Ship tours will accommodate schedule changes, but that's not always the case with private excursions.

The tour operator might not know that your ship had to head back to its departure port due to a medical emergency or that it changed its docking location or time. It might deem you a no-show and charge your credit card for the tour you missed. Even if you do manage to get in touch, your guide's cancellation policy might not allow last-minute refunds.

Most tour operators catering to cruisers understand that weather patterns can change your ship's itinerary, causing you to arrive on a different day or skip the port completely. Often, their cancellation policies cover these itinerary changes — especially if it's a group tour, rather than a private guide. However, there might not be room to accommodate you on a popular tour on the revised date or arrival.

Bottom line: Ship tours will always accommodate itinerary changes; independent tours don't always.

Related: What happens if my cruise line changes my itinerary or ship?

Unexpected problems can make you miss the ship

Most tour guides catering to cruise passengers are conscientious about getting passengers back to the ship on time, but a traffic jam, bad weather or a medical emergency can derail even the best-laid plans. If a private tour takes longer than projected, the ship likely won't wait, and you could be faced with making your own arrangements to meet back up with the ship or return home.

Independent travel can stress you out

While I love straying from the port and getting away from the hustle and bustle, independent travel can stress me out. On my own, I constantly check the time or fret that the taxi will get a flat tire and I'll miss the ship.

Some people worry when navigating a foreign language without a guide to help translate. Others are concerned about getting lost in an unfamiliar city or fear they're missing out on the cultural and historical context if they can't read signs in another language.

If independent exploration makes you anxious, by all means, sign up for that guided tour. Even if you see less, you'll be happier about the sites you do experience.

You need to do your research

If you walk off the ship and sign up for a tour with the first company you see, you could end up on a dud of a tour because you don't know a thing about the provider or, worse, find yourself in an unsafe situation. Whether you book your guide in advance or make a last-minute game plan on the pier, you are on the hook to do your homework, look up reviews and make sure the provider is legit.

My independent cruise excursion in Havana was memorable because I did the research and booked a guide who earned top ratings on TripAdvisor. But some folks end up disappointed because they book with an unknown company only for the excursion to not live up to their expectations.

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Cruise Shipmate 4+

Reviews, prices & excursions, cruiseline.com, designed for ipad.

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Shipmate is the ONLY Cruise App you can use before, during, and after your cruise! AND it works for every cruise line, not just one. Save and share your entire cruise history and learn everything you need to know about your upcoming sailings. Here are just a few things you can do with Shipmate: -> Meet Your Fellow Cruisers With Roll Calls For Your Specific Sailing -> Check Prices - Find Discount Cruises and Deals -> Countdown to Your Cruise -> Book Port Excursions and Tours -> Set Price Alerts on Cruises -> Learn About Your Ship (deck plans & photos) -> Find Out What to Do In Port (reviews, tips & photos) -> Discover The Best Port Shopping and Deals (apparel, jewelry & more) -> Cruise Ship Tracker - See Where Your Cruise Ship is in the World -> See What’s Happening On Your Ship With Deck Cams -> Write a Review for your cruise and share your experience with the world -> Much More Voted "Best Cruise App," Shipmate has over Two Million Downloads and was the first cruise app ever created! Inside, you'll find boatloads of content for your cruise ship and ports. You'll get to know your vessel top to bottom using our detailed deck maps, and user-submitted pictures. You can visit your ports well before stepping on board with user tips and reviews, so you’re ready to make the most of your limited time ashore. Got a question? Our cruise forums are packed with happy users, eager to share their cruise knowledge and tips. Stop waiting for your cruise. Download Shipmate and start your vacation today! Powered by Cruiseline.com

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Fantastic app great for new cruisers & those who have cruised before . Helped me out so so much never a silly question to be asked with the cruise nation :-) loads of tips and reviews from people who have cruised before and from those who have come back on their first cruise they have excursions etc - best app I’ve ever downloaded especially for research on my first cruise up coming in the new year :D

USE DAILY TO TAKE AWAY THE BLUES…!

I use this daily almost, chatting with others and seeing honest reviews from shipmates that have ACTUALLY done the cruising! Great info for upcoming and past cruises, news and access to deck cams, ship tracking and info all on one app. You can trailer it for just one cruise line if you want to. Recommended for all cruisers.

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Great app, really use full and informative. Ship tracking and deck cams are great when you have an upcoming cruise to you get excited ready for that next holiday! Would be useful if the app developer could add more location options when registering, currently only Canada and the US.

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Excursion related answers

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Silversea cruise review: a Central and North American adventure

An incredible journey featuring cultural exploration, cooking classes, comfort and more

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Sailing on Silversea's luxurious and exquisitely designed Silver Nova ship is dreamy in itself, but add to that an incredible itinerary including the iconic Panama Canal and you have yourself a bucket-list cruise. 

As a solo traveller, I was pleasantly surprised by how well solo guests are looked after, with nightly solo traveller drinks, hosted by the friendly guest relations team. I made some fantastic friends here on day one, which turned into a group who met for dinners, drinks on deck and post-trip conversations. 

Tours and activities

Some people book their excursions as soon as they are released, but I booked mine the day I arrived and still managed to get on my desired trips. However, I would recommend booking tours and activities in advance, if possible, to avoid disappointment.

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For me, the stand-out excursion had to be my first Mayan ruins experience, in Belize. It was certainly worth the hike to see the fascinating geometric carvings face to face, and the tasty traditional lunch of Belize chicken, rice and beans beforehand certainly helped keep us going.

Another exciting excursion was the all-terrain vehicle trip through the rainforest in Costa Rica. Seeing the colourful flora and fauna comfortably from inside was fun, then we got out for a stroll where our guide pointed out local species such as the eye-catching bright red poison dart frog. 

In Honduras, we were exposed to the culture with song and dance, history lesson opposite the bright blue sea from a knowledgeable local, as well as a taste of the traditional taro bread. 

The high point, however, was traversing the Panama Canal. Guests sat together in the plush panoramic lounge, with mimosas in hand, eagerly waiting to pass through the first lock. It felt monumental, and the Panamanian cooking class and talk about the history of the canal, as well as the Panamanian dance show in the evening, made the day all the more memorable. 

During "sea days" there are a host of activities to choose from, including dance classes, language classes, and even origami. My favourite was the quiz sessions – especially since my team won a few times! 

For a more relaxing pastime, pay a visit to the smart Otium spa, where you're offered champagne upon arrival before an exfoliating and nourishing 'Roman Bliss' massage.

A cabin should be a place you look forward to retreating to after an adventurous day on excursion, or even a fun-filled day at sea, and my cabin was a real haven. 

There is a choice of toiletries, from pH-balanced Sebamed to luxuriously scented Bvlgari, and my attentive butler made sure I received the right ones. My delicious ganache chocolates were also topped up daily. 

The bathroom was very spacious, with clean lines and Carrara marble finish, which was carried through to tabletops in the suite. The walk-in closet meant I could stash my suitcase, with plenty of space to unpack and hang all my clothes, and ample shelving too. 

I also had a desk, a dressing area with plug sockets adapting to all nationalities, and a comfortable sofa to sit. If I wanted to dine outside, there was also a balcony with two chairs and a table.

Eating and drinking

Breakfast can be eaten at a few venues, as well as a room service, which was popular with guests, set up on their balconies and always brought on time. 

I particularly enjoyed the 'healthy' options at the Marquee restaurant which also offers fabulous poke bowls for lunch, or you could order an excellent pizza from adjacent restaurant Spaccanapoli, which are cooked in a traditional oven. 

There's a broad, ever-changing buffet menu at La Terrazza for lunch – its dessert selection is huge and for dinner Italian classics shine. At delicately designed Japanese restaurant Kaiseki, there's sushi and hearty ramen bowls, among a larger dinner selection. 

At my favourite, the S.A.L.T restaurant, where the menu centres on the country you're in, try some of their local cuisine, elevated yet authentic. You can enjoy some jazz accompaniment at La Dame, the ship's signature French restaurant.

Throughout the day I popped into the Arts Café for delicious coffee – always a plus –or a slice of cake and fresh juice in a light-filled space that's a joy to sit in. 

One evening I fancied something chocolate-y and ended up with one of the best brownies ever from the room service menu. 

The verdict

This voyage took me on an incredible journey from Fort Lauderdale to Cozumel, Belize to Roatan, Honduras and Costa Rica to Panama. 

As well as the journey, Silversea adds exciting context to the countries you are visiting, from cooking classes that highlight the fascinating cuisines, to talks giving the background history and much more – all creating an incredible and unforgettable trip. 

Yasemen Kaner-White was a guest on the Silver Nova ship, and her trip was a segment of the Fort Lauderdale, US to Callao, Peru voyage. 

Door-to-door fare is £9,700 per person based on double occupancy in a Classic Veranda (including private executive airport transfers, overnight hotel stay, round trip flights, food and beverage on board, butler service, expedition gear and shore excursions). For more information, visit Silversea.com or call 0844 251 0837.

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• Moscow Tours

Our 20 Best Moscow Tours of 2022

Join us on an unforgettable tour to Moscow, the capital of Russia. Imagine visiting Red Square, St. Basil’s the Kremlin and more. Moscow is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities and one of Russia’s most historical. All of our tours to Moscow are fully customizable and can be adjusted to fit any budget. Our most popular tours are listed below. Please click on the tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page. You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.

Classic Moscow

This is our most popular Moscow tour that includes all the most prominent sights. You will become acquainted with ancient Russia in the Kremlin, admire Russian art in the Tretyakov Gallery, listen to street musicians as you stroll along the Old Arbat street, and learn about Soviet times on the Moscow Metro tour.

Accommodation

PRIVATE TOUR

A Week in Moscow

This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing.

Weekend in Moscow

This tour is a great way to get acquainted with the capital of Russia if you are short of time. You will see all the main attractions of the city, the most important of which is the Kremlin - the heart of Russia. The tour starts on Friday and can be combined with a business trip.

Group Tour Moscow Break by Intourist

Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.

Kolomenskoye Tour with transport

The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was...

Tours by car

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Armory Tour

The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury...

Walking tours

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals, Armory, Diamond Fund Tour

Old Arbat walking tour

You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the...

Tour to Sergiev Posad with transport

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra)...

Tour to Kuskovo with transport

The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history...

Tour to Tsaritsyno with transport

The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic...

Moscow Metro and Old Arbat Tour

The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion and vodka tasting)

Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone...

Mikhail Bulgakov Apartment Museum

This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's...

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Diamond Fund Tour

The State Museum of Lev Tolstoy Tour

Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy...

Novodevichy Convent Tour with transport

Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure...

City Tour with Visit to St. Basils & Red Sq. with transport

Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will...

City Tour of Moscow

Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous...

Moscow Metro walking tour

Kremlin, Red Square and Cathedrals Tour

KGB Tour with transport

This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to...

Soviet and Post-Soviet Moscow Tour

The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...

Tretyakov State Gallery Tour

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...

Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

Tours to Moscow

Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!

Moscow, a City Like No Other

Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.

Moscow Tours centering on Russian History

Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

What is the best time to visit moscow.

Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide

How many days are enough in Moscow?

If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.

Do they speak English in Moscow?

As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.

Is it safe to travel to Moscow?

It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .

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• Guided tour

Moscow at Night: City Sightseeing Tour by Car/Bus

• Description
• Choose date

When the Sun begins to set, the myriad lights and firefly-like cars buzzing around on the wide highways see Moscow burst into life. This unreal sight is best enjoyed from the height of the capital’s famous viewpoints, Moscow in the evening is truly, truly spectacular. We invite you with pleasure to see the magic of Moscow under the bright night lights!

On this tour, you can expect to see incredible views and the magical transformation sunset has on Moscow’s most iconic buildings, the highlights of which being:

• The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is a more solemn yet festive sight with its dimly lit lanterns.
• Basil's Cathedral’s fun and colourful onion domes give off the aura of a mysterious castle, growing out of the darkness of the imposing State Duma building nearby.
• The spectacularly illuminated Bolshoi Theatre and the Alexander Garden walkway, itself painted in a whimsical pattern of shadows.
• The legendary Lubyanka Square, steeped in secrecy; just its hearing its name after dark is enough to trigger goosebumps, given its murky past.
• The House on the Embankment, where old legends are revived and ghostly silhouettes lurk.
• The Russian State Library, where vague shadows have been seen flickering in its windows. Who knows, could this be the legendary bibliologist Rubakin protecting the works of literary art that lie within its walls?
• Incredible views from the height of the observation deck at Sparrow Hills. The candle-like skyscrapers of "Moscow-City" shoot into the night in a blaze of glorious light, all reflected back to the observer by the dark waters of the Moscow River. Lest not forget the blood-red fountains on Poklonnaya Hill! An absolutely fantastic spectacle which cannot be seen by day.

Our expert guides will share one thousand and one interesting stories about the aforementioned and other sights, whilst at the same time detailing the vast history of our beautiful capital, past and present.

Come with us and treat yourself to an unforgettable experience amongst the bright lights if Moscow!

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Meeting point We'll pick you up at your hotel

St. Basil's Cathedral

House on the Embankment

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Vorobyovy Hills

Poklonnaya Hill

Moscow-City

Alexander garden

Russian State Library

Bolshoi Theatre

End of the tour

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• Excursion Moscow at Night: City Sightseeing Tour by Car/Bus
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