St Petersburg, Russia - Norway, Fjords & Baltic Cruises

The Hermitage is so vast it would take a lifetime to experience all of its treasures. Occupying more than 1,000 rooms and halls, The Hermitage collection includes pieces from every historical period. Built during the reigns of Elizabeth and Catherine the Great, the grandiose, baroque ‘Winter Palace’ and its 4 adjacent buildings house works such as those of Da Vinci, Raphael, Titian and Rembrandt, among others. Just as dazzling are the patterned parquet floors, ornate staircases, moulded and painted ceilings, gilded furniture and decorative malachite of the Palace itself. Walk through a selection of the display rooms with your guide, who will relate fascinating facts about the Museum’s history, art and architecture. Routes around the Hermitage are determined by museum curators therefore we cannot guarantee which works of art will be seen on the day.

Your drive to the Hermitage will take you through a portion of the city of St Petersburg where you’ll see the Neva River Embankment, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, Admiralty and Peter-and-Paul Fortress.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot.The tour involves approximately two hours of walking at a fast pace, including many steps. The Hermitage can be very crowded and you may be expected to queue outside in all weathers. Camera and video fees are included in the tour cost. Flash photography is not permitted. There is limited opportunity for shopping at the gift shop within the Museum. Credit cards are accepted, and US Dollars and Euros may be accepted, unofficially. It is forbidden to take long overcoats, large bags, umbrellas or bottles inside the Museum.

Vehicles with an English-speaking guide, local driver and selected itineraries are offered on a four hour basis. No deviations to duration, venues included, departure or return time can be made. Please select the tour itinerary of your choice from the list on your record of shore excursions.

This is a private vehicle; those accompanying you are family or friends with whom you agree to share costs. We do not match groups of guests to form a private group for the vehicle. Vehicles and guides are extremely limited and so early reservation is recommended to avoid disappointment.

The tour fare is per vehicle and only one person in the party should book a ticket. The entire cost of the vehicle and tour will be charged to that guest’s on board account and cannot be divided between the party. Once on board, you will receive a request for the names of each individual in your party. This information is required to allow your party to disembark the ship for the tour.

Entrances, toilet facilities, photography and video fees are included for the venues incorporated in your chosen tour itinerary. Meals, refreshments and gratuities are not included.

Cars will take up to three guests


Note: Private tours are non-refundable once confirmed. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability and number of guests in your party. Request only one ticket per group and not the number in your party. Vehicles are air-conditioned and come with an English-speaking guide and local driver. No deviations to tour content, duration, departure or return time can be made. You may be expected to queue to gain entrance to palaces in all weathers.

Peterhof Palace - Due to its popularity, the Palace is expected to be crowded. Peterhof fountains are subject to maintenance work without advance notification. Photography and videography are prohibited in the Palace. Protective overshoes are provided, which can make the floor slippery in the Palace. It is forbidden to take long overcoats, large bags, umbrellas or bottles inside.

St Petersburg is home to some of the most stunning architecture in Russia, yet some of it remains a mystery to many, keep your eyes peeled as your tour begins with a panoramic drive through the city.

Yelagin Palace is one of the lesser know Palaces and was the home of Maria Fydorovna, the mother of Alexander I. It was designed by a young Carlo Rossi who later went on to become the undisputed master of neo-classicism in the city. Yelagin Palace has an intimate, cozy feeling and is completely accessible with all display rooms located on the ground floor. Join your guide as you walk through rooms including Empress’s Dressing Room, the exquisitely painted Porcelain Study and the Blue Parlour with its silk damask wallpaper. You’ll have some free time to enjoy a walk in the peaceful grounds where swans, geese and ducks can often be found down by the pond.

Make your way to the rear of the Palace and discover the Glass Museum located in the Orangery. This small but fascinating museum is divided into 2 sections showcasing precious glassware versus modern works of the glassmaker which will be presented by your guide.

Hidden Gems is a quieter, more tranquil option, perfect for anyone looking for a leisurely outing.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. This excursion involves approximately two hours of walking over flat ground. There are approximately 20 steps in the Palace to the restrooms and 16 steps up to the terrace.

From 1721 the Peter and Paul Fortress housed part of the city's garrison and served as a high security political jail. Among the inmates was Peter's own rebellious son, Alexei, plus Gorky, Trotsky and Lenin's older brother, Alexander.
Visit the impressive Peter and Paul Cathedral, the burial place of all the Russian Emperors and Empresses from Peter the Great to Alexander III. On top of the Cathedral's gilded spire stands a magnificent golden angel holding a cross. This weathervane is one of the most prominent symbols of St Petersburg.

From the pier, not far from the Peter and Paul Fortress, embark your canal boat for an hour-long leisurely cruise. Cruising along the Neva River you will pass the Cruiser Aurora, before entering the Fontanka River and travelling as far as Michael's Castle, residence of the most mysterious Russian Czar - Paul I. On the Moyka River you will pass by the Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood, pass under the Police Bridge at Nevsky Prospect arriving at the pier near St. Isaac's Cathedral, where you disembark. Russian 'champagne' will be served in the salon of the lower deck of the boat.


This excursion will operate by coach, boat and on foot. The boat route is subject to change depending on the water level and weather conditions. There are 14 steps at the embarkation/disembarkation of the canal boat. It may also be necessary to cross other boats to reach your specific vessel. There are cobblestones and steps at the Fortress. There are 31 steep steps to access the fortress jail. The order of this itinerary may vary.

For the returning visitor or a serious art lover, the Hermitage Depositary is a must. St Petersburg State Hermitage presents a unique project and a world first, by opening the Restoration and Storage Centre to visitors. This tour unveils the treasures of the Hermitage Museum….and more.

In the company of a knowledgeable guide, you'll enjoy a special early opening at the Hermitage Museum, to get ahead of the crowds. One of the largest and oldest museums in the world, the Hermitage was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great. Its collections, of which only a small portion are permanently on display, comprise of nearly three million items, including the largest collection of paintings in the world. Perhaps only the British Museum and the Louvre can rival the Hermitage in scale and importance. (Routes around the Hermitage are determined by museum curators therefore we cannot guarantee which works of art will be seen on the day)

Next, you'll embark on a journey north to Staraya Derevnya, the 'Old Village' district, where a traditional Russian luncheon will be served at the Hermitage Depositary Café. A highlight of your tour is a visit to the modern Restoration and Storage Centre of the Hermitage. Housed in a closed, high-security storage facility, these chambers hold a wealth of priceless treasures ranging from world-class works of art, to royal carriages, original palace furniture and other fascinating items.

Don't miss this opportunity to join a small group of fellow guests to visit the Hermitage and view some of its collections that have long been hidden from the eyes of the general public.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. There is approximately 4½ hours of walking, including numerous steps. Palace Square is cobbled and uneven in places. Guests are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes.

Catherine Palace was named in honour of Peter the Great's wife, Catherine 1. The Baroque façade is nearly 1,000 feet-long with decorative white and gold ornaments, and the grounds comprise of acres of manicured gardens. Visit the Palace's interior and glimpse part of the vast gardens. One of the highlights is the Amber Room, decorated with amber of different hues. See the gallery of heroic Roman and Greek busts designed as a covered walkway for Catherine the Great.

Peterhof Palace attests to the pomp, pageantry and extravagance of Russia's ruling class. The Palace is a truly splendid building with a yellow and white exterior embellished with gold. Peter the Great built the Palace to rival Versailles, personally drafting the layout of the 300-acre park and spectacular system of fountains. Most famous is the Grand Cascade, with its gold statue of Samson. In addition to exploring the Palace grounds, you will visit the Throne Room, Portrait Room and the White Dining Room.

Luncheon will be served in a leading restaurant.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. There is up to six hours' walking. Time allocated inside the Palaces is up to one hour, plus time in the gardens. Crowds are likely and you may be expected to queue outside in all weathers. Protective overshoes are provided, which can make the floor slippery. Camera and video fees are included. Flash photography is not permitted inside Catherine Palace and photography is prohibited in the Amber Room. Photography is prohibited in the Grand Palace of Peterhof. Long overcoats, large bags, umbrellas or bottles are not permitted inside the Palaces. Peterhof fountains are subject to maintenance work.

Your unique evening visit will start after the Hermitage Museum has been closed to the general public. Explore the Winter Palace, wander through its hallways, stairways and rooms, view a selection of art and treasures, and learn about its history and residents; the Romanovs, rulers of Russia for over 300 years (Routes around the Hermitage are determined by museum curators therefore we cannot guarantee which works of art will be seen on the day). Today the Hermitage is considered to be one of the three leading museums in the entire world and a highlight of anyone's visit to St Petersburg.

After the Hermitage tour, in one of the Ceremonial Halls, the full symphonic orchestra of the Hermitage Academy of Music will perform for your pleasure. Enjoy a short concert of classical music by world famous composers and refreshments of Russian 'champagne' on the upper landing of the Gala staircase.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. The tour involves approximately two hours' walking, including many steps. Camera and video fees for the Museum are included in the tour cost. Flash photography is not permitted. It is forbidden to take long overcoats, large bags, umbrellas or bottles inside the Museum. The concert and 'champagne'; reception are exclusive to Cunard, however the Hermitage reserves the right to allow other small groups into the Museum.

The impressive blue Catherine Palace’s façade is nearly 1,000 feet-long with decorative white and gold ornaments, and the grounds comprise acres of manicured gardens. Visit various rooms of the sumptuous Palace, including the Amber Room, and stroll alongside the gallery of Roman and Greek busts designed as a covered walkway for Catherine the Great.

Peterhof Palace attests to the pomp, pageantry and extravagance of Russia’s ruling class with its lovely yellow and white exterior and gilded trimmings. Peter the Great personally drafted the layout of the 300-acre park and its spectacular system of fountains. Most famous is the Grand Cascade, with its gold statue of Samson prying open the jaws of a lion. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the Throne Room, Portrait Room and the White Dining Room.

Luncheon will be served in a leading restaurant and includes a glass of ‘champagne’ tea or coffee.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. There is up to six hours’ walking. Time allocated inside the Palaces is up to one hour, plus time in the gardens. Crowds are likely and you may be expected to queue outside in all weathers. Protective overshoes are provided, which can make the floor slippery. Camera and video fees are included in the tour cost. Flash photos are not permitted inside Catherine Palace and photography is prohibited in the Amber Room. Photography is prohibited in the Grand Palace of Peterhof. It is forbidden to take long overcoats, large bags, umbrellas or bottles inside the Palaces. Peterhof fountains are subject to maintenance work without notification.

An air-conditioned minivan with an English-speaking guide and local driver is offered on this tour. This is a private vehicle; those accompanying you are family or friends with whom you agree to share costs. We do not match groups of guests to form a private group for the vehicle. Vehicles and guides are extremely limited and so early reservation is recommended to avoid disappointment. No deviations to duration, venues if included or departure and return times can be made.

Minivans will take up to five guests.

Your drive to the Hermitage will take you through a section of the city of St Petersburg and past the impressive buildings of a bygone imperialist era. You will see Palace Square in front of the Hermitage, the Alexander Column and the Headquarters of the Central Staff Building.

The Hermitage Museum was built during the reigns of Elizabeth and Catherine the Great, the grandiose Baroque ‘Winter Palace’ and its four adjacent buildings house works such as those of Da Vinci, Raphael, Titian and Rembrandt, among others (Routes around the Hermitage are determined on the day by museum curators therefore we cannot guarantee which works of art will be seen during your tour). As you walk across patterned parquet floors and up ornate staircases you can admire moulded and painting ceilings, gilded furniture, decorative malachite, lapis lazuli and jasper appointments of the Palace itself. Your guide will lead you through the many display rooms relaying fascinating facts about the Museum’s history, art and architecture.

Private tours are non-refundable once confirmed. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability and number of passengers in your party. Request only 1 ticket per group and not the number in your party. Vehicles are air-conditioned and come with an English-speaking guide and local driver. No deviations to tour content, duration, departure or return time can be made. You may be expected to queue to gain entrance to palaces in all weathers.

The Hermitage - Flash photos are not permitted. You are advised that during peak season, the Hermitage can be very crowded. It is forbidden to take long overcoats, large bags, umbrellas or bottles inside the Museum.

An air-conditioned car with an English-speaking guide and local driver is offered on this tour. This is a private vehicle; those accompanying you are family or friends with whom you agree to share costs. We do not match groups of guests to form a private group for the vehicle. Vehicles and guides are extremely limited and so early reservation is recommended to avoid disappointment. No deviations to duration, venues if included or departure and return times can be made.


Your first visit will be to Yusupov Palace, one of the most interesting sights in St Petersburg, representing a rare combination of an architectural monument and ‘a temple of art’. The rich and powerful Yusupov family have owned the Palace since 1830 and it is the only Russian Palace approved on the list of international private Palaces to maintain its original interior and furniture. The unique collections of art assembled by the Yusupovs and their reputation as well-educated hosts attracted the most outstanding representatives of Russian cultural life to the Palace. The Palace is also famous for being where Grigory Rasputin’s assassination took place in the winter of 1916.

Your next stop is the ornate and brightly coloured exterior of the Church of the Saviour of the Spilled Blood. This recently restored Church is a photographer's delight. This uniquely-named Church sits on an equally unique site: the place where Alexander II was assassinated. The striking multi-coloured onion domes, representative of the intricate pseudo-Russian style of architecture, will create a memorable picture.

Private tours are non-refundable once confirmed. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability and number of guests in your party. Request only one ticket per group and not the number in your party. Vehicles are air-conditioned and come with an English-speaking guide and local driver. No deviations to tour content, duration, departure or return time can be made. You may be expected to queue to gain entrance to palaces in all weathers.

Yusupov Palace - Flash photography restrictions may apply in certain rooms. Protective overshoes are provided in wet weather which can make the floor slippery in the Palace. It is forbidden to take long overcoats, umbrellas, large bags or bottles inside.

Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood – Flash photography restrictions apply.

The Czar’s former Winter Palace and four adjacent buildings house one of the world’s best collections of art. Your visit will include various rooms which contain part of the two million works, including paintings by Da Vinci, Monet, Rembrandt and Renoir to name a few. (Routes around the Hermitage are determined by museum curators therefore we cannot guarantee which works of art will be seen on the day).

The Hermitage’s Gold Rooms are home to an array of remarkable jewellery and artefacts, including Greek and Scythian antiquities created for the imperial court, and a stunning collection of 18th and 19th century snuff boxes. During your tour you will visit one of the two Gold Rooms.

Your drive to the Hermitage will take you through a portion of the city of St Petersburg, past Palace Square, in front of the Hermitage with the Alexander Column, and the Headquarters of the General Staff Building.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. The excursion involves approximately three hours’ walking at a fast pace, including many steps. You are advised that during peak season, the Hermitage can be very crowded and you may be expected to queue outside in all weathers. Camera and video fees are included in the tour cost. Flash photography is not permitted. Photography and videography inside the Gold Room is prohibited. There is limited opportunity for shopping at the gift shop within the Museum. Credit cards are accepted, and US Dollars and Euros may be accepted, unofficially. It is forbidden to take long overcoats, large bags, umbrellas or bottles inside the Museum.

The Yusupovs were one of Russia’s wealthiest families and the history of their Palace is shrouded in mystery. The family owned the Yusupov Palace for centuries and this gala evening will give you an insight into their lavish lifestyle.

Upon your arrival, you’ll tour a suite of elegant reception halls and state rooms. The State Bedroom and Ballroom are perfect examples of the interiors in a Russian aristocratic home, and the Moorish Salon with its exquisite décor and oriental charm make it one of the most extravagant rooms in the Palace.

Make your way down into the basement where your guide will bring to life the sinister events of a cold December evening in 1916. Prince Felix Yusupov and a group of noblemen plotted and carried out the assassination of Grigory Rasputin, a Siberian peasant whose influence over the Russian Tsar and his family was feared.

Enjoy a glass of Russian 'champagne' in the Preziozo Hall as you appreciate some of the family’s magnificent art collection, before making your way to the beautiful Home Theatre. Take your seats in this palatial, yet intimate theatre for an exclusive classical concert.



This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. The excursion involves approximately 1½ hours’ walking, including many steps. The concert and ‘champagne’ reception are exclusive to Cunard, however the Yusupov Palace reserves the right to allow other small groups into the Palace. This tour is non refundable within seven days of the departure of your cruise.

An air-conditioned minivan with an English-speaking guide and local driver is offered on this tour. This is a private vehicle; those accompanying you are family or friends with whom you agree to share costs. We do not match groups of passengers to form a private group for the vehicle. Vehicles and guides are extremely limited and so early reservation is recommended to avoid disappointment. No deviations to duration, venues if included or departure and return times can be made.

Minivans will take up to five guests.

Peterhof Palace and Gardens are situated on a hill overlooking the Gulf of Finland, Peter the Great built the Palace to rival Versailles, personally drafting the layout of the 300-acre Park and giving detailed instructions on the design of its spectacular system of fountains. Water is supplied from natural springs and collects in the reservoirs of the Upper Gardens. The elevation difference creates the pressure that drives most of the fountains in the Lower Gardens allowing all of the fountains to operate without the use of pumps.

See if you can spot any of the fountains that are located within the grounds designed with the specific purpose of soaking visitors! Two take the form of gangly trees rigged with jets that activate when someone approaches. Another, disguised as an umbrella with a circular bench set around the stem, drops a curtain of water from its rim when someone enters to take a seat.

Most famous is the Grand Cascade, with its gold statue of Samson prying open the jaws of a lion. The Samson Fountain is supplied by a special aqueduct, over 2 miles in length, drawing water and pressure from a high-elevation source. The Cascade is aptly named as water flows down terraced steps leading from the Palace down to the Lower Gardens. Spouting fountains spray streams of water over marble statues, culminating in a man-made canal leading out to the Gulf of Finland. After exploring the grounds, you’ll have the opportunity to tour the sumptuous Palace interior and marvel at the opulence of the Throne Room, Portrait Room, White Dining Room and Chinese Rooms.



This excursion will operate by coach and on foot.Private tours are non-refundable once confirmed. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability and the number of guests in your party. Only ticket per party should be booked and the full cost will be charged to that person’s credit card. Once on board, you’ll receive a request for the names of each individual in your party. This information is required to allow your party to disembark the ship for the tour. You may be expected to queue to gain entrance to Palaces in all weather.

Peterhof Palace - Due to its popularity, the Palace is expected to be crowded. Peterhof fountains are subject to maintenance work without advance notification. Photography and videography are prohibited in the Palace. Protective overshoes are provided, which can make the floor slippery in the Palace. It is forbidden to take long overcoats, large bags, umbrellas or bottles inside.

An air-conditioned car with an English-speaking guide and local driver is offered on this tour. This is a private vehicle; those accompanying you are family or friends with whom you agree to share costs. We do not match groups of guests to form a private group for the vehicle. Vehicles and guides are extremely limited and so early reservation is recommended to avoid disappointment. No deviations to duration, venues if included or departure and return times can be made.

Cars will take up to three guests.

Situated in the town of Tsarskoye Selo, the grand blue Catherine Palace was named in honour of Peter the Great’s wife, Catherine. The Palace was built in the mid 18th century during the reigns of Elizabeth and Catherine II, the Baroque façade is nearly 1,000 feet long with decorative white and gold ornaments, and the grounds comprise of some 1,482 acres of manicured gardens and parklands. You’ll visit various rooms of the Palace’s sumptuous interior and glimpse part of the vast gardens.

One of the many highlights will be the Amber Room with its walls decorated with real amber of different hues. The long classical gallery of heroic Roman and Greek busts that run alongside the exterior of the Palace was designed as a covered walkway for Catherine the Great by the Scottish architect, Charles Cameron.



This excursion will operate by private car. Private tours are non-refundable once confirmed. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability and the number of guests in your party. Only ticket per party should be booked and the full cost will be charged to that person’s credit card. Once on board, you’ll receive a request for the names of each individual in your party. This information is required to allow your party to disembark the ship for the tour. You may be expected to queue to gain entrance to Palaces in all weather.

Catherine Palace - The Palace is expected to be crowded. Protective overshoes are provided for inside Catherine Palace, which can make the floors slippery and care should be taken. Flash photos are not permitted inside and photography is prohibited in the Amber Room. It is forbidden to take long overcoats, large bags, umbrellas or bottles inside.

An air-conditioned car with an English-speaking guide and local driver is offered on this tour. This is a private vehicle; those accompanying you are family or friends with whom you agree to share costs. We do not match groups of guests to form a private group for the vehicle. Vehicles and guides are extremely limited and so early reservation is recommended to avoid disappointment. No deviations to duration, venues if included or departure and return times can be made.

Cars will take up to three guests.
From 1721 the Peter and Paul Fortress housed part of the city's garrison and served as a high security political jail. Among the inmates was Peter's own rebellious son, Alexei, plus Gorky, Trotsky and Lenin's older brother, Alexander.

Since 1900, the Trubetskoj bastion of the Peter and Paul Fortress was used as a military jail. 13 ministers of the defeated "Vremennoe Pravitelstvo" (Provisional Government) were some of the last prisoners there from October 1917 to March 1918.

Visit the impressive Peter and Paul Cathedral, the burial place of all the Russian Emperors and Empresses from Peter the Great to Alexander III. On top of the Cathedral’s gilded spire stands a magnificent golden angel holding a cross. This weathervane is one of the most prominent symbols of St Petersburg.

St Isaac’s Cathedral is the third largest domed Cathedral in the world after St Peter’s in Rome and St Paul’s in London. The Cathedral can accommodate a 10,000 strong audience and features 112 solid granite columns weighing up to 114 tons each.

Private tours are non-refundable once confirmed. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability and the number of guests in your party. Only ticket per party should be booked and the full cost will be charged to that person’s credit card. Once on board, you’ll receive a request for the names of each individual in your party. This information is required to allow your party to disembark the ship for the tour. You may be expected to queue to gain entrance to Palaces in all weather.

Peter and Paul Fortress – Flash photography restrictions apply in the Cathedral. Modest dress should be worn.

St Isaac’s Cathedral – Flash photography restrictions apply. It is forbidden to take long overcoats, umbrellas, large bags or bottles inside. Modest dress should be worn.