Travel to Russia is generally safe if you use common sense and follow the rules. However, if you get sick in Russia, you will have to be quarantined for a period of seven days at your own expense. Indian nationals traveling to Russia on tourist or business visas are advised to travel on a travel advisory. The situation in Russia is unpredictable and could escalate without warning. British nationals should exercise extreme caution at all times. Travel within or out of Russia is at your own risk.
Air travel from Russia to the UK or through EU countries is not allowed. While in Russia, make sure to contact your cruise ship tour guide at any time in case of emergency or any issue with local authorities. Some Russian cruise lines are forgoing modifications and canceling their itineraries outright. The EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) warned airlines against flying over Ukraine, Moldova, parts of Belarus, and Russia.
International cruise ship/ferry passengers can visit Russian ports without a visa for up to 72 hours. However, it is still advised to avoid all travel to Russia due to the impacts of the armed conflict with Ukraine and the risk of terrorism. Major cities like Moscow and Smolensk are considered safe, but all major tourist sites are extremely safe with normal warnings regarding pickpockets or camera thieves.
📹 The WORST Disaster on an Alaska Cruise #alaskacruise #travel #shorts
Can I legally travel to Russia?
The Russian government enforces a complex visa regime for foreigners visiting, transiting, or residing in the Russian Federation, with non-compliance resulting in arrest, fines, and/or deportation.
What are the risks of Travelling to Russia?
Terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda and Daesh-aligned groups, are reportedly planning attacks in Russia, which can be indiscriminate and occur during seasonal, festive, or religious events in public places, including popular tourist sites. Foreign visitors typically receive a migration card upon arrival, covering both Russia and Belarus. If a paper migration card is received, keep the stamped exit portion with your passport. Show the stamped card to passport control when leaving either country.
Which countries can travel to Russia?
The Russian Federation visa-free regime allows foreign citizens with ordinary tourist passports to visit Russia for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, those planning to stay for more than 90 days in a year require a visa. For visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, a visa is required.
For visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, a visa is required for commercial or work-related activities. Diplomatic or Official passport holders require a visa for the entire duration of their stay in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Croatia, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Honduras, Israel, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kirghiz Republic, Korea South, Laos, Macao, Macedonia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Peru, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Qatar, and Serbia.
The visa-free regime does not apply to Diplomatic and Service passport holders, Nauru, Nicaragua, Peru, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Qatar, Serbia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, and Venezuela. Citizens with biometric passports obtained after 9 April 2008 can stay in Russia for up to 30 days. Diplomatic or Official passport holders without accreditation in Russia can stay for up to 90 days. Serbian nationals with temporary and permanent resident permits can stay without time limits.
The recommended passport validity is 6 months from the date of your allowed stay in Russia after entry. For example, if you enter Russia on the 1st of January and are allowed to stay up to 90 days, your passport should be valid at least until the 1st of October.
In summary, the Russian Federation visa-free regime allows foreign citizens with ordinary tourist passports to visit Russia for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, for work- and business-related visits, diplomatic and service passport holders, and citizens with biometric passports, a visa is required for all other cases.
Can we still ship to Russia?
The transport blockade by the EU and the USA and the refusal of international postal services to work in the Russian direction have significantly worsened the situation for parcels from the USA to Russia. UPS, FedEx, TNT Express, DHL, and local state postal services in Poland, Sweden, Latvia, Denmark, Finland, and Australia have suspended parcel shipment to Russia. The Russian Post has stopped receiving parcels from unfriendly countries. Buyers are left at a dead end as foreign companies do not accept Russian bank cards for payment, and few can afford to issue foreign payment cards.
Can I ship to Russia right now?
The US State Post has suspended shipping to the Russian Federation, and DHL, UPS, and TNT are not currently involved in transportation. However, using the Time Saving Machine service ensures that the recipient receives the shipment within specified timeframes. Documents from the US to Russia arrive in 7-9 business days at the express rate, 48-96 hours at the express rate, and 21-27 business days with the economy option. In 2024, packages to the US will be shipped in the same way as before, but at a higher cost. Time Saving Machine will now send parcels, mail, and cargo to all US states.
Can you visit Russia as a tourist now?
The US government has issued a Level 4 warning to US citizens residing or traveling in Russia due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces. The warning states that US citizens may face harassment, detention, arbitrary local law enforcement, limited flights, and potential terrorism. The US Embassy has limited assistance in Russia, and the Department has determined that there is a continued risk of wrongful detention by Russian authorities.
The US government has reduced staffing, restricted travel for embassy personnel, and suspended operations at all US consulates in Russia. Additionally, reports of drone attacks and explosions near the Ukraine border have been reported.
Can you take a cruise ship to Russia?
Cruises to Russia and Scandinavia depart from Amsterdam on Celebrity Reflection and Southampton on Celebrity Silhouette, lasting 12-14 nights and including an overnight stay in St. Petersburg for two days of exploration.
Is it safe to travel to Russia just now?
The US is advising against travel to Russia due to potential threats from Russian military forces, including harassment, detention, arbitrary local law enforcement, limited flights, and terrorism. The US Embassy in Moscow and Consulate General in Vladivostok have suspended consular services, and citizens should contact Embassy Moscow for all consular services. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces has led to increased tensions and potential terrorism.
Can you still cruise to Russia?
Cruises to Russia remain popular and offer a unique way to explore the vast country. Cruise providers are monitoring the situation in Russia and Ukraine, but for now, the situation is being handled. The editor and creative copywriter of Cruise. co. uk’s bulletin blog provides daily news, tips, and guides.
Is it safe to go to Russia for a holiday?
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) has advised British nationals against travel to Russia due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the unpredictable situation in Russia. The situation includes security incidents like drone attacks, lack of flights to return to the UK, and limited consular assistance from the UK government. Travel insurance could be invalidated if travel against FCDO advice is taken. Consular support is also severely limited in areas where FCDO advises against travel.
📹 Cruise News | Cruise Lines Meet to Discuss Impact on Russia’s Invasion | Baltic Cruises Affected
Our hearts and prayers are with Ukraine after this senseless act of war from Russia. In our JJ Cruise News today, what does …
Thank you for your article! My Husband and I are booked to go on a Princess Baltic cruise in May. We are hoping that the Russian port will be cancelled as we just don’t feel comfortable or safe visiting. Even if the cruise do not cancel the port I don’t think we will be getting off the ship for the two days! All of our prayers and love go to the people of Ukraine 🇺🇦 💔
It is a sad day in this world that another war has started unnecessarily. Given the circumstances, I have no desire to visit Russia for the foreseeable future, no matter how beautiful it is. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the innocent people Of 🇺🇦 Ukraine as well as the protesters in Russia. Jordan and Jared, we love you guys and the work and effort you put into all of your articles is admirable. Keep doing what you’re doing my friends because you are going in the right direction. The numbers speak for themselves. Rob
Thank you so much for doing this article. Our thoughts and hearts are with the Ukraine. NCL removed St Petersburg from our August 2022 cruise. We have canceled our reservation, as St Petersburg was the only reason we booked this cruise. Crowning Jewel of Baltic cruises is exactly correct. We could not think of any place in the world that could replace St Petersburg. We would rather save the money and go later, if possible. I am grateful NCL was so decisive while we could get a full refund.
We are booked on a Baltic cruise with MSC end of May. Going to St. Petersburg. Hoping they cancel and replace it with another stop. Have back to back cruise and second cruise is the Norwegian fjords. Still going, but really worried with all that is going on. Thank you for the update. Praying for the Ukrainians and a swift end to this needless and devastating war.
We are booked back to back to back on the Apex in August and the 3rd leg goes to Russia so if we move we have to move 3 cruises (31 days)….there are similar itineraries on the Apex in June so we are gonna wait and see where those go before moving 3 cruises….We did get a letter this morning from celebrity basically saying we can move any time to another sailing or wait until they determine wether or not they can go safely to Russia…I’m honestly very happy with Celebrity’s response and being proactive
I do have a cruise in July. Russia was the only place I wasn’t going to get off. I’ve been there once before and was only interested in hitting Peterhof which the excursions I’ve looked at are full. We use to live in two of the places that our cruise is going to stop at which is why we wanted to go. If they pick one or two new places (most cruise lines seem to spend more than one day there) that actually might be something new and I would love it. I agree prayers need to go out to the people of Ukraine.
I have a NCL Baltic cruise in June with my whole family and we are going because my daughter in law and her mom are from St. Petersburg and really am interested in what will happen. I am Swedish and look forward to Stockholm. Maybe NCL will go overnight at a different port. We still want to go but I guess we’ll see. Right now if we cancel I think we lose our $$, we made final pymt already.
Thanks for reporting on this in such a thoughtful and caring manner. What’s happening in Ukraine is horrendous and my prayers go to the people of Ukraine. The Baltics have always been on my bucket list, especially the Scandinavian countries. I expect cruise lines to forgo Russia. Like so many other cruise itineraries, we need to be flexible as ports can change. For example, RCI has just resumed sailings to Labadee, Haiti after the conflict there. Personally, I’d boycott Russia considering the current circumstances.
Hi thank you for the information we are booked on the Celebrity Silhouette May the 14th. We are due to pay for our holiday next week but don’t really know what to do we only booked the cruise specifically to go to St Petersbourgh the other ports were just a bonus. Hope we can change for another cruise. Pray for Ukraine 🇺🇦 🙏
I’m really glad we went on a Baltic cruise and got to see St. Petersburg when we could. It is an eye opener to see that most of the people live in Spartan apartments and the opulence of the Hermitage and other places with all the gold was not lost on me. We spoke with many Russians who were under communism, and they were eye openers. The Russian people were awesome and our 2 days there was great. Everything about war sucks. I feel so badly for the people of Ukraine. Our youngest son was a champion wrestler and has been to all those places. Moldova, Ukraine etc. It is a wonderful region and if you can ever get to those places, please do. Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Estonia were Great ports too!!!
there is no city that compares to st. petersburg. that’s the whole point of st. petersburg. there are no palaces that compare to the palaces there. there is nothing in the world like the hermitage. if they switch cities, they should refund a portion of the fee or allow people to cancel for free. i know it’s tough for everyone — especially the people of ukraine, but these itineraries specifically use st. petersburg as their main selling point. to remove it without changing the price or the cancellation policy seems like a shady practice.