virgin cruise line luggage tags

Luggage Tags, Handling and Allowances

This guide details luggage tagging by cabin number, porter assistance, regional tipping norms, and restrictions on bringing two wine bottles aboard.

This guide was last updated on 11 April 2024 by David Todd . If you spot any errors or missing information, please let us know .

Luggage Overview

Before embarking on your Virgin Voyages cruise, familiarize yourself with the luggage and wine policies. Here’s a quick summary:

• Luggage Tagging: Your luggage will be tagged at the port using your cabin number. Make sure to know your cabin number ahead of time. Tags will not be provided in advance . Hold onto this tag for easy disembarkation at the end of your cruise by leaving your bag outside your cabin.
• Luggage Handling: Porters will take your luggage and bring it onto the ship. Small carry-on bags can be brought on board by hand.
• Tipping Policy: In the US, it is customary to tip porters per bag. However, in Europe, this is not the case.
• Alcohol/Soft Drinks Policy: You are allowed to bring two bottles of wine on board but there are restrictions .

Details and Tips

Do i need luggage tags.

When you arrive at the port, your luggage will be tagged for easy identification and delivery to your cabin. It’s important to know your cabin number ahead of time, as this will be used for the tagging process. Keep in mind that tags will not be provided in advance, so make sure to have your cabin number information readily available.

Experienced porters will handle your tagged luggage and transport it onto the ship. This service ensures that your belongings are safely delivered to your cabin, allowing you to start your cruise without the burden of carrying heavy bags. Be sure to keep these tags on as you will need them for easy disembarkation by leaving your bags outside your door the night before

Please keep in mind that whilst there is no weight limit your bags do need to be carried by a person and stored within your cabin. Small carry-on bags can be brought on board by hand, enabling you to have immediate access to your essential items.

Can I arrive early ?

If you arrive before your port arrival time then you are able to store your luggage and head out into whichever city you are boarding from. In Miami the terminal is open from 9am for checking luggage, other port times may vary so check with VV before arrival.

Guide: Boarding The Ship Early

Tipping Policy

In the United States, it is customary to tip porters for their assistance with handling your luggage. The general practice is to tip per bag. However, it’s important to note that tipping practices may vary in Europe. Unlike US sailings, where tipping porters is customary, tipping may not be expected or required in Europe. It’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the local customs and norms of the specific region you’ll be sailing from. Note that the porters do not work for Virgin Voyages so are not included in the “tips included” portion of your voyage.

Can I Bring Alcohol/Soft Drinks on My Cruise?

The good news is – if you’re a wine enthusiast, Virgin Voyages allows you to bring wine as well as soft drinks to enjoy on board in your carry-on luggage. There are some caveats to bringing drinks on aboard.

Guide: Bringing Alcohol & Soft Drinks

By understanding the luggage policies of Virgin Voyages, you can ensure a smooth embarkation process and make the most of your cruise experience. Remember to prepare your cabin number in advance for luggage tagging. Consider tipping practices based on your sailing location. And pack your favorite wine bottles in your carry-on bags to savor during your voyage.

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30+ Things Virgin Voyages Doesn’t Tell You About Their Cruises

But there were a few things we encountered that will probably never make it into one of our blog posts about Virgin Voyages or, for that matter, even the most well-researched Virgin Voyages (VV) website – including their own!

I mean, everyone will tell you that kids aren’t allowed on this cruise; it’s strictly 18+. And all will mention that basic Wi-Fi, as well as non-pressed juices, sodas, teas and drip coffee are free on the ship. But there are plenty of things that, I think, are important to know when planning a cruise on VV that might be a little bit more difficult to find out.

This list is made up of things Joe and I experienced, as well as what several people who were on the same sailing as us – the July 17-22 Richard’s Birthday Bash cruise – said they noticed.

Wristbands and luggage tags

Many cruise lines send you luggage tags ahead of time, so you can attach them to your bags and the porters know where to bring your stuff when you arrive. At VV, you drop your luggage off upon arrival, the porters ask you for your cabin number, and they put it on a VV baggage tag, similar to the ones they use at the airport.

WIth Virgin Voyages, you’ll receive a wristband (used for checking in and out of the ship, charging for drinks and souvenirs, and opening your cabin door) when you check in at the kiosks on the 2nd floor of the terminal. If you have a regular cabin, it’ll be red. If you’ve splurged on a Rock Star or Mega Rock Star cabin, your wristband will be black. And if you have some other status, whether purchased or earned, that will be in the form of a ribbon you wear around your wrist.

The app is buggy

Everything you do on VV – reservations for meals, activities and excursions, etc., are all done on the VV app. Heads up that the app is VERY buggy and it will crash as often as it works. Generally speaking, if you shut the app down and restart it, it will work again. Well, for a while, anyway. And when it crashes again, rinse and repeat. 😉

They only email 1 person

Maybe it’s because we were working with a travel agent who only put down Joe’s email. But any time there was something we needed to know – like a new form we had to fill out ahead of time – the email only went to him. The thing is, I’m the one who checks email on a regular basis, whereas Joe may only check his email every few days. So make sure that emails go to everyone involved – or at least to the person who actually, you know, reads their emails ;-).

Parking at the port?

If you’re driving to Terminal V, you can drop your luggage off first and then park at their parking garage across the street. I know you want to park as close to the ship as possible. Don’t. Park by the elevators, which are in the center of the garage. When you’ve disembarked and have to bring your luggage to your car on the 3rd floor, you’ll thank me if you’ve parked near the elevator, rather than 4 or 5 rows over.

Ride sharing to the port?

The Port of Miami is pretty big. Choose “Terminal V” as your destination when prompted.

Meal, activity and excursion reservations

So let’s say you’re all ready for your cruise, you’ve downloaded the app, and filled out all the info it asks of you. You go to make some reservations and you notice that they only have a limited number of reservations available before your cruise. Maybe only 3 available times for The Wake, or only 9:15pm or later for The Test Kitchen. Don’t panic! They’ll open up more opportunities as your cruise gets closer; just keep checking the app. And they’ll open many more opportunities on the day you set sail. In fact, brunches at the Wake and Razzle Dazzle are only available when reservations are made on the ship’s Wi-Fi.

In fact, when you get to VV’s “Terminal V” in Miami, you can join their free Wi-Fi either before you get on the ship, or the very moment you go aboard. Either way, just join the MERMAID4U Wi-Fi network and you’ll be able to start making reservations then and there. Make your reservations as soon as you’re able, especially for shows.

By the way, even if you try to make a reservation (for dinner or a show) and there’s no availability, go anyway. There’s no guarantee they’ll be able to get you in, but restaurants will do what they can to make room for you. And each show has a “wait line” that starts about 30 minutes before showtime, in case there are “no shows.”

Have friends on board?

With the exception of solo cabins and the occasional triple, most cabins only hold 2 sailors each. So if you’re with more than 1 other person, your party is going to have more than 1 cabin. Use the app to link with them before you get on the ship, so you can add to each other’s agendas for meals, shows, etc.

The pineapple people

Virgin Voyages is the most open, all-inclusive and accepting cruise I’ve ever been on. That being said, we saw a lot of pineapple people on our cruise. If you’re into that, no judgement here, and more power to you. But if you’re not, you may not want to wear anything with pineapples on it. Especially upside down ones. Just sayin’ 😉

Intimacy kits

If you’re with a special someone and want to go, (ahem) “below deck,” they sell intimacy kits in the gift shop near Extra Virgin (the Italian restaurant) so you can have fun and stay safe (Note to those who may be interested: the jelly included in the kit is 100% vegan, and glycerin, glycol and paraben-free).

Food & beverage

You can buy growlers of beer and drink them all over the ship.

Heads up that the Italian and Mexican restaurants are “authentic” versions of each nationality, not Americanized versions. So don’t go to those restaurants expecting to see chicken parmesan or a Chimichanga on their respective menus, because you’ll be deeply disappointed.

None of the restaurants give really huge portions (although we practically rolled out the door of the Italian restaurant), but Test Kitchen in particular has 6 “tastings” on their menu, rather than full plates. Joe and I generally try to eat “right,” without overstuffing ourselves, and left Test Kitchen comfortably full. But we saw many people complain they didn’t get enough food there and that they left hungry. If you’re used to big servings, plan accordingly.

They don’t have “doggy bags” at any of the restaurants so if you don’t think you’ll be able to finish, BYOB (bring your own bag). And yes, each cabin has a small fridge so you can store food & beverages there.

Charging your devices

It goes without saying that you should bring chargers for your devices. But sometimes people forget. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you’re in luck – they sell Apple chargers on the ship. However they (Inexplicably? Stupidly?) don’t sell chargers for Android devices. You can ask your cabin attendant if they have any Android chargers others have left behind that you can borrow, but there’s no guarantee that they will.

That being said, there’s a Samsung tablet in each cabin – you can charge your Android devices on the tablet’s charger. It’ll also work for late model iPhones that are charging pad compatible.

Also, although the cabins have plenty of wall plugs and USB ports, if you sleep on the side of the bed closer to the window/terrace, the closest plug may be a good 6+ feet away (hello, design flaw!). Bring an extension cord or long charger cord (but not a long surge protector – they’re not allowed on ships; they’re considered a fire hazard).

VV has lots and LOTS of photo ops that are perfect for Insta, FB, etc. One thing they DON’T have on board is photographers. So there won’t be someone taking photos at the restaurants, pool, dance parties, etc., with the hopes that you’ll buy copies at the end of the cruise. If you want photos, take photos. Or ask the people working on the ship to take your photo – they’ll always be willing to oblige.

Those hammocks!

There is a hammock on the terrace of most cabins that have a terrace. There are also hammocks all over the Virgin Resort on Bimini. Y’all, these hammocks are AMAZING and, for me, were one of the best parts of our cruise.

The company that makes them, Yellow Leaf Hammocks, were featured on Shark Tank a couple of years ago. Anyway, VV sells the hammocks on the cruise ship, but it was my experience that they only had one style available, in only one color choice.

Yellow Leaf Hammocks has several color choices on their website , as well as 3 different styles of hammocks – the “Chair” style that’s on VV, their “Signature” hammock (that one is available in classic size and family size – those were the ones at the resort on Bimini), and a cotton rope one that looks like the signature hammock but is made with 100% natural cotton instead of acrylic.

Heads up that all 3 styles are also available, still from Yellow Leaf Hammocks, on Amazon.com. And as of this writing, they’re about $5 less than on Yellow Leaf’s main webpage. I ordered one on Amazon and was also offered a coupon (the fine print on the coupon says it’s only good for a limited time, but I don’t know how long that “limited time” is. In 2022, the coupon was $20, now it’s $25.).

Cabin bathrooms

VV supplies you with towels for wherever you go – they’re by the pools, at the spa, and they even offer you towels as you disembark on some port days. However inside the cabins, they give you bath towels, hand towels and makeup remover towels. But no washcloths. The makeup towels are the size, shape and texture of washcloths. But if you’re using one to remove makeup, you may not want to use it to wash yourself in the shower. So either bring your own washcloth(s), or ask your cabin attendant for extra makeup remover towels.

Heads up that there is no electric outlet in the bathroom. If you want to use an electric razor, charge your electric toothbrush or blow dry or curl your hair, you’ll have to do it outside the bathroom. And if you want to have a night light in your bathroom, you’re going to be out of luck ( just like at this bizarre hotel ). Fortunately, the cabin lights can be adjusted to 5%, which is enough light for most people to find their way to the toilet.

Also – if you’re in an XL Terrace cabin, both the shower and toilet rooms have doors that are made to stay closed unless you manually open them. If you have to use the toilet in the middle of the night, I discovered you can hang a towel over both the towel bar on the door and on the wall to prop the toilet door open. That way you don’t have to worry about finding the door handle in the dark.

Room service

VV offers room service for a $7 Ship Eats fee (the fee is waived if you purchase a premium drink). It’s available 24 hours a day (breakfast from 5am to 11am and other foods from 11am to 5am), but heads up that the service ends at 11pm on the day before you disembark the ship.

The Ship Eats service fee is waived for Rock Stars and Mega Rock Stars.

When in port

When you’re in port, you may or may not be in the same time zone as where you set sail. Miami, for example, is on Eastern Time, but Playa del Carmen/Cozumel is on Central Time. SOME (but not all) ship captains keep “ship time” the way it was when they left their original port – so it may be 3pm in Cozumel, but 4pm on the ship. Other captains switch to local time. They’ll announce this, but make sure you keep track, especially for excursions and whatever time you’re required to be back on board.

Also, depending on where you’re in port, bring bug spray. We had no problems at Bimini, but others on our ship got eaten up by bugs.

The 3-hour spa pass

The spa on VV has all sorts of treatments available for purchase. They also have a 3-hour spa package that allows you to experience their sauna, salt room, mud room, hot tub, cold tub, pool, etc. The package is available from 11am to 2pm or 2pm to 5pm and you can come and go as you please.

The 3-hour spa package has 2 different prices – it’s $39 per person for port days and $59 for at sea days. The price is mentioned on the app, but ONLY ON THE DAY OF. So you may be at Bimini, see that it’s $39, sign up for tomorrow (which is a sea day), and suddenly get a bill for $59. If you sign up in person, like we did, they don’t even mention the price.

As I said earlier, VV is a non-tipping cruise. Their crew is said to be paid well, at least in comparison to the rest of the cruise industry, and tips are not required or requested. That being said, if someone on the cruise was particularly helpful, you CAN tip them; you just don’t HAVE to. Writing a letter to VV about a particular crew member or members can also help them to get bonuses, etc.

Also keep in mind that people who you encounter for your VV cruise – particularly the porters at the terminal – are not VV employees. Kindly tip them. Here’s an international tipping guide for who, what, why, where, when and how to tip .

Disembarkation

Like many cruise lines, you can leave your luggage outside your cabin by a certain time on the evening before disembarkation. The cabin attendants will pick up your bags and you’ll find them as you leave the ship. You get to choose what time you’ll need to disembark and pick up your luggage, although you’re also welcome to bring your luggage yourself and disembark whenever you feel good and ready, as long as it’s by “last call.”

Heads up that the earlier disembarkation time you choose, the less crowded it is, although everyone needs to be off the ship by 10:45am. If you wait until around that later time, the queues are minimal.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

As I said, some of these were things that Joe and I noticed while we were on our VV cruise. However other people noticed other things, as well. So a HUGE THANK-YOU to Marney B., Kay C., Suzanne E., Barbara H., Lin H., Nancee H., Paul H., Sue H., Richard P., Alexis R., Mark S., Shannanaghans S. and Amanda W. for their input for this post!

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This Cruise Life

Virgin voyages boarding process.

What a whirlwind of a week on board our first-ever Virgin Voyages sailing. We just debarked Valiant Lady in Miami on Sunday, and are excited to share our thoughts after 8 days on board this $700M Lady ship. For those getting ready to board Valiant Lady out of Miami for the first time, we put together this quick Virgin Voyages Boarding Process – and give you tips on how you can get onto the ship even faster.

Virgin Voyages Boarding Pass: Don’t Panic!

If you’ve ever cruised before, you know the drill. Check in, print your boarding pass or save it to your phone, and head to the terminal. But, like everything else, Virgin Voyages decided to do things different! There are no bar codes, no boarding docs or luggage tags, and nothing in the app (other than your itinerary). Don’t panic! That’s all normal. As long as you’ve checked in and completed your health-screening, you are good to head to the terminal!

Getting to the Port

Virgin Voyages is located at Terminal V in Miami. Both Uber and Lyft recognized the terminal, so getting to the port should be fairly easy. As always, plan for Miami traffic. We checked in on both apps at least half a dozen times embark morning as we didn’t want to miss our early arrival window!

While general boarding started at 2pm, we arrived at the port area just before 1:30pm local time. Because of Virgin’s later embarkation start time, it was much easier to get around, and less chaotic in the port area. Virgin Voyages Terminal V is at the end of the Miami cruise port closest to downtown and the address is 718 N Cruise Blvd, Miami, FL 33132.

We are ON OUR WAY to the port! Virgin Voyages, you’re about to take away these cruisers’ virginity! ❤️ Get your Born Again VIRGIN shirt in our online store soon! Anchors away! ⚓️ pic.twitter.com/ycncc40WG3 — This Cruise Life (@thiscruiselife) November 18, 2023

Bag Drop – Checking Bags

Due to the smaller size of the ship, and the reduced chaos in the port area, the porters were much easier to spot. Unlike other cruise lines, however, the porter asked for our room number. He then wrote our room number on a bag tag that he stapled to the handles of each of our bags.

Cruise tip: Do not remove the bag tag from your luggage as it’s also used for the debark process! The tag does tell you not to remove it for the duration of your cruise, however, we didn’t read that… Thankfully, they’re like airport bag tags; peel back the sticker and you can reattach it to the bag for debark. But just follow the instructions to make it even easier.

Embarkation

From the time I took the below picture (1:32pm) to the time we arrived on board the ship (1:52pm), a mere 20 minutes had passed. This embark process was SLICK!

Because we leveraged Virgin Voyages Match and Sea More Status Match Program, we were able to skip the queues and jump into the exclusive Sailing Club line. Not only did this allow us to get to the terminal right at 1:30 when check-in began, it allowed us to skip all the queues that were already forming for 1:45, 2:00, etc.

Cruise Tip: the “A Splash of Romance” package also provides you with Priority Boarding, so check this out if you don’t qualify for Sea More Status Match.

We joked that Virgin Voyages is the only cruise line we know that employs a “bouncer” to let you into the club. The crew member confirmed our name was on the list, gave me a Virgin Voyages wristband, and sent us into the terminal.

The terminal was still pretty empty at this point, so we skipped all of the empty queue lines inside and made our way directly up the escalator to check-in for passport review.

Passport Review and Check-In

The queue here took longer, but still, maybe only 10 minutes. Check-in was a breeze; the agent reviewed our passports and gave us The Band. Described by Virgin Voyages as, “a sleek wearable technology made from recycled ocean plastic that will unlock voyage adventures for future Sailors,” The Band did not disappoint. From accessing your stateroom, to paying for purchases on board or even on land at The Beach Club in Bimini, this thing was slick. And there’s a series of sayings on each of the bands (I was “Feelin’ Nauti”).

Once we had our newest fashion accessory attached, we headed to the cruise line’s version of TSA Pre-Check. We placed our items onto the conveyor, walked through the x-ray, and collected our belongings on the other side. All in, this process took less than 3 minutes.

From here, we headed toward the ship. One quick tap of The Band to the handheld devices at the terminal door, and we were cleared to board!

First 24 Hours Onboard YouTube

We talk more about the Boarding Process in our First 24 Hours Onboard review on YouTube and provide additional images of the port area, terminal, security check-in process, etc. Plus, we share our thoughts after 24 hours on board Valiant Lady.

Final Thoughts on Virgin Voyages Boarding Process

This was probably the easiest embark we’ve had in a long time. The later boarding time allowed the chaos of the Miami cruise port to die down and the benefit of Priority Boarding is HUGE. I highly recommend reviewing the Sea More Status Match or A Splash of Romance packages. If neither of those apply, keep in mind that booking through Rocky also gets you Priority Boarding.

I’m thankful that there were experienced Virgin Voyages sailors there who guided us to the Virgin Voyages Sailing Club line, otherwise, we would have likely gotten into the longer queue. Keep this in mind if you have Priority Boarding. But don’t try to fake it. The “bouncer” has a list and checks it twice to confirm you’re on it. It was odd that there were no boarding passes or indicators in the app; the employee checking names on a paper list seemed dated, but it actually added to the experience creating the bouncer vibe we joked about.

You can tell the terminal is new. It still has that “new cruise terminal” smell! Everything was clean, crisp, and in working order. Even the bathrooms were pretty!

Check-in took about 10 minutes to get through the queue, and passport review was easy. We received The Band for our wrists and headed through security screening before tapping our wrists on the handheld devices.

All in, 20 minutes from getting to the terminal to being on the ship was amazing, especially considering it was all new and we were taking a TON of pictures and videos.

Excited to hear your thoughts and experiences on Virgin Voyages embarkation process in the comments below!

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• Virgin Voyages

Stateroom baggage tags

By scottie99 , September 14, 2023 in Virgin Voyages

Recommended Posts

It just occurred to me ( and after 50+ cruises, it should have previously!) that our TA have not sent us tags for getting bags to cabin.

Have I missed an option on the App to print these?

Link to comment

Share on other sites, freelancer3.

When you arrive at the port, the porter will write out and attach the bag tags. There is not an option to print in advance.

CruisingWalter

No pre-printed Bag Tags. The porters will tag your bags at the terminal. Yet another thing VV does differently. 🙂  

And if you walk up with your mouth open saying "uh, uh, I THINK this is our cabin number" not to worry, they have an alphabetical list.

Absolutely no worried, no matter which port or which baggage drop off location you use (in BCN, there were 2 options!). The porter or VV crew member will print your tags and apply them.  THey just need your name.  Keep the tags on the bags--they are also used for disembarkation so your host does not need to re-tag things.  Not needed if you are doing self disembarkation. The other thing VV does differently with bags is that we have always had them in our cabin 15-20 minutes after our check in!

The porters in Miami use a ‘high tech’ Sharpie to write the names and cabin numbers on the tag. 🙂

1 hour ago, raphael360 said: The porters in Miami use a ‘high tech’ Sharpie to write the names and cabin numbers on the tag. 🙂

And the bags got to our cabin in record time.  No complaints

• 2 weeks later...

On 9/15/2023 at 7:34 PM, warmwinds said: And the bags got to our cabin in record time.  No complaints

Now this I gotta see.  Last RC cruise, I didn't get luggage till after dinner.  Jezzzzzzzzzzz.  🤔

43 minutes ago, Surfguyxxx said: Now this I gotta see.  Last RC cruise, I didn't get luggage till after dinner.  Jezzzzzzzzzzz.  🤔

We dropped our carry ons, met our room steward, checked out the cabin, read all the literature on the desk, then said "let's go explore the ship" - opened the door and there they were.  YMMV

Took two hours for luggage last Sunday on Valiant Lady. Think that’s the slowest I’ve ever seen it.

Our bags have arrived at the cabin door less than 30 minutes after we boarded on each of our VV sailings.  By the time we dropped our carry ons, met our cabin steward, and used the restroom,  our bags were at the door.

A few things to note - make sure the writing of the porter is legible. I bring my own Sharpie and rewrite neatly if necessary. Make sure the A or Z is included. And do not remove your tags for the duration of the cruise because they are used when you disembark as well (assuming you don’t plan to carry off your luggage). 

1 hour ago, greenenvy said: A few things to note - make sure the writing of the porter is legible. I bring my own Sharpie and rewrite neatly if necessary. Make sure the A or Z is included. And do not remove your tags for the duration of the cruise because they are used when you disembark as well (assuming you don’t plan to carry off your luggage). 

That's good to know....we carried off this time (our first VV cruise) but might not next time.  If you don't carry off, how soon are the bags in the terminal?

1 hour ago, warmwinds said: That's good to know....we carried off this time (our first VV cruise) but might not next time.  If you don't carry off, how soon are the bags in the terminal?

For Miami - it’s the most organized cruise departure I’ve ever had. They are sorted neatly arranged by floor and will be waiting for you (or at least should be) when you come down off the escalator in the terminal before you go through customs. 

Very quickly.....I suspect they start taking things off as soon as the ship docks very early in the morning.  If you forget and remove your luggage tags, your stateroom host will make new ones when you place your bags outside.....but that makes more work for the crew.

3 hours ago, greenenvy said: For Miami - it’s the most organized cruise departure I’ve ever had. They are sorted neatly arranged by floor and will be waiting for you (or at least should be) when you come down off the escalator in the terminal before you go through customs. 

It won't be Miami, it will be San Juan.  Our flight is not until 1 pm so we won't be in any real hurry.

In Miami, when you say "arranged by floor" do you mean all Deck 10 are in this group, all Deck 11 are in this group, etc?

3 hours ago, warmwinds said:     In Miami, when you say "arranged by floor" do you mean all Deck 10 are in this group, all Deck 11 are in this group, etc?

Yes, there is an area for each deck on the ship. All of our bags were together within the group.  And NO trouble finding my ugly suitcases!  I bought them for exactly that purpose--they stand out in a crowd.

7 hours ago, warmwinds said: It won't be Miami, it will be San Juan.  Our flight is not until 1 pm so we won't be in any real hurry.   In Miami, when you say "arranged by floor" do you mean all Deck 10 are in this group, all Deck 11 are in this group, etc?

Yes - there is a sign/stand that says Deck 10 and all deck 10 suitcases will be in a row near that sign.   

Not sure how organized San Juan will be but probably similar! 

AlyssaJames

On 9/26/2023 at 8:04 AM, Surfguyxxx said: Now this I gotta see.  Last RC cruise, I didn't get luggage till after dinner.  Jezzzzzzzzzzz.  🤔

I have to say, as a "what if they lose my luggage*" worrier (not saying it's rational), having your room ready when you board and then having your big luggage show up not long after that makes embark day so much less stressful.  (*and no I can't carry it on, I have never mastered the art of packing ultralight and I don't plan to. I do carry on all my 'important' stuff like meds and at least one change of clothes.)

If your luggage doesn't show up quickly on VV, contact Sailor Services well in advance of sail away so it can be located before the ship departs.  I've only once heard of a person claiming to have checked in luggage with a porter and not receiving it on the ship, but  with their history of rapid delivery of luggage, I wouldn't chance it if I didn't see it myself after any significant time delay.  Also, I'm a fan of Apple air tags.

3 hours ago, AlyssaJames said: I have to say, as a "what if they lose my luggage*" worrier (not saying it's rational), having your room ready when you board and then having your big luggage show up not long after that makes embark day so much less stressful.  (*and no I can't carry it on, I have never mastered the art of packing ultralight and I don't plan to. I do carry on all my 'important' stuff like meds and at least one change of clothes.)

We "carried off" but it wasn't "carry-on" luggage - we had 2 big rolling suitcases (both of which so big we have to check on the plane), PLUS our "carry on" purse and backpack.  It was nice to have the bags delivered on the front end but very easy to carry off on the back end (if you're in a hurry).

We carried on last time because we had experienced some rudeness from the luggage porter in Miami previously and because one bag was medical supplies/equipment and we couldn't risk losing that.  It was a pain, but not difficult. We found the luggage check in at the Barcelona terminal to be easier and didn't give me bad vibes.

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Cruise Luggage Tags and Holders – Frequently Asked Questions

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Can we talk about cruise luggage tags? If you’re going on a cruise, you might be wondering how you’ll get your luggage tags from the cruise line, what to do with them, and if you should buy cruise luggage tag holders.

In this post, I’ll be answering the frequently asked questions about cruise luggage tags, and also sharing the information you need to know about which cruise luggage tags holders are best.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Cruise Luggage Tags F.A.Q.’s

How will you get luggage tags for your cruise?

Once you complete your online check in on your cruise line’s website, you’ll be instructed to print out your cruise documents, which will include a boarding pass and luggage tags. The luggage tags will often be printed with your name, cruise ship, sailing date and cabin number.

If you’re in a guarantee cabin , your stateroom may not have been assigned, and the cabin number may be left blank. If this is the case, it’s just fine.

It’s a good idea to print out at least 2 luggage tags for each member of your family or travel party. A little extra cruise tip is to keep one “extra” with you and your cruise documents.

Can you order luggage tags through your cruise line?

In some cases, you can request adhesive printed luggage tags from your cruise line. This should be done after you receive a notification that your cruise documents or edocs are ready, however leave about 2 weeks before your cruise sailing date. This may not be available in every country, and may vary by cruise line.

You can check with your cruise line or travel agent for information specific to your booking.

Printing, folding and attaching cruise line luggage tags

It’s very simple to print your cruise ship luggage tags. I like to make several copies, so I have enough to label my cruise carry on bag, garment bag, as well as my regular size suitcases .

Instructions for how to fold the luggage tags will be on each paper (usually in 3). When folded, you can staple each luggage tag onto the handles of your luggage. Make sure to bring a mini stapler with you, especially if you go to a hotel a night before your cruise.

You may want to bring some scotch tape to reinforce the paper luggage tags as well.

Should You Purchase Cruise Luggage Tag Holders?

Cruise luggage tags aren’t a necessity for cruising, however they do make things much easier. By using the plastic luggage tag holders , you eliminate the need for stapling and using tape, and won’t worry that paper luggage tags may fall off.

Cruise luggage tag holders are durable and reusable, and truly may be one of the best purchases you ever make for cruising .

Something to note is that some cruise lines use longer luggage tags, while others use shorter tags. Make sure to check to see which luggage tag holders are right for your cruise line. I’ve listed them below in this post for your convenience.

What if you forget your luggage tags at home?

In a worst case scenario, if you forget your luggage tags at home , you can ask the porters at the cruise terminal on boarding day for assistance. They will usually be able to provide you generic tags before embarkation .

Cruise Luggage Tags for Major Cruise Lines

Here are the cruise ship luggage tag holders needed for each cruise line. Click on the link or the photos for pricing information, reviews and details (on Amazon).

All cruise luggage tag holders are made of clear plastic and are in waterproof pouch will keep your luggage tags dry in all weather conditions. The stainless steel metal rings are durable and rust-proof when exposed to water.

Luggage tags: Carnival Cruise Line

Luggage tags: Celebrity Cruises

Luggage tags: Holland America Line

Luggage tags:  norwegian cruise line.

Luggage tags: Princess Cruise Line

Luggage tags: royal caribbean.

Luggage tags: MSC Cruises

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Planning a cruise? Here are some related posts that might be helpful

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Packing Cubes for Cruise Vacations

Have you used luggage tag holders for past cruises or do you print and staple? Please share your tips and experiences in the comments below.

Happy cruising!

If you found this article helpful, please pass it along. Please feel free to share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

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10 Comments

Useful article! You can also create personalized luggage tags online.

I guess you can, although you will need to use the actual cruise line tags for boarding. Personalized or novelty luggage tags are good additions. Glad you liked the article.

Is there one luggage tag holder that will fit all of the cruise line’s tags?

Not really, although it seems the shorter wider tags fit most. Longer tags are generally Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.

What’s the specific size dimensions for Carnival cruises please? I bought the 2.75 in x 4.125 in.

I don’t have the specific dimensions – you might find the answer in a Carnival facebook group or on cruise critic. If you bought the Carnival size on Amazon, that should be good (read the reviews if you aren’t sure).

Enjoy your cruise,

Hi Ilana, I’ve only begun to view your videos and read some bits of your (well-designed) website, and I’m already a fan of yours! You’re easy to understand, well-versed, easy to hear and extremely likable! Thank you for helping me prepare for our very first cruise together (as husband and wife) to embark in October on Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas. God Bless You!

Thanks for much for your kind comment. Your cruise sounds wonderful – I think you’ll love this ship.

Hi Ilana! Love your site! I’ve never used luggage tag holders before, but thought I’d try them for our Celebrity cruise this time. I ordered the ones specifically for Celebrity. When I print the tags in my edocs, they come out way smaller than the tag holders. Are they supposed to fit the exact width/height of the holders? I don’t seem to be able to print them out any larger.

Hi Louise, I wonder if it may a printer setting. I think the luggage tags usually print to a regular 8 x 11 paper size.It will likely be a bit smaller than the tag size. If you’re really not sure, perhaps it’s best to contact the cruise line.

Have a great cruise!

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Cruise Luggage Tags

Helping your cruise luggage get where it needs to be

More Secure

Ensure that your luggage gets to where it needs to be.  Our cruise luggage tag holders ensure all your goods will be seen and delivered.  The metal connector ensures the tag is securely attached to your luggage – it sure beats stapling the paper forms together at the port!

Clear To All

The clear plastic holder displays your room ovation tag so that it can easily be seen.  We ensure that each holder is the perfect size for each cruise line, so you won’t have to stuff an ill-fitting tag into a tight space.

Shop Cruise Luggage Tag Holders by Cruise Line

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Reader's Digest

11 Best Luggage Tags That Will Stand Out From the Crowd

Posted: January 20, 2024 | Last updated: January 22, 2024

Travelon Luggage Tags

At first glance, a passerby would only be able to see your name on these Travelon tags . Instead of putting personal information on display, these best luggage tags have a protective cover where your address, phone number and email are kept out of sight. For cautious travelers , it certainly delivers some peace of mind.

Smart Aluminum Luggage Tag

On the note of identity security, the Dynotag Super Tag ID is the next step in smart traveling . To view the owner's information, scan the QR code on the back of the tag. The owner has a lifetime subscription to the system and receives notifications when the code is scanned.

Clear Cruise Luggage Tags

Navigating cruise ship luggage drop-offs can be stressful. These Clabby Cruise tags and document holders are waterproof and secured with stainless steel loops, so you can spend less time tracking down bags and more time on the lido deck.

Leatherology Square Luggage Tag

For a more refined look, one might appreciate the sophistication of leather. Leatherology's tags come in a variety of sizes and colors. An adjustable strap and an ID window with a privacy closure keep everything secure and safe. You can also personalize the grained leather, which is easy to clean , to further set your bag apart from the crowd.

Silicone Luggage Tag Set

Kids need luggage tags, too! Taihexen makes tags that are colorful, fun and definitely easy to spot. The silicone material makes them bendable and durable against the elements or rough handling at the airport.

Steel Loop Privacy Luggage Tags

Shacke Privacy Tags are designed by travelers, for travelers. Stainless steel loops are as tough as they sound. These must-have Amazon travel accessories won't be ripped off your luggage, and the PVC rubber keeps personal information safe from the environment and prying eyes.

Golf le Fleur Luggage Tag

Music aficionados will love this Golf le Fleur luggage tag , a luxury brand helmed by Tyler, the Creator. The brown buffed leather tag is debossed with a bellboy motif on the front and the brand's logo on the back. Now you just need a stylish capsule wardrobe to match.

Faux-Leather Privacy Flap Luggage Tags

These Sodsay tags come in 28 different colors to match your personal aesthetic. A snap closure flap adds a cool vintage parcel look to these best luggage tags. Plus, a double-layer faux-leather construction and reinforced stitching on the straps ensure durability (and sustainability ) for all your upcoming trips.

Aluminum and Stainless Steel Luggage Tags

Luggage is put through a lot of wear and tear. Travelambo makes the best luggage tags to withstand the most rugged of trips. The reinforced aluminum alloy body and stainless steel loop are twice as strong as other traditional tags on the market. Did we mention they're also scratch-resistant and affordable? Choose a set of 10 fun metallic colors to match any set of bags .

Graphic Image Luggage Tags

What's better than a leather luggage tag? A croc-embossed tag . It secures with a buckle and has a hidden pocket for your information card. Just wipe it down to maintain its shine. Packing for an international getaway? Here are the things you should never forget when traveling overseas .

Luggage Tags and Straps Set

Experienced travelers agree that you can never be too careful when it comes to luggage security. This Weewooday accessories set secures includes four luggage tags and four brightly hued belts that securely wrap around your bag. This prevents suitcases from opening, deters theft and also easily allows you to identify it among a sea of black bags on the luggage carousel.

Why you should trust us

When it comes to luggage, our editors are not only testers—they're customers. Whether flying the friendly skies, cruising the ocean or hitting the open road, we’ve tested bags, backpacks and suitcases for every type of traveler. We’ve tried many of the top luggage brands, including Monos, Beis, Away , Roam and Briggs and Riley, and ranked the best carry-ons, underseat bags, weekenders, luggage sets and affordable suitcases, and also regularly try out travel accessories like neck pillows, toiletry bags, packing cubes and luggage racks.

Should luggage tags be on top or side?

For baggage that's being checked on an airplane or cruise ship, place your luggage tag on the top handle. When suitcases are loaded into luggage carts they're placed on their sides, so keeping your luggage tag on the top will keep it visible.

What is the best material for a luggage tag?

When it comes to the best material for luggage tags, it's all about durability. Look for something that can stand up to the elements and won't get damaged. Silicone and PVC are good choices if you're going somewhere wet and rainy, or on a cruise. Metal tags are a great option for checked luggage that might be handled roughly. If aesthetics are important, thick leather tags are not only durable but stylish as well.

About the expert

Iyanifa Shondra Cheris, owner and lead explorer, BlackWillTravel.com

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Moscow vs St Petersburg – A Russian Rumble

Russian river cruises are a fantastic way to discover the rich history and culture of an iconic nation. Moscow and St Petersburg are arguably two of Russia’s most famous and popular destinations – but which one is better? Two of our writers will go head to head in an attempt to persuade you why their favourite Russian city should be yours too – with Mark in Moscow’s corner and Jim St Petersburg’s. Ding ding! Let battle commence!

Don’t get me wrong, I do think that St Petersburg is a nice city – but I also think that Moscow is a fantastic city and beyond doubt the best in Russia. The entire region is steeped in illustrious history, from Red Square in the heart of the metropolis, where impressive historic landmarks including the Lenin Mausoleum and St Basil’s Cathedral dominate the skyline, to the world-famous Kremlin. If its history and culture you’re after, St Petersburg simply does not compare.

Moscow also surpasses St Petersburg in terms of areas of natural beauty as well as tranquil parks and gardens. On a pleasant day, visitors can stroll through a number of the city’s wonderful green spaces, including the vast Gorkiy Park, the former imperial estate of Kolomenskoye and the ever-popular Park Sokolniki, filled with beautiful flora and a collection of charming attractions. Moving further off the beaten track is difficult in St Peterburg, whereas in Moscow, stunning outlying areas such as the Patriarshi pond area and the Japanese Garden in Botanichesky Sad offer the perfect place to spend a peaceful day.

When it comes to the shopping and dining experiences on offer, Moscow beats St Petersburg hands down. A wealth of authentic local food, delicious international cuisine and familiar fast food outlets are scattered across the city, offering tourists a plethora of culinary delights. Incredible mixes of gastronomic cultures are available in Moscow. Visitors will find everything from Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese dishes to Armenian and Azerbaijani cuisine.

Tourist’s hoping to pick up some local gifts will find a treasure trove of souvenirs across Moscow, at the range of opulent shopping malls and quaint marketplaces located all over the centre of the city.

In my humble (and correct) opinion – based on the facts in front of me – St Petersburg doesn’t hold a candle to the amazing sights and sounds of Moscow, Russia’s world-famous capital city.

St Petersburg

Sure, Moscow’s the capital; it’s great for squares, overly-expensive cups of coffee and the like. But you can never take Russia’s second city out of contention. Yes, it was built on a swamp, but Peter the Great clearly knew what he was doing. St. Petersburg is one of the most vital modern European cities, don’t let the devotees to the (admittedly, pretty) sights of Moscow fool you.

Perhaps it’s because St. Petersburg’s architect was Italian that it manages to so thoroughly stand out from the crowd of Russian cities. Maybe it’s the winding canals and the classical architecture. Regardless of the past, St. Petersburg is a city which manages to straddle the sweet spot between historical importance and modern style.

But who says Moscow rules the roost when it comes to the historical? There are enough sights in St. Petersburg to keep tourists occupied for days, if not weeks.

Leading the pack is the iconic Winter Palace, an eternally magnificent reminder that Russia is always a hotspot for architecture. Beautifully pristine even after all these years, it remains a contender for the finest photographic subject in Europe – a grand mass of imperial pillars and colourful décor.

And then, of course, there’s the State Hermitage Museum. If the Winter Palace had Moscow on the ropes, this is where St. Petersburg draws back and flings out an uppercut to finish it off.  The museum remains firmly rooted in prodigious hype, but that never stops it from living up to it. Everything from Egyptian mummies to Picasso masterpieces can be found in the endless varnished halls of the State Hermitage, and like the city itself, you’ll wish you had days more to explore it.

And to top it all off, you can visit it all during the legendary White Nights, where on long summer days the sun never seems to dip below the horizon. St Petersburg might be known as a second city, but Moscow has best be looking over its shoulder.

To book your Russian river cruise to Moscow, St Petersburg or both, call the number at the top of this page or click here for our latest deals.

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Moscow Muled

Best virgin moscow mule recipe.

Nov 30, 2019

Wherever there are great cocktail recipes, there are equally fabulous mocktail recipes for those of us who enjoy all the style and taste of cocktails without liquor. In this post, we reveal the best recipe for the Virgin Moscow Mule on the internet! Let's get started!

Introduction

A cocktail is essentially a blend of two or more ingredients of which at least one is alcoholic. As of late, cocktails are getting more inventive with upwards of four and five ingredients.

The Moscow Mule keeps it classically simple with only three ingredients that most of us already have at home. Vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice.

The intense burn of the ginger beer blended with the refreshing sourness of lime juice delights the palate and warms you right up from the first sip.

There are a multitude of practical reasons for choosing a mocktail over a cocktail.

This could include health concerns and diet practices. Or, maybe you're the designated driver and don't want to miss out on a fun night with your social group.

Whatever the reason, mocktails make sure no one is left out.

Most will say that a mocktail is simply a recipe for any cocktail sans the alcoholic ingredient(s), but we're going to show you fantastic ways to enjoy a Virgin Moscow Mule without sacrificing flavor or taste.

Ingredients:

• Sparkling Water 
• Fresh limes 
• Ginger beer 
• Simple syrup

Instructions:

• You can either muddle a couple of fresh limes or use freshly squeezed lime juice. We won't tell if you decide to do both ;)
• Next, combine your favorite sparkling water and a splash of ginger beer
• Add a serving of simple syrup (1 part water, 1 part sugar)
• Stir. If you have a shaker on hand, you can also shake the combined ingredients together, but be cautious when pouring as the turbulence may have created a little extra fizz from the sparkling water.
• Pour over ice

With this excellent non-alcoholic version of the Moscow Mule, you can have guilt-free seconds or even thirds!

Health Benefits

Typically, in every 6 oz serving of the traditional Moscow Mule cocktail there are approximately 180 to 200 calories.

One fantastic upside of making a Moscow Mule mocktail is that with the extraction of vodka (say 1.5 oz) you can eliminate around 96 calories, meaning that a typical 6 oz serving is approximately 100 calories or less!

Layers of Flavors

Now that we've laid the foundations, it's time to explore the variations and wonderful layers we can add to perfect our Virgin Moscow Mule.  With these alterations, your mocktails are sure to be enjoyed by all!

In addition to following the preparation of the basic recipe noted above, we suggest adding a few slices of fresh ginger to the mix.

To fully extract the flavors of the ginger, consider muddling it with your limes. Be careful to strain afterward, unless you want to be sucking up bits of ginger through your straw and set your mouth ablaze!

Coupled with the ginger beer, this is sure to amplify the smoldering tones of the original cocktail's taste.

Be sure to use ginger beer and not ginger ale. Most commercially sold ginger beer, though fermented, is alcohol-free. It differs from ginger ale in the way it is manufactured. The intensity of ginger essence in ginger ale isn’t comparable to that of the essence in ginger beer.

So, if you decide to replace ginger beer with ginger ale, you’ll be disappointed at the silenced flavors of ginger in your drink. Essentially, what you’d be drinking wouldn’t be a Moscow Mule at all.

Take it from us, use ginger beer!

If you would rather direct your variations or additions towards the sweet and fruity citrus flavors of your Virgin Mule, you can switch out the simple syrup for a fruit-flavored syrup.

Use a lime-flavored syrup if you would like to stay true to the original characteristics of the classic Moscow Mule.

If you're looking to put a spin on your virgin mule, don't be afraid to try any berry-flavored syrup for an extra layer of fruity goodness.

Sugar-Free Options

Not everyone is a fan of sugar and all things sweet. With this modification, the recipe can accommodate those of us who are patrolling our sugar intake due to dieting and/or health concerns.

More specifically, if you're counting calories or looking to steer clear of sugar all together, you can modify the Virgin Mule recipe by using sugar-free syrup. 

With 8 grams of sugar in one tablespoon of conventional syrup, the sugar-free option is a great way to go. A couple of dollops of the sugar-free syrup is a guilt-free way to enjoy the sweetness of this mocktail without the guilt.

Depending on your location and accessibility, you may or may not find brands of sugar-free syrup.  All the merrier if you can!

If you can’t find sugar-free syrup, another option is to use flavored sparkling water to add some additional flavour to your mocktail.  Some brands of flavored sparkling water are sold in tasty flavors with no sugar, no sweeteners, and no calories. Furthermore, the carbonation in sparkling water will augment the invigorating fizz of the ginger beer.  Win-win-win!

Serving Time

Just because we've decided to forego the alcohol component doesn't mean we're also forsaking presentation. We 're all about balance in life as well as in mocktails. So, if one component of the drink has been removed, another must be added!

And what better place to embellish then in the presentation?

It's no secret that the Moscow Mule is served in a copper mug . There are a variety of reasons why, and one of them is that copper is trusted to maintain a cooler temperature. In addition, the copper adds a "zing" to the flavor of the cocktail with each sip.

Whatever the reason, we can't deny that a Moscow Mule served in a copper mug just looks and feels right. The same is to be said for a Virgin Mule.

Besides, if we’re talking about looks, no one has to know you’re drinking a mocktail if you don’t want them to. The copper mug will keep your secret!

In lieu of serving your Virgin Mule in a copper mug, you can serve it in any bar glass. With so many types and shapes of cocktail glasses, there really is no reason why you couldn't enjoy your mocktail in a highball, an old fashion glass, or even a martini glass.

Whatever you have on hand should work just fine!

Garnish Like a Pro

Add a lime wedge to the rim and voila!

Want to take things up a notch? Drag the lime wedge along the rim of your glass, allowing the citrus to coat the edge. Turn your glass upside down into a plate of salt or sugar.

Extra points for presentation and added flavor with every sip!

For herb garnishes, clap your choice of herbs between your hands to bruise it lightly and release its essential oils and aroma.  Mint works great!

And here's an extra tip. If you have them, sprinkle a few pomegranate seeds on the surface of your drink! However, be careful if drinking with a straw as those little seeds will get sucked right up! It’s also a beautiful addition to your Virgin Mule, as you can see in the photo below.

We hope this article has been useful in helping to introduce you to the Virgin Moscow Mule! The Moscow Mule is an incredibly versatile drink, so don't hesitate to let your creativity push you to experiment with new variations. And, if you want to take your presentation and style up a notch, make sure to equip your kitchen bar with a few copper mugs !

Did You Enjoy This Article?

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this article, you might also like the following articles:  Top 7 Tennessee Mule Recipes and  Top 6 Gin-Gin and Gin Mule Recipes

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Moscow Mule Copper Mug

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• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

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

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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.

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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

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