HI, we were going to do a private tour of St Pete, but you have to buy a Visa here before you go.
I think the cost is in the hundreds of dollars, so it was cheaper to do a Cruise sponsored tour. You don't have to buy a visa if you do that.
We are doing the Lenin Russian Revolution tour and the next day the Hermatige with the Gold Room tour. We might do the dinner cruise tour also.
Mary Ann 8)