2017 – Cruising to Russia

Baltic Sea Cruise- Part One (Finland to Russia)

Jon: After 16 days apart, it was finally time to reunite with Amy in Helsinki, Finland. My friend and neighbor, Randy, helped me with a ride to catch the airport shuttle. I was soon off from Denver to Minneapolis where I’d briefly see my parents and sister. It was a bonus to have a little time with my family before the bigger trip.

I arrived in Helsinki after a brief layover in Amsterdam, which based on the airport and sights from the plane, is a place I need to visit. Amy met me at the airport after dropping her mom and sister off earlier in the day. I was filled with excitement as I deboarded the plane.Amy was in need of some rest after weeks on the go and I was spent from jet lag. We found our hotel and some dinner at the nearby market hall, an eclectic food cooperative with flea market outside. Sleep didn’t come easy with the late daylight, excitement for things to come, and a healthy dose of jetlag.

Though weary, I was thrilled to take to the streets on day two. Having already spent time in the city and knowing me well, Amy was an excellent guide. We strolled to a beautifully green esplanade that led to the vibrant market square. Booths filled with fresh produce, flowers, and interesting knickknacks filled the area. The Helsinki Cathedral, in Senate Square, rises proudly a short block away and was our next stop. The cathedral is impressive in both size and architecture and is an iconic feature seen from the waterfront.

The Uspenski Cathedral, a Russian-designed Orthodox cathedral, is just a few minutes’ walk away. The structure rises from a small hill and overlooks the harbor. Amy and I explored this area before finding a relaxed bar for a beer and the food market for a reindeer sandwich before boarding the ship that would serve as transportation and lodging for the coming days.

Amy and I boarded our cruise ship, Princess Anastasia, did some exploring, and settled in on the back deck with a beer and some quality lounge singing entertainment. I noted the wooded islands with colorful cabins as we made our way to sea. The back deck became our place to unwind with beers, cards, and dice after each day of exploring. It also served as our perch to take in final views of the different ports as we departed. We watched as the last of the islands fell off in the distance as we headed further east – toward Russia.

It was just my third day in Europe and I was about to enter Russia! As soon as Amy suggested the cruise with a visa free entry option, my excitement started to build. Apparently, this feeling was shared with many, as there was a large cue to leave the boat and get through passport control. After being bumped, pushed, and shoved, we made our way off the ship and into passport control for another cue. Slowly, but surely, we made our way through and found our shuttle to the city center – or so we thought.

Just before driving off, a woman popped her head in and said the shuttle couldn’t enter town until afternoon due to the lift bridges being raised for ships passing during Navy Day. What’s Navy Day? Well, it’s a massive display of Russia’s military that started with a parade of ships and submarines down the Neva River and was followed with aircraft flying low and fast over the same path. It seemed like all 6 million area residents were out for the show. Cars were double, triple, and quadruple parked on the roads. People lined the streets and waved flags.

It was unique to be there for this spectacle and, despite all the people, I never felt crowded or unsafe. We were able to peek through the crowd and see a few of the ships pass with sailors lining the decks. While trying to find the subway to reach the city center, we spotted a bridge lowering and promptly made our way across. A short walk took us to Saint Peter’s Square and the massive cathedral. I had booked a Hop On-Hop Off bus tour. The man redeeming our vouchers suggested we return the next day due to avoid event traffic. We, literally, couldn’t miss the boat, so the next day wasn’t an option. The traffic was dense, but we got around well enough. I had pre-selected sights for us knowing we had limited time. Things played out well as we wound our way through the city and saw the Kazan Cathedral.

We made a permanent hop-off and walked to the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood while taking in the buildings and street vendors along the way. This iconic church was designed to resemble St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow and stands out from neighboring architecture with its colorfully painted and gilded domes. I enjoy walking a city, as it provides a more intimate feel and you can take in the details. Amy and I walked around the church multiple times discovering new features and perspectives with each lap.

The last planned stop was the Hermitage, which is the state museum comprised of different buildings around Palace Square. The most notable building is the Winter Palace which is striking, both in size and beauty. There was an extensive display of military vehicles out front during our visit.

Though views were obstructed, the building still made an impression. The scene was very memorable with a patriotic crowd celebrating in front of this grand structure. A short walk from the Hermitage brought us back to St. Isaac’s. We stopped for a view of the massive cathedral from the rose filled park across the street before catching the shuttle back to the ship.

The voyage from St. Petersburg was nearly as interesting as the city. A tugboat at the back of the ship guided us through a narrow channel to open waters. Once underway, we passed some more military ships and a submarine. Another large church or cathedral could be seen in the distance. St. Petersburg exceeded our expectations. The only thing lacking was time.