Hotel and Ship Accommodations – Tauck’s price includes all hotel and ship accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms and a roll-away cot and are not recommended for comfort.

Ship Accommodations – The tour price includes all stateroom accommodations with private baths aboard Le Boreal. To be launched in May 2010, Le Boreal will have 132 staterooms and suites and 139 crewmembers. All staterooms and suites are outfitted with twin or double beds, face the outside and most have private balconies. The amenities for each stateroom include Internet access, safe, flat-screen TV, video on demand, minibar, radio, telephone, individual air conditioning and 24-hour room service. The ship may accommodate up to 264 passengers. In addition, Le Boreal, which flies under the French flag and cruises at an average speed of 16 knots, features:

• 6 Decks
• 2 Restaurants
• 3 Bars, including a piano bar
• Library and Internet room
• Beauty center, spa and fitness center
• Laundry
• Outside pool
• Shop
• Medical facilities
• Theater with 260 seats
• Elevators to all decks

Triple accommodations are available in Superior Cabins on Deck 3 and Prestige Suites on Decks 5 and 6 only.

Children under the age of 18 must be booked in a room with at least one adult.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. There are two restaurants. Complimentary wine is poured nightly. Room service menu is available 24 hours a day.

Tauck Director – St. Petersburg and the Baltic Sea tour is conducted by two Tauck Directors who will remain with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Directors are professional, fully trained employees of Tauck.

Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for Tauck Directors, bellmen, doormen, housekeepers, dining room servers, drivers, ship staff and local guides are included.

No Options Sold - Tauck Directors assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.

 

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Tauck Protection Plan for more information.

Personal Expenses – Phone calls, room service, certain alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry and dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, certain airport arrival transfers, visa fees, airport and departure taxes, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

 

Airline Security Measures –

If you are traveling from the U.S., beginning in 2010, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program will require that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, precisely match your name as it appears on the government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport or driver’s license) that you present during security screening. The ID name must also match any additional airline data, such as frequent-flyer information. For example, if you present your driver's license to security and it says John T. Smith, your ticket must also say John T. Smith; not John Thomas Smith, not Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your photo ID.

If you make your air travel arrangements through Tauck, please ensure that the name you provide us precisely matches your name as shown on the identification you will use while traveling. If you make your own airline reservations, please ensure that the airline has the correct information.

For more information on the Secure Flight program, please visit the TSA web site, www.tsa.gov, by clicking here.

If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.

Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocket knife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Cruise Regulations – International maritime security guidelines require that your passport information be provided to the cruise line prior to your embarkation. You need to provide this information to Tauck as soon as you book your cruise or boarding may be denied.

Holidays and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate your tour as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of publication.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking. The tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. The tour ends following breakfast on the final day of the tour; you will be provided with transportation from the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel to the Copenhagen Airport in Kastrup. When departing from Copenhagen, allow at least 2½ hours for flight check-in.

Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

 

Air Conditioning – All motor coaches, hotel rooms and Le Boreal are air conditioned for your comfort.

ATM and Credit Cards - Tauck recommends that you contact your bank in advance of departing for this event to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. Tauck also recommends that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Clothing and Packing – The Baltic Sea in summer has moderately warm days and cool evenings. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that allows for layering. Light jackets or sweaters are recommended. Comfortable walking shoes that have already been broken-in are a must, as this tour consists of considerable walking distances. More elegant attire is suggested for the welcome reception and farewell dinners.

Shipboard attire ranges from country club casual to informal. Country club casual is appropriate for daytime onboard or ashore. Shorts are not appropriate after 6 p.m. in any of the public rooms or lounges. You are asked not to wear a bathing suit in the restaurants and lounges at any time. Evening dress codes begin at 6 p.m. Two nights require informal attire defined as jackets for gentlemen with tie optional. For ladies, chic apparel, such as dresses or smart pant suits, is considered appropriate. Five nights require country club casual defined as cotton slacks, open neck shirts for gentlemen and slacks, skirt and blouse for ladies. You are requested not to wear jeans, shorts or tee-shirts to dinner.

Valet laundry and dry-cleaning services are available at the hotels in Copenhagen and Stockholm. Onboard, laundry and valet services are available for a fee.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription, or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for a cruise on the Baltic Sea:

Elevation – The maximum elevation on this tour is 200 feet (61 meters).

Health – Cruising the Baltic Sea is very relaxing and the pace leisurely. You should be in fairly good health and able to walk reasonable distances. There is a moderate to heavy amount of walking during our onshore excursions. However, for the most part, the amount of walking you do at the various sites and towns is at your discretion. Our activities include visiting old villages, many with uneven terrain, limestone streets, and long staircases.

Onboard ship, health and fitness devotees will find a spa and fitness center on Deck 5.

Le Boreal has a full-time licensed physician on board at all times. The ships' medical center is located on Deck 3.

We regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist you.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour. (Please read the section below called “Travel Documents Requirements”).

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

No vaccinations are currently required for travel to the countries listed on this itinerary. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The CDC operates a 24-hour information line at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also logon on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.

Luggage Restrictions -

Checked Luggage – General

While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.

In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.

Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.

Tauck cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.

Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.

Carry-on Luggage – General

Although oversized bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not allow for access during daytime travel.

Travel Document Requirements -

While Russia usually requires a citizen of the U.S. to obtain a visa for entry, a U.S. citizen traveling aboard Le Boreal as a Tauck guest who participates in a validated escorted shore excursion is no longer required to do so. International maritime security guidelines require that your passport information be provided to the cruise line prior to your embarkation. You need to provide this information to Tauck as soon as you book your cruise or boarding may be denied.

U.S. citizens do not need visas for entry into Denmark, Finland, Sweden or Estonia for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

Citizens of other countries should contact a consulate or embassy of each of the countries visited on this itinerary to determine what travel documentation is required. Please note that the visa must reflect exactly the days of entry into and departure from Russia.

All guests will also need proof of current medical insurance. The plans offered through the Tauck Protection Plan are deemed sufficient coverage for this purpose. Please click here for more information. Guests choosing not to purchase this insurance must provide proof to Russian customs officials that they are covered.

 

Tauck strongly recommends that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. Also, Tauck recommends that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents or cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Travel with Children –

 

Age Recommendations – Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.

Babysitting – Tauck journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.

Safety and Welfare Responsibility – We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck Bridges journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with Tauck Bridges, you release Tauck Bridges, Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.

Special Travel Documentation for Children 

Authorization for Travel

If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so.

CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.

If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.

Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all guests to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information is available from each country’s consulate.

All children traveling with you who are U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. passport.

Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment

In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.

Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.

Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone during motor coach travel, group functions, when sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.

Communication with Le Boreal is via satellite. We recommend that you consider its use only for emergencies only. Additionally, satellite communications may be disrupted due to atmospheric and navigational conditions.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine if your service extends to Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Russia and Estonia. 

Currency and Exchange Rates - The official currencies of the countries visited on this tour are:

Finland – VisaHQ.com

Sweden – VisaHQ.com

Denmark – VisaHQ.com

Russia – Customs.RU 

Estonia – VisaHQ.com

If you are a U.S resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the amount of alcohol that can be a part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs regulations as contained in their publication entitled Know Before You Go.

If you are a resident of another country, please refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.

 

All the countries on this tour currently levy a Value Added Tax (VAT) of approximately 18 to 25% on consumer purchases. (The tax rate may be higher for luxury items and lower for basic goods.) If you do not reside in the country in which the purchase is made, you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.

Electrical Current – The electrical current in Stockholm and Copenhagen is 230 V, 50 Hz, AC. The electrical current on Le Boreal is 200 V, 50 Hz, AC. If you bring electrical devices that do not conform to this standard, then you will need to bring the appropriate adapters and converters.

 

Internet Access is available as indicated below:

 

Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, Copenhagen- Internet access in guest rooms and public areas for a fee

Sheraton Stockholm Hotel – Wireless access in guest rooms for a fee

Le Boreal – Internet access is available on board

Time Zones – Stockholm and Copenhagen are 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); Tallinn is 2 hours ahead and St. Petersburg is 3 hours ahead. From late March to late October, these locations switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 2, 3, and 4 hours ahead, respectively. In June, Copenhagen is 6 hours ahead of New York City.

To read about current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.timeanddate.com.

Weather – During the summer months when most people choose to visit the cities surrounding the Baltic Sea, the temperatures are moderately warm, averaging 50 to 70°F (10 to 21°C). These cities experience fresh sea breezes, which moderate temperatures, as well as some humidity. Due to their northern latitudes, summer daylight hours are long (with the longest at 19 hours). Rainfall can occur throughout the year, though August is the wettest month and an umbrella and light raincoat are recommended.

 

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.weather.com.

 

Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, Tauck will charge guests who cancel confirmed bookings a cancellation fee according to when the cancellation notice is received in its Norwalk, CT office. To help limit guests’ liability, Tauck offers a Tauck Protection Plan.

Guests choosing to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will have cancellation penalties reduced. Click here for more details.

Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

 

60 days or more before departure
$1,100 per person (the amount of the deposit)

59-30 days before departure
50% of the cost of the tour per person

29-1 days before departure
100% of the cost of the tour per person