Shore Excursions > Info

IMPORTANT!

Worried about returning to port on time? We know that many people worry about being late for the ship, not only in Helsinki and Tallinn, but at all ports of call. It is of our utmost concern to ensure your timely return. Our drivers have many years of experience working only with the cruise ship passengers' private small groups (small vans) and big groups (big buses) and we have NEVER brought our clients late to the port. The buses are in their best condition (from 0 to 5 years old). SPB-Tours is not looking for the cheaper options! The drivers know their job VERY well and they can tell you how much time they need to get from point A to point B.
SPB-Tours is also prepared for the unexpected. We are fully insured and believe it is our duty to provide our clients with transportation to bring them back to the ship by any means. When we plan your itinerary we also want to be on the safe side and we take into account the unforseen circumstances which may arise on the way back to the port.

Payment

No deposit is required.
You have the option of paying in cash with either EUR or USD on the day of the tour. Unfortunately, we DO NOT accept credit cards at this time. The guides will collect the money at the end of the tour. There will be an opportunity to go to an ATM or Money Exchange Office during the day.

IMPORTANT: For the added convenience of paying in USD, please note that we will base the monetary conversion on the rates used at the Money Exchange Offices on that day. This is in no way for us to make a profit, but rather to ensure that we do not lose money when we exchange the USD into EUR.

Cancellation policy:

A. You can cancel your reservation confirmation in written form two weeks (14 days)  prior to your tour without any cancellation fee.
B. Cancellations received on the 13th day or less prior to your tour will be levied a fee equal to 25% of the total cost of your excursion program.
C. Cancellations received on the 5th day or less  prior to your tour or in the case of a “no-show” (no-show is a person who never cancelled, and never reported to our waiting agents at the port after the ship arrived) there will be a 50% charge of the total cost of the excursion program.

Transportation:

ALL our vehicles are air-conditioned, comfortable, foreign-made vans, fully covered by insurance. We have sedan cars, small vans for 6 people and bigger ones with 14, 16 and 20 or more passenger seats. We will always try to get you a vehicle with a few extra seats.

Guides:

SPB-Tours is run by a guide herself (Viktoria Rother) with 20 years of experience and she knows how much of the tour depends upon an excellent guide. All our guides are University graduators and speak excellent English, they are highly professional with many years of experience, very knowlegable, responsible and flexible as they consider their work to be a part of their business and not an occasional job as a hired guide. We know our guides very well. They have great personalities and are good entertainers. They have lots to share with you not only about the buildings you are passing by, but also about the politics and the economy in the country.

Tipping:

Gratuities to the guide and driver are not included in the tour price. The amounts you wish to give to your guide and driver after a job well-done should be in line with normal standards. Usually the gratuity is divided: 2/3 to the guide and 1/3 to the driver. You can give the gratuities to them separately. If you are on a private tour with a smaller group, the gratuities can be higher than $20-30 pp, but in the end it is you who decides how much it should be.

Leave your worries at home and enjoy your tour of Helsinki, Stockholm and Tallinn with us!
See you soon!