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Cell phones

Russian cruise ships do not offer internet access and there will be no internet cafes along the way.  Cell phone reception will also be limited while enroute.

You can use your cell phone while in Moscow and St. Petersburg, however. And you can use one of numerous internet cafes too.

Activating your cell phone for international roaming

You can use your cell phone in Russia, but then you need to contact your cell phone service provider before your departure to Russia and ask them to activate "international roaming." Please note, it could be quite expensive, up to 3 dollars a minute. 

To unlock your phone you will need to call your service provider and to receive the special unlocking code and instructions how to apply it to your phone.

Tip: if you buy a local sim card you can save money on calls in Russia. International calls will cost about the same as calls made in roaming ($2-3 a minute). Ask your cruise director if you want to purchase a local sim card.