Thimble Islands

ThimbleIslands.com

Located off the coast of Stony Creek village (in the city of Branford, CT), the Thimble Islands are an archipelago of 25 small rocky, wooded islands topped with Victorian-era summer cottages (replete with ginger bread trimming). The area is a boating paradise where kayakers, fishing boats, ferry boats, paddle boarders, islanders, & home owners all co-exist to enjoy this picture perfect sanctuary.

  • Boat Tour / Cruise
  • Kayak Rental
  • Restaurants
  • Hotel / B&B

Sunset at Thimble Islands in Connecticut

photo credit: slack12

Did you know? The Thimble Islands are named after the thimbleberry bush that grows throughout the island area, and are not a reference to their petite size.

House on the Thimble Islands of Connecticut

https://www.thimbleislandslobsterbakes.com/

Thimble Islands

Stony Creek Brewery

5 Indian Neck Ave Branford, CT

203-433-4545

https://www.stonycreekbeer.com/

Stony Creek Market

Stony Creek Market

178 Thimble Islands Road, Branford, CT

203-488-0145

https://stonycreekmarket.com/

The Thimbleberry

The Thimbleberry

~ seasonal, opens in April ~

2 Indian Point Rd, Branford, CT

203-481-2836

https://www.facebook.com/TheThimbleberry/

House on the Thimble Islands of Connecticut

Volsunga IV

4 Indian Point Rd, Branford, CT

203-481-3345

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/volsungacruises/

The Islander

The Islander

203-433-2233

http://www.thimbleislander.com

Sea Mist

Sea Mist - Thimble Islands Cruise

203-488-8905

https://thimbleislandcruise.com/

House on the Thimble Islands of Connecticut

Thimble Island Kayak Rental

203-859-0546

https://thimbleislandkayak.com/

Branford River Paddlesports

Branford River Paddlesports

203-980-8451

https://branfordriverpaddlesports.com/

House on the Thimble Islands of Connecticut

Hotels / B&Bs

Thimble Islands Bed & Breakfast

Thimble Islands Bed & Breakfast

28 West Point Road Stony Creek ~ Branford, CT

203-488-3693

https://thimbleislandsbb.com/

House on the Thimble Islands of Connecticut

Thimble Islands Cruise | Connecticut’s Vacation Retreat

Captain Bob Milne’s tours of Connecticut’s Thimble Islands are big on legend, lore, and history—but what he doesn’t tell you also reveals island truths.

By Wayne Curtis

Jun 24 2014

CaptainBob

Captain Bob Milne on the stern of his tour boat, the Volsunga IV. He’s a native of Stony Creek, a mainland village of Branford, Connecticut, and has spent most of his life on the water.

Wearing a microphone headset and perched up in the bow of his 48-passenger tour boat, the Volsunga IV , Captain Bob points out the granite rocks of Cut-in-Two, then adds a critical detail: Tom Thumb carved his initials into those stones more than a century ago. The passengers murmur appreciatively; it’s a small, lulling sound, like waves against a hull. Then we pass Dogfish Rock, and Captain Bob points out that it’s one of the few manmade islands hereabouts—created by piling rock upon rock hauled from the mainland—and he uses this fact to launch into a brief disquisition into how owning an island could raise the status of members of the gentry during the late Victorian era. Near Bear Island, once home to an active quarry, he tells us that the island’s distinctive stone can be found today in the Lincoln Memorial, Grant’s Tomb, and the base of the Statue of Liberty. Lips purse into the universal “who knew?” expression, and heads nod.

Captain Bob Milne on the stern of his tour boat, the Volsunga IV. He’s a native of Stony Creek, a mainland village of Branford, Connecticut, and has spent most of his life on the water.

Captain Bob is Bob Milne, a lifelong resident of Stony Creek, Connecticut. He’s the owner and operator of Thimble Island Cruises, leading 45-minute tours through these islands throughout the summer. It’s a little-known fact, but animating rocks is one of the skills honed by good tour guides. They can take something inert and uninteresting and inject a bit of wonder into it. They mine rocks for murmurs.

We motor on, and Captain Bob points out Governor Island, now populating it with one Mr. Weed, a businessman and avid gardener who lived there during the early decades of the last century. He paints a vision of a white-goateed gentleman puttering around the harbor in an elegant mahogany steam launch and wearing a white captain’s cap. “And the name of Mr. Weed’s boat was …?” Captain Bob trails off in a question. He awaits an answer, which isn’t forthcoming from the two dozen passengers this morning. “The Sea Weed, of course,” he says. A muffled groan arises, and Captain Bob waits for it to subside before adding, “If you’re overthinking it, you shouldn’t be on this boat.”

One of the most common descriptions of the Thimbles—an archipelago of some 100 to 300 islands (the number depending on the tide and your own definition of an island, as opposed to a rocky outcropping) just off Stony Creek—is that they look like a piece of Maine that somehow broke free and drifted south before running aground in Long Island Sound. That’s a hard description to improve upon. Like their granite cousins to the north, these islands are craggy and stoic and come in eclectic shapes and sizes—some round like igloos, some long like bony fingers.

Delivered Daily: The Latest in Travel, Food, and Living in New England

At only three-quarters of an acre in area, Dogfish Island, a.k.a. Dogfish Rock—constructed not by nature but by man—is the smallest of the 23 inhabited Thimbles, an archipelago in Long Island Sound.

Two dozen of them are capped with houses: some small; others that seem out of scale, like a large hat sitting precariously atop a head. Many were built as island getaways for the affluent, who arrived by steamship or train from New York, or by streetcar from New Haven, about a dozen miles to the west. The Thimble Islands—named after the thimbleberries that grew on them, not their diminutive size—didn’t attract top-tier robber barons, but rather their court followers, including bankers and brass-mill owners. “We were a notch below Newport,” Captain Bob says.

Captain Bob is nearing 54 years old and grew up on the mainland in Stony Creek, when it was still more or less a blue-collar working waterfront, a poor-cousin coastal neighborhood that’s technically part of the town of Branford. He was one of six kids; he stayed as his siblings all moved away.

Captain Bob took to the water as a teen. “As a kid you could always work on the islands,” he told me. He began by hauling garbage—“I know the backs of all these houses,” he notes wryly—and at age 14 worked aboard the small private ferry and tour service that operated from the town dock. He started the lifelong endeavor of accumulating information about the islands, their residents, and the complicated relations between the two. (Growing up, he said, “it was Creekers and Islanders. Once in a while we’d mix. But they had nicer boats, and we had old dories.”)

West Crib Island, and East Crib Island were so named in reference to their shipbuilding role in Colonial days. Cribs in this sense are natural stone formations that can serve as dry docks.

Thimble Islands | When You Go

Thimble Island Cruise

thimble island cruise branford

  • See all photos

thimble island cruise branford

Similar Experiences

thimble island cruise branford

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

MikeofMA

Thimble Island Cruise - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Thimble Island Cruise

thimble island cruise branford

  • See all photos

thimble island cruise branford

Similar Experiences

thimble island cruise branford

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

JoliveB

Thimble Island Cruise - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

CTvisit Logo

  • Vibe Campaign

MENU

Sea Mist Thimble Island Cruise, LLC Sea Mist Thimble Island Cruise, LLC Sea Mist Thimble Island Cruise, LLC Sea Mist Thimble Island Cruise, LLC

Daily 45-minute narrated sightseeing cruise of the Thimble Islands aboard the Sea Mist. Foliage cruises, seal watch cruises, party or dinner cruises. For more information, visit www.thimbleislandcruise.com .

Dates of Operation

Other amenities.

  • Bus Parking

Departs from Stony Creek Town Dock. Indian Point Rd. Branford , CT 06405 United States

Map & Directions

visit website

While You're in the Neighborhood

thimble island cruise branford

Travel planning assistance 888-CTvisit (288-4748)

Connecticut Office of Tourism

450 Columbus Blvd., Suite 5 Hartford, CT 06103

  • Resources & Links
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimers

© 2024 Connecticut Office of Tourism

  • Media/Press
  • Email Sign Up
  • Partner Login

VisitTheUSA.com logo

  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Thimble Islands Cruise

ABOARD THE SEA MIST

Facebook Feed

[custom-facebook-feed]

Recent Posts

Cruise the branford river aboard island time.

             90 Minute cruise in the Branford River & Harbor/28 person capacity/Departing Daily/$32.00 per person/Onboard Bar/Head/Sound system /Price includes parking!  Easy boarding! Next … Read More... about Cruise The Branford River Aboard ISLAND TIME

2024 With our new online booking system, we will book month to month. Towards the end of each month we will open the following month for new reservations. … Read More... about Bookings

We Are Open For 2024

Beginning February 1st the  office will open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday  9:am to 3:pm Please leave a detailed message if we do not answer! We will return your call asap!  Tours and charters will … Read More... about We Are Open For 2024

Get in Touch

Sea Mist, LLC. Thimble Islands Cruise PO Box 3138 Stony Creek,Ct. 06405 Phone 203-488-8905

  • Seabourn Cruise Line

Moscow Day Trip

cruisewmn

By cruisewmn , August 2, 2011 in Seabourn Cruise Line

Recommended Posts

Cool Cruiser

We're extremely interested in a cruise next summer on the Soujourn which stops in St. Petersburg for almost three days. Seabourn lists two different "day trips" to Moscow via high speed train. Having previously cruised to St. Petersburg, we really don't want to stay there for three days and a side trip to Moscow would be the highlight of the cruise. Has anyone taken this excursion?

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

I have been to Moscow many times, but never as part of a cruise. Was recently on a Baltics cruise and spoke to people who had - it takes it out of them as it was a super long day. In fact they got home so late that third day they slept in and had "sea day" at port.

There is so much to see in Moscow, I it should be a land trip and there are many nice hotels on which you can stay. It is really a 3 day experience. Having said that, if there is not much else you want to see in St Petersburg, and you don't think you will get back to Russia by land, it is a very interesting city with much to do. You will skim the surface, but will enjoy. I would only do if you had limited or no plans in St Petersburg - especially the day after as you return very late at night.

If you do not go, there are many not so well known things to do in SP. The Russian Museum is fascinating for example as is Yuspov Palace. The military museums and sights are interesting as well.

Whatever you decide to do you will have a great time!

JaneBP

Here's a link to more discussions:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1391453&highlight=moscow

TLCOhio

Doing a "day-trip" from St. Petersburg to Moscow and back can work well. We did that trip in 2008 with Crystal. Having sailed in the Greek Islands in 2006 with Seabourn on our first cruise, I am sure that the quality would be similar with your cruise line. One change now would be the use of the high-speed train in place of flying back and forth as we did in 2008. Here are more details to consider:

Having three days in St. Petersburg allows enough time to do BOTH in seeing Moscow and going to other places near where your ship is docked. Only a few of the better lines, such as Seabourn and Crystal, have that type of schedule. We used in 2008 the main schedule airline, Rossiya Russian Airlines, for this trip. That line is now part of Aeroflot. The train trip takes long, but lessens some of the added time needed going out to the airport and the train gets you closer to the central part of Moscow.

I'll offer up some added background, along with various pro/con factors for your consideration. My wife thought it was lots of money, but she viewed it as very much worth it after completing the trip as a "once in a lifetime" experience.

CON FACTORS : It's a long day! Leave the ship about 8 am (greeted by a small welcoming band dockside); lots of driving and traffic; get back by return flight to the St. Petersburg airport around midnight and back to the ship a little before 1 am. The cost through Crystal Cruises was not cheap, but it does include everything, including all bus transfers, your jet air flights on regularly schedule commercial airlines, lunch on the bus, dinner in a nice/historic club/restaurant, admissions, etc., etc. Moscow is a super large city of about ten million people. There has been huge growth in the suburbs of this city during the past decades or so. Traffic and time from the airport to the main downtown takes about an hour. You can get a good feel as you travel into town through the coach windows about the “new Moscow” with its suburban growth, commerce, advertising, capitalism, etc.

PRO FACTORS : Moscow has its unique history, sights and sites, from Ivan the Terrible up through Lenin, Stalin and the new Russian leaders of today. After a long ride in from the airport on the outer edge of this large metro areas of 17.3 million (with 10.5 million in the city), we stopped at a new hotel for coffee/tea/break. Then, we rode the Moscow subway and saw a couple of their very unique and artistic stations. Stalin at the time called these stations “People’s Palaces”. This Moscow Metro was first opened in 1935 and now has 182 stations, 12 different lines,187 miles of routes and carries seven million passengers each weekday. It’s the world second busiest subway system. This subway ride offered a good sampling of real life for people who live and work in Moscow. We then saw more key places enroute, including the home of the Bolshoy Ballet, KGB Headquarters, various Stalin era buildings, etc. Then we went to the Kremlin with its 19 historic towers. WOW, we were really there!

Inside the Kremlin are three key “super stars”. First, was the State Armoury with its spectacular Faberge Eggs, plus so many carriages, crowns, gowns, jewels, etc. Second are the various historic Cathedrals within the Kremlin Walls, plus the Tower Bells, Icon art, etc. This includes the Cathedral of the Annunciation built in the 1480’s and having such spectacular wall murals and icons. Third, was the Great Kremlin Palace with its spectacular reception halls, inlaid wood floors, gold and more gold, fancy ceilings, etc. The Czars were crowned here, plus the current heads of the Russian government, etc. You might check whether your cruise trip will take you insider here. The size and scale of these areas are hard to describe in words, let alone reflect and capture the history that has happened in some of these rooms dating back to the late 1400’s. We have seen lots of great palaces all over Europe, but this is something above and beyond for the eyes, heart and brain.

Then, we saw more building inside the walls of the Kremlin. We went outside of the Kremlin Walls and walked next door to adjoining Red Square, seeing St. Basil’s and the re-done Gum Department Store. Red Square is so historic, especially having grown up seeing the military May Day parades there, visuals of Lenin’s Tomb, etc. Have the words “spectacular” and historic been used too much? Maybe, but it fits for many of these unique places. St. Basil’s was built 1555–1561 on the order of Ivan IV (the Terrible). It was the tallest building in Moscow until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower (266 feet tall) in 1600 inside the Kremlin Walls. To be able to “CONTRAST” and compare Moscow and St. Petersburg during these three short days adds to the benefits of seeing both of these great Russian capital cities. Each is a very different and special city.

We finished with dinner in the Central Writers’ Club, a one hundred years old mansion made into a restaurant with crystal chandeliers, rich wood panelling, fireplaces, and antique balustrades. Finally, we drove back to the airport, passing many of the new suburban commercial development with big box stores and luxury housing, etc.

Is one day too short and limited? YES! You can, however, do and see lots in only that one short day. You get a small sampling above. How often do you get to Russia? The Cold War might not come back in full force, but there are going to be increasing and revisited tensions in future years involving Russia and getting access there. The major cruise lines have done this tour many times and has its details down well and timing perfected. Let me know any questions, thoughts or reactions.

Here are a few picture highlights of what we saw in Moscow. Have more to share, if you would like added views for the great potentials there.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Just back from a June 7-19 Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik . Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. These postings are now at 25,907 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 47,775 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Appreciate those who have “tuned in” for these two posts. Don’t be shy and feel free to comment and/or ask any questions of interest.

Walking on the famed Red Square of Moscow:

This is the interior for Moscow's most historic church, Assumption Cathedral or the Cathedral of the Dormition, inside the Kremlin walls. It is the mother church of Muscovite Russia. The church stands on Cathedral Square and was built in 1475–1479 by the Italian architect Aristotele Fioravanti. It was erected on the spot of an older 14th century cathedral of the same name:

The famed KGB Headquarters in Moscow where many entered and did not exit (alive) during the 1950’s and 1960’s:

Kazan Cathedral sits on the northeast corner of Red Square in Moscow. The current building is a reconstruction of the original church which was destroyed at the direction of Joseph Stalin in 1936. The original church was erected as a shrine in the early 1630s to mark the city's liberation from the Polish aggressors. After the Soviet Union’s fall, this was the first church to be completely rebuilt. The cathedral's restoration (1990–1993) was based on the detailed measurements and photographs of the original church:

Here is a small sampling of the Kremlin Royal Treasures of the Czars: Eggs & Jewels:

St. Basil's sits on Red Square and dates back to its 1555-61 construction on the orders of Ivan the Terrible (Ivan IV). It commemorates the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan and marks the geometric center of the city. This location has been the hub of its growth for Moscow since the 14th century. It was the tallest building in Moscow until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600. This church was near destroyed in the 1930’s when Stalin was in control.:

We did it with Regent several years ago. We were also docked in St Petersburg for 3 days. We flew to Moscow though. Not sure how long the high speed train takes, but until you get to the airport, through security and your flight leaves it may be the same. It was a great day. I wouldn't have wanted to miss it. We got back about 11 and they had a special dinner waiting for those of us on this excursion. Really did get to see the highlights of Moscow as well as a fabulous lunch.

10,000+ Club

I did the day trip to Moscow several years ago with Seabourn. Normally, I would never undertake such a grueling day but it was my third time in St. Petersburg and I had seen everything I wanted so I thought why not? It turned out to be a highlight of the trip. Yes, it was a long day but who cares. The day is just as long if you stay on board. Seabourn handled the whole thing extremely well from the flights to the guides to the meals to the private sightseeing. We saw and experienced so much in that one day that I felt I had been there for two or three. Is it better to go and spend a few days? Of course! But if that is not an option and you're not sure if you'll ever get there on your own I think it's a great thing to do.

Everything I said though is only for those who have been to St. Petersburg before. If it's your first time you'll need every minute of those three days there to see even a fraction of what there is to see.

Thaks for all the great information. We will be on the Sojourn late next summer in the Baltic. We have been to St Petersburg and are thinking we might do this if offered. Sounds great, hope we get the chance!

I can't thank you all enough for your quick and in depth responses. As much as I would like to take an extended tour of Moscow/Russia someday, I've learned that you never know what the future holds and not to let a good opportuity pass you by. The overall positive reviews and amazing pictures have sold us. While I realize we might be exhausted from the long day, it sounds well worth it.

I can't thank you all enough for your quick and in depth responses. The overall positive reviews and amazing pictures have sold us. While I realize we might be exhausted from the long day, it sounds well worth it. THANK YOU!

Glad we have helped to "SELL YOU". You are summarizing and approaching things correctly. See "IT" while you can and are close. Here are a few more pictures to help you get ready for the amazing sights you will experience there in Moscow.

One of the Kremlin Wall Towers in Moscow:

The domes of the historic church inside the walls of the Kremlin:

Inside the newly, more westernized GUM Department Store:

One of the 1930’s style building built by Stalin in Moscow:

Kremlin Treasures: Crowns and other “tools” for the Czars:

Moscow’s subways are called the People’s Palace with its marble coverings and unique designs for each of the stations.:

  • 2 weeks later...

Like you, we did the Moscow trip after a couple of trips to St Petersburg. Wouldn't have missed it for the world- totally different feel from SP, or anywhere else in the world. For those of us who lived through the cold war, it brought to life the spy novels I have read all my life.

  • 1 year later...

Camlachiegirl

Could you please send more information on your Moscow trips - we would like to do a seperate trip to Moscow after the cruise. Any leads or information would be appreciated.

I have been to Moscow many times, but never as part of a cruise. Was recently on a Baltics cruise and spoke to people who had - it takes it out of them as it was a super long day. In fact they got home so late that third day they slept in and had "sea day" at port.   There is so much to see in Moscow, I it should be a land trip and there are many nice hotels on which you can stay. It is really a 3 day experience. Having said that, if there is not much else you want to see in St Petersburg, and you don't think you will get back to Russia by land, it is a very interesting city with much to do. You will skim the surface, but will enjoy. I would only do if you had limited or no plans in St Petersburg - especially the day after as you return very late at night.   If you do not go, there are many not so well known things to do in SP. The Russian Museum is fascinating for example as is Yuspov Palace. The military museums and sights are interesting as well.   Whatever you decide to do you will have a great time!

We were on the Sojourn July/August 2012. We did a private day trip to Moscow using SPB tours via high speed train on our 2nd day in ST P. They picked us up from the ship around 5:30 am and dropped us off at the rail station, and we met our tour guide and a driver for the two of us at the Moscow rail station. It took 4 hours each way for the train, but it went from city center to city center, and it seemed to go by relatively quickly. We had a great time in Moscow- seeing the highlights as described on the tour itinerary, and we could customize it. There seemed to be little English spoken in Moscow, people not as friendly as in St P, and the traffic was horrible. I was actually glad to get back to St P( at around midnight).

It was a busy day, but that didn't stop us from a full day of touring before and after the Moscow trip on private tours by SPB tours. It was quite expensive, but I'm glad we went- and I really have no desire to go back.

seabournaddict

Years ago we did a land tour of Russia, so got to spend about 5 days in both Moscow and St Petersburg. I actually like Moscow more than St Petersburg. We have also done a Baltic cruise on Seabourn, so have had another 3 days in St Petersburg, so NEXT time we will certainly do the day tour to Moscow. I would also prefer to do it the way they do now, by train, would have been dubious about a Russian "domestic" flight. ;)

Emperor Norton

Emperor Norton

I could've sworn I'd responded to this thread earlier:confused:

I'd take my chances on a domestic flight with their new fancy Boeing planes (or even an odd Ilyushin). The train was a less than stellar experience. Four hours each way in a straight backed non reclining seat. Some of them had another passenger about 24" in front of you, facing you - so no sticking your legs out. Further they didn't seem to believe in AC so the car just got hotter and hotter. Moscow itself was great, I found it particularly amusing that right across from Red Square they had a capitalist pig-dog mall filled with luxury American and European brands.

MichiganDavid

Following is a description and personal review of the Seabourn Cruise - St. Petersburg -shore excursion: “MOSCOW BY TRAIN & THE MYSTERIOUS KREMLIN”

On June 18, 2012 – my wife and I participated in the Seabourn Pride’s Moscow Excursion along with 12 other passengers and 2 guides. Most of us had room service breakfast at 4:30am, crossed the flooded river outside Russian Customs and met the bus @ 5:30am for a transfer to the St. Petersburg Train Station. The high speed train (mostly at 130-140 MPH) left the station at 6:30am and arrived in Moscow at 10:15am. The train ride was uneventful and a box snack was provided.

In Moscow, we were met by the local guide and a full size bus. We drove into and around central Moscow for about 30 min. – buildings and sights are interesting, but do not compare to the historical & decorative buildings of St. Petersburg. We then took a Metro (subway) ride in Moscow. The metro is interesting, but not as impressive as St. Petersburg’s. (You will notice that throughout this review, I state that St. Petersburg is better than Moscow, which is true of everything except for the Kremlin, which holds its own and should be the main purpose of this excursion.) (Seabourn states that the Kremlin is closed on Thursday – THEREFORE, DO NOT TAKE THIS TOUR ON THURSDAY.)

After driving around Moscow again to view several areas from the bus, we visited the Kremlin , which is a very large wall enclosed fortress with hundreds of buildings, churches, monuments, fortress walls with many towers/etc. After a long walk (many long walks to come) at an OLYMPIC SPEED PACE (You will walk fast to see everything in the allotted time). We started with the “Armory” museum which was very good and I do not normally like museums. There are rooms with royalty gowns, Czars’ crowns, royalty carriages, suits of amour and weapons, jewel covered bibles, Faberge Eggs, etc. – basically Royal Treasures. From here we walked to the “Churches Square” with It’s 17 churches. We entered the Annunciation Cathedral where most all the Czars were crowned. Outside - took pictures of the largest BELL in the world that has never been rung and the largest CANNON that has never been fired. Took pictures of government buildings and the President’s Palace.

At about 1:45pm, we walked back to the bus for a short ride to a very prestigious restaurant (and it was) for a four course late-lunch with an excellent French Bordeaux.

After lunch, we visited the very large Red Square @ 3:15pm for a tour of “St. Basil’s Cathedral” which was beautiful and very interesting with its many Onion Domes – but I liked St. Petersburg’s “Church on the Spilled Blood” better. We were able to see the front of the Lenin’s Tomb , but it was closed. At the other end of the Square was a beautiful museum and very nice smaller church where recorded services were being played.

We had 45 min. on our own to walk around the Square and after another long fast walk back to our bus, we proceeded to the train station for a 7:45pm departure back to St. Petersburg. A snack and drink was provided. Arriving in St. Petersburg at 11:30pm, with the sun just beginning to set (the mid-night sun), we proceeded to the ship – 18 hour tour/ 21 hour day.

Summary: Is the tour worth $1,000 per person – only if it is important to see Moscow once in your lifetime. See St. Petersburg first ; tour has extensive walking at a very fast pace; you will be going to Moscow to see the Kremlin which is historical and beautiful.

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Welcome to Cruise Critic
  • New Cruisers
  • Cruise Lines “A – O”
  • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
  • River Cruising
  • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
  • Special Interest Cruising
  • Cruise Discussion Topics
  • UK Cruising
  • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
  • Canadian Cruisers
  • North American Homeports
  • Ports of Call
  • Cruise Conversations

Announcements

  • New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

WAR_icy_SUPERstar777.jpg

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS

LauraS · Started 5 hours ago

LauraS · Started 8 hours ago

LauraS · Started 9 hours ago

LauraS · Started 10 hours ago

LauraS · Started 11 hours ago

Viking French Toast on The Viking Mars at The Restaurant

  • Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
  • Find Your Roll Call
  • Meet & Mingle
  • Community Help Center
  • All Activity
  • Member Photo Albums
  • Meet & Mingle Photos
  • Favorite Cruise Memories
  • Cruise Food Photos
  • Cruise Ship Photos
  • Ports of Call Photos
  • Towel Animal Photos
  • Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
  • Write a Review
  • Live Cruise Reports
  • Member Cruise Reviews
  • Create New...

IMAGES

  1. 15 Best Things to Do in Branford (CT)

    thimble island cruise branford

  2. Captain Dave's Thimble Island Cruises (Branford)

    thimble island cruise branford

  3. Thimble Island Cruise (Branford)

    thimble island cruise branford

  4. Thimble Island Cruise (Branford, CT): Top Tips Before You Go

    thimble island cruise branford

  5. Thimble Island Cruise in Stony Creek (Branford) Connecticut!

    thimble island cruise branford

  6. Thimble Island Cruise (Branford)

    thimble island cruise branford

COMMENTS

  1. Sea Mist

    Captain Kidd sailed here in 1665…you can still feel his presence today. Join Captains Mike, Justin, Bryan and the crew of the Sea Mist as you tour the famous Thimble Islands off the coast of Branford, Connecticut. For nearly sixty years, 1000s of seafarers have enjoyed tours and charters of the Long Island Sound with Thimble Island Cruise.

  2. Volsunga IV Thimble Island Cruise

    Volsunga IV Thimble Island Cruise Volsunga IV Thimble Island Cruise Volsunga IV Thimble Island Cruise Volsunga IV Thimble Island Cruise. visit website. ... Willoughby's Coffee & Tea (Branford) 1.34 miles. Gourmet Wok 1.41 miles. Su Casa Mexican Restaurant 1.43 miles. Parthenon Diner - Branford 1.47 miles.

  3. Captain Dave's Thimble Island Cruises

    In the immediate vicinity, aside from a puppet theater, a small museum, a few shops and restaurants, not much. The Thimble Islands cruises are the primary destination points for Stoney Creek. The general area of Branford/Gilford offers much more, but Stoney Creek is a small village, and a beautiful day trip.

  4. Thimble Islands, CT

    Tourism info for the Thimble Islands on the Connecticut coast. ... (in the city of Branford, CT), the Thimble Islands are an archipelago of 25 small rocky, wooded islands topped with Victorian-era summer cottages (replete with ginger bread trimming). ... Thimble Islands Cruise. 4 Indian Point Rd, Branford, CT. 203-488-8905 [email protected]

  5. THIMBLE ISLANDS CRUISE

    23 reviews and 42 photos of Thimble Islands Cruise "Rocks boats and great stories A great way to spend a summer day. Capt Bob was a character and knew just about everything there was to know about the Thimbles, including fastastic stories about the islands before the 1938 hurricane. He obviously was well acquainted with the area and skillfully maneuvered the boat through the rocks and islands.

  6. Thimble Islands

    Living in Branford for the last 8 years or so, the Sea Mist tour is our favorite activity! ... Thimble Islands Cruise & Charters Transportation Systems P.O. Box 3138 Stony Creek, Connecticut 06405 203-488-8905 Well behaved pooches are welcome aboard the ferry for transport to the islands for no additional fee; they are not allowed on tours. ...

  7. Thimble Islands Cruise

    Captain Bob Milne on the Volsunga IV 203-481-3345; thimbleislands.com Captain Mike Infantino on the Sea Mist 203-488- 8905; thimbleislandcruise.com Captain Dave Kusterer on The Islander 352-978-1502; thimbleislander.net Stony Creek Museum 203-488-4014; stonycreekmuseum.com. New England Today features the best in New England travel, food, living ...

  8. Sea Mist, Thimble Island Cruise

    Sea Mist, Thimble Island Cruise, Branford, Connecticut. 5.8K likes · 6,122 were here. Welcome aboard the Sea Mist, Thimble Islands Cruise Facebook page. Sightseeing tours May - October.

  9. Thimble Island Cruise

    Private sailing trips around Fishers island from New London, CT. 6. On the Water. from. $650.00. per group (up to 4) Private Historic Yale Smart Phone Self Guided Walking Tour. 2.

  10. THIMBLE ISLAND CRUISE

    2022. Private sailing trips in the Thimble Islands, Branford, CT. 6. Swimming. from. C$893.48. per group (up to 4) 2022. Mystic Seaport Museum Adventure.

  11. Thimble Islands Cruises Aboard Sea Mist

    The Thimble Islands cruise aboard the Sea Mist was the perfect place to take my friend visiting from out of town. The weather was impeccable and since we both love being on the water I knew it would be a hit. As the boat pulled out of the harbor, the views were breathtaking and magnificent. The spectacular homes on the different islands are ...

  12. The Thimble Islands Aboard the Sea Mist

    Cruise The Branford River aboard ISLAND TIME 90 Minute cruise / 28 person capacity / Departing Daily / $32.00 per person / Onboard Bar / Head / Sound system / Price includes parking! Easy boarding! ... Thimble Islands Cruise PO Box 3138 Stony Creek,Ct. 06405 Phone 203-488-8905.

  13. THE ISLANDER

    The Thimble Islands are a chain of 365 islands in Stony Creek Harbor off the southeast coast of Branford, Connecticut in Long Island Sound. The sizes of the islands vary greatly from acres wide down to small rocks jutting up from the sea, and the majority can only be seen during times of low tide. Today, the inhabited islands are home to local ...

  14. Thimble Island Cruise

    The thimble island cruise is so much fun, very comfortable boat, inside and outside seating, great narrative. Drinks available included, but have to use facilities before you leave. ... This was a 45 minute cruise throughout the Thimble Islands in Branford. We took the Sea Mist because I wanted to be on the top deck of the boat, there are 3 ...

  15. Imperial Waterways of Russia

    Imperial Waterways of Russia Cruise, 13 days cruise Moscow to St. Petersburg, Cruise through Moscow to St. Petersburg, EuroRiverCruises.com. Home: About Euro River Cruises ... Fed by 58 rivers, Lake Onega has 1,369 islands and is bordered by the Republic of Karelia on the west, north and east, and by Leningrad Oblast and Vologda Oblast on the ...

  16. Best of Moscow by high speed train

    Sure would appreciate someone who has taken Best of Moscow by high speed train from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day. Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also wha...

  17. Sea Mist Thimble Island Cruise, LLC

    Daily 45-minute narrated sightseeing cruise of the Thimble Islands aboard the Sea Mist. Foliage cruises, seal watch cruises, party or dinner cruises. For more information, visit www.thimbleislandcruise.com. ... (Branford) 1.34 miles. Gourmet Wok 1.41 miles. Su Casa Mexican Restaurant 1.43 miles. Parthenon Diner - Branford 1.47 miles.

  18. Directions

    Cruise The Branford River aboard ISLAND TIME 90 Minute cruise / 28 person capacity / Departing Daily / $32.00 per person / Onboard Bar / Head / Sound system / Price includes parking! Easy boarding! ... Thimble Islands Cruise PO Box 3138 Stony Creek,Ct. 06405 Phone 203-488-8905.

  19. Moscow Day Trip

    Popular Destinations. Alaska; Caribbean; Mediterranean; Europe; Canada & New England; Popular Ships

  20. 14 Night Imperial Russia Cruise from Moscow

    See details and pricing for the Scenic Tsar 14 Night Imperial Russia Cruise sailing September 26, 2021 from Moscow. Book Scenic Cruises online or call 1-800-427-8473 - iCruise.com