Russian River Cruise

[grace3]

I have been looking at the various tour operators..GCT, Viking, Avalon etc. for one of these trips. Has anyone taken this trip and can pass on some information? I would appreciate it.

I have read some good things about Avalon, but for this particular trip they use an older ship that does not sound so good.

Thanks,

Joan

[rbreid]

We took a Russian cruise with GCT last year and were very happy with the trip. All of the ships that we saw doing Russian cruise were old. The GCT ship had been gutted and the cabins enlarged so that the regular cabins were larger than those on the other ships on the river. When we took the trip we stayed in hotels in St.Petersburg and Moscow. I believe the entire trip is on the ship which is both good and bad.

 

Bob Reid

[grace3]

Old ships on the Russian cruises is what I ran into when looking at all the cruises out there.

I did run into an interesting site www.earthboundexpeditions.com

They have small groups and have an interesting "Regal Russia" trip 13 days/12 nights. I think I might prefer that to the cruise.

Thanks for your input....

Joan

[unberwoob]

We did the 16 day St Petersberg to Moscow with Uniworld last summer and were very pleased, and highly recommend it.

All ships in Russia are old, but our ship was so well kept and clean you would never know it. It sparkled just like the new ships we have traveled on in Europe.

By the way, we love Avalon and think it is the best. However, this is their first year in Russia whereas Uniworld has been there many years, and their expierence showed on the cruise.

[Heintje]

Good morning,

 

The MS Anastasia is probably the newest ship on the Russian waters. Its christening will be the last week of May (2006). Concerning the age of the ship. Under Russian law, foreign cruise lines are not allowed to build new ships. What AVALON did was buy an older ship, strip it completely and rebuild it western style. I have seen the design (I will be the cruise Director) and it looks really fantastic.

For whichever cruise you choose, I hope you will enjoy Russia.

[sobore]

We did the 16 day St Petersberg to Moscow with Uniworld last summer and were very pleased, and highly recommend it.

All ships in Russia are old, but our ship was so well kept and clean you would never know it. It sparkled just like the new ships we have traveled on in Europe.

By the way, we love Avalon and think it is the best. However, this is their first year in Russia whereas Uniworld has been there many years, and their expierence showed on the cruise.

 

Where did you fly in and out of for this trip? Were there any hotel stays involved? Thanks!

[grace3]

I must have looked at all of them...I am a single traveler, so the supplement charge can be a factor...they vary laargely!!

 

I would prefer the smallest ship that does the cruise..or I think I would prefer it. So, far that seems to be Uniworld. I did read some negative comments about them on this board regarding food etc. Would appreciate hearing more on that.

 

I have been looking at Amadeus...Comments?

 

I just want to make sure that it is clean, food reasonable good and crew is friendly and helpful.

 

Tours and or cruises are not really my thing, but there are places that it seems to be the only way to do it. I have time, as I am looking for 2007. My 2006 travel schedule is pretty full. I like to plan ahead!!

 

Thanks for any help,

 

Joan

[marybethcl]

I highly recommend Amadeus Waterways. While I have not yet personally taken the Russian trip, I would be confident about any of the Amadeus cruises. They really seem to do things right. And they have some of the best deals for single traveler, with some cabins specifically designated for single occupancy.

If I can help you with your plans, let me know. I can usually get an additional discount on these cruises.

Mary Beth

cruisemuse@yahoo.com

[grace3]

Thanks Mary Beth for your info.

 

Who is Brendan Tours? They have an impressive website..but..it is difficult to navigate..can't get info on many things. The river cruise seems to be the Amadeus cruise.

 

 

The Viking Kirov is used by both National Geographic and Smithsonian..seems to be a good recommendation.

 

Whatever I do, I will probably get independent, private tour guides for onshore touring. Some very highly recommended ones that I have communicated with for St. Petersburg..which is where I have so many in and out of city places to see.

 

Enjoy reading what others have to say....

 

Joan

[grace3]

I just ran into this one: http://www.cruisemarket.com/river_cruises_petersburg_moscow_PTG.html

 

Anyone know anything about it? What I like about it is that it has an extra day in St. Pete.

 

Thanks,

Joan

[rogerdawhip]

I traveled on the Cruise Marketing Moscows-St Petersburg River cruise in 1999 and have booked another trip with them for next July. I booked the 14 night trip on MS Peter The Great. This ship has been totally refurbished to hold only 140 passengers. My trip in 1999 was fantastic. The itinerary was unbelieveable and thre crew ended up like family. I wanted to go again sooner but had to wait until this year.

[tban]

it is true there are only old ships on the Russian waterways. However some cruise lines start to refurbish these old ships to bring them up to contemporary standards. We are cruising Russian next fall and after investigating the ship situation for some time we found one of the newest cruise ships on the Russian rivers -- the MS TOLSTOY, operated by Amadeus Waterways. The TOLSTOY was originally built for the Russian government to host foreign dignitaries on their visits. Because of this she was designed spaciously with bigger cabins and the use of high quality materials. The ship will also be totally refurbished when it starts service in May of 2006 as a luxury cruiser. The Tolstoy was highly recommended by our booking agent at UET.

[Dick_F]

Last spring, my wife and I took the Uniworld trip up the Volga from Rostov-on-Don to Moscow. The ship was the Litvinov, and it was in excellent condition. Uniworld chartered the entire ship, so there were only about 85 of us on a ship that could hold more tnan 300. The on-board tour director and her three assistants were very helpful and knowledgable. I found all the stops very interesting. You can find my photos here:

 

http://members5.clubphoto.com/d366398/owner-6059-1.phtml

 

Dick

[seapine]

Dick, we enjoyed your photos. Thanks for sharing them. Four of us are considering this trip - Moscow to Rostov on Don - on the Litvinov, Sept. 07. Wish we could hear more about your trip, especially was there enough time spent in Moscow?

Thanks, Evie

[msraye]

I did the Viking river cruises in Russia and the Ukraine this past June and July. I have no complaints about the ships I was on . Be warned that the cabins are quite small. With Viking all but a very few tours are included in the price. We spent extra days in St. Petersburg and used private cars and tours while there. We rented an apt. in St. Petersburg and would do so again. The hotels are very expensive--We met one couple who rented a room in Moscow for one night and it cost them $!000, We did not pay near that--use a Russian specialist to get your hotels. Ours was very nice and was about $195. The hotel in Kiev was cheaper yet and included a delicious breakfast. Whatever you choose, I am sure you will have a fabulous time.

[DGF]

We did the 16 day St Petersberg to Moscow with Uniworld last summer and were very pleased, and highly recommend it.

All ships in Russia are old, but our ship was so well kept and clean you would never know it. It sparkled just like the new ships we have traveled on in Europe.

By the way, we love Avalon and think it is the best. However, this is their first year in Russia whereas Uniworld has been there many years, and their expierence showed on the cruise.

 

Was the boat the Litvinov? If yes, any detail advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated- i.e. cabin location

 

DEAN

[DGF]

I did the Viking river cruises in Russia and the Ukraine this past June and July. I have no complaints about the ships I was on . Be warned that the cabins are quite small. With Viking all but a very few tours are included in the price. We spent extra days in St. Petersburg and used private cars and tours while there. We rented an apt. in St. Petersburg and would do so again. The hotels are very expensive--We met one couple who rented a room in Moscow for one night and it cost them $!000, We did not pay near that--use a Russian specialist to get your hotels. Ours was very nice and was about $195. The hotel in Kiev was cheaper yet and included a delicious breakfast. Whatever you choose, I am sure you will have a fabulous time.

 

Might I enquire as to who you used to get your Moscow Hotel? We are flying in from London and are in search of good quiet hotel for two nights where we can recuperate from Jet leg from Toronto; before we join our Uniworld Tour

 

Thank you

[DGF]

Last spring, my wife and I took the Uniworld trip up the Volga from Rostov-on-Don to Moscow. The ship was the Litvinov, and it was in excellent condition. Uniworld chartered the entire ship, so there were only about 85 of us on a ship that could hold more tnan 300. The on-board tour director and her three assistants were very helpful and knowledgable. I found all the stops very interesting. You can find my photos here:

 

http://members5.clubphoto.com/d366398/owner-6059-1.phtml

 

 

Dick

 

We are making bookings on the same boat for Sept, 07- Moscow to St. Petersburg. Any advice, recommendations you can provide us would be greatly appreciated- i.e. cabins and location on board

[smallworld]

Good morning,

 

The MS Anastasia is probably the newest ship on the Russian waters. Its christening will be the last week of May (2006). Concerning the age of the ship. Under Russian law, foreign cruise lines are not allowed to build new ships. What AVALON did was buy an older ship, strip it completely and rebuild it western style. I have seen the design (I will be the cruise Director) and it looks really fantastic.

For whichever cruise you choose, I hope you will enjoy Russia.

 

 

I have been waiting for the launch of the Anastasia for two years. Today I called Avalon and they told me they would probably not have a Russian River cruise in 2007. They did not seem to want to volunteer any additional information.

 

I was wondering if you know anything? Has the deal fallen through? Will the Anastasia sail under some other company, i.e. Amadeus?

 

I would really like to take a Russian River cruise, but after sailing on one of Avalon's new ships on the Danube I am a little spoiled. I like the larger, cleaner, and more modern cabins.

 

Thanks

[Coral]

I have been waiting for the launch of the Anastasia for two years. Today I called Avalon and they told me they would probably not have a Russian River cruise in 2007. They did not seem to want to volunteer any additional information.

 

I was wondering if you know anything? Has the deal fallen through? Will the Anastasia sail under some other company, i.e. Amadeus?

 

I would really like to take a Russian River cruise, but after sailing on one of Avalon's new ships on the Danube I am a little spoiled. I like the larger, cleaner, and more modern cabins.

 

Thanks

 

I called also. They said 2008 would be the earliest sailing date. They said "Russian Paperwork" is delaying the ship. They used the name "Imperial Waterways" in reference to MS Anasasia - would they be chartering the boat through Imperial Waterways?