ST. PETERSBURG

Categories Cruises River & Canal Cruises Russian River Cruises Small Ship Cruises

Images Russian River Cruise Map

Highlights

Welcome cocktail and meet the crew

On board concerts (Russian dances, folklore or similar)

On board discussions: Russia past & present, Russian Art & souvenirs, Russian Language…

On board games, dance lessons, talent show

Blini/caviar tasting with vodka/champagne

Authentic riverside BBQ with a glass of wine or soft drink

Captain’s farewell dinner with vodka/champagne

Itinerary

Upon your arrival in Moscow, please proceed through customs. transfer on own to the port for embarkation. An information meeting will either precede or follow dinner. Afterwards, enjoy your first night aboard your floating hotel. (Cruise only passengers with transfers on their own – services begin with embarkation.)

Moscow, the capital of Russia, is situated between the banks of the rivers Oka and Volga. A metropolis of 12+ million people, Moscow today is not only the seat of the Russian government but also home to many world renowned attractions.

Morning City sightseeing by bus: A half day tour of Moscow’s major highlights including the humongous Red Square, famous St. Basil’s Cathedral and other attractions. Return to the ship for lunch. The afternoon is free for optional pursuits (May be combined with the Kremlin & Armory tours in which case a boxed lunch will be provided)

Optionals: Moscow by Night Tour: A wonderful opportunity to see this magnificent city illuminated in its full glory!

*Morning Kremlin & Armory Museum Tour: Get an inside look at the Kremlin and its fascinating Cathedrals, as well as the gargantuan Tzar Cannon and the giant Tzar Bell. Continue to the Armory Museum located within the Kremlin Grounds, the renowned depository of Royal Russian riches including samples of weapons, carriages, thrones and the famous Faberge eggs. .(*If provided the previous day, this day will be free for optional pursuits and independent activities.)

The balance of the day is free to explore some more on your own or to join one of the optional excursions offered by our cruise managers such as the famous Moscow Metro and Arbat Street.

Welcome drink and Crew Introduction: Meet the Captain and Crew and enjoy a drink on the sun deck (weather permitting) as you set sail on your wonderful Volga adventure in the late afternoon.

Walking tour of Uglich: Visit Russia’s second oldest city (only one year younger than Moscow). The city is famous for the more troubled and violent side of Russian history. It was here that the Russian crown prince Dimitri was assassinated, which eventually led to Boris Godunov ascending the Russian throne. Here, on the banks of the Volga, you can also find a rich collection of Russian Orthodox architecture which you will get to see, including an inside visit to the Transfiguration Cathedral, the Palace of Tsarevich Dmitry and others. Some free time for browsing and shopping of local souvenirs. Then, back on board, enjoy various activities from games to lectures organized by our wonderful on board staff.

Founded by Yaroslav the Wise in the 11th century, the city also ranks as one of the oldest in Russia. Its primary attractions are in the area around the main square with the church of Elijah the Prophet .Your city tour will include a visit to the Transfiguration of the Savior Monastery dating from the 13th century and the Church of Elijah the Prophet. On board, our activities will be highlighted with a folk concert by our on board entertainers!

This morning, stop at a typical small rural Russian village along the Sheksna River, a tributary of the Volga. Here you will visit an authentic village house where your host, Baba Valya (Grandma Valya) will welcome you and show you around her home! In the afternoon, as the ship continues sailing upstream, enjoy a Caviar tasting party on board, featuring blini pancakes with vodka, champagne and red caviar!

Take a leisurely walking tour of this fairy tale island, situated in the northern part of Lake Onega. Kizhi is unique as the site of an outdoor museum which represents the picturesque rural wooden architecture of the region. Its most famous landmark, the Church of Transfiguration with its 22 cupolas, is an outstanding masterpiece of wooden architecture. Not only is it constructed without a single nail or piece of iron, but the only tools that were used for its construction were chisels and axes. Legend says that Master Nestor, who built the church, threw away his tools when the work was finished saying, “This church was built by Master Nestor. There is no church like this in the world and there will never be one again!”

After breakfast, explore on foot, this replica of an authentic 19th century Russian Village. Instead of lunch on board, you will enjoy a unique riverside picnic lunch in the village setting! The Russian shashlik barbecue will be accompanied with entertainment by our on-board musicians (In case of unforeseeable bad weather, the lunch will be served on board). Then, be sure to visit the unique Vodka Museum featuring over 2500 varieties of Russia’s national drink! But that’s not all! As you continue sailing in the afternoon, prepare for our Farewell Captain’s Gala Dinner as you approach our final destination, gorgeous St. Petersburg!

This morning arrive to St. Petersburg. This city, one of the most beautiful in the world, is located on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, in the delta of the river Neva. There are 65 rivers and canals flowing through St. Petersburg, as well as 42 islands. Peter the Great founded the city in 1703 and from 1712 until 1918 it was the capital of the Russian Empire. With over five million inhabitants, it is the second largest city in Russia and because of its many canals, bridges and architectural beauty, St. Petersburg is often referred to as the “Venice of the North”.

City sightseeing tour by coach: Get to know this truly magnificent city during your morning city tour which will guide you past Nevsky Prospect, St Isaac’s Cathedral, The Cathedral of our Lady of Kazan, the Admiralty Building, Palace Square with the residence of Russian czars known as the “Winter Palace”, the “Bronze Horseman” monument to Peter the Great, Smolny Monastery, the cruiser Aurora, and the fascinating bridges over the river Neva which are raised every night in order to enable the passage of ships sailing to the Baltics. An inside tour of Peter and Paul Fortress and the burial site of Russian Tzars, will end the tour on a high note. Return to the ship for lunch and the balance of the day is at leisure.

Optional Canal cruise: Enjoy a wonderful 1 hour glide through the canals of the central part of the city where you can marvel at the architecture, the sights and sounds from a different perspective!

Optional Evening Cultural Performance: End your day with an optional cultural performance (ballet/theater/folklore or similar) available for purchase on board.

Tour of the Hermitage Museum, one of the greatest museums of the world! Located within the 1000+ room Winter Palace, the Hermitage boasts of over 3 million artifacts spread out over 365 rooms and featuring an amazing collection of art dating from the early Greek to modern times! Pay special note to the old master originals of da Vinci, Rembrandt, Rafael and others. After the tour, return to the ship for lunch or partake in an optional tour available for purchase on board.

Optional Evening Cultural Performance: End your day with an optional cultural performance (ballet/theater/folklore or similar) available for purchase on board.

Today is a full free day to explore the sights and sounds of St Petersburg on your own, or to take advantage of one of our optional tours such as the highly recommended Palace Combo Tour* (Palace Tour must be pre-purchased with your cruise to reserve and guarantee entrance tickets – estimated cost $110 pp).

Optional PALACE TOUR: The morning features an excursion to Pushkin, the former village of the Russian royalty. Here you will tour the impressive Catherine’s Palace, including the fabulous Amber Room. Then continue on to Peterhof Palace to visit the enchanting gardens featuring magnificent views of the Baltic Sea and its famous fountains powered only by the force of gravity. A boxed lunch will be provided for this full day program.

Optional Evening Cultural Performance: End your day with an optional cultural performance (ballet/theater/folklore or similar) available for purchase on board.

Bid your crew and fellow passengers goodbye as you disembark and transfer to the airport for your flights home. (Cruise only passengers who have not purchased transfers through us – services end with breakfast.)

Notes