Russian River Cruise

KREMLIN MOSCOW

MS VASILYI SURIKOV

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

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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

Welcome to St. Petersburg! Upon your arrival, meet our guides in the hall after exiting customs, and transfer to your floating hotel for check in. This evening meet your Cruise Director for an information meeting followed by dinner and a well-deserved overnight.

After breakfast, board your bus for full day tour of this magnificent city! One of the most beautiful in the world, the city 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”.

The morning is reserved for a 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 of 365 rooms and features an amazing collection of art dating from the early Greek to modern times! Pay special note to originals by old masters such as da Vinci, Rembrandt and Rafael. After a break for lunch (lunch box provided) continue on to your…

Panorama City sightseeing 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 Tzars 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 burial site of Russian Tzars, will end the tour on a high note. (*NOTE: Programs may be operated in reverse depending on Hermitage availability)

Optional Canal cruise: If taking the optional canal cruise, enjoy a *boxed lunch while cruising the magnificent canals through the city center.

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.

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 to visit to the enchanting gardens of Peterhof Palace, with 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. (Must be pre-purchased)

Tonight, as the ship prepares to sail, enjoy a welcome cocktail, safety briefing and introduction to your Captain and Crew as you bid St. Petersburg goodbye and sail on into the sunset!

After breakfast, take a walking tour through this authentic replica of a 19th century Russian Village. Afterwards instead of lunch on board, you will enjoy a unique picnic lunch riverside! The Russian shashlik (kebob) barbecue will be accompanied with entertainment provided by our on-board musicians. Then, be sure to visit the unique Vodka Museum featuring over 2500 varieties of Russia’s national drink! (In case of unforeseeable bad weather, the lunch will be served on board).

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!”.On board activities will include a blini and caviar tasting and a folk show performed by our on board entertainers!

On board activities and lectures in the morning. This afternoon, stop at a typical small Russian village along the Sheksna river. Here you will visit an authentic farm house where your host, Baba Valya (Grandma Valya) will welcome you and show you around her home!

Founded by Yaroslav the Wise in the 11th century, the city is one of the oldest in Russia. Its primary attractions are in the area around the main square. 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.

Walking tour of Uglich: 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, view the inside of the Transfiguration Cathedral and the outside of the Palace of Tsarevich Dmitry. Captain’s Farewell Gala Dinner.

Enjoy the views as you approach Moscow around lunchtime. 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!

PM City sightseeing by bus: A genuine introduction to this exciting city is our guided sightseeing tour by bus featuring Moscow’s major sights such as the humongous Red Square, famous St. Basil’s Cathedral and the impressive Kremlin.

Optional evening: National dance show or the romantic Moscow by Night Tour

AM Kremlin & Armory Tour: Get an inside look at the Kremlin and its fascinating Cathedrals, as well as the gargantuan Tzar Cannon and the giant Tzar Bell. Then continue on to the fabulous Armory Museum, the world renowned depository of Royal Russian riches including samples of weapons, carriages, thrones and the famous Faberge eggs.

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 an excursion to the famous Moscow Metro with a stroll down the pedestrian Arbat street.

Optional evening: National dance show or the romantic Moscow by Night Tour

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