River cruising in Russia is synonymous with the Volga River. At close to 2,300 miles in length the Volga is a mighty river, made famous in music and literature, which cuts through the heartland of Russia. And even though it flows through central Russia, geographically it is considered to be the largest and longest river in Europe, and the 15th longest in the world. Originating in the hills northwest of Moscow, the Volga flows east for several hundred miles before making a sharp turn to the south where it ultimately empties into the Caspian Sea.
Interestingly enough, although cruise companies have always marketed cruises in Russia as on the Volga, the two major ports of St. Petersburg and Moscow are not on the river itself. St. Petersburg is connected to the Volga by a series of waterways including the Svir and Neva rivers and the two largest lakes in Europe, Lake Onega and Lake Ladoga. Moscow is actually on the river of the same name and is connected to the Volga by a canal constructed in the 1930’s by prisoners of the harsh Soviet Gulag system.
TRAVEL ALERT.
Russia's Volga River voyages are extremely limited at this time; cruises on Ukraine's Dnieper River have been cancelled. Please call and speak to one of our cruise experts to find out if any sailings are available on the Volga River – 1.855.255.1200.
Most river cruises on the Volga and its associated waterways average 12 to 13 days. Actual cruising time is usually 5 or 6 nights with the rest of the time spent on the ship which will be docked in St. Petersburg and Moscow before and after the cruise. This works out well as the ship is a great base from which to explore these two fascinating cities and remember on a Russian River cruise, all your sightseeing is included in your price. One thing to know, though, is that the river cruise ships do NOT dock in the heart of either of these two cities — in fact, the ports are anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or an hour and a half away by bus or by metro from each cities downtown center. When not on an included shore excursion, you will have the option of going into each city either by cruise line provided shuttle service or by metro as there is a stop located near each ship. By all means use the metro — they are clean, fast, and efficient and are among the deepest subway systems in the world. I can remember going down one of the stations in St. Petersburg — the escalator kept going and going! I found out later that we were more than a football field underground!
So what will you see on your river cruise? Of course you will experience all the well-known landmarks, from the UNESCO World Heritage Red Square in Moscow, where you will see the Kremlin, Lenin’s tomb, and the magnificently colored onion domed Saint Basil’s Cathedral, to the historic center of St. Petersburg with its canals and over 400 bridges, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Between these two cities you will cruise and explore the Russian heartland including the “Golden Ring” cities of Uglich, known for the richness of its cultural treasures such as the Transfiguration Cathedral and the Church of St. Dmitri, and Yaroslavl with its historic city center, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a more in-depth understanding of the sights and sounds of a Russian river cruise, please take a few moments to read the Russia destination article.
Do you like picnics? I know I do. Well then you are in for a treat. Most river cruise programs include a traditional Russian Shashlik picnic lunch as a shore excursion. More than just shish kebab, this delicious treat of mouth-watering marinated meats is cooked by roasted on skewers a blazing fire. The setting, usually near the reconstructed traditional 18th-century village of Mandrogi, makes this a special pleasure and a wonderful photo opportunity. Oh, and don’t forget to try the vodka – the real stuff, not what you get from your local liquor store!
To travel along the lakes and rivers of Russia is to travel a land steeped in history, tradition, music, and literature. From your deluxe stateroom or suite you will get to know a bit more about this country that so often has been at odds with the rest of the world. A river cruise in Russia is a magical opportunity to experience the stunning architecture and unique cultural heritage, see diverse and unique wildlife, and savor the rural flavor that make up this land that its people call Mother Russia.
A Russian river cruise is for anyone, irrespective of your previous river cruise experience. If you have roots in this part of the world, enjoy sensational architectural photography (onion domes), are a modern history or art buff, a Russian River cruise on the Volga is for you. Do note that the sailing season on the Volga is much shorter than other destinations, from mid May through September.
Most of the major lines such as Emerald Waterways, Scenic, Uniworld, and Viking are now offering EXCEPTIONAL SAVINGS on all Russian river cruises. Call one of our Premier Experts to ensure you are booked on the right cruise line and itinerary for you.
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Unless otherwise noted, prices and offers are in USD, cruise only per person, based on double occupancy and do not include airfare, taxes or fees. The displayed prices are based on minimum category riverview window stateroom and applicable only to the sailing date(s) shown. Prices for other dates may vary based on the date and stateroom selected. Other than “Hot Deal” offers, price does not reflect any cruise line or Premier savings. Where Premier includes “prepaid tips” in an offer, it applies only to the cruise portion of the trip and not any land portion or shore excursions. To obtain the best price, please use the "Get Quote" button or call one of our river cruise and small ship cruise specialists. Certain discounts or prices may require full payment at the time of booking in order to be eligible. We urge you to book early as river and small ship cruises sell out almost a year in advance. Prices and availability may change without notice and are not guaranteed until a deposit is received and applied to your reservation. Call 1-855-255-1200, for complete details. We reserve the right to correct any informational or typographical errors. ©2010-2023 Premier River Cruises, LLC, a Travel of America Company. All rights reserved worldwide. CST #1015320-40.
