Wanted to visit Moscow & St Petersburg so went on line and found this ship. Booked direct Russian visa no problem (but cost AUD130 pp). Met at Moscow airport, taken to hotel (Regis, excellent) for two nights. The two days were sightseeing Moscow - all the usual places, Kremlin, Palaces, St Basil's, etc. Guide very good. Then taken to ship - only about 100pax, of several nationalities (important to us that they were not all Australian). Ship very comfortable; cabins quite adequate; food excellent (5* equivalent). Not drinkers so booze not important but reasonably priced, we understand. Crew was to a person, polite and helpful. The waitstaff English was as good as mine.
Cruise down the Volga was truly fascinating - something very different, eg, passing thick forest which had, we were told bears and wolves! Plus crossing the biggest lakes - shoreline well out of sight.Lots of locks for pix and visits to tiny villages (wooden houses, etc) to keep up interest. Excellent lecture program from Professor Ludmilla on Russian history. She pulled no punches! Other, more domestic, entertainment was on offer. Interesting visit to the bridge, where the captain (Putin lookalike) gave us a run-down on how the ship worked - all in Russian, with the cruise director translating, though we all suspected his English would have been good, too.
Crew was to a person, polite and helpful. The waitstaff's English was as good as mine.
Response from Dmitry E, VP Sales & Marketing
Not particularly flash, but neat, clean and well looked-after. Slept like logs, which is all I ask for.