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M/S Mstislav Rostropovich Luxury Cruise (MR7)
8 days 7 nights
Cruise from Moscow to St Petersburg in 5* comfort
Capture the essence of Russia on board of MS Rostropovich, one of the most luxurious ships ever to sail the Russian waterways. The 5 star MS Rostropovich is the perfect showcase for the legendary and historic towns and rivers of Russia’s Golden Ring, between Moscow and St Petersburg.
The comfortable 4 deck vessel has 3 bars and a spacious conference hall where you can socialise with fellow passengers and share tales of your journey. While most Russian cruise vessels offer modest twin bed cabins and en suites facilities, the MS Rostropovich is equipped with a range of spacious cabins offering twin and double beds, full en suite facilities and a lift to all floors. Most cabins feature private balconies and for those without, you can enjoy the passing views of rural Russia from your large picture window. All cabins on board the MS Rostropovich are all outside facing, fully air conditioned and have private en suite facilities.
Dedicated on board guides provide a personal touch and the restaurant staff make each mealtime a pleasure. The choice at mealtimes includes vegetarian options. Highlights of this wonderful cruise include a visit to Rostov the Great with its unique historical monuments; the stunning 22 domed Transfiguration Cathedral in the picturesque town of Kizhi; and of course the hustle and bustle of Russia's magnificent capitals - Moscow and St Petersburg.
The Route
MOSCOW • Uglich • Goritsy • Kizhi • Mandrogui • ST PETERSBURG
Please select your route:
MOSCOW TO ST PETERSBURG
DAY 1, ARRIVE IN MOSCOW FOR YOUR RUSSIA RIVER CRUISE

Welcome to Russia! On arrival transfer to the MS Rostropovich, your home for the next 7 nights on our Volga River Cruise. Upon arrival there will be an information briefing on board. Enjoy your first evening aboard with dinner and entertainment in the bars. You can check in to the ship any time after 14:00h and are advised to arrive in time for the information briefing and evening entertainment.
DAY 2, MOSCOW

After breakfast on board, begin your discovery of the capital city of Russia. Join the panoramic city tour to see some of the iconic sights such as Red Square with St Basil’s cathedral and the famous red brick walls of the Kremlin. Enjoy lunch in a city centre restaurant and continue to your afternoon exploration of the Kremlin – the former residence of the Russian Tsars, discover the huge Tsar’s Cannon and Bell and visit one of the magnificent cathedrals housed within Cathedral Square. Return to the MS Rostropovich for the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail, dinner and entertainment in the bars. * Entrances included to Kremlin and 1 of the Cathedrals within the territory.
DAY 3, UGLICH
After breakfast on board the MS Rostropovich, your day will include a visit to the town of Uglich on the Volga River, first documented in 1148. The town’s historical significance is due to the suspicious death of Dmitry Ivanov, son of Ivan the Terrible. Dmitry was exiled to Uglich after his father’s death in 1584 but was found dead in questionable circumstances seven years later. The Church of St Dmitry on the Blood*, built in his memory, appears on the horizon as the ship sails towards the town and is one of the great sights to be seen in Uglich. In the evening, enjoy a Ukrainian dinner and entertainment on board. *Entrances included to Church of St Dmitry on the Blood, Transfiguration Cathedral.
DAY 4, GORITSY

After breakfast and morning entertainment on board ship, arrival and disembark for a shore excursion to Goritsy, a tiny village settlement on the edge of the White Lake. The main attractions in Goritsy are the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery and the Goritsy Nunnery. The Monastery of St. Cyril* was founded in 1397 and is an impressive ensemble of priories, churches and historical references. The Goritsy Nunnery is much smaller than the Monastery and was founded later in 1544. Evening Russian style dinner and entertainment on board ship. * Entrances included to the Church and Museum of Icons at the Monastery of St Cyril.
DAY 5, KIZHI

After breakfast and morning entertainment on board, disembark to visit the Island of Kizhi located in Lake Onega. The island has been made famous due to the collection of wooden churches with the centrepiece, the 22 domed Church of the Transfiguration, built completely without the use of nails. The Island has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the highlight of any Russia river cruise. Return to the boat for a pirate themed dinner, followed by entertainment on board. * Entrances included to the open air museum of wooden architecture and a visit to a typical Korelian House.
DAY 6, MANDROGUI

Breakfast and the Captain’s Farewell dinner are served on board today with a traditional Russian BBQ lunch taken in the historical village of Mandrogui, located to the north of St Petersburg on the shores of the River Svir. The village is a representation of traditional Russian life with wooden buildings, a vodka museum and craft centre. Visitors can also see local recipes being made and visit the farms which are tended by the local villagers. Relax and enjoy your evening on board with the ship’s Gala Concert. Here you may visit the museum of Vodka, paying a local entrance fee of approx. €5 per person.
DAY 7, ST PETERSBURG

After breakfast on board, prepare to explore the wonderful city of St Petersburg on our panoramic city tour. The tour by coach will take in some of the most famous sights including the Exchange, Palace Square and the magnificent Winter Palace, St Isaac’s Cathedral, Cathedral of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood and Nevsky Prospekt, the city’s main thoroughfare. Included is a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress* and also the world-renowned Hermitage museum*. A magnificent collection of art is housed in the winter palace of Catherine the Great. One of the biggest museums in the world and founded in 1764, its collection includes over 2.7 million items. Return to the ship for dinner on board. * Entrances included to Peter and Paul Fortress and the Hermitage Museum.
DAY 8, FINAL DAY ON MS ROSTROPOVICH

Enjoy breakfast at leisure on board ship prior to your departure transfer to the airport.
If you wish, extra days in St Petersburg can be arranged. Get in touch with our destination managers for a quote.
ST PETERSBURG TO MOSCOW
DAY 1, ST PETERSBURG

You can pre-book a transfer from airport or rail station to the MS Rostropovich, your home for the next 7 nights on our Russia River Cruise. Upon arrival there will be an information briefing on board. Enjoy your first evening aboard with dinner and entertainment in the bars.
DAY 2, ST PETERSBURG

After breakfast on board, prepare to explore the wonderful city of St Petersburg on our panoramic city tour. The tour by coach will take in some of the most famous sights including the Exchange, Palace Square and the magnificent Winter Palace, St Isaac’s Cathedral, Cathedral of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood and Nevsky Prospekt, the city’s main thoroughfare. Included is to the world-renowned Hermitage museum. A magnificent collection of art is housed in the winter palace of Catherine the Great. One of the biggest museums in the world and founded in 1764, its collection includes over 2.7 million items. Return to the ship for dinner on board. * Entrances included to Peter and Paul Fortress and Hermitage Museum
DAY 3, MANDROGUI

After breakfast on board, today’s tour includes a traditional Russian BBQ lunch taken in the historical village of Mandrogui, located to the north of St Petersburg on the shores of the River Svir. The village is a representation of traditional Russian life with wooden buildings, a vodka museum and craft centre. Visitors can also see local recipes being made and visit the farms which are tended by the local villagers. Relax and enjoy your evening on board with the ship’s Gala Concert.
DAY 4, KIZHI

After breakfast and morning entertainment on board, disembark to visit the Island of Kizhi located in Lake Onega. The island has been made famous due to the collection of wooden churches with the centrepiece, the 22 domed Church of the Transfiguration, built completely without the use of nails. The Island has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the highlight of any Russian river cruise. Return to the boat for a pirate themed dinner, followed by entertainment on board. * Entrances included to the open air museum of wooden architecture and a visit to a typical Korelian House.
DAY 5, GORITSY

After breakfast and morning entertainment on board ship, arrival and disembark for a shore excursion to Goritsy, a tiny village settlement on the edge of the White Lake. The main attractions in Goritsy are the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery and the Goritsy Nunnery. The Monastery of St. Cyril* was founded in 1397 and is an impressive ensemble of priories, churches and historical references. The Goritsy Nunnery is much smaller than the Monastery and was founded later in 1544. Evening Russian style dinner and entertainment on board ship. * Entrances included to the Church and Museum of Icons at the Monastery of St Cyril.
DAY 6, UGLICH
After breakfast on board the MS Rostropovich, your day will include a visit to the town of Uglich on the Volga River, first documented in 1148. The town’s historical significance is due to the suspicious death of Dmitry Ivanov, son of Ivan the Terrible. Dmitry was exiled to Uglich after his father’s death in 1584 but was found dead in questionable circumstances seven years later. The Church of St Dmitry on the Blood*, built in his memory, appears on the horizon as the ship sails towards the town and is one of the great sights to be seen in Uglich. In the evening, enjoy a Ukrainian dinner and entertainment on board.
* Entrances included
DAY 7, MOSCOW

After breakfast, the ship arrives in Moscow. After lunch onboard, you begin your discovery of the capital city of Russia. Join the panoramic city tour to see some of the iconic sights such as Red Square with St Basil’s cathedral and the famous red brick walls of the Kremlin. Continue your exploration of the Kremlin, the former residence of the Russian Tsars, discover the huge Tsar’s Cannon and Bell and visit one of the magnificent cathedrals housed within Cathedral Square. Return to the MS Rostropovich for the final night’s dinner and entertainment. * Entrances included to Kremlin and 1 of the Cathedrals within the territory.
DAY 8, FINAL DAY ON MS ROSTROPOVICH

Enjoy breakfast at leisure on board ship prior to your departure transfer to the airport. If you wish, extra days in Moscow can be arranged. Get in touch with our destination managers for a quote.
M/S Mstislav Rostropovich
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VESSEL FEATURES
• “Symphony” Bar and Restaurant • Tea and Coffee Station • “Opera” Restaurant • “Maestro” Conference Hall and Movie Theatre • “River Melody” Bar and Lounge • Outside bar • Lift Access | • Solarium with loungers • Gymnasium • Medical Centre • Reception • Souvenir Shop • Ironing Room • Smoking Areas |
Cabins 400-406, 408, 409-415, 417 are equipped with private facilities, air conditioning, 220 volt socket. The cabin is furnished with two separate beds (can be joined), bedside tables, console mirror, chair, wardrobe, TV, fridge, radio, telephone, hair dryer and safe.
Cabins 407, 416 are equipped with private facilities, air conditioning, 220 volt socket. The cabin is furnished with two separate beds (can be joined), bedside tables, console mirror, chair, wardrobe, TV, fridge, radio, telephone, hair dryer and safe.
Cabins 300-307, 311, 313-320, 324 are equipped with private facilities, air conditioning, 220 volt socket. The cabin is furnished with two separate beds (can be joined), bedside tables, console mirror, chair, wardrobe, TV, fridge, radio, telephone, hair dryer and safe.
Cabins 308, 321 are equipped with private facilities, air conditioning, 220 volt socket. The cabin is furnished with two separate beds (can be joined), bedside tables, console mirror, chair, wardrobe, TV, fridge, radio, telephone, hair dryer and safe.
Cabins 309, 310, 322, 323 are equipped with private facilities, air conditioning, 220 volt socket. The cabin is furnished with two separate beds (can be joined), bedside tables, console mirror, chair, wardrobe, TV, fridge, radio, telephone, hair dryer and safe.
Cabins 312, 325 are equipped with private facilities, air conditioning, 220 volt socket. The cabin is furnished with two separate beds (can be joined) or double bed, bedside tables, console mirror, chair, wardrobe, TV, fridge, radio, telephone, hair dryer and safe.
All Packages Include:
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Onboard guides’ services during the cruise (French, Italian, English, German, Spanish-speaking)
• Excursion program detailed in the cruise itinerary (optional tours are available onboard)
• Daily international entertainment on board: concerts, lessons, master classes, movies, welcome “Bread and salt” ceremony, captain’s cocktail and dinner
• Use of the earphones daily
• Port tax
• Use of cabin safe
• Official visa invitations
• Full visa support
Not Included:
• International flights (you may choose an option with flights included)
• Luggage handling onboard the ship
• Travel insurance
• Optional excursions (available on board)
• Gratuities (10 € per person per day)
• Personal expenses
• Cabin numbers are provided 7 days before the cruise, or at £50 supplement per person per cruise when booking
Included meals:
• Full board, three meals per day (from the dinner on the arrival day to the breakfast on the departure day): breakfast and lunch are buffet style,
dinner is with fixed menu and preliminary order, BBQ outdoors in Mandrogui (instead of lunch onboard, subject to the weather forecast)
• Water is included for all meals at the restaurant plus daily in a cabin (1 bottle 0.33ml per person), one glass of house wine per person for each
dinner
• Coffee-station for early risers
• Welcome “Bread and salt” ceremony (arrival day), Welcome cocktail (hereon the start of the navigation), Russian, Slavic and Pirate thematic
dinners as well as Welcome dinner onboard, Captain's farewell dinner with a special menu, Cocktail Party
More details about catering:
• Breakfast onboard is buffet style. Water in pitches is provided for breakfast on the table. Buffet line offers cocoa, milk, juice in assortment, as well
as numerous hot and cold dishes to guest’s choice. Tea/coffee is served to the table.
• Lunch onboard is buffet style. Water in pitches is provided for lunch on the table, while tea/coffee is served to the table.
• Dinner onboard is served according to the menu: Starte, Main course (a choice of 3 dishes: meat or fish or vegetarian), Dessert (3 variants to
choose from). Water in pitches as well as 1 glass of red/white wine or juice is provided for each dinner. Tea/coffee is served to the table.
• NB During stay in Moscow and St. Petersburg the menu is fixed (no choice of dishes). During the navigation days of the cruise the choice of main
course/dessert is provided – the guests choose the dishes for next day each previous day.
• 1 bottle of still water (0.33l per person per day) is provided in cabins
• There is a coffee-station onboard the ship available for guests from 06:00 am till 07:00 pm (which includes coffee, decaf coffee, hot water, milk,
cocoa, packed tea, sugar, sweetener, and cookies)
The following events are organised for guests onboard the ship:
• Welcome “Bread and salt” ceremony on the embarkation day
• Welcome cocktail including 1 glass of champagne or juice per pax
• “Russian tea ceremony” with tea and Russian pies and “Vodka show” with vodka and blini tasting
• Cocktail party – once per tour – 1 cocktail to choose from 3 variants
• Captain’s dinner with upscaled menu
• Mulled wine (during cold weather)/ Ice tea (during hot weather) upon returning to ship after shore excursions.
• Any other drinks can be purchased additionally at the restaurant or at the bar onboard.
Services provided for an additionnal fee payable on board:
• Culinary Master class
• Luggage handling
• Vodka degustation with local snacks
• Sports equipement rental: bicycles, Nordic Walking Poles, folding chair canes
• Water during excursions
• Birthday greeteings celebrations
• Hairdresser service
Sports equipment rental: bicycles, Nordic walking poles, folding chair canes
PLEASE NOTE: All our website prices were always subject to live currency updates. Since recent frequent currency fluctuations, we decided to display OUR CRUISEPRICES in EURO - to stay true to you, our traveller. We no longer want to see our prices changing daily therefore we stick with Euro! Don't worry, when you make the booking we will invoice you in British pounds with the applicable daily exchange rate.
M/S Mstislav Rostropovich 5*
MOSCOW - GOLDEN RING - ST PETERSBURG 2021
ST PETERSBURG - GOLDEN RING - MOSCOW 2021
Please note:
The deposit is paid on this tour - please enquire at the booking stage
Cabin numbers are advised 7 days prior departure. 50 GBP fee is payable if you wish to pre-book a specific cabin number.
IntoRussia Ltd reserves the right to change hotels to similar ones of the same standard and change the order of excursions
Flight details:
Please speak with us to get the best prices on flights added to your tour
Extras:
If you are a group and want to add extra days or excursions, or you are looking for more independence, contact our Destination Experts for a
tailor-made package