Viking Footsteps of the Cossacks

We have just returned from Viking's Footsteps of the Cossacks in Ukraine. It was a truly wonderful cruise. We sailed the first week of June from Kiev to Odessa.

First impressions: the ship (Lomonosov) is lovely, public areas bright and cheerful with modern decor and lots of mirrors. Our stateroom (CX) was nice and bright but small. Lots of shelves, cupboards and electrical outlets. Also a refrigerator and TV. Bathroom larger than expected. There are two laptop computers in the Library which can be used to access the internet, or you can use your own IPad, Notebook, etc. You get 6 hrs. of free time using a special log in which can be refreshed as needed.

The included city tours - Kiev, Zaporozhye, Kherson, Sevastopol, Yalta and Odessa - were very comprehensive. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable Buses modern and air conditioned.

We took several optional tours - Babi Yar in Kiev, Chersonesus, Balaklava Panorama Museum and the Naval Fleet Band performance in Sevastopol. In Odessa we were able to purchase opera tickets on our own and shared a taxi to the Theater, which is a MUST SEE.

Food was wonderful - Continental Breakfast or buffet/menu service split between the two restaurants. Lunch was also buffet/menu service and featured about 12-14 different salad items plus a hot appetizer choice, then soup and/or main course and dessert. Salad choices at lunch varied daily. Dinner was menu service only. Usually a regional specialty, fish or vegetarian main course. There are also "always available" items like salmon and steak.

In short, we loved it and our only regret was that it was not a few days longer. We were so busy on tours (included and optional) that we would have loved additional time to explore Kiev, Sevastopol, Yalta and Odessa on our own.

Would be glad to answer any questions. Marsha

Glad you had a good time on your cruise.

I do have a few questions.

Can you get free juices during the day or just coffee/tea?

I know river cruises usually do not have alot of evening entertainment but what did they have on our cruise?

What places could you walk around safely and close to the ship in the evening?

Good places for handicrafts and crocheting for souvenirs in Ukraine?

Thanks

Glad you had a good time on your cruise.

I do have a few questions.

Can you get free juices during the day or just coffee/tea?

I know river cruises usually do not have alot of evening entertainment but what did they have on our cruise?

What places could you walk around safely and close to the ship in the evening?

Good places for handicrafts and crocheting for souvenirs in Ukraine?

 

Thanks

1) Yes, there are several juice choices at breakfast and your waitress will provide juice if requested at other meals. Additionally, the wonderful beverage station has orange juice in the a.m. plus coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cappuccino, mocha latte, etc. as self serve 24/7. Also pastries in the a.m. and cookies in the afternoon.

2) There were some evening activities/entertainment and a number of daytime special events. The house band was terrific but most folk were tired and not many stayed up too late dancing. There was pirate night, a staff show, Ukranian sing-along, music trivia (I won a bottle of champagne), a vodka tasting and probably a few other things I'm forgetting.

3) We felt safe walking around in Sevastopol, Yalta and Odessa. There was lots of activity on shore. We were sailing in the evening at other ports of call.

4) Lovely craft markets at various stops - your guides will steer you to the best places. We were especially taken by the hand quilted designs on aprons and mini-purses, small lovely oil paintings sold by the artist and other hand-made items. Prices were VERY reasonable. They seemed to appear wherever our buses stopped - trust your guide, she won't steer you wrong. Other souvenir items could be found everywhere.

P.S. Daytime activities included cooking demonstrations, enrichment lectures, bridge tour, on-deck Bar-b-q lunch, sail away parties, Ukranian Tea party, language lesson, and shopping discussion/special event.

Note of explanation - As the guides use it, the term craft market refers to artists selling their own creations (paintings, embroidery, needlework, jewelry, etc.) while the term souvenir shops refers to mass produced items.

If you haven't already seen it, you might enjoy Peregrina's thread on this cruise in the "Other Cruise Lines" section.

If you haven't already seen it, you might enjoy Peregrina's thread on this cruise in the "Other Cruise Lines" section.

Yes, the conversation continues.