Russian River Cruise - cabin size

[ghstudio]

We would like to take a Moscow to St Petersburg river cruise, but every time I look, the cabin sizes are very small. I seem to recall that there is a new ship being built for that river, but I can't find any info...perhaps my memory is wrong.

 

Can someone recommend a ship/company with reasonable size cabins on that river (we don't want a suite...just a larger cabin with at least a French balcony).

 

Hopefully it's not Viking....I refuse to pay in full a year or more in advance.

[Talisker92]

Dear gh,

We are booked on Vantage's Tolstoy in September.The standard cabins are 103 Sq ft, and the junior suites are 166 sq ft. We opted for the jr. suite, even though it is more expensive.

You can Google the ship name and get the pictures and cabin layouts.

We will be spending 3 days each in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

One caution-which ever cruise line you select, make sure they put you up in hotels in both cities like Vantage does. Many lines have you on the ship the whole time. The ships are not docked near the city center, and it makes for long bus rides each day.

For more information, do a search for 4774Papa, who did an in depth review of the cruise.

We are always happy to answer any questions you have.

[jacksonnh]

I believe Viking's new russian ships start at 140 sq ft.

[beverlyjack]

When we sailed with Grand Circle in 2004, the cabins we tiny. They used a Russian charter that year, the Nikolai Cherneychevski. Over the next 2 years they bought and totally refitted 2 sister ships of the Nikolai Cherneychevski, the Tihki Don and the Rossia. I believe that thye gutted all of the cabins and made 2 cabins out of every 3. Here is the information on the Tkhi Don. http://www.gct.com/Find-Trips/River-Cruises/Our-Fleet/MS-Tikhi-Don.aspx. Despite the small cabins, it was a wonderful trip. We would be glad to answer any questions that we can.

[laverendrye]

The four Viking ships have been refurbished again since I travelled in 2010 on the Viking Kirov (now the Truvor), and even then the cabins were quite nicely furnished (not the old fold-down beds still found in some of the Russian river ships). However I agree that paying a year in advance is just too much.

 

You might want to look at the Uniworld River Victoria--many of the cabins have full balconies and are over 200 sq. ft. Having cruised with Uniworld three times now it is my preferred line.

[id4elizabeth]

We were on the River Victoria last June and had a Jr Suite. The room was quite large with plenty of room for the beds to be split apart into twins. There was a huge space at the foot of the bed, not like most room layouts - so that you were never in each other's way. A large desk area that was on the other side of the room from the beds and a good sized marble bath with heated towel rack. Nice large shower with glass door. Double wide, deep private balcony, which we didn't use much in Moscow or St Pete but was VERY nice when cruising on the river. Jr suites are all near the elevator and stairs. Best accommodations we've had on a cruise ship. And the cruise/excursions/food was great - all better than we expected.

[Rxgrad98]

We would like to take a Moscow to St Petersburg river cruise, but every time I look, the cabin sizes are very small. I seem to recall that there is a new ship being built for that river, but I can't find any info...perhaps my memory is wrong.

 

Can someone recommend a ship/company with reasonable size cabins on that river (we don't want a suite...just a larger cabin with at least a French balcony).

 

We were also on the River Victoria last year, in May 2012. It was our first river cruise and one of the best trips we've been on. Our room was only 135 sq. ft., but we didn't have any issues - granted, we weren't in the room that much. You won't find French balconies in Russia - all of the ships are pretty much the same design. Some companies have refurbished the ships and added balconies - Uniworld, Viking, AMA, & Scenic. They also have hotel style beds, even in the lowest categories. After experiencing the Moscow and St. Petersburg traffic, I will admit that the idea of centrally located hotels for the city stays is very appealing.

 

If Viking meets your criteria, ask your travel agent if they will extend the payment due date. I have two cruises with Viking next year and I had to pay for the one in March 2014 this past May; shortly after, my parents decided they want to do the Paris & Normandy cruise November 2014 as the family vacation. I wasn't too keen on paying in full for that trip on the heels of paying in full for our cruise in March. I asked our travel agent about extending the payment due date; he said he'd request it with Viking, but usually all they would extend it was a month or two. Well, somehow our final payment date was extended to May 2014. I don't know if it's because we're past guests, we had just payed in full for our March cruise, the travel agent was good, or what. But I was thankful. Worst they can say is "no."

 

Tim

[4774Papa]

I think the Vantage basic cabins are 110 sq ft. However, you are only on the ship for seven nights. In Moscow and STP you are in five star hotel in the city center.

Before you book Viking or some other line, compare prices and what you get. Vantage is hard to beat.

 

Also, you don't spend much time in your cabin. We enjoyed the bar, lounge area, watching the countryside and river with our new friends.

[Hydrokitty]

I think the Vantage basic cabins are 110 sq ft. However, you are only on the ship for seven nights. In Moscow and STP you are in five star hotel in the city center.

Before you book Viking or some other line, compare prices and what you get. Vantage is hard to beat.

 

Also, you don't spend much time in your cabin. We enjoyed the bar, lounge area, watching the countryside and river with our new friends.

 

Listen to Papa!! We were on the Tolstoy last year and cabins were small but clean and comfortable. HUGE advantage to going with Vantage is the 3 nights in Moscow and St. Petersburg are in Hotels. Traffic in both cities is horrid and you waste several hours each day busing from ship to downtown. If at all possible I strongly recommend Kiev extension it was fantastic!!! :)