Russian River Cruises - Are They Worth The Money?
If you are planning a European river cruise then you obviously have a number of fantastic rivers, and corresponding ports of call to choose from. Whether it is the exotic Danube, the Rhine with its magnificent castles, the Seine, the Elbe, or Italy’s Po River the many sights and the incredible cultural and historical significance of each of these regions is something that every traveler should experience. However, in recent years vacationers to Europe have been increasingly drawn to another part of Europe: Russia, and Russian river cruises have grown immensely in popularity over the past several years. Russia has incredible history and beauty and one of the most adventurous and economical ways to see it is by cruising the Volga River.
The cost of lodging in Russia has gone sky-high in recent years, and this increased cost has acted as a deterrent to many travelers who otherwise would love to visit the country. This is just one of the reasons why Russian river cruises have gained so much in popularity in such a short period of time. Your hotel is with you the whole time, and the cost broken down on a per night basis is significantly less than a comparable hotel and rental car would be. This isn’t even including the fantastic meals and the world class entertainment that you will enjoy on your voyage.
For those worried about the potential of language barrier problems while visiting Russia taking a cruise has another perk. Every time you put ashore to take a tour you will have the benefit of a multilingual guide who can help you interact with the local populace while showing you the magnificent sights of the country itself. You can concentrate on enjoying the tour rather than stewing in frustration at your inability to communicate.
Just these facts alone make a Russian river cruise easily worth the money you will spend, but this is just a taste of the value you can expect for your hard-earned dollars. You can see the sights of world famous cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, visit the legendary Suyumbike Tower in Kazan city and explore the magnificent Church of Saint Dmitry on the Blood in Uglich.
Now that we’ve established some of the highlights of your shore excursions, what about the ship itself? A big part of any European river cruise is the experience onboard. Well, you can rest assured that your time aboard your river boat will be just as enjoyable as your time spent on land.
Many companies offer river cruises in Russia, but arguably the most popular is Uniworld. This popular tour company has been in business for better than 30 years, and offers cruises all over Europe, and even in China and Egypt. With Uniworld you will cruise in style aboard the m.s. Litnivov, a luxury vessel equipped to carry as many as 220 passengers. Though the Litnivov, like most river cruisers, doesn’t offer the same variety of amenities as the ocean vessels that travel the Mediterranean or Baltic Seas, it is still luxurious, with comfortable, clean, well-appointed cabins and a few deluxe suites that offer incredible views with their floor to ceiling windows. The boat features two restaurants, a beauty salon, shops, a library and 3 bars and lounges. You can expect formal dining on at least two nights during the cruise, and entertainment, usually in the form of local musicians, will follow dinner.
All in all a Russian river cruise offers phenomenal value for the money, especially when compared to what you would pay if you were hoteling on your own. If you have always wanted to see Russia then I can’t imagine a better way to do so.
Related posts:
- Cruise Shore Excursions - Are They Worth The Money?
- Volga River Cruise - See Russia In Luxury
- All Inclusive Cruises - Are They Worth The Money?
- Best European River Cruises - Which One To Choose?
- A Seine River Cruise - What Are The Highlights?
Filed under: Cruise Reviews, European River Cruises, Planning a Cruise, Shore Excursions