River Cruises to Russia and Ukraine, toll Free: 1-866-505CRUISE

Moscow - Astrakhan (15 Days and 14 Nights)

Cruise Summary:

  • Ship: MS Volga Dream
  • Days/Nights: 15/14
  • SUN DECK
  • $6,200 - Superior Junior Suite (per person)
    $5,075 - Twin (per person)
    $5,075 - Single (per person)

  • PROMENADE DECK
  • $7,990 - Owner's Suite (per person)
    $5,560 - Deluxe Junior Suite (per person)
    $4,190 - Double (per person)
    $4,190 - Single (per person)

  • MAIN DECK
  • $2,855 - Twin (per person)
  • CABIN DECK
  • $1,670 - Twin (per person)


  • Days/Nights: 8/7
  • SUN DECK
  • $5,170 - Superior Junior Suite (per person)
    $4,230 - Twin (per person)
    $4,230 - Single (per person)

  • PROMENADE DECK
  • $6,670 - Owner's Suite (per person)
    $4,630 - Deluxe Junior Suite (per person)
    $3,490 - Double (per person)
    $3,490 - Single (per person)

  • MAIN DECK
  • $2,380 - Twin (per person)
  • CABIN DECK
  • $1,390 - Twin (per person)
All Cruise Dates:
Moscow - Moscow:
May 08, 2009 - May 17, 2009 (10 Day)
St.Petersburg - Moscow:
June 29, 2009 - July 06, 2009 (8 Day)
July 13, 2009 - July 20, 2009 (8 Day)
July 30, 2009 - August 06, 2009 (8 Day)
August 13, 2009 - August 20, 2009 (8 Day)
August 29, 2009 - September 04, 2009 (8 Day)
Moscow - St.Petersburg:
July 22, 2009 - July 29, 2009 (8 Day)
August 06, 2009 - August 13, 2009 (8 Day)
August 20, 2009 - August 27, 2009 (8 Day)
September 05, 2009 - September 12, 2009 (8 Day)
Moscow - Astrakhan:
September 21, 2009 - October 04, 2009 (15 Day)
Moscow - St.Petersburg:
October 05, 2009 - October 18, 2009 (15 Day)

Waterways of the Tsars on the Volga Dream

Since the reign of Peter the Great, sailing the waterways of Russia was a regular feature of the lives of the Romanovs. The Imperial yacht Standart, of Nicholas II, was so elegant and so well appointed that she was the envy of every monarch in Europe.

In keeping with this grand tradition, Exeter International’s Waterways of the Tsars allows guests to explore the ancient villages of rural Russia as the Romanovs did, in complete luxury and comfort. Envision enjoying this voyage from the deck of a fabulous riverboat as it glides through the lakes, rivers and canals that connect Moscow and St. Petersburg.

You will be treated to a VIP small group touring program before and after your cruise. It’s the best of both worlds- a skilled, Exeter International guide to show you the hidden secrets of both Moscow and St. Petersburg. Combining land and sea is the perfect way to experience all that Russia has to offer. Its twilight on the sun deck and the fairytale villages of Russia are but feet from your window.

Day Location Program ARR DEP
1 Moscow Arrival, embarkation, dinner and overnight.    
2 Moscow Morning tour of the Kremlin: Originally a fortress, it comprises beautiful cathedrals, ornate palaces and government buildings. Use free time this afternoon to explore Moscow on your own. Whatever your interest, our local hosts ease your way by making all arrangements for tours, theater, ballet or opera tickets. Lunch and dinner aboard.    
3 Moscow Sightseeing motor coach tour of this ancient Russian capital, including Tverskaya Street, Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, Bolshoi Theater and Moscow State University for a panoramic view of the city. Visit to Novodevichiy Convent. Lunch, dinner.   17:30
4 Uglich Take a walking tour of this lovely 10th-century town - one of Russia's most ancient. Visit the Kremlin, with its 16th-century Church of the Transfiguration. Explore the Flea Market. Lunch and dinner on board.    
5 Yaroslavl Arrival in Yaroslavl. You will be taken to the panoramic city tour with visit to the Church of Elijah the Prophet. You will also have some free time for visiting the local market. Interactive tour of the former Governor's House (Art Gallery).

Yaroslavl: Stretching for 18 miles on both banks of the Volga, Yaroslavl is an important Volga port with a population of 600,000. It was founded in the 11th century by Prince Yaroslav the Wise and today retains many noteworthy monuments of its colorful past. Of special interest is the magnificent 13th century Spassky Monastery ensemble, a group of majestic 17th century cathedrals, an elegant rotunda and remnants of an ancient trading center. Loveliest of all is the Church of Ilya the Prophet, situated in the town's central square. The fresco on the walls and the vaulting inside the church combined constitutes a respectable collection of old Russian paintings.		    
6 Plyos Today we will explore quaint town of Plyos, which was founded in 1410 by Vasily I, the Grand Prince of Moscow. This ancient town has a population of just over 3,000, but what it lacks in size is made up for in character. It’s picturesque views over the Volga River make it a very popular retreat for Muscovites and other affluent Russians.    
7 Nizhnii Novgorod Take a city tour of Nizhniy Novgorod. Although the word Novgorod means "a new city", it is one of the oldest Russian cities. In a sense, Russian history began here. It was the first permanent settlement of the Varangian Norsemen who established the embryonic Russian State. Lunch and dinner on board.    
8 Kazan Today explore the capital of Tatar Republic. The capital of Tatar Republic was founded in the 13th century by Mongols, who had occupied Russia. In the 15th and 16th centuries Kazan became one of the principal cities of the mighty Golden Horde (Tatar) Empire. The city was conquered and almost destroyed in 1552 by Ivan the Terrible, who forced the Muslim khan to become Christian and forced Tatars to the country's borders. Later Kazan flourished as a gateway to Siberia. The city has preserved many of its ancient buildings, including the remarkable Kazan Kremlin, the Cathedral of the Annunciation, and the striking Syuyumbike Tower named after a long-suffering princess who was married to three successive khans. Lunch and dinner on board.
Optional: Raiffa Monastery.		    
9 Samara Today enjoy the city tour of Samara, the sixth-largest city in Russia. It is situated in the southeastern part of European Russia, the administrative center of Samara Oblast. It was founded in 1586 as a defense outpost, a fortress, and later grew into a major grain-trading center for the Volga region. It was renamed after the Soviet politician Valerian Kuybyshev under Soviet rule, but returned to its historical name after the fall of Communism. Now it is a large social, economic, industrial and cultural center of European Russia. Lunch and dinner on board.
Optional: Stalin's Bunker.		    
10 Saratov Take the afternoon tour of Saratov City. The name Saratov may be conjectured to derive from theTurkic words Saryk Atov which means 'hawks' island'. Another version of the name origin is "Sary Tau" meaning Yellow Mountain in Tatar language as the city is surrounded by a few sandy hills. Saratov became an important shipping port in the 1800s, and developed industrially after a railroad linking it to Moscow was finished in 1870. From Soviet times until 1991, Saratov was a "closed city", strictly off limits to all foreigners. Situated on the Volga River, this was a major military aircraft manufacturing site, the home of the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, and a vital part of the Soviet space program. Lunch and dinner on board.    
11 Volgograd The new day brings you to the new city to explore. Volgograd originated with the foundation in 1589 of the fortress of Tsaritsyn at the confluence of the Tsaritsa and Volga Rivers. The fortress, which took its name from the local name Sary Su was established to defend the unstable southern border of Tsarist Russia and became the nucleus of a trading settlement. The city was the scene of heavy fighting during the Russian Civil War After its recapture, it was renamed Stalingrad (literally: "Stalin city") in 1925. Under Stalin, the city became heavily industrialized and was developed as a centre of heavy industry and trans-shipment by rail and river. During World war 2, the city of Stalingrad became the center of the Battle of Stalingrad as well as the pivotal turning point in the war against Germany. Visit the mamaev Kurgan, a hill that saw some of the most intense fighting during the battle. Lunch and dinner on board.
Optional: Military Cemetery in Rossoshki.		    
12 Cruising      
13 Astrakhan Arrive at your final destination-the city of Astrakhan. Astrakhan is situated in the Volga Delta, rich in sturgeons and exotic plants. It was the capital of Astrakhan Khanate. The ruins of this medieval settlement were found by archaeologists 12 km upstream from the modern-day city.In 1556, the khanate was conquered by Ivan the Terrible, who had a new fortress built on a steep hill overlooking the Volga. In1569, Astrakhan was besieged by the Ottoman army, which had to retreat in disarray. A year later, the Sultan renounced his claims to Astrakhan, thus opening the entire Volga River to Russian traffic. In the 17 crntury, the city was developed as a Russian gate to the Orient. Many merchants from Armernia,Persia, and Khiva settled in the downtown, giving it a multinational and variegated character. Lunch and farewell dinner aboard. 9:00  
14 Astrakhan Time to bid farewell to your new friends after your.    

What's included:

  • Guaranteed accommodation according to your reservation.
  • Full board catering (three times meal) including dinner upon arrival and breakfast on the departure day.
  • Welcome “bread and salt” ceremony.
  • Captain’s welcome cocktail reception.
  • On board entertainment including Russian language course and Russian songs lessons, live music concerts, dancing music in bars nightly, Captain’s bridge tour, etc.
  • Captain’s Farewell dinner (special menu).

What's not included::

  • Additional drinks and mineral water in ship restaurant and drinks in on-board bars.
  • Option tours
  • Gratuities for the crew and ship staff.
  • Transfers airport-motorship\motorship-airport for groups (min 20 pax); for Induvidals transfers can be organized for extra charge.
  • Lugguage handling in river ports and on board the ship.
  • Excursion programme (in Moscow and St. Petersburg all tour buses are air-conditioned).
  • Additional drinks and mineral water in ship restaurant and drinks in on-board bars.