MS Anton Chekhov

MS Anton Chekhov cruise ship ("теплоход Антон Чехов" круизный корабль) is a traditional 5-deck Russian river passenger vessel of Project Q-056 (Anton Chekhov class). The ship is currently owned by the Rostov-based company Doninturflot (Донинтурфлот) and operated under charter by Russia's largest cruise tour operator, Orthodox Cruise Company. She is also frequently chartered by the Russian tour operator Imperial River Cruises.

MS Chekhov cruises along the Volga River between St Petersburg and Moscow, as well as on the route Moscow–Rostov-on-Don. The 10-day southbound itinerary includes St Petersburg (3 days with 2 overnights), Kizhi Island (Lake Onega), Goritsy, Uglich, and Moscow (3 days with 2 overnights).

The riverboat is named after the Russian writer Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860–1904) and was extensively refurbished in 2015. Her sistership, MS Lev Tolstoy, was launched in May 1979.

Cabins

Accommodation includes 2 suites, 1 junior suite, 89 twin, 13 single, and 14 triple cabins. All staterooms are outside (no interior cabins) and have large opening picture windows (except lower deck cabins, which have round non-opening portholes). Each cabin features individually controlled central air-conditioning and heating, private en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, washbasin), wardrobe, electronic safe (in the closet), mirrored vanity table (writing desk with chair), bedside cabinets and lamps, mini-refrigerator, 220 V power outlets, flat-screen TV, telephone, and radio.

• Suites (Boat Deck) are two-room cabins with separate living room and bedroom, large opening windows, sofa, two armchairs, low table, bedroom with king-size double bed, and two wardrobes. Suites can accommodate up to three passengers with an extra folding bed.
• Junior Suite (Main Deck) is a spacious twin/double cabin with opening windows, two armchairs, low table, and twin beds convertible to a double.
• Single Cabins (Upper Deck / Boat Deck) have one fixed bed and an opening window.
• Twin / Double Cabins (Main Deck / Upper Deck / Boat Deck) feature two fixed single beds (non-convertible to double) and an opening window.
• Triple Cabins (Main Deck) have two fixed lower beds (non-convertible to double), one upper bunk, and one opening window. These cabins can also be booked as doubles.

Shipboard dining and entertainment

Dining onboard MS Anton Chekhov features European cuisine with elements of traditional Russian cooking. Breakfast is buffet-style, lunch includes one course (typically a Russian soup), and dinner is waiter-served with a traditional Russian menu. Waitstaff wear traditional costumes.

Onboard entertainment includes pre-scheduled activities and live performances of classical and Russian folk music. Lectures focus on Russian history and culture, while port talks by professional guides provide information about destinations, nearby towns, and available shore excursions. Guests can also participate in Russian tea ceremonies, language lessons, dance and singing classes, vodka tastings, and matryoshka (nesting doll) painting workshops.

One of the ship’s main highlights is her indoor swimming pool with a glass roof.

MS Anton Chekhov’s onboard facilities include:

• Main Deck: Medical Room (Infirmary), Sauna, Beauty Salon (hairdresser, barber, massages), Ironing Room (laundry service), Lobby (Reception Desk, spiral staircase), Coffee–Tea Station
• Upper Deck: Dining Room Restaurant
• Upper Deck: Library/Reading Hall (books, travel guides, cards, and board games)
• Boat Deck aft: Indoor swimming pool with Coffee Bar, comfortable seating area, and open-air terrace
• Boat Deck forward: Music Hall (Panorama Bar and Lounge, dance floor, grand piano for live performances), Boutique (Souvenir Shop)
• Sun Deck: Conference Hall and Bar (Dance Hall/Cinema/Meeting Room)
• Sun Deck: Solarium, outdoor Fitness area with gym equipment, and sundeck with deckchairs and 4-seat tables

Note: You can view CruiseMapper’s complete list of river cruise ships and riverboats in the “itinerary” section of our River Cruises hub, which includes all companies and their fleets.