MS Dnipro

MS Dnipro (Dnepr/Dnieper) cruise ship ("теплоход Днипро/Дніпро") is a Volga-class Russian passenger vessel (Project Q-031) built in Korneuburg, near Linz, Lower Austria, by the shipbuilder OSWAG (Österreichische Schiffswerften AG, founded in 1840). Constructed in 1970, the vessel is owned by PJSC UDP (Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company, established in 1991) and operated via its travel agency Transkruiz. Currently, MS Dnipro is chartered by Nicko River Cruises (Stuttgart-based cruisetour company and subsidiary of Mystic Cruises). The ship cruises on the Danube River, departing from homeports Izmail (Ukraine) and Passau (Germany).

PJSC’s fleet includes four Ukraine-flagged river cruise ships — the 1970-built sisterships Dnipro and Volga, and the 1979-built Moldavia and Ukraina. These vessels are marketed as “upper middle class” (3-star) river cruise ships. MS Dnipro underwent a major refurbishment in 2014.

PJSC’s cargo fleet includes river barges (up to 2300 tons), self-propelled dry cargo barges (up to 1814 tons), and tugboats for river assistance. The company provides shipping services along the navigable Danube stretch between Constanta (Romania) and Kelheim (Germany).

Cabins

MS Dnipro has a total of 82 staterooms (maximum passenger capacity 164) across six cabin categories, including Single (sofa bed), Twin (two lower beds), Triple (two lower plus one upper bunk), and Deluxe (double-bed Suites). All cabins are exterior, air-conditioned, and heated. All beds, except those in the suites, are Pullman-style and can be folded into the wall during the day to create lounge space.

Standard cabin amenities include two separate, non-convertible twin beds (one sofa bed, one folding bed, plus one upper bunk), a small dining table by the window, a wardrobe with electronic safe, mirrored dressing table with chair, en-suite bathroom (shower, WC, hairdryer), in-cabin washbasin (single-sink vanity adjacent to the bathroom), refrigerator (mini-fridge), phone (intercom for onboard use), and thermostat-controlled HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning).

All staterooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs (satellite reception). Bedding, towels, and bath products are complimentary. Bottled mineral water is provided daily. Most cabins measure 11 m² (120 ft²), Deluxe Cabins are larger at 14 m² (150 ft²), and Single Cabins (two rooms midship on Hauptdeck) are the smallest at 9 m² (95 ft²) and furnished with a sofa bed. Deluxe Cabins (three rooms forward on Promenadendeck) feature a queen-size double bed (non-convertible to twins), couch, and bathrobes.

Shipboard Facilities

Following Russian passenger ship tradition, MS Dnipro features central air-conditioning, an Infirmary (doctor and nurse), a restaurant (buffet breakfast, waiter-served lunch and dinner), and a 24-hour coffee/tea station with light snacks, cakes, and pastries. Other public areas include the Music Saloon (Bar and Lounge with dance floor, stage for live music, and forward outdoor terrace), Cinema (theater lounge for movies, satellite TV, lectures, and port talks), Library, Wellness Complex (sauna, massage room, beauty salon, hairdresser, laundry), Heckbar (aft-located on Promenadendeck with balcony seating), Promenade Deck (for walking), and Sun Deck (with heated swimming pool, sunbathing area, shaded seating, loungers, tables, and an open-air bar).

On Deck 2 are the two main entrances (port and starboard) and the Lobby area with the Reception Desk (24-hour guest services), Cruise Director’s/Tour Office (excursion bookings), Library corner (books and board games), and a Gift Shop (souvenirs, apparel, accessories).

Onboard entertainment includes themed dance nights, cooking demonstrations, quizzes, bingo, live music, and folklore performances (including Ukrainian songs), as well as lectures on culture, history, cuisine, and wines of the regions visited. Guests can also enjoy reading, board games, and card games. The onboard chefs prepare a mix of international and local cuisine inspired by destinations along the itinerary.

The ship has no elevator; all decks are accessible only via stairs. Smoking is permitted only on the Sun Deck and Lounge terrace. Onboard payments are made in euros, either in cash or by credit card (MasterCard, VISA). Excursions booked onboard must be paid in cash. The crew and staff are Ukrainian. The onboard language is German, though the Cruise Director also speaks English.

The forward-located Navigation Bridge (Wheelhouse) on the Sun Deck (Deck 4) is unusually large for a European river cruise vessel, spanning the entire beam of the ship. It is non-telescopic (cannot be lowered). Aft on Deck 4 is the funnel (smokestack).

River Cruise Itineraries

MS Dnipro operates regular Danube River cruises on a 7-day roundtrip itinerary from Passau, Germany.

• Day 1: Passau – individual arrival, embarkation, departure at 4:00 pm.
• Days 2–3 (overnight):Vienna, Austria – arrival at 12:00 pm, departure at 6:00 pm.
• Days 4–5 (overnight):Budapest, Hungary – arrival at 9:00 am, departure at 9:00 pm.
• Day 6:Bratislava, Slovakia – arrival at 1:30 pm, departure at 6:00 pm.
• Day 7:Spitz, Austria – arrival at 9:30 am, departure at 1:00 pm.
• Day 8: Passau – arrival at 8:30 am, followed by disembarkation and individual departure.
• Shore excursions are optional and available at an extra cost. They can be booked onboard (at the Reception Desk) or independently ashore.

Extended itineraries may reach the Ukrainian Danube Delta (Izmail, Ukraine) and include visits to Belgrade, Serbia and Bucharest, Romania (via Giurgiu).