MS Konstantin Fedin

MS Konstantin Fedin cruise ship ("теплоход Константин Федин" круизный корабль) is a traditional Russian river passenger vessel built for the USSR (Soviet Union) in the GDR (East Germany). She is currently owned and operated by the Russian company VODOHOD ("Водоход"). MS Fedin sails on the Volga River between St Petersburg and Moscow.

Vodohod is Russia’s largest river cruise operator. The company was founded in 2004 as Volga Shipping Company. After merging with Volga Flot Tour, Vodohod now operates over 50 cruise ships on the Don, Volga, Kama, and Moscow rivers, the Volga-Don Canal, the Volga-Baltic Waterway, and lakes Ladoga and Onega.

VODOHOD’s predecessor, Volga Shipping Company (Volzhskoye Parokhodstvo / Волжское пароходство), was established in 1843 as a Volga steamship transportation enterprise. By 2011, it operated over 300 passenger and cargo river vessels, carrying more than 6.7 billion tons of cargo and over 368,000 passengers on Russia’s major inland waterways.

MS Fedin was named after the Russian novelist Konstantin Aleksandrovich Fedin (1892-1977). The ship underwent a major refurbishment in 2017.

Cabins

Accommodations include 6 suites, 40 deluxe staterooms, 40 twins, 20 singles, and 10 triples. All cabins are outside (no interior rooms) and have large opening windows, except the Lower Deck cabins, which feature round, non-opening portholes. Standard amenities include central air-conditioning (individually controlled heating and ventilation), private en-suite bathrooms (WC, shower, washbasin, hairdryer), flat TV, radio, refrigerator, wardrobe, safe (in the closet), vanity mirror, writing desk with chair, bedside table, reading lamps, and 220V power outlets. Suites additionally feature a double bed, sofa, coffee table, armchairs, cabinet, and floor lamps. Ceiling height is 2.2 m.

After extensive refurbishments, all cabins now feature larger layouts, new furniture and flooring, premium bedding, and modern lighting.

• Suites (Middle Deck forward) are two-room cabins with separate living and sleeping areas and four large opening windows. They feature an L-shaped sofa, low table, king-size bed, mirrored vanity table with chair, and two wardrobes. Suites can accommodate up to three guests with an additional folding bed.
• Junior Suites (Middle Deck aft) are spacious cabins combining living and sleeping areas, with three opening windows, an L-shaped sofa, low table, king-size bed (plus folding bed), mirrored vanity table with chair, and wardrobe.
• Deluxe Cabins (Main and Middle / Boat Decks) are double rooms with one large opening window.
• Single Cabins (Middle / Boat Decks) feature one bed and one large opening window.
• Twin / Double Cabins (Middle / Boat Decks) feature two beds and one large opening window.
• Triple Cabins (Lower Deck) have three beds and two non-opening portholes. They can also be booked as doubles.

Shipboard dining and entertainment

Dining aboard MS Fedin features European cuisine with traditional Russian specialties. Breakfast is buffet-style. Lunch includes one meal, typically a Russian soup. Dinner is waiter-served, featuring a classic Russian menu, with waiters dressed in traditional attire.

Entertainment focuses on scheduled activities and live performances, including classical and Russian folk music. Onboard lectures cover Russian history and culture, while port talks by professional guides provide details about upcoming ports, towns, and excursions. Guests can also enjoy Russian tea ceremonies, language lessons, singing and dancing classes, vodka tastings, and matryoshka (nesting doll) painting workshops.

MS Fedin facilities include:

• (Boat Deck, Middle Deck) Two restaurants
• (Boat Deck) Panorama Bar Lounge
• (Sun Deck) Conference Hall and Bar (Dance Hall / Cinema / Meeting Room)
• (Middle Deck) Bar Lounge / Library / Reading Hall
• (Sun Deck) Spa (Sauna), Solarium (outdoor sundeck with seating, deckchairs, and 4-seat tables), covered fitness area (outdoor gym with exercise machines)
• (Main Deck) Medical Room (Infirmary), Beauty Salon (hairdresser, barber, massages), Lobby (Reception Desk)
• (Middle Deck) Ironing Room (laundry service), Boutique (Souvenir Shop)

VODOHOD cruise deals

• Departure ports, check-in, boarding, and landing times are listed on the company’s website (vodohod.com) and on boarding passes. The exact departure time is confirmed online the day before sailing.
• Children’s discount fares apply to passengers up to 14 years old (inclusive), based on age on the departure date.
• Children aged 2–5 (inclusive) travel free without an extra bed (if none are available). Shore excursions are free of charge.
• Toddlers under 2 travel free, but beds, meals, and tour services are not included. Extra beds (cribs, cots) are not available onboard.
• The single supplement for a twin (double) cabin is 75%.
• Cabin numbers are assigned seven days before departure. A specific cabin can be reserved for EUR 50 per person per cruise.
• Fares include three meals per day: buffet breakfast (tea, coffee, water, cocoa, milk, juices, hot and cold dishes), buffet lunch (tea, coffee, water), and waiter-served dinner with one starter, one main course (choice of three—meat, fish, or vegetarian), and one dessert (choice of two or fruit).
• On embarkation and disembarkation days, meal times depend on landing schedules. If a shore excursion coincides with lunch, guests are provided with complimentary meals at a local restaurant or given a packed lunch.
• Included onboard events: Welcome Aboard ceremony (“bread and salt”), Welcome Cocktail (one glass of champagne or juice), Tea Ceremony (with traditional pies), Vodka Show (blini and vodka tasting), Cocktail Party (once per cruise, one complimentary cocktail per guest), Captain’s Dinner (gourmet menu, once per cruise), and seasonal drinks (mulled wine or iced tea after excursions). Complimentary coffee station hours: 6–8 am, 10–12 am, 4–6 pm, and 9–11 pm. One bottled water (0.33l) per person per day is provided in cabins. Fares also include multilingual guide services, entertainment (language lessons, singing classes, live music, evening dancing, Wheelhouse tour).
• Complimentary excursions are detailed in the cruise program. Optional tours can be booked onboard. For excursion services, VODOHOD applies a daily fee to foreign guests, including children aged 6–14. This fee does not apply to tourists from Russia, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania and varies by itinerary length (1–7 days).
• VODOHOD cruise fares exclude land transfers, beverages and snacks (from onboard bars and lounges), phone calls, sauna visits, optional excursions, travel insurance, gratuities, and personal expenses. Prices include 18% VAT.
• Onboard payments are made using the company’s debit card “Vodohod,” issued at registration. The card is accepted throughout the ship (bars, restaurants, shops, administration). Cash is not accepted onboard. International bank cards are accepted for final settlement.
• “Vodohod” Gift Certificates (vouchers) can be purchased for any amount. Recipients may choose itinerary, departure date, and cabin category. If the cruise costs less than the voucher’s value, the difference is non-refundable.
• Smoking is permitted only in designated areas marked “Place for smoking,” located aft on the Middle and/or Boat Decks. Smoking is prohibited in all interior areas and on open decks outside these zones.
• All VODOHOD ships offer morning exercise sessions led by a ship’s physician, oxygen cocktails, and dietary menus.
• Free medical services onboard include emergency care, treatment for acute illnesses or injuries, blood pressure and temperature checks, and basic wound care.
• Passengers are advised to arrive at the departure port at least six hours before sailing. Boarding starts two hours before departure and closes one hour before. Late arrivals are non-refundable.
• VODOHOD’s main departure ports include Moscow, St Petersburg, Astrakhan, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Samara, Kazan, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, and Saratov.

Note: For a complete list of river cruise ships and riverboats, visit the “itinerary” section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.