MS Konstantin Korotkov

MS Konstantin Korotkov cruise ship ("теплоход Константин Коротков" круизный корабль) is a traditional Russian river passenger vessel built for the USSR (Soviet Union) in the GDR (East Germany). The ship is currently owned and operated by the Russian company VODOHOD ("Водоход"). MS Korotkov cruises on the Volga River, departing from Nizhny Novgorod. Most itineraries are roundtrips visiting Astrakhan (13 days), Rostov-on-Don (16 days), Volgograd (11 days), St Petersburg (13 days), Kazan (4 days), Tver (7 days), and Cheboksary (3 days).

Vodohod is Russia's largest river cruise operator. Established in 2004 as Volga Shipping Company, it later merged with Volga Flot Tour. Today, Vodohod operates more than 50 cruise ships across the Don, Volga, Kama, and Moscow rivers, as well as the Volga–Don Canal, Volga–Baltic Waterway, and lakes Ladoga and Onega.

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

MS Korotkov was named after World War II hero Konstantin Aleksandrovich Korotkov (1920–1945). The vessel was extensively refurbished in 2009.

Cabins

The ship offers 6 suites, 92 twins, 20 singles, and 9 triples. All cabins are outside (no interior cabins) with large opening windows, except for Lower Deck cabins, which have round non-opening portholes. Each stateroom includes central air-conditioning (individually controlled heating and ventilation), en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, washbasin, hairdryer), flat TV, radio, refrigerator, wardrobe, safe (in the closet), vanity mirror, writing desk with chair, bedside table, reading lights, and 220 V power sockets. Suites also feature a double bed, sofa, coffee table, armchairs, cabinet, and floor lamps. Ceiling height is 2.2 m.

After major refurbishments, all cabins feature enlarged layouts, new furniture and flooring, deluxe bedding, and modern lighting.

• Suites (Middle Deck) – Two-room cabins with a separate living room and bedroom, four large opening windows, double sofabed, armchairs, coffee table, king-size bed, mirrored vanity table with chair, and wardrobe. Maximum occupancy: 4 passengers.
• Single Cabins (Middle Deck / Boat Deck) – One-bed staterooms with one large opening window.
• Twin / Double Cabins (Middle Deck / Boat Deck) – Two-bed staterooms with one large opening window.
• Triple Cabins (Lower Deck) – Three-bed staterooms with two non-opening portholes. Can also be booked as doubles.

Shipboard dining and entertainment

Dining aboard MS Korotkov features European cuisine with elements of traditional Russian cooking. Breakfast is served buffet-style, lunch includes a Russian soup course, and dinner is waiter-served with a classic Russian menu. Waitstaff wear traditional attire.

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

MS Korotkov ship 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 (sundeck with outdoor seating, deckchairs, and tables), covered fitness area (outdoor gym with exercise equipment)
• (Main Deck) Medical Room (Infirmary), Beauty Salon (hairdresser, barber, and massage services), Kids Room, Lobby (Reception Desk)
• (Middle Deck) Ironing Room (laundry service), Boutique (Souvenir Shop)
• (Lower Deck) Fitness Room (Gym)

VODOHOD cruise deals

• Departure ports, check-in, boarding, and landing times are listed on the company’s website (vodohod.com) and on boarding passes. Final departure times are confirmed one day before sailing.
• Children up to 14 years old (inclusive) qualify for discounted fares based on their age at departure.
• Children aged 2–5 (inclusive) travel free of charge but without an additional bed (if none are available). Shore excursions are complimentary.
• Infants under 2 travel free of charge; no separate bed, meals, or tour services are provided. Baby cots are not available onboard.
• Single occupancy in twin cabins carries a 75% supplement.
• Cabin numbers are assigned 7 days before departure; reserving a specific cabin costs EUR 50 per person per cruise.
• Ticket prices include three daily meals: buffet breakfast (water, tea, coffee, milk, cocoa, juices, hot and cold dishes), buffet lunch, and waiter-served dinner with starter, main course (meat, fish, or vegetarian), and dessert (two choices or fruit).
• On embarkation and disembarkation days, meal times depend on landing schedules. If a shore excursion coincides with lunch, complimentary meals are provided ashore or as packed lunches.
• Included onboard events: Welcome Aboard (“bread and salt” ceremony), Welcome Cocktail (1 complimentary glass of champagne or juice), Tea Ceremony (tea and pastries), Vodka Show (blini and vodka tasting), Cocktail Party (once per cruise, 1 complimentary cocktail per person), Captain’s Dinner (gourmet menu, once per cruise), and seasonal drinks (mulled wine or iced tea). Complimentary Coffee Station (available at specific times) and bottled water (0.33 l per person per day in cabins). Included services also feature multilingual guides, entertainment, music, dancing, and Wheelhouse tours.
• Complimentary excursions are listed in each cruise program. Optional tours can be booked onboard. Additional daily excursion fees apply for foreign guests (except citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), varying by cruise length.
• Fares exclude land transfers, beverages and snacks (in bars and lounges), phone calls, sauna use, optional excursions, travel insurance, gratuities, and personal expenses. All prices include 18% VAT.
• All onboard payments are made via the Vodohod debit card (issued at registration) and accepted in all ship venues. Cash is not accepted. International bank cards are accepted for final settlement.
• Vodohod gift certificates (vouchers) can be purchased for any amount and used toward any itinerary, departure date, or cabin category. Any unused balance is non-refundable.
• Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas (aft on Middle and/or Boat Decks). Smoking is prohibited indoors and on all other open decks.
• All Vodohod ships offer free morning exercises and health gymnastics (led by a certified physician), oxygen cocktails, and dietary options.
• Free onboard medical services include emergency care, treatment for acute illnesses, blood pressure and temperature checks, and basic wound care.
• Passengers are advised to arrive at the departure port city at least 6 hours before sailing. Boarding begins 2 hours prior and closes 1 hour before departure. Late arrivals are non-refundable.
• Main Vodohod departure ports include Moscow, St Petersburg, Astrakhan, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Samara, Kazan, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, and Saratov.

Note: You can view CruiseMapper’s full list of river cruise ships and riverboats in the "Itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub, where all companies and their fleets are listed.