MS Konstantin Simonov

MS Konstantin Simonov cruise ship ("теплоход Константин Симонов" круизный корабль) is a traditional Russian river vessel of the Project 302 (Dmitriy Furmanov-class). This USSR-built ship is currently owned and operated by the Russian company VODOHOD ("Водоход"). MS Simonov cruises on the Volga River between St Petersburg and Moscow on 7-day southbound and northbound itineraries.

Vodohod is Russia's largest river cruise company. Founded in 2004 as the Volga Shipping Company, it later merged with Volga Flot Tour. Today, Vodohod operates over 50 cruise ships on 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 established in 1843 as a Volga steamship operator. By 2011, the company managed over 300 passenger and cargo vessels and transported more than 6.7 billion tons of cargo and over 368,000 passengers across Russia’s major inland waterways.

MS Simonov was named after the Soviet poet, author, and war correspondent Konstantin Mikhailovich Simonov (1915–1979). The vessel was extensively refurbished in 2011.

Cabins

The ship offers accommodations in 2 suites, 122 twin cabins, 7 quads, and 10 singles. All staterooms are outside (no interior cabins) with large opening windows, except for Lower Deck cabins, which have round non-opening portholes. Each cabin features central air conditioning (individually controlled heating and ventilation), private en-suite bathroom (toilet, shower, washbasin, hairdryer, towels, bath products), flat-screen TV, radio, direct-dial phone, 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.

• Suites (Boat Deck) – Two-room cabins with separate bedroom and living area, four large opening windows, L-shaped sofa, low table, king-size bed (plus folding bed), mirrored vanity table with chair, and wardrobe. Maximum capacity: 3 passengers.
• Single Cabins (Boat Deck) – One-bed staterooms with one large opening window, conveniently located near the Main Lounge (dance bar).
• Twin / Double Cabins (Main, Middle, and Boat Decks) – Two-bed staterooms with one large opening window, one lower bunk, and one sofabed (pull-out couch).
• Quad Cabins (Lower Deck) – Four-bed staterooms with two non-opening portholes, two sofabeds, and two upper bunk beds. Can also be booked as doubles or triples.

Shipboard dining and entertainment

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

Entertainment includes scheduled activities and live performances of classical and Russian folk music. Lectures focus on Russian history and culture, and port talks by professional guides provide information about destinations, shore excursions, and local tours. Passengers can also enjoy tea ceremonies, Russian language lessons, dance and singing classes, vodka tastings, and matryoshka (nesting doll) painting workshops.

MS Simonov ship facilities include:

• (Boat Deck, Middle Deck) Two restaurants – Neva and Volga.
• (Boat Deck) Panorama Bar Lounge (Main Lounge / Music Hall).
• (Sun Deck) Conference Hall and Bar (Dance Hall / Cinema / Meeting Room).
• (Middle Deck) Berezka Bar Lounge (Library / Reading Hall) and Boutique (Souvenir Shop).
• (Sun Deck) Solarium (open-air area with deckchairs, tables, and outdoor seating).
• (Lower Deck) Spa with Sauna Room.
• (Main Deck) Medical Room (Infirmary), Beauty Salon (hairdresser, barber, massage services), Ironing Room (laundry service), and Lobby (Reception / Guest Services Desk).

VODOHOD cruise deals

• Departure ports, check-in, boarding, and landing times are listed on the company’s website (vodohod.com) and on boarding passes. Exact departure times are confirmed online the day before departure.
• Children up to 14 years old (inclusive) qualify for discounted fares, based on age at departure.
• Children aged 2–5 (inclusive) travel free of charge but without an additional bed (if none are available in the cabin). Shore excursions are also complimentary.
• Infants under 2 travel free of charge; no separate bed, meals, or tour services are provided. Baby cribs or cots are not available onboard.
• Single occupancy supplement in twin cabins is 75%.
• Cabin numbers are assigned 7 days before departure; reserving a specific cabin costs EUR 50 per person per cruise.
• Fares include three meals daily: buffet breakfast (water, tea, coffee, milk, cocoa, juices, hot and cold dishes), buffet lunch, and waiter-served dinner with starter, main course (choice of meat, fish, or vegetarian), and dessert (choice of two or fruit).
• On embarkation and disembarkation days, meal times depend on docking schedules. If a shore excursion coincides with lunch, complimentary meals are provided ashore or as packed lunches.
• Ticket prices include onboard events such as the 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 (1 complimentary cocktail per person), Captain’s Dinner (gourmet menu, once per cruise), and seasonal beverages (mulled wine or iced tea). Free coffee station access (various times daily) and bottled water (0.33 l per person per day in cabins) are included. Fares also cover multilingual guide services, entertainment, language and singing classes, live 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). The surcharge varies by cruise length.
• Fares exclude land transfers, bar drinks, snacks, phone calls, sauna use, optional excursions, travel insurance, gratuities, and personal expenses. Prices include 18% VAT.
• All onboard purchases are made via the “Vodohod” debit card (issued at registration), accepted throughout the ship. Cash is not accepted onboard. 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. If the chosen cruise costs less than the voucher amount, the difference 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 complimentary morning exercises and health gymnastics (led by a certified physician), oxygen cocktails, and dietary meal options.
• Free medical services onboard include emergency care, treatment for acute conditions, blood pressure and temperature checks, and basic wound care.
• Passengers are advised to arrive at the departure city at least 6 hours before sailing. Boarding begins 2 hours prior to departure and closes 1 hour before. Passengers who miss boarding are not eligible for refunds.
• Vodohod’s main departure ports include Moscow, St Petersburg, Astrakhan, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Samara, Kazan, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, and Saratov.

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