MS Moldavia

MS Moldavia cruise ship ("теплоход Молдавия/Молдавiя" круизный корабль) is an Ukraina-class Russian passenger vessel (Project S-053) built in Korneuburg, near Linz, Lower Austria, by the shipyard OSWAG (Österreichische Schiffswerften AG, founded in 1840).

Launched in 1979, the vessel is currently owned by PJSC UDP (Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company, founded in 1991) and operated through its travel subsidiary, Transkruiz.

PJSC UDP’s fleet includes four Ukraine-flagged river cruise ships — the 1970-built sisterships Volga and Dnipro, and the 1979-built Ukraina and Moldavia. These ships are marketed as “upper middle class” vessels targeting European travelers and are frequently time-chartered by major German cruisetour companies such as Phoenix Reisen, Nicko Cruises (Mystic Cruises), and TransOcean Tours. MS Moldavia underwent an extensive refurbishment in 2017.

PJSC UDP’s cargo division operates a diverse fleet of river barges (up to 2300 tons capacity), self-propelled dry cargo vessels (up to 1814 tons), and tugboats. The company provides transport services along the navigable section of the Danube River between Constanța, Romania, and Kelheim, Germany.

Cabins

MS Moldavia accommodates up to 178 passengers in 84 staterooms across 6 cabin categories, including Single (1 sofabed), Twin (2 lower beds), Triple (2 lower plus 1 upper bunk bed), and Deluxe (double-bed Suites). All cabins are exterior-facing, air-conditioned, and heated. Pullman-style beds (except in suites) fold into the wall during the day to create additional lounge space.

Standard cabin amenities include two separate non-convertible twin beds (1 sofabed, 1 folding bed, plus 1 upper bunk), a small dining table by the window, wardrobe with electronic safe, mirrored vanity (dressing table with stool), en-suite bathroom (shower, WC, hairdryer), in-cabin washbasin (single-sink vanity outside the bathroom), refrigerator (mini-fridge), intercom phone (shipboard calls only), and thermostat-controlled HVAC.

All staterooms are fitted with flat-screen TVs (satellite reception). Bedding, towels, and bath products are complimentary, as is bottled mineral water replenished daily. Most cabins measure 11 m² (120 ft²), Deluxe cabins 14 m² (150 ft²), and Single cabins 9 m² (95 ft²). Deluxe cabins (4 forward on Promenade Deck) offer additional amenities such as a Queen-size double bed (non-convertible), sofa, and bathrobes.

Shipboard Facilities

Consistent with Russian river cruise design, MS Moldavia features central air-conditioning and a fully equipped Infirmary (resident doctor and nurse). Dining is offered in the main restaurant with buffet breakfast and waiter-served lunch and dinner. A 24-hour coffee/tea station serves light snacks, cakes, and pastries. The Music Saloon doubles as a Bar & Lounge with a dance floor, stage for live performances, and an outdoor terrace. Other amenities include a Cinema (theatre lounge for movies, TV, and lectures), Library (reading room), wellness complex (spa, fitness room, sauna, massage room, beauty salon/barber), aft Heckbar with balcony seating, Promenade Deck for walking, and Sun Deck with a heated pool, shaded loungers, open-air bar, and sunbathing areas.

Deck 2 hosts the ship’s two main entrances (port and starboard), along with the Lobby featuring Reception (24-hour guest services), Cruise Director’s Office (shore excursion info and booking), Library nook, and Gift Shop. Entertainment options include themed dance nights, cooking demos, trivia and bingo, folklore performances (including Ukrainian songs), and lectures on culture, cuisine, history, and music. The cuisine combines international dishes with regional specialties inspired by ports of call along the itinerary.

The vessel has no elevator; access between decks is via stairs only. Smoking is permitted only on the Sun Deck and Lounge terrace. Onboard payments are made in EUR (cash or credit card – Mastercard/VISA). Shore excursions must be paid in cash. The crew and staff are Ukrainian. The onboard language is German, while the Cruise Director also speaks English.

The Sun Deck’s forward-located Navigation Bridge (Wheelhouse) is unusually large for a European river vessel, extending the full beam (port to starboard) and non-telescopic (fixed height). The aft section of the deck houses the Funnel (smokestack).

Itineraries

MS Moldavia’s cruise program features regular sailings along the Danube River, visiting the main capitals of Central and Eastern Europe — Vienna (Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia), Budapest (Hungary), Belgrade (Serbia), and Bucharest (Romania) via Giurgiu. Extended itineraries continue downstream to the Ukrainian Danube Delta, calling at Izmail (Ukraine).