MS Mstislav Rostropovich

MS Mstislav Rostropovich cruise ship ("теплоход Мстислав Ростропович" круизный корабль) is a traditional Russian river passenger ship built for the USSR (Soviet Union) in Czechoslovakia (Slovakia). The vessel is currently owned and operated by the Russia shipping company VODOHOD ("Водоход"). The boat was also operated under charter by AmaWaterways (under the name "AmaKatarina"). The boat is currently chartered by CroisiEurope.

MS Rostropovich cruises on Volga River, departing from Moscow to St Petersburg (northbound itinerary), and the reverse from St Petersburg to Moscow (southbound itinerary).

The shipowner Vodohod is Russia's largest river cruise shipping operator. The company was established in 2004 as Volga Shipping Company. After the merger with Volga Flot Tour, Vodohod now operates over 50 cruise ships along the rivers Don, Volga, Kama, Moscow, Volga–Don Canal, Volga-Baltic Waterway and the lakes Ladoga and Onega.

VODOHOD's predecessor - Volga Shipping Company (translated Volzhskoye parokhodstvo / Волжское пароходство) was founded as a Volga steamship transportation company in 1843. In 2011, the company had in operation over 300 passenger and cargo river vessels and carried over 6,7 billion tons of cargoes and over 368,000 passengers on Russia's biggest inland waterways.

Launched in the distant 1981, the riverboat's history started under the name "Mikhail Kalinin". This was a Kuybyshev-class vessel built in Czechoslovakia for the Soviet Union's "Volga Shipping Company". The vessel's displacement of almost 4,000 tons makes this class of luxury river ships some of the biggest in the world ever built. After several major refits (done between 2008 and 2011), the ship was renamed to "Mstislav Rostropovich" (2011). In 2012 AmaWaterways invested in a refurbishment project that made this vessel one of the most luxurious and modern as amenities river cruise ships in Russia.

MS Rostropovich is a 210-passenger riverboat, completely rebuilt in 2011. She brings a new level of onboard delight to the Volga Waterway. The ship offers ten suite and stateroom categories, most with balconies. All staterooms have a bathroom with separate shower, hairdryer, refrigerator and safe. The public areas include a Conference Hall for lectures, expansive Panorama Lounge, Fitness Room, Infirmary (by a physician), and an elevator that reaches all decks.

Rostropovich cruise ship passengers can savour a mix of international cuisine and Russian specialities in two dining venues. Breakfast is provided buffet style, offering various local delicacies. Passengers will enjoy the delicious cuisine in the main restaurant, with large panoramic windows. Soft drinks, wine and beer flow freely at dinner. AmaKatarina offers free Internet and WiFi throughout, complimentary bike tours and 24-hour speciality tea and coffee. ms AmaKatarina ship.

MS Rostropovich river cruise prices are per person and based on double occupancy. These are only indicative rates. They might be different when you book your Russian cruise tour deals, influenced by travel agency promotions, special offers and discounts, group travel booking or last-minute deals rates.

River Cruise Itineraries

MS Rostropovich cruises in Russia on Volga River and the Baltic Waterways between Moscow and St Petersburg. AmaWaterways' AmaKatarina itineraries were themed "RUSSIAN WATERWAYS". The one-way itinerary (either northbound or southbound) included 13-days river cruising, with a total of 14 price-inclusive (complimentary) land tours/excursions in Russia.

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.