MS Mstislav Rostropovich

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

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

Vodohod is Russia’s largest river cruise operator. The company was founded in 2004 as Volga Shipping Company. Following its merger with Volga Flot Tour, Vodohod now operates more than 50 cruise ships on the rivers Don, Volga, Kama, and Moscow, as well as on the Volga–Don Canal, Volga–Baltic Waterway, and lakes Ladoga and Onega.

Vodohod’s predecessor, Volga Shipping Company (Volzhskoye parokhodstvo / Волжское пароходство), was founded in 1843 as a Volga steamship transportation company. 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.

Launched in 1981 under the name “Mikhail Kalinin,” this Kuybyshev-class vessel was built in Czechoslovakia for the Soviet Union’s Volga Shipping Company. With a displacement of nearly 4,000 tons, ships of this class rank among the largest river cruise vessels ever built. Following several major refits between 2008 and 2011, the ship was renamed “Mstislav Rostropovich.” In 2012, AmaWaterways invested in a refurbishment project that transformed her into one of Russia’s most luxurious and modern river cruise ships.

MS Rostropovich is a 210-passenger riverboat, completely rebuilt in 2011, offering a new level of comfort on the Volga Waterway. The ship features ten suite and stateroom categories, most with private balconies. All cabins have a private bathroom with shower, hairdryer, refrigerator, and safe. Public areas include a Conference Hall for lectures, a spacious Panorama Lounge, Fitness Room, Infirmary (with onboard physician), and an elevator serving all decks.

Passengers can enjoy a combination of international cuisine and Russian specialties in two dining venues. Breakfast is buffet-style and includes regional delicacies, while lunch and dinner are served in the main restaurant with large panoramic windows. Soft drinks, wine, and beer are included with dinner. AmaKatarina also offers complimentary Internet/Wi-Fi, 24-hour specialty tea and coffee, and guided bike tours.

MS Rostropovich river cruise prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Rates are indicative and may vary depending on travel agency promotions, group bookings, discounts, and last-minute offers.

River Cruise Itineraries

MS Rostropovich operates on Russia’s Volga River and Baltic Waterways between Moscow and St Petersburg. AmaWaterways’ “Russian Waterways” itineraries included one-way (northbound or southbound) 13-day voyages with 14 complimentary shore excursions and land tours across Russia.

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