MS Nikolay Nekrasov

MS Nikolay Nekrasov cruise ship (“теплоход Николай Некрасов” круизный корабль) is a traditional Russian river passenger vessel built for the USSR (Soviet Union) in Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). MS Nekrasov cruises on the Volga River, operating roundtrip from Moscow, as well as offering themed cruises from Moscow to Samara, Perm, Rostov-on-Don and Nizhny Novgorod.

The vessel is currently owned by Akadenflot (Академфлот) and operated under charter by the St. Petersburg-based company Infoflot (Инфофлот), which functions as both a tour operator and travel agency for Russian and international river and ocean cruise travel.

The ship is named after the Russian poet Nikolay Alexeyevich Nekrasov (1821–1878), regarded as one of Russia’s greatest poets alongside Pushkin and Lermontov. The vessel received her current name in 1962 and underwent full reconstruction and modernization between 2004 and 2006. From the same series (Project 26-37), a total of 14 vessels were built between 1957 and 1962. All ships in this class belong to the Oktyabrskaya Revolyutsiya-class and were originally designed for 312 passengers and 70 crew. Between 2006 and 2008 the ship operated under the brand “Les Nuits Blanches,” serving exclusively French tourists, and since 2008 she has sailed in the Russian river cruise market.

Cabins

The ship has a total of 66 staterooms, including 1 Two-Room Suite, 3 Junior Suites, 7 Singles, 49 Doubles and 6 Triples. Standard cabin amenities include individually controlled air-conditioning, refrigerator, phone (intercom), radio, flat TV (satellite reception), en-suite bathroom (WC, glass shower, washbasin, hairdryer, towels, bath products), wardrobe and an opening window (Lower Deck cabins have portholes). Suites additionally offer a low table with pouffes, a double bed, a sofabed (for a third guest), two windows and floor lamps. Quad, triple and some double cabins are fitted with upper bunk beds.

Cabin TVs show Russian channels, recorded films and cartoons, live views from the bow camera, a ship security channel (emergency instructions) and a ship channel displaying the itinerary map and current location.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Shipboard facilities include:

• (Boat Deck) Sun Deck (aft Solarium with outdoor seating – loungers, deckchairs, tables with folding chairs), indoor Theater (Cinema / Conference Room / Concert Hall / Disco Bar), Dining Room Restaurant Troyka (forward), Promenade Deck (wraparound outdoor area with chairs).
• (Middle Deck) Reading Lounge (Library, forward, with outdoor seating / covered terrace furnished with round tables and chairs), Music Salon-Bar Sovremennik (Main Lounge / Piano Bar, aft), Spa (Massage Room), Promenade Deck (wraparound outdoor area with chairs).
• (Main Deck) Bar-Restaurant Lyra (forward Dining Room with bar service and à la carte menu), Medical Room (Infirmary), Hair Salon (hairdresser and barber), Boutique (Souvenir Shop), Kids Room, Lobby (Reception / Guest Services Desk, Cruise Director’s Office, Tour Desk), Coffee Station, Ironing Room (laundry service).
• (Lower Deck) Sauna, Porthole cabins (passenger and crew).

Shipboard activities include:

• The Theater is the ship’s Cinema and doubles as Conference Hall, Concert Hall, Dance Lounge and Disco Nightclub, served by its own bar. It also hosts the cruise company’s enrichment program, including lectures and media presentations on Russian history and culture. Port talks (by professional guides) provide itinerary and shore excursion information. Activities include traditional tea ceremonies, Russian language lessons, music classes, craft workshops (such as matryoshka painting), blini and vodka tastings, live shows and musical performances (classical and Russian folk music), theme parties and nightly disco (DJ).
• The Bar-Restaurant is a dining venue offering bar service and an à la carte menu.
• The Music Salon is the ship’s Main Lounge (Piano Bar) featuring a full-service bar, grand piano and a stage for live entertainment.
• The Kids Room is an indoor play area where qualified staff supervise children’s activities.
• Both restaurants serve buffet-style breakfast and waiter-served lunch and dinner with Russian cuisine-themed menus. European dishes are available on longer itineraries. Three meals per day are included in cruise fares. Dietary and vegetarian options are also offered. Complimentary beverages include a glass of champagne at breakfast and a glass of wine or vodka at dinner. Herbal teas and oxygen cocktails are also available free of charge.
• The ship offers free Wi-Fi (in the Bar-Lounge), complimentary morning exercises, yoga and pilates classes (led by a professional instructor) and sports training (with gym equipment).
• All shore excursions are guided, with most included in cruise fares.
• Satellite Internet and phone services, as well as laundry, are available at extra cost.

Note: You can find CruiseMapper’s full list of river cruise ships and riverboats in the “itinerary” section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.