MS Rossia

MS Rossia cruise ship (“теплоход Россия” круизный корабль) is a traditional Russian river passenger vessel built for the USSR (Soviet Union) in the GDR (East Germany). The boat is currently owned and operated by the Russian shipping company Mosturflot (“Мостурфлот”).

The 5-star riverboat Rossia is frequently chartered by some of the world’s largest river cruise companies, including Emerald Waterways (since 2020), APT Touring (via its brands Evergreen Tours and Travelmarvel), Riviera Travel UK (since 2020), Plantours Kreuzfahrten (since 2018), and Grand Circle Travel (since 2007). MS Rossia cruises on the Volga River, departing from Moscow and St Petersburg. Most itineraries are 11-day one-way sailings, with some offered as roundtrips. In 2020-2021, Travelmarvel additionally featured two flight-and-hotel packages: a 14-day “Helsinki and Treasures of Russia” itinerary (from Helsinki, Finland to Moscow) and a 20-day “Baltic Charm and Treasures of Russia” itinerary (from Vilnius, Lithuania to Moscow).

The shipowner Mosturflot (Moscow Tourist Fleet / “Московский туристический флот”) is a subsidiary of the 1857-established Moscow River Shipping Company. Mosturflot owns pleasure boats and cruise ships and is also licensed as a river cruise tour operator, providing its own repairs, technical maintenance, shipping security, pilotage and escort services.

Mosturflot’s cruisetour program includes inland cruises on the Volga, Neva, Kama, Don and Oka rivers, as well as on lakes Beloe, Onega and Ladoga. The company offers over 300 itineraries, ranging from 1-day mini-cruises to 22-day voyages, visiting more than 50 Russian ports. Mosturflot also acts as a travel agency for both Russian and international river and sea cruises. The company further specializes in private ship charters (for leisure and corporate events) with capacities from 8 to 300 passengers, optional stateroom accommodations, onboard catering and entertainment, and custom-designed shore excursions.

The ship was completely renovated and modernized in 2006-2007 (including all machinery) and last refurbished in 2018, receiving a full exterior and interior upgrade.

Cabins

MS Rossia offers a total of 112 staterooms across four of the ship’s five decks. However, all Triple Cabins on the Lower Deck are currently unavailable for booking, reducing the number of bookable staterooms to 106.

Accommodations include 6 Balcony Suites (16-17 m2, located forward on decks 3-Upper and 4-Boat), 72 Deluxe Suites (balcony cabins of 15 m2 on decks 3-4), 34 Comfort Suites (12 m2 on deck 2-Main) and 6 Triple Cabins (11 m2 on deck 1-Lower, currently closed for booking). All staterooms are outside cabins with large opening windows, except the Lower Deck cabins, which feature round non-opening portholes.

The 6 Suites and 72 Deluxe Suites offer step-out balconies, each furnished with two deckchairs. Triple Cabins (Lower Deck) are 3-berth staterooms with two non-opening portholes. When available, these cabins can also be booked as doubles. As all Triple Cabins are currently offline, the number of available staterooms is 106.

Each cabin is equipped with standard amenities including centrally controlled air-conditioning (with individual heating and ventilation), private en-suite bathroom (WC/toilet, glass-door shower, washbasin with under-sink storage, hairdryer, emergency call button), HDTV (local and satellite channels, infotainment system), refrigerator, wardrobe, electronic safe (in the closet), seating area (coffee table with two armchairs), phone (intercom), mirrored vanity (dressing table/writing desk) with chair, bedside cabinets (two-drawer) with bed lights, wall-mounted reading lamps, twin beds convertible to a Queen-size bed, complimentary bottled water (replenished daily), and 110-220 V power outlets. Ceiling height is 2.2 m.

Following multi-million-dollar refurbishments, all cabins now feature increased sizes compared to the originals, along with new furniture, upgraded flooring, deluxe bedding and modern LED lighting.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Dining onboard MS Rossia features European cuisine specialties with elements of traditional Russian cooking. Breakfast (7-9 AM) is buffet-style, with Early Bird coffee served from 6 AM. Lunch includes two soups (one Russian), two main courses and dessert. Dinner (7:00 or 7:30 PM) is waiter-served and highlights classic Russian dishes. Waitstaff wear traditional attire. Complimentary wine by the glass (white or red) is offered with dinner.

Onboard entertainment focuses on scheduled activities and live performances, including classical and Russian folk music. Lectures cover Russian history, culture and politics. Port talks (led by a professional guide) provide information on upcoming destinations, local towns and available shore excursions. Guests may also enjoy traditional Russian tea ceremonies, Russian language lessons, dancing and singing classes, vodka tastings, handicraft workshops (matryoshka/nesting doll painting, napkin folding), blini (pancake) classes, cooking demonstrations and vegetable carving. A tour of the Navigation Bridge (Wheelhouse) is offered once per cruise and is complimentary.

Signature formal events on each voyage include the Captain’s Welcome Reception (embarkation day) and the Captain’s Farewell Dinner (final night). Chartering cruise companies employ their own Cruise Directors to provide personalized service, itinerary guidance, excursion assistance and advice on dining and shopping ashore.

MS Rossia’s ship facilities include:

• On Sundeck (deck 5): a large Bar Lounge (President’s Lounge, hosting group activities and doubling as a Dancing Saloon/Cinema/Conference Hall with floor-to-ceiling windows) and the Navigation Bridge (forward Wheelhouse, with adjacent Captain’s Suite and officers’ quarters). Aft on the Sundeck are the Funnel (smokestack) and the Solarium—an open-air sunbathing area with teak garden furniture (padded loungers, deckchairs and umbrella-shaded four-seat tables).
• On Boat Deck (deck 4): cabins, a Bar Lounge (Tsar’s Bar, the forward observation lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows and 52 seats), and a smoking-allowed area (open-air aft-starboard).
• On Upper Deck (deck 3): cabins and the Dining Room Restaurant. This deck also features the Ironing Room (chargeable laundry service).
• On Main Deck (deck 2): cabins, the Medical Office (Infirmary, staffed by a resident physician; medical services are chargeable except for emergency first aid), Beauty Salon (hairdresser/barber), Fitness Room (Gym), Library (small reading room with leather seating), Gift Shop (Souvenir Kiosk), Lobby (Reception Desk and Cruise Director’s Office) and a 24-hour Coffee Bar (self-service station with coffee machine, teas, hot and cold water, ice, bottled water, cookies).
• On Lower Deck (deck 1, currently off-limits to passengers): Triple Cabins, Sauna Room and Spa (Massage Room).

Deck 2 features an open-air Promenade (wraparound walkway encircling the entire ship) with non-slip decking. Wi-Fi is complimentary and available in all public areas. One elevator connects all cabin decks (2-3-4), excluding decks 1-Lower and 5-Sun. The ship is not recommended for wheelchair users.

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.