MS Russ

MS Russ cruise ship (“теплоход Русь”) is a traditional Russian river vessel of the Project 302 (Dmitriy Furmanov-class). This former USSR-built ship is currently owned and operated by the Russian cruise company VODOHOD (“Водоход”). MS Russ sails on the Volga River, operating cruises between St Petersburg and Moscow.

Vodohod is Russia’s largest river cruise operator. Founded in 2004 as Volga Shipping Company, it later merged with Volga Flot Tour and now manages over 50 cruise ships sailing along the Don, Volga, Kama, Moscow, Volga–Don Canal, Volga–Baltic Waterway, and the lakes Ladoga and Onega.

Vodohod’s predecessor, Volga Shipping Company (Volzhskoye parokhodstvo / Волжское пароходство), was established in 1843 as a Volga steamship operator. As of 2011, it operated more than 300 passenger and cargo vessels, transporting over 6.7 billion tons of cargo and more than 368,000 passengers across Russia’s major inland waterways.

The ship underwent a major refurbishment in 2013.

Decks and cabins

Passenger accommodations include 2 Suites, 128 Twin/2-bed cabins, 6 Quad/4-bed cabins, and 10 Single/1-bed cabins.

All staterooms are outside (no interior cabins) and feature large opening windows, except Lower Deck cabins, which have round non-opening portholes.

Standard cabin amenities include central air-conditioning (individually controlled heating and ventilation), private en-suite bathrooms (WC, shower, washbasin, hairdryer, towels, toiletries), flat TV, radio, direct-dial phone, refrigerator, wardrobe, safe (in the closet), vanity mirror, writing desk with chair, bedside table, reading lights, and 220V power sockets.

Suites additionally feature a double bed, sofa, coffee table, armchairs, cabinet, and floor lamps. Cabin ceiling height is 2.2 m.

Suites (Boat Deck) are 2-room accommodations with a separate bedroom and living area, four large opening windows, L-shaped sofa, low table, King-size double bed (plus folding bed), mirrored vanity table with chair, and wardrobe. Suites can accommodate up to three guests via the folding bed.

Single Cabins (Boat Deck) are 1-bed staterooms with one large opening window. These cabins are conveniently located near the ship’s Main Lounge (dance bar).

Twin / Double Cabins (Main Deck / Middle Deck / Boat Deck) are 2-bed staterooms with one large opening window, one lower bunk bed, and one sofabed (pull-out couch).

Quad Cabins (Lower Deck) are 4-bed staterooms with two non-opening portholes, two sofabeds, and two upper bunk beds. They may also be booked as doubles or triples.

The ship has 5 decks, of which 4 contain passenger staterooms (146 total).

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Dining onboard MS Russ features European cuisine with elements of Russian traditional cooking. Breakfast is buffet-style. Lunch includes one main dish (typically Russian soup). Dinner is waiter-served and features a traditional Russian menu. Waitstaff wear traditional costumes.

Entertainment focuses on scheduled activities and live performances, including classical and Russian folk music. Lectures highlight Russian history and culture. Port talks by professional guides provide information on river ports, nearby towns, shore excursions, and tour options. Additional activities include Russian tea ceremonies, language lessons, singing and dancing classes, vodka tastings, and matryoshka (nesting doll) painting workshops.

MS Russ ship facilities include:

• (Boat Deck, Middle Deck) 2 restaurants (Neva and Volga)
• (Boat Deck) Panorama Bar Lounge (Main Lounge / Music Hall)
• (Sun Deck) Conference Hall and Bar (Dance Hall / Cinema / Meeting Room)
• (Middle Deck) Berezka Bar Lounge (Library / Reading Hall), Boutique (Souvenir Shop)
• (Sun Deck) Solarium (outdoor seating with deckchairs and 4-seat tables)
• (Lower Deck) Spa (Sauna Room)
• (Main Deck) Medical Room (Infirmary), Beauty Salon (hairdresser and barber services, massages), Ironing Room (laundry service), Lobby (Reception / Guest Services Desk)

VODOHOD cruise deals

• Departure port (dock/berth), check-in, boarding, and landing times are listed on the company website (vodohod.com) and on boarding passes. Final departure times are confirmed online the day before sailing.
• Children’s discounted fares apply to guests up to 14 years old (including age 14 on departure day).
• Children aged 2–5 (inclusive) travel free but without an extra bed (if no free beds are available in the cabin). Shore excursions are also free.
• Toddlers under 2 travel free, but no bed, food, or tour services are provided. Extra beds (baby cots) are not available onboard.
• Single supplement for TWIN (double) cabins is 75%.
• Cabin numbers are assigned 7 days before departure. Reserving a specific cabin number costs EUR 50 per person per cruise.
• Ticket prices include three meals daily: Breakfast (buffet with water in pitchers, tea/coffee, cocoa, milk, juices, hot and cold dishes), Lunch (buffet with water, tea/coffee), and Dinner (waiter-served) with 1 starter, 1 main course (choice of 3: meat/fish/vegetarian), and 1 dessert (choice of 2 or fruit).
• On embarkation and disembarkation days, meal times depend on the landing schedule. If an excursion overlaps with lunch, guests receive complimentary meals at a local restaurant or “dry rations.”
• Included onboard events: Welcome Aboard (“bread and salt” ceremony), Welcome Cocktail (1 complimentary glass of champagne or juice), Tea Ceremony (tea and traditional pies), Vodka Show (blini and vodka tasting), Cocktail Party (once per cruise, 1 complimentary cocktail), Captain’s Dinner (gourmet menu), mulled wine or iced tea (weather-dependent, served after excursions), complimentary Coffee Station (coffee, hot water, tea, milk, cocoa, cookies; open 6am–breakfast, 10–12am, 4–6pm, 9–11pm), and 1 bottled water (0.33L per person per day). The fare also includes guide services, onboard entertainment (classes, lessons, live music, dancing), and Wheelhouse tours.
• Complimentary excursions are listed in the itinerary program. Optional tours may be booked onboard. Foreign guests pay an additional excursion fee per person per day (children 6–14 included), depending on itinerary length (1–2, 3–4, 5, 6, or 7 days). This fee does not apply to tourists from the Russian Commonwealth, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
• Not included in fares: land transfers, drinks and snacks (in bars and lounges), phone calls, sauna visits, optional excursions, travel insurance, gratuities, and personal expenses. Prices include 18% VAT.
• All onboard payments are made using the “Vodohod” debit card issued at check-in. It is accepted in all onboard venues and carries no fees. Cash is not accepted. International cards are accepted for final settlement.
• Vodohod Gift Certificates (vouchers) may be purchased for any amount. Recipients may choose itinerary, departure date, and cabin category. If the cruise cost is lower than the voucher value, the difference is non-refundable.
• Smoking is permitted only in designated aft deck areas (Middle and/or Boat Deck). Smoking is prohibited indoors and on all other open decks.
• All Vodohod ships offer morning exercise sessions (led by the ship’s doctor), oxygen cocktails, and dietary meals.
• Included medical services: emergency care, blood pressure and temperature checks, and basic wound treatment.
• Vodohod recommends arriving at the departure city at least 6 hours before sailing. Boarding starts 2 hours before departure. All passengers must be onboard at least 1 hour prior. Late arrivals are non-refundable.
• Primary departure ports include Moscow, St Petersburg, Astrakhan, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Samara, Kazan, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, and Saratov.

Note: To explore all river cruise ships and itineraries, visit the “itinerary” section of our River Cruises hub, where all companies and their fleets are listed.