MS Ukraina

MS Ukraina (\"теплоход Украина/Україна\" круизный корабль) is an Ukraina-class Russian passenger ship (Project S-053) constructed in Korneuburg (near Linz, Lower Austria) by the shipbuilder OSWAG (Osterreichische Schiffswerften AG, founded in 1840).

Currently, this 1979-built vessel is owned by PJSC UDP (Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company, founded in 1991) and operated through its travel agency Transkruiz.

PJSC’s fleet includes four Ukraine-flagged river cruise ships: the 1970-built sisterships Volga and Dnipro, and the 1979-built sisterships Ukraina and Moldavia. These vessels are marketed as “upper middle class,” targeting European travelers and are often time-chartered by German cruisetour companies such as Phoenix Reisen, Nicko (Mystic Cruises), and TransOcean Tours. MS Ukraina was extensively refurbished in 2017.

PJSC UDP’s cargo fleet includes various types and capacities of river barges (up to 2300 tons), self-propelled dry cargo barges (up to 1814 tons), and river tugboats. The company provides shipping services along the navigable section of the Danube between Constanta (Romania) and Kellheim (Germany).

Cabins

The cruise ship Ukraina has a total of 84 staterooms (maximum passenger capacity 178) in 6 cabin categories, including Single (1 sofabed), Twin (2 lower beds), Triple (2 lower plus 1 upper bunk bed), and Deluxe (double-bed Suites). All cabins are outside, air-conditioned, and heated. All beds (except in the Suites) are Pullman-style, allowing them to be folded into the wall during the day to create lounge space.

Standard cabin amenities include two separate, non-convertible twin beds (1 sofabed, 1 folding bed, plus 1 upper bunk), a small dining table (by the window, between the beds), a cabinet (wardrobe with electronic safe), mirrored vanity (dressing table with stool), en-suite bathroom (shower, WC, hairdryer), in-cabin washbasin (single-sink vanity located outside/adjacent to the bathroom), refrigerator (mini-fridge), telephone (intercom/onboard only), and thermostat-controlled HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning).

All staterooms have flat-screen TVs (satellite reception). Bedding, towels, and bath products are provided complimentary. Bottled mineral water is also complimentary and supplied daily. Most cabins are sized 11 m² (120 ft²). Deluxe cabins are larger at 14 m² (150 ft²). Single cabins (5 rooms midship on Hauptdeck and Oberdeck) are the smallest at 9 m² (95 ft²) and feature a sofabed. Deluxe cabins (4 rooms forward on Promenadendeck) offer additional amenities including a Queen-size double bed (non-convertible to twins), a couch, and bathrobes.

Shipboard facilities

As is traditional for Russian passenger ships, MS Ukraina features central air-conditioning, an Infirmary (resident doctor and nurse), and a dining room restaurant (buffet-style breakfast, waiter-served lunch and dinner, 24-hour coffee/tea station with snacks, cakes, and pastries). Additional public areas include the Music Saloon (Bar and Lounge with dance floor, stage for live music, and a forward outdoor terrace), Cinema (theatre lounge for movies, satellite TV, daily lectures and port talks), Library (reading room), wellness complex (spa and fitness, sauna, massage room, laundry room, beauty salon/hairdresser-barber), Heckbar (aft on Promenadendeck with balcony seating), Promenade Deck (outdoor walking area), and Sun Deck (heated swimming pool, sunbathing and shaded seating areas, open-air bar).

Deck 2 houses the two ship entrances (port and starboard) and the Lobby area with the Reception Desk (24-hour guest services), Cruise Director’s/Tour Office (shore excursion information and booking), Library (with books and board games), and Gift Shop (souvenirs, clothing, accessories).

Onboard entertainment includes themed dance nights, cooking demonstrations, trivia quizzes, bingo, live music and folklore performances (including Ukrainian songs), reading, card games and board games, as well as enrichment lectures with media presentations focused on itinerary-related themes of music, culture, history, food, and wine. The onboard chefs prepare various dishes inspired by international and regional cuisines based on the countries visited along the itinerary.

The ship has no elevator; all decks are accessible only via indoor and outdoor stairs. Smoking is permitted only on the Sun Deck and on the Lounge terrace. Onboard payments are in EUR and can be made in cash or by credit card (Mastercard, VISA). Tours and excursions booked onboard must be paid in cash. The staff and crew are Ukrainian. The onboard language is German (Deutch), and the Cruise Director also speaks English.

The Navigation Bridge (Wheelhouse), located forward on Sun Deck (deck 4), is unusually large for European river cruise ships. It spans the entire beam (port to starboard) and is non-telescopic (cannot be lowered). Aft on Deck 4 is the Funnel (smokestack).

River cruise itineraries

MS Ukraina’s itinerary program offers regularly scheduled cruises on the Danube River. The itineraries visit all major Danube capital cities — Vienna, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; Budapest, Hungary; Belgrade, Serbia; and Bucharest, Romania (via Giurgiu). Longer routes extend to the Ukrainian Danube Delta (Izmail, Ukraine).