MS Volga

MS Volga cruise ship ("теплоход Волга" круизный корабль) is a Volga-class Russian passenger ship (Project Q-031) constructed in Korneuburg (near Linz, Lower Austria) by the shipbuilder OSWAG (Osterreichische Schiffswerften AG, 1840-founded).

This 1970-built vessel is owned by PJSC UDP (Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company, 1991-founded) and operated via its travel agency Transkruiz. Currently, MS Volga (aka MS Wolga) is operated under charter by Nicko River Cruises (Stuttgart-based cruisetour company, subsidiary of Mystic Cruises). MS Volga cruises on Danube River, with departures from homeports Izmail (Ukraine) and Passau (Germany).

PJSC's fleet includes four Ukraine-flagged river cruise ships - the 1970-built sisterships Volga and Dnipro, and the 1979-built sisterships Moldavia and Ukraina. These boats are marketed as "upper middle class" vessels (3-star river cruise ships). MS Volga was extensively refurbished in 2015.

PJSC's cargo fleet includes different types/capacity river barges (max 2300 tons), self-propelled dry cargo barges (max 1814 tons) and also river tugboats (for assistance). PJSC UDP provides river shipping services along Danube's navigable section between Constanta (Romania) and Kellheim (Germany).

Cabins

The cruise ship Wolga has a total of 82 staterooms (max passenger capacity 164) 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 the suites) are Pullman, which allows during the day to be folded into the wall creating a lounge space.

Standard cabin amenities include 2 separate / non-convertible to double twin beds (1 sofabed, 1 folding bed, plus 1 upper bunk), small dining table (by the window, between the beds), cabinet (wardrobe with electronic safe box), mirrored dressing table with chair, en-suite bathroom (shower, WC, hairdryer), in-cabin washbasin (single-sink vanity located outside/adjacent to the bathroom), refrigerator (mini-fridge), phone (intercom / onboard only), thermostat-controlled HVAC (heating-ventilation-air conditioning).

All staterooms have flat TVs (satellite reception). Bedding sets, towels and bath products are provided complimentary. Bottled mineral water is complimentary and supplied daily. Most cabins are sized 11 m2 (120 ft2). Deluxe Cabins are larger (sized 14 m2 / 150 ft2). Single cabins (2 rooms midship on Hauptdeck) are the smallest (sized 9 m2 / 95 ft2) and with sofabed. Deluxe cabins (3 rooms forward on Promenadendeck) have Queen-size double bed (non-convertible to twins), couch, bathrobes.

Shipboard facilities

Traditionally for Russian passenger ships, MS Volga has central air-conditioning, Infirmary (resident doctor and nurse), dining room restaurant (buffet-style breakfast, waiter-served lunch and dinner, 24-hour coffee/tea station with light snacks / cakes and pastries), Music Saloon (Bar and Lounge with dance floor, stage for live music performances, fore-located outdoor terrace), Cinema (theater lounge for movies, satellite TV programming, daily lectures and port talks), Library (reading room), wellness complex (sauna room, massage room, laundry room, beauty salon / hairdresser-barber services), Heckbar (aft-located on Promenadendeck, with balcony seating), Promenade Deck (an outdoor area for walking), Sun Deck (with heated swimming pool, sunbathing and shaded seating areas / sunloungers, deckchairs tables, open-air bar).

On Deck 2 are the two ship entrances (portside and starboard) and the Lobby area housing Reception Desk (24-hour guest services - information, assistance, luggage, purser), Cruise Director's / Tour Office (shore excursions information and booking), Library (foyer corner with books and board games) and Gift Shop (selling souvenirs, clothes, fashion accessories).

Onboard entertainment includes themed dance nights, cooking demonstrations, trivia quizzes, bingo, live music and folklore performances (in the evenings, including Ukrainian songs), reading books and travel guides, playing cards and popular board games, enrichment lectures with media presentations (itinerary-related and themed on music, culture, history, food and wines). The boat's chefs prepare various dishes with traditional International and local cuisine recipes (based on the visited countries along the cruise itinerary route).

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

The fore-located on Sun Deck (deck 4) Navigation Bridge (aka Wheelhouse) is unusually large for European river cruise ships. It extends all the boat's beam/width (from portside to starboard) and is non-telescopic (can't be lowered). Aft on Deck 4 is the Funnel (smokestack).

River cruise itineraries

MS Wolga's itinerary program offers regularly scheduled Danube River cruises with a 7-day itinerary roundtrip from Passau Germany.

• (Day 1) Passau - individual arrival, ship boarding/embarkation, departure is at 4 pm.
• (Days 2-3 / overnight) Vienna Austria - arrival is at 12-noon, departure is at 6 pm.
• (Days 4-5 / overnight) Budapest Hungary - arrival is at 9 am, departure is at 9 pm.
• (Day 6) Bratislava Slovakia - arrival is at 1:30 pm, departure is at 6 pm.
• (Day 7) Spitz Austria - arrival is at 9:30 am, departure is at 1 pm.
• (Day 8) Passau - arrival is at 8:30 am, follows ship disembarkation and individual departure.
• Shore excursions (land tours) are optional and cost extra. Tour bookings can be made via the cruise company on the ship (at the Reception Desk) or independently (ashore).

Longer itineraries may extend to the Ukrainian Danube Delta (Izmail Ukraine) and additionally visit Belgrade Serbia and Bucharest Romania (from Giurgiu).