MS Volga

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

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

PJSC UDP’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 vessels are marketed as “upper middle class” (3-star river cruise ships). MS Volga underwent an extensive refurbishment in 2015.

PJSC UDP’s cargo fleet includes various types of river barges (capacity up to 2300 tons), self-propelled dry cargo barges (capacity 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 Wolga has 82 staterooms (maximum passenger capacity 164) in six cabin categories, including Single (one sofabed), Twin (two lower beds), Triple (two lower beds plus one upper bunk), and Deluxe (double-bed Suites). All cabins are outside and equipped with air conditioning and heating. All beds (except in the Suites) are Pullman-style, allowing them to be folded into the wall during the day to create a lounge area.

Standard cabin amenities include two separate, non-convertible twin beds (one sofabed, one folding bed, plus one upper bunk), a small dining table (by the window, between the beds), a cabinet (wardrobe with electronic safe), a mirrored dressing table with chair, an en-suite bathroom (shower, WC, hairdryer), an in-cabin washbasin (single-sink vanity located outside/adjacent to the bathroom), a refrigerator (mini-fridge), a phone (intercom/onboard calls 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 measure 11 m² (120 ft²). Deluxe Cabins are larger at 14 m² (150 ft²). Single cabins (two rooms midship on Hauptdeck) are the smallest at 9 m² (95 ft²) and feature a sofabed. Deluxe cabins (three rooms forward on Promenadendeck) have a queen-size double bed (non-convertible to twins), a couch, and bathrobes.

Shipboard facilities

In line with traditional Russian passenger ship design, MS Volga features central air conditioning, an Infirmary (resident doctor and nurse), a dining room restaurant (buffet-style breakfast, waiter-served lunch and dinner, 24-hour coffee/tea station with light snacks and pastries), a Music Saloon (Bar & Lounge with dance floor, stage for live performances, and a forward outdoor terrace), a Cinema (theater lounge for movies, satellite TV, daily lectures, and port talks), a Library (reading room), and a wellness complex (sauna, massage room, laundry room, beauty salon/hairdresser-barber services).

Additional public areas include the aft-located Heckbar on Promenadendeck (with balcony seating), the Promenade Deck (outdoor walking area), and the Sun Deck (heated swimming pool, sunbathing and shaded seating areas with sunloungers and deckchairs, tables, and an open-air bar).

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

Onboard entertainment includes themed dance nights, cooking demonstrations, trivia quizzes, bingo, live music and folklore performances (including evening programs with Ukrainian songs), reading books and travel guides, playing cards and board games, and enrichment lectures with media presentations (itinerary-related topics on music, culture, history, food, and wines). The onboard chefs prepare dishes inspired by traditional international and local cuisines, reflecting the destinations visited along the cruise route.

The ship has no elevator; all decks are accessible only via indoor and outdoor stairs. Smoking is permitted only on the Sun Deck and the Lounge terrace. Onboard payments are in EUR and may 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), with the Cruise Director also speaking English.

The fore-located Navigation Bridge (Wheelhouse) on Sun Deck (deck 4) is unusually large for a European river cruise ship. It spans the full beam of the vessel (port to starboard) and is non-telescopic (cannot be lowered). Aft on Deck 4 is the funnel (smokestack).

River cruise itineraries

MS Wolga’s itinerary program includes regularly scheduled Danube River cruises featuring a 7-day roundtrip itinerary from Passau, Germany.

• (Day 1) Passau – individual arrival, ship boarding/embarkation; departure at 4 pm.
• (Days 2–3 / overnight) Vienna, Austria – arrival at 12 noon, departure at 6 pm.
• (Days 4–5 / overnight) Budapest, Hungary – arrival at 9 am, departure at 9 pm.
• (Day 6) Bratislava, Slovakia – arrival at 1:30 pm, departure at 6 pm.
• (Day 7) Spitz, Austria – arrival at 9:30 am, departure at 1 pm.
• (Day 8) Passau – arrival at 8:30 am; followed by disembarkation and individual departure.
• Shore excursions (land tours) are optional and cost extra. Bookings may be made onboard (at the Reception Desk) or independently ashore.

Longer itineraries may extend toward the Ukrainian Danube Delta (Izmail, Ukraine) and include calls at Belgrade, Serbia and Bucharest, Romania (via Giurgiu).