| Introduction to Russian Trip 29 May to 9 June 2008 |
In 2001 Virginia and I spent two very enjoyable weeks with our Russian relatives and
friends in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
friends in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
In May 2008 we went to Russia again. We signed up for the 12-day "Cruise of the Czars"
group tour/cruise offered by SmarTours. Our cost including roundtrip air transportation
from New York, the lowest-priced cabin, all meals, some shore excursions, visas, and
insurance came to about US$2750 each. Additional miscellaneous charges brought our cost
to about US$3,000 each.
group tour/cruise offered by SmarTours. Our cost including roundtrip air transportation
from New York, the lowest-priced cabin, all meals, some shore excursions, visas, and
insurance came to about US$2750 each. Additional miscellaneous charges brought our cost
to about US$3,000 each.
Our tour began with a 7-hour flight on Finnair from New York to Helsinki followed by a
one-hour connecting flight to St. Petersburg. At the St. Petersburg airport we were met by
SmarTour's representatives, Galia and Svetlana, who by bus took us to the ship "Kronstadt",
our home during our entire Russian stay.
one-hour connecting flight to St. Petersburg. At the St. Petersburg airport we were met by
SmarTour's representatives, Galia and Svetlana, who by bus took us to the ship "Kronstadt",
our home during our entire Russian stay.
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The ship was built in East Germany in 1979 and refurbished several times since then. Most
of the many cruise ships we saw in Russia looked almost identical to our ship, the "Kronstadt,"
which carries about 250 passengers and a crew of around one hundred.
Our cabin was in the lowest of the ship's five decks and had two portholes about a yard (a
meter) above the level of the sea outside. In the cabin were two bunks plus an additional
convertible bunk for a possible third person; also three small wardrobes and a small
refrigerator. Attached to the cabin was a very small compact bathroom; attached to the sink
was a hose with a spray-head for showering; separating the sink/shower section from the
toilet was a plastic curtain intended to keep the toilet area dry while showering.
The cabin had excellent lighting, was cleaned daily, sheets and towels changed about every
other day. We found the cabin to be comfortable.
We never felt the ship rock nor did we hear engine noises or feel vibrations.
of the many cruise ships we saw in Russia looked almost identical to our ship, the "Kronstadt,"
which carries about 250 passengers and a crew of around one hundred.
Our cabin was in the lowest of the ship's five decks and had two portholes about a yard (a
meter) above the level of the sea outside. In the cabin were two bunks plus an additional
convertible bunk for a possible third person; also three small wardrobes and a small
refrigerator. Attached to the cabin was a very small compact bathroom; attached to the sink
was a hose with a spray-head for showering; separating the sink/shower section from the
toilet was a plastic curtain intended to keep the toilet area dry while showering.
The cabin had excellent lighting, was cleaned daily, sheets and towels changed about every
other day. We found the cabin to be comfortable.
We never felt the ship rock nor did we hear engine noises or feel vibrations.
Part of our cabin viewed facing the portholes
behind the drapes. At the top-right corner is the
small refrigerator, next to one of the wardrobes.
behind the drapes. At the top-right corner is the
small refrigerator, next to one of the wardrobes.
Our cabin viewed facing the entrance door. Door
on the left is to the mini-bathroom. On the right
are two wardrobes and the convertible third bunk.
Lower left corner shows the white AC/heater.
on the left is to the mini-bathroom. On the right
are two wardrobes and the convertible third bunk.
Lower left corner shows the white AC/heater.
Our ship, the MS "Kronstadt", typical of the cruise ships on Russia's waterways.
The cruise was about a thousand miles (1600km) long, on a series of rivers, lakes, and canals.
It started with three days docked in St. Petersburg and continued with brief stops in
Mandrogi, Kizhi, Goritsy, Yaroslavl, Uglich, and ending in Moscow, where we stayed during
our last two days in Russia. A map of the route is shown below. Details and photos of that
odyssey appear on the following pages.
It started with three days docked in St. Petersburg and continued with brief stops in
Mandrogi, Kizhi, Goritsy, Yaroslavl, Uglich, and ending in Moscow, where we stayed during
our last two days in Russia. A map of the route is shown below. Details and photos of that
odyssey appear on the following pages.
