Going on a boat trip is a dream of many, but few people can afford to sail in foreign countries. In this case, motor ship cruises along the rivers of Russia can be an excellent alternative.
What is good about a vacation on a boat?
In fact, this type of vacation can really serve as a worthy alternative to foreign and seaside resorts. At the same time, it can become a real discovery for those who love the history of Russia and want to learn more about its culture.
In the summer season, you can often meet motor ships that sail along the Volga, Kama and other navigable water bodies. So, for example, you can choose for yourself weekend tours that last only 2-3 days, go from north to south of the country, or even swim to St. Petersburg. Whichever option you choose, almost all trips can be made on a ship named after the Soviet poet.
Ship "Vladimir Mayakovsky"
This ship is one of the most famous in Russia. Perhaps this is the case, because the ship sails onthe largest rivers: the Volga and Kama. He stops in major historical cities, each of which has a rich history and traditional Russian culture to discover. Be that as it may, tourists are attracted not only by the surroundings where the ship "Vladimir Mayakovsky" sails, but also by the very decoration of the ship.
Let's talk a little about the technical characteristics. The ship was assembled in Germany, it was released back in 1978. However, do not worry about its technical condition and external data, because in the late 1990s. a complete renovation has been made. The vessel is 125 m long and 16.5 m wide. This area is enough to comfortably accommodate all guests and staff.
The ship can reach speeds of up to 25 km/h, which avoids the inconvenience of fast movement and gives vacationers the opportunity to enjoy the views of the river banks to the fullest. And there really is something to enjoy, because on the banks of the rivers there are large cities, small villages, forests and fields. Panoramic views of the reservoir are especially impressive from the upper decks.
Ship cruises are made with complete safety, because the ship is constantly checked for compliance with technical standards and has all the necessary safety equipment, including boats and life jackets. The staff knows exactly how to behave in case of unforeseen situations.
Cabins
The ship is fully adapted to travel for every taste and budget. It is calculatedfor a total of 291 people, excluding staff. On the four floors of the ship there are cabins of different classes, depending on them, the range of services offered by the ship "Vladimir Mayakovsky" changes. There are 4 types of cabins, but there is a minimum set of amenities that are present in the premises of all classes. Each room has a bathroom, which includes a shower, toilet and sink, wardrobe, air conditioning, refrigerator and radio. Each cabin is equipped with a viewing window or porthole.
Note that the cabins can be single, double and triple, and the berths can be located both in one horizontal line and be bunk. Their type and price depend on the deck on which the room is located. The cheapest options will be located on the lower deck, with portholes.
There are 4 types of cabins on the ship: deluxe, junior deluxe, sigma, alpha, gamma and beta. At the same time, except for deluxe and junior suites, the conditions in the cabins are approximately the same. Small but comfortable rooms are cleaned every day.
Prices
Note that the cost of motor ship cruises largely depends on the chosen cabin. However, in any case, they include accommodation, as well as three meals a day. Some excursions along the way are also included in the price.
The cost of a vacation on a boat for 2017 starts from only 5,500 rubles per person for a 3-day trip to 68,400 rubles for 20 days. Motor ship "Vladimir Mayakovsky" provides all conveniences. However, please note that these are the minimum prices, and the verytravel can cost you a lot more. Rest in a top-class cabin can exceed 100 thousand rubles for a long voyage.
It is important to note that not all tourists sail along the route from start to finish. Often they go out in cities during stops, then new ones are added. This is a normal process. Such a system will allow you to better manage the timing of the trip and its cost, so you should check with the company for details.
Entertainment
A ship vacation would not be complete without the services and fun activities you can enjoy on board. The ship has 2 restaurants and 2 bars on different decks, as well as a sauna and a music room, which offers a beautiful view of the surroundings. For the convenience of passengers, there is a medical office, a beauty salon and even a solarium on board. Moreover, the ship's employees hold various evenings, as well as master classes. On the upper deck there is a conference room, which is often used as a cinema.
Note that the motor ship "Vladimir Mayakovsky" offers entertainment not only for adults, but also for children, arranging holidays and doing creative work with them. That is why you can meet both very young children and older adults on board.
The ship enters many major cities, stops there for the duration of excursions, the duration of which can range from several hours to a whole day. Localities vary depending on the route, but often the list of stops includes cities such aslike Perm, Kazan, Samara, St. Petersburg, Cheboksary, Vladimir, Nizhny Novgorod, Astrakhan and others. Sometimes a longer stay is also expected, in which case the company rents rooms for all vacationers.
Reviews
M/S "Vladimir Mayakovsky" collected a lot of flattering words. Reviews, however, can be found very different. According to vacationers, the ship sometimes has problems with refueling or other inconsistencies with service providers. However, it is pleasant to sail on the ship itself, the conditions in the cabins are also quite decent, the staff is attentive to the requests of tourists.
If you want to get to know the country you live in better, then you should definitely consider sailing on a boat.