"Anton Chekhov", a wonderful handsome ship, the brainchild of project Q-056 - the first river passenger ship with four decks. Named after the great Russian writer, it was built back in 1978 at the shipyard Österreichische Schiffswerften AG Linz Korneuburg (ÖSWAG), and since then it has been the flagship of the Russian river navigation, decorating the fleet to this day and giving its passengers an unforgettable travel experience.
The Anton Chekhov is operated by the Orthodox Cruise Company, the ship sails along the Volga and the Don, its route runs from Rostov-on-Don to Moscow. He has a "twin brother" - the motor ship "Leo Tolstoy".
Interesting from history
It was 1975, one of the years of the "stagnation" period, when petrodollars flowed freely into Russia, thanks to whichit became possible to order the construction in the West of an entire flotilla of three- and four-deck motor ships.
On December 30, between the All-Union Association "Sudoimport" and the Austrian shipyard (the name is written above), contract No. 77-03 / 80010-111 was signed for the supply of two motor ships under the new project Q 056. respectively, one of them.
The working name of the current "Chekhov" was "Novosibirsk", because after the construction it was planned to send the ship to the Ob-Irtysh river shipping company with cruise purposes on the Ob River. But in 1987, the ship "Mikhail Svetlov" appeared on the Ob with a smaller draft.
It is interesting that when the finished ship went to Russia, because of its width, it could not pass through the White Sea Canal. It was decided to resolve the situation in the following way - to get together on a journey of 13,000 kilometers around Scandinavia. None of the countries did not obstruct us, except Norway. In the Skagerrak region, the authorities of the northern country banned the passage of a "strategic" vessel through the territorial waters of Norway. I had to fight.
And they did not take the ship right away. The reverse assembly was carried out, and in the end, the "birthday" of the ship "Anton Chekhov", a photo of which flaunts today in many prospectuses for foreign tourists who arrived in the Russian Federation, took place in 1978 on June 30, in the port of Galati (Romania). It was then that the State Flag of the USSR was raised at the stern.
First flights
On your first flight withtourists "Anton Chekhov" set off in May 1979. From 1984 until 2003, Ivan Marusev, the Hero of Socialist Labor, was at the helm of the ship.
Since 1991, the ship began to be directly chartered by various travel companies, the owner at that time was the Yenisei Shipping Company, and since 1992 a long-term contract regarding the rental of the Anton Chekhov by groups of foreign tourists came into force.
In 2003, during a period of decline in demand, the ship was sold to the company "Orthodox".
During one of the hauls, the motor ship "Anton Chekhov" got into a storm: the bow saloon on the middle deck was damaged - the windows were broken by the wave. Since 2003, he has been assigned to Rostov-on-Don. This is a very reliable boat that has gained popularity among foreign tourists.
Navigation
The ship "Anton Chekhov" has been making cruises with groups of domestic and foreign tourists since May 2004 on the route Moscow-St. Petersburg-Moscow.
The ship runs along the Volga River from Moscow to Rostov-on-Don and back with stops in Uglich and Yaroslavl, in Nizhny Novgorod and Kozmodemyansk, passes Cheboksary and Kazan, Samara and Saratov. Finally, important points of the route are Volgograd and Astrakhan. Ferry flights Rostov-on-Don - Moscow are relevant in spring, and Moscow - Rostov-on-Don - in autumn.
Cruises 2018
On the ship "Anton Chekhov" you can go on a cruise from Moscow to the port of St. Petersburg for 6 nights. The cost per person isabout 33,000 rubles, and as part of this cruise, the ship passes through 7 ports: Moscow, Uglich, Yaroslavl, Goritsy, Kizhi, Mandrogi, St. Petersburg.
The cost of a ticket in a cabin with a window is 33,000 rubles, in a junior suite - 54,000 rubles, in a suite - 66,000 rubles.
According to the standard scheme, three meals a day is already included in the price you pay for the tour. The breakfast buffet is replaced by the usual lunch and dinner menu - guests have a choice of second courses, and at these meals tea and coffee are free for guests, and you have to pay for water. At the same time, the menu is completely different on board. For Russian tourists - one thing, for foreign tourists - another.
What are its parameters
The ship takes on board 223 passengers, the number of crew members - 75 people. The Anton Chekhov flying the flag of Russia is 115.6 and 16.5 meters long and 16.5 meters respectively, with a draft of 3 meters. The displacement level of the ship is estimated at 2915 tons, and it can develop a maximum speed of up to 25.6 km/h. Its home port today is Rostov-on-Don, since 2013 the ship has been wintering in Moscow.
What is on board. Types of ship cabins
The ship is equipped with two saloons. Guests are invited to use the bar, restaurant, cinema room and souvenir shop, as well as the swimming pool.
Cabins are comfortable and modern. The vessel is equipped with 15 triple, 50 double and six single cabins. There are also six luxury cabins and 7 junior suites equipped with a bathroom consisting of a toilet, shower and washbasin, alsothere is an air conditioner powered by a central air conditioning system and a 220 V electrical outlet.
TVs and refrigerators are installed in deluxe and junior suite cabins. No cabins are equipped with a hair dryer, and one more thing - there is no Wi-Fi connection on board, but perhaps it's only a matter of time.
Reviews about the ship "Anton Chekhov" and the cruise
There are practically no negative reviews about the work of the ship's crew, about the cruise itself, about the ship. Almost all tourists shared their positive impressions and emotions about trips on Anton Chekhov. This is really a worthy vacation on a quality boat.
Wide decks offer luxurious space, but there is also a small downside - this is provided at the expense of the corridors inside the ship. But it's not scary.
The staff is impeccably educated, polite and inconspicuous, helping in solving all problems. Since mixed groups go on a cruise - Russian and foreign tourists, each has its own manager and assistant who solve various issues.
Employees unobtrusively provide all the necessary services. The decks and cabins are regularly cleaned and the mooring is very neat.
Tourists shared that the entertainment is also different and interesting for each group, concerts and dance evenings were held every evening - Russian romances and karaoke were sung, at the same time origami lessons were organized for Russian and Japanese tourists.
Of the shortcomings, passengers noted that they should be updated more oftentravel information. Five minutes a day is not enough. Nevertheless, the history of the cities of the Volga is told to all tourists, a lot of interesting information about shipping is provided. Data is updated daily with the program for the next day, about the city, about the places the ship passes by.
It is also convenient that a large assortment of different souvenirs is presented on board, tourists can buy them without leaving the ship.
Cabins
Reviews about the cabins are also left in a positive way. On the whole, guests find the motor ship "Anton Chekhov" very beautiful and comfortable inside, cozy cabins allow you to relax calmly and comfortably. The disadvantage, according to customers, is the lack of refrigerators in the cabins, but the sanblok is much more convenient and larger than on other ships of this class. Cleanliness and grooming - at the highest level.
Food
Delicious and high-quality food impressed tourists. Very tasty porridges are praised, the cook at "Anton Chekhov" is doing his best. For breakfast, in addition to cereals, a standard set of food is served - muesli and toast, buns and juices, salads, fruits and vegetables, as well as eggs and omelettes, sandwiches, sausages and pancakes. In addition, the menu also includes hot dishes, as well as milk and honey.
Entertainment
The ship has a pool bar at the stern and a bar-salon on the bow of the boat deck. The first is open until 23:00, and the second - until the last visitors, that is, until night. Passengers note a large selection of drinks, cocktails, beer, mulled wine, other alcohol and soft drinks. The range of food in bars is not very wide - chips, chocolates and nuts. All the wines in the bars are dry, because the public is sometimes represented mostly by foreigners who recognize only such drinks of this kind, including champagne. Passengers note reasonable prices, and say that the bars serve delicious coffee.
And even beauty sessions
All those who like to take a steam bath - great news, guests will enjoy not only the cruise. Motor ship "Anton Chekhov" is equipped with a sauna, which is located in the forward part of the main deck on the port side. At the same time, the guests noted that it fits into the interior quite organically and competently, and the general impression is that it was provided for by the project. The sauna has everything that tourists expect from it - the sauna itself, a toilet and shower, a relaxation room with a table, tea and a kettle. It is very convenient that towels in the steam room are provided to guests in unlimited quantities.
There are also entertainment especially for the fair sex. Specially equipped beauty salon, which is also a hairdresser. Relax, unwind and pamper yourself!
Services
Guests were also very pleased with the daily change of towels. As for the pool on the ship, it is small and looks very cozy along with the bar. The pool can be used at any time and the bar is open at certain hours. You can swim with three of us, but for a larger number of people it will already be uncomfortable. The pool shower is also open all the time, pool waterprovided with heating, guests say that this is the maximum comfort at the highest level.
The ship "Anton Chekhov" in general impresses tourists with comfort, friendliness of the crew, attention and grooming.
The excursion program was also liked by almost everyone who went on trips on this ship. The number of excursions was optimal, it was not boring and at the same time no one was very tired.
In general, the cruise ship "Anton Chekhov" and its excursion offer can be rated as a solid five with a very slight minus. Perhaps in the future the routes will be presented in a more extended version, which will attract even more customers.
