MS AmaKatarina's Russian Debut

The newest addition to AMA Waterways’ award-winning river cruise fleet, the 212-passenger MS AmaKatarina celebrated its inaugural “Russian Waterways” itinerary from Moscow to St. Petersburg on May 10 with an 11-night sailing through the heart of Russia. The ship provides the most luxurious and spacious accommodations on Russia’s famed Volga-Baltic Waterway.

Completely redesigned and rebuilt from the hull up, AmaKatarina features outside balconies in 76 of her 106 staterooms and suites ranging up to 432sq ft in size.

The ship's modern, upscale décor is evident in her staterooms, which feature a sitting area, bathroom with separate shower, a refrigerator, hairdryer, safe and telephone (onboard communications). Spacious public areas include a beautiful Panorama Lounge; Conference Hall for onboard entertainment/lectures; Solarium and Gift Shop. An American chef with extensive experience in Russia oversees onboard dining.

AmaKatarina also features two separate dining venues, including a beautiful Main Restaurant with panoramic views of riverside scenery. Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks are served with dinner, bottled water is replenished in staterooms daily and speciality coffees are available throughout the day. The ship also has Internet access; a fitness centre on the Sun Deck; a hair dresser and masseuse; an elevator reaching all four decks and an onboard physician.

Guests aboard the 11-night itinerary between Moscow and St Petersburg experience an unforgettable cruise into the heart of Russia, from bustling Moscow to the enchanting Golden Ring cities of Uglich and Yaroslavl to the splendours of St Petersburg.

Highlights include visits to the Kremlin, the Hermitage Museum, a day boat luncheon cruise on the Moscow River; an exclusive ballet performance at the Hermitage Theatre and a specially-arranged visit to the home of a local Russian family in Uglich. During the cruise, guests will enjoy onboard music performances and Russian language classes, as well as lectures from experts on topics such as Russia’s history, culture, art, politics and economy.

The Russian Waterways cruise costs from £2,249 per person, including 11 nights’ accommodation; all meals as detailed on the itinerary; wine with dinner; complimentary soft drinks, mineral water and speciality coffee; all shore excursions as featured on the itinerary; and port charges. Price excludes flights and transfers.

For more info, visit www.amawaterways.co.uk or contact the river-cruise specialists at The Cruise Line Ltd.

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AmaWaterways Latest Luxury River-Cruise Offers

Here are three more great offers this summer for river-cruises with AMAWaterways, taking in Russia and their Legendary Danube route.

1st June: Russian Waterways, saving up to £365pp

There are big savings of £365pp off a spectacular 11-night voyage from Moscow to Uglich, Yaroslav, Goritsy, Kizhi and Svirstroy, finishing in St. Petersburg along the Volga-Baltic waterways and through Europe’s two largest lakes, Onega and Ladoga. The cruise costs from £2,314 per person, including cruise and port taxes, all meals, champagne breakfasts and wine with dinner, daily excursions, and transfers and return flights (maximum value up to £360pp) from London.

June 27: Legendary Danube, saving up to £428pp

There are also savings off this 7-night Danube River cruise from Nuremberg to Budapest, with prices from £1,649 per person (was £2,077pp), fully inclusive of all taxes, meals, etc. The sailing cruises to Budapest through the charming towns and beautiful vistas of Hilpoltstein, Regensburg, Passau, Salzburg, Linz, Melk and Vienna.

July 8: Legendary Danube, saving up to £426pp

This 7-night Danube cruise from Nuremberg to Budapest now has prices from £1,709 per person (was £2,135pp), inclusive of taxes, all meals, excursions, transfers and flights from London or Manchester. Again, it cruises through Hilpoltstein, Regensburg, Passau, Salzburg, Linz, Melk and Vienna.

For more info, visit www.amawaterways.co.uk or contact the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Uniworld Back to Russia

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection will be re-entering the Russian market in 2011 with the launch of the completely refurbished River Victoria (above) projected to be one of the most beautiful and comfortable ships to sail the Volga River.

Uniworld has a long history of operating in Russia but company exited the market in 2010 because the quality of the ship and onboard services did not meet their high standards. Now, the totally refurbished Victoria will incorporate the planning and design themes from Uniworld’s sister company, the award-winning Red Carnation Hotel Collection.

The river-view staterooms and suites offer individual climate-control thermostats, telephones, flat-screen satellite TVs and bathrooms stocked with high-quality bath and body products. Staterooms and suites on the Neva and Volga decks have full private balconies to view Russia’s many gems along the Volga River.

The River Victoria’s common areas are being designed for their guests’ total comfort and enjoyment. The Chagall Lounge offers a full-service bar and dance floor; the Katarina Bar features an outdoor patio; and the Pushkin Restaurant has stunning panoramic views.

The ship also offers a sun deck patio with lounge chairs, a fitness room and massage room, a boutique, a library/reading room, a complimentary 24-hour speciality coffee and tea bar and Wi-Fi access in public areas.

Guests can experience all of the comfort and elegance of the River Victoria on Uniworld’s exciting Imperial Waterways of Russia itinerary. This 13-day journey from Moscow to St. Petersburg uncovers some of the world’s finest art and architecture, as well as tucked-away villages with Old World charm and warm, friendly people.

From Red Square, the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Hermitage Museum to the white stone churches of Uglich and Yaroslavl, this cruise brings guests up close to the rich traditions and royal history of Russia.

Prices start from £3,075 per person, including return scheduled flights and UK door-to-door private car airport transfers, and, by booking and paying in full by October 31, guests can enjoy savings of £800 per couple off their cruise.

Find out more at http://www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk/ or check with the river-cruise specialists at The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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