Accommodation with a small child on a boat.

Typically, standard cabins on ships look like a compartment - a window, two beds on the walls and a table between them. Most major cruise lines offer free travel for children under 5 without a seat in the same cabin as an adult. River cruises are not cheap and are a good opportunity to save money and go sailing together with the whole family.
How to sleep on a ship with a child? If you have a baby, then squeezing a stroller in the aisle between the beds is probably real. Already a separate cradle - for sure. But with a larger child, you can sleep together on the same bed, but it is not comfortable. The way out for comfort is to take a cabin of an improved category, so that instead of one single bed there is a folding sofa or the ability to put a folding bed. This time we sailed on, it is considered a luxury ship, and all cabins have a double bed in it - it is very comfortable to sleep with the baby.
On motor ships, a stroller in the cabin can normally be placed only when folded - there is very little space. But on the other hand, you can easily leave it in common areas - no one will touch it.
Walking around the ship and open decks with a stroller is not very convenient, but you want and, of course, you need to - it’s not all sailing to sit in the cabin :). But keep in mind the very steep stairs from deck to deck. Although the ship's staff is always ready to help you - lift / carry. Motor ship "Princess Victoria" - so far the only ship in Russia with an elevator!
Do not forget to bring anti-mosquito products and warm clothes for the evening. Even if the forecast predicts heat, it will be windy and cold on the deck in the evening on the water. On many ships, those who wish are given blankets to sit on the decks, but this is not a mandatory option.
And some who have not swum have a stereotype that they can get motion sickness on such cruises. So, I will say - it does not shake at all. Although managers advise taking a cabin on a higher deck when buying a tour, supposedly there may be vibration from the engine compartment below.

Food for the child on the ship.

Usually, free accommodation for children without a seat does not include meals. This is perhaps the moment that worried me the most. How and what to feed?
The first option is that on any ship you can buy food for the child separately (it is better to specify the cost when buying a tour, it is different on each ship).
The second and economical option is to eat at a common table. Today, on river cruises, most often for breakfast you will be offered a buffet, where there will be cereals, omelettes, pancakes, etc. That is, with a buffet, the child will definitely not remain hungry. Well, lunch and dinner - this is most often on the menu - will be shared "brotherly". Vacationers choose dishes from the menu themselves, usually from several first and second courses, appetizers and desserts.
The restaurants have high chairs, I hope everyone has enough.
I recommend taking only drinks from mine (except tea) and not forgetting something for snacks (fruits, cookies ...). As for dairy products, when buying a ticket, check if there is a refrigerator in the cabin (we had one).
On any ship common use free all the time hot water for tea and more. I know that somewhere there is a microwave (it is necessary to specify when buying a tour). But in any case, in a restaurant (only during its opening hours), if you need, you can always ask to warm up your own for the child.

Entertainment for children on the ship.

There are no problems with this at all. In addition to caring parents, who, of course, will take their favorite and always new (for distraction) toys, books, pencils, almost all ships have children's rooms and often with an animator. The schedule of all master classes, collective games, competitions, discos are announced in advance - do not miss it. And to take a walk on the deck, look at the shores and some water - this is a self-evident entertainment :). I recommend not to forget binoculars at home. By the way, I know that there are boats from which you can even fish.

Feel free to ask me if there is something that concerns you, I didn't tell you. HAPPY SWIMMING!

With the advent of spring, the river navigation season opens, and everyone has the opportunity to book tickets for a motor ship cruise. Parents are happy to take their children with them, because this is an active form of recreation, during which passengers learn a lot of new things, see the sights of Russia, and have fun.

Nevertheless, it must be remembered that the parents are responsible for the child. Do not forget about the constant companion of such trips - pitching (it shakes especially strongly on Ladoga and Lake Onega). If the son does not tolerate trips in a car or bus, then he is unlikely to feel good on board the ship. Another point is the brightness of impressions. It is unlikely that babies under one year old will be interested in a river tour, but older people may like it. In a word, consider all these factors before ordering tickets for a cruise with a small child, so that only good memories are deposited in your memory.

Choice of river cruise

Most cruise lines offer free travel for children aged 3-5. But there is one "but" - food and a separate place are not provided to the child. Accordingly, two questions need to be answered:
- Where will he sleep?
- what will be eaten.

There is very little space in standard double cabins, and sleeping in the same narrow bed with a baby is not very comfortable. The baby can be left in the stroller by placing it between the beds. Or you can book a deluxe class cabin with large double beds so that there is enough space for the whole family.

Meals on board

Keep baby food in the refrigerator, which is available in each cabin. To warm up, use the microwave - you just need to clarify where it is located. Older children can eat at a bar or restaurant, but they will have to buy food separately, as it is not included in the tour price.

The menu is quite varied:
- breakfast in the form buffet- sandwiches with butter, sausage, cheese, pancakes;
- lunch - first, second, salads;
- dinner is also in the form of a buffet.

Some ships have separate children's places, so there should be no problems with food.

Entertainment program

Each ship has a children's room, where animators or educators work. Toddlers can be safely left here, they will always be under control (specify this issue separately). Toys, colored felt-tip pens, coloring books have been prepared for them.

Senior preschoolers and elementary school students take part in various competitions announced in advance. Topics can be very different: a drawing or poetry reading competition, active team competitions. Animators will prepare plays and performances. Senior students can attend any other events with you, they will be interested in having fun at parties.

The cultural program on the coast deserves special attention. Each tour includes:
- sightseeing tours;
- "green stops" - beach holiday visiting nature reserves and natural wonders, barbecue;
- cruises to Astrakhan or Rostov-on-Don include stops at camp sites.

That is river cruise for children, you will definitely like it, as you will not be bored throughout the entire route.

What to bring on a cruise

You can take with you on a cruise everything that is not prohibited by the rules. First of all, take into account the weather conditions and choose the appropriate clothing. Nobody forbids taking a stroller, baby food, favorite toys. Be sure to take binoculars to enjoy indescribable landscapes while cruising along the Volga with children.

Don't forget the pills for heaving, indigestion, and any other necessary medicines. Naturally, you must have all the documents with you.

A cruise is a great opportunity to relax with the whole family, and be sure that your children will not be bored! Staying on board will be a real holiday for the kids, full of vivid impressions and events!

On board the ships there are lots of entertainment for kids! This is a water park with all kinds of water attractions, and a variety of educational and entertainment programs that will be of interest to children of all ages.

With little travelers specially trained animators will deal with them, who will give them maximum attention. Your children will be passionate about games, entertainment, will be supervised, but in no case will they feel close control over themselves.

Going on a cruise with babies in strollers, parents can also be calm, because. modern cruise ships are equipped with wide decks and corridors, spacious elevators, which makes it easy and free to move around the ship.

It is worth noting that some cruise companies allow children under 18 to travel free of charge in a cabin with two adults.

Cruise lines offer free participation of all children in children's clubs. They are divided into age categories, where a special program is drawn up for each age group in order to offer children entertainment appropriate to their age and interests.

Itineraries of river cruises along the Volga

The number of motor ships of various classes, carrying out cruises along the Volga, is very large and diverse, there are hundreds of them. The vast majority of major Russian cruise companies carry out their cruises along the Volga. Their routes pass through almost all Russian regions and regions. During a river trip on a boat along the Volga, you can not only experience pleasure, enjoying natural beauties and landscapes of the Volga banks, but visit a number most beautiful cities our country, such as Yaroslavl, Nizhny Novgorod, Cheboksary, Kazan, Ulyanovsk, Samara, Saratov, Volgograd, Astrakhan and many others.

River cruises along the Volga are a good combination educational rest With interesting excursions and outdoor recreation, as well as a variety of entertainment program on the ship, which is very popular with travelers. The cost of a cruise along the Volga on a ship depends on the class of the ship, the season and the duration of the route. Tour operators and travel agencies, as well as the cruise companies themselves, provide tickets and vouchers for pensioners with big discounts. Elderly tourists can go on a cruise along the Volga on boarding ships with a program of wellness treatments that have a beneficial effect on the human body.

tour operator Cruise House"MK" on its website offers cruises along the Volga with timetables and prices. Here you can also get acquainted with the characteristics of the ships and easily choose the best cruise for yourself. For example, it is possible to find a tour along the Volga from Saratov or another city with special rates. River tours along the Volga are also notable for the fact that motor ships can call at ports, where it is much longer and more expensive to get by land. In any case, visiting a large number of cities along the river is much more economical than the same route on the river. tourist bus or other form of transport. In addition, cruise companies often arrange seasonal discounts for river tours, as well as special offers. As a result, you can buy a cruise on the Volga much cheaper.

Since river cruises along the Volga can be both short and quite long, covering several other rivers in addition to the Volga, the number and variety of cities on the route makes the cruise extremely interesting, because each city is unique and has its own characteristics. For example, a lot of tourists go on river cruises along the Volga to Ples, since Ples is a very picturesque city with the original Russian spirit and a huge number of museums. And in the city of Myshkin there is the only mouse museum in the world, which is a symbol of the city.

When to go on a tour along the Volga on a boat

In winter, river navigation along the rivers of Russia is not carried out. The most successful period for a cruise on the Volga is from April to October. For cruises in Central Russia, it is preferable to take the hottest months. At this time, the climate is conducive both for swimming in the rivers and for visiting local tourist sites. From this point of view, a summer cruise on the Volga is preferable. In addition, it is in summer that cruise companies offer the largest selection of tours for every taste and budget. For southern regions the most comfortable voyage is in October. For this time, one of the most popular routes is a cruise along the Volga to Astrakhan. In addition, prices for a cruise along the Volga during this period are lower than in summer, which makes the trip profitable for the budget.

Boat tours along the Volga suggest "Green Parking". The motor ship makes a stop outside the city limits, and tourists, having gone ashore, can spend time having barbecues, walking through the forest, lying on the beach, swimming in the river or just taking a walk along the coast, breathing in the amazing river air, which, by the way, is very useful for health.

What cruise ships sail on the Volga

Motor ships of almost all major Russian cruise companies carry out river cruises along the Volga from cities located on it. The main criterion when choosing a ship of a particular company is its price and level of service. The port cities where ships call are, as a rule, the same for all cruise companies. The largest of them are Mosturflot, Infoflot and Vodokhod. They offer cruises on the Volga from Moscow, visiting Myshkin, Uglich, Kalyazin, cruises on the Volga from Nizhny Novgorod, calling at Gorodets, Kozmodemyansk and Makariev, as well as cruises on the Volga from Tver. Other cruise companies such as Orthodox, Gama, Rusich and VolgaWolga also organize motor ship tours along the Volga.

On the Cruise House MK website, you can find and book any of the most popular Volga tour options, including Volga cruises from Saratov, Volga cruises from Kazan, and many others. It is also possible to purchase not only a cruise, but also arrange a full cruise package with transfer, air travel and excursions. It is much more profitable and cheaper up to 15% compared to choosing only one cruise service. All ships, regardless of class, provide everything you need for a comfortable and exciting stay on board. This is a three course meal. sightseeing tours, recreational activities on the ship. We recommend, for completeness of impressions, to choose the most comfortable cruise ships with high level services, such as the ship Princess Victoria, Alexander Grin, Mikhail Sholokhov, Princess Anabella, Mikhail Bulgakov.

The most interesting ports visited on cruises along the Volga

Kazan

Kazan is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in our country. Here is one of the largest mosques in Europe, Kul-Sharif, which is a real miracle of architecture and amazes with its beauty. Cruises from Moscow to Kazan or from another port are very popular among cruises on the Volga. The Kazan Kremlin has perfectly preserved ancient monuments, including the Syuyumbike Tower. The capital of Tatarstan is magnificent. Many secular and religious buildings, museums, cafes and restaurants are concentrated here, and the “singing fountains”, which are so pleasant to enjoy in the evening, deserve special mention. On a cruise along the Volga from Kazan, a breathtaking view of the city's embankment opens up.

Nizhny Novgorod

The city is the most important cultural and industrial center of Russia, in addition, it is one of the largest centers of river tourism, so cruises on the Volga from Nizhny Novgorod are very common. Also, traditional routes include a cruise from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod and the opposite direction. Nizhny Novgorod also boasts important cultural and historical sites, including the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin and the famous Nizhny Novgorod Fair. The city has a huge number of museums and several theaters.

Samara

Cruises along the Volga from Samara are a very popular destination. The city's port is the largest in the entire Middle Volga region. In addition, Samara has the longest embankment of the Volga and in the same city is the highest Train Station throughout Europe, as well as Kuibyshev Square, which is also the largest in Europe. The architecture of the city is represented by all possible architectural styles.

Uglich

The cozy little town of Uglich is not in vain included in the Golden Ring of Russia route. There is a huge number of all kinds of attractions, the main of which is the Transfiguration Cathedral. The city also has a unique museum of myths and superstitions.

Yaroslavl

One of the oldest Russian cities Yaroslavl is now included in the list of objects world heritage UNESCO. Historical buildings are very well combined with the environment, making the city very green and colorful. And the embankment of Yaroslavl is rightfully considered the most impressive of all Russian cities. Cruises along the Volga from Yaroslavl will introduce tourists to such cities as Ples, Kostroma and others.

Kostroma

Kostroma is also ancient city. This is the cradle of the Romanov dynasty. There are many notable museums here. One of them, Kostroma Sloboda, is located right under open sky. Cruises along the Volga from Kostroma, as a rule, involve visiting Yaroslavl and Plyos.

Volgograd

Volgograd is primarily a city of military glory. It keeps the memory of the events of the Great Patriotic War to which many monuments are dedicated in the city. Among them, first of all, it is worth noting Mamaev Kurgan and one of the highest statues in the world "Motherland". It is best to go on a cruise on the Volga from Volgograd in October, when it is not so hot and the climate is conducive to swimming, walking and sightseeing.

Astrakhan

The city embodies the largest cultural and industrial center of the Caspian and Lower Volga regions. Thanks to his geographic location, there are a huge number of bridges in the city. This Astrakhan resembles St. Petersburg. The city is home to several museums and theaters, as well as a large number of monuments of architecture. A cruise along the Volga from Astrakhan or a tour to Astrakhan is recommended in October. This is the most favorable period for travel in terms of climate.