booze cruise bristol 2023

Bristol's Booze Cruise

Most popular artists performing at bristol's booze cruise over the years, the menzingers.

Highlights at Bristol's Booze Cruise 4

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Bristol's Booze Cruise Amenities

Bristol's booze cruise accommodation, more about bristol's booze cruise, overview of united kingdom based music festival bristol's booze cruise.

Rock music event Bristol's Booze Cruise is situated in the UK and is well-known for its dynamic performances and varied roster. The festival was started in 2018 by a group of music lovers and has since established itself as a mainstay of the UK music scene. Bristol's Booze Cruise attracts a wide range of music fans from throughout the nation with a focus on showcasing up-and-coming artists and established performers. The festival's distinctive setting on Bristol's historic harbourside adds to its allure by giving the music a lovely backdrop. Bristol's Booze Cruise provides a whole festival experience with various stages, food vendors, and bars. The festival distinguishes itself from other music events with its dedication to sustainability and diversity. Bristol's Booze Cruise is the ideal venue for music enthusiasts of all genres, whether you're a die-hard rock fan or just looking for a fun weekend.

What is the Bristol's Booze Cruise location and date?

The Bristol's Booze Cruise rock music festival is scheduled to take place in Ventnor, United Kingdom, from June 24 to June 26, 2023. Thousands of rock music aficionados from around the world are scheduled to attend this much awaited musical extravaganza. The event promises to be an amazing experience for all spectators with its lineup of talented acts. Previous Bristol's Booze Cruise festivals have won praise for their thrilling ambiance and excellent performers. This year's festival is expected to carry on the legacy of becoming a mainstay in the UK music industry. Attendees can anticipate being submerged in a wave of rock music, with performances by both well-known and emerging performers. The Bristol's Booze Cruise event is the ideal place to go if you love rock music and want an exhilarating time.

Which top musicians performed on the Bristol's Booze Cruise lineup?

The well-known Rock music festival, Bristol's Booze Cruise, has a stellar line-up of headliners in 2023. With their upbeat performance, The Menzingers, who are well-known for their poignant lyrics and punk rock style, brought in a sizable audience. Tigers Jaw performed on stage in their distinctive indie rock style, capturing the crowd with their infectious melodies. The fans were struck in awe by No Pressure's unfiltered and passionate performance. The festival's high point was Sunami's spectacular performance, as well as Guerilla Poubelle's politically tinged punk rock. Koyo's psychedelic sound was a welcome addition to the schedule, while The Lillingtons passionately and energetically performed their timeless punk rock songs. The crowd connected with the feminist punk choruses of Petrol Girls, and Mobina Galore's strong vocals and hard-driving guitar riffs got everyone singing. PKEW PKEW PKEW's exhilarating performance brought the festival to a thrilling conclusion. Rock music fans should not miss Bristol's Booze Cruise, which included a diverse array of great bands from around the world. The festival's enthusiasm and energy were evident, and the main performances did not dissapoint. It's understandable that the event has established itself as a mainstay of the UK music industry given its stellar roster.

Where can festival goers purchase Bristol's Booze Cruise tickets?

Online ticket sales are available for Bristol's Booze Cruise rock concert event through the festival's official website. The many ticket choices available to festival attendees include day passes, weekend passes, and VIP packages. Don't let this great event pass you by; buy your tickets now!

Which addtional highlights and amenities define the music festival Bristol's Booze Cruise?

a rock concert festival In addition to the live music events, Bristol's Booze Cruise provides festival goers with a variety of diversions. Due to the festival's location in the thriving city of Bristol, visitors may enjoy the city's rich cultural and artistic offerings. Workshops on a variety of subjects, such as songwriting and music production, are also offered for anyone looking to hone their abilities. Indulging in gourmet foods and beverages from nearby vendors will enhance the festival experience for attendees. Every person will have a delicious culinary experience thanks to the range of food and beverage alternatives that accommodate various preferences and dietary concerns. Additionally, a variety of cultural and artistic events have been carefully selected by the festival organizers to keep attendees occupied all day. These activities, which include interactive displays, craft markets, and art installations, add to the festival's colorful and energetic ambiance. In conclusion, the Booze Cruise at Bristol's Rock Music Festival offers a wide selection of extracurricular activities in addition to the live music performances, including workshops, cultural events, and gourmet food and drink options. Festival visitors may immerse themselves in the local culture while taking part in an incredible weekend of music and entertainment thanks to the festival's distinctive and thrilling experience.

What do people also ask about Bristol's Booze Cruise?

What is the meaning of a booze cruise.

A "booze cruise," also known as a boat tour where alcohol is served or consumed, normally costs $25 to $40 per adult for a 90-minute all-you-can-drink experience.

Are booze cruises still a thing?

THE BOOZE CRUISE IS STILL AVAILABLE! Customers will still be able to stock up on as much wine and beer as they do now, and we are certain that business will carry on as usual beyond January 31 and beyond.

Can you still do booze cruises to France?

THE BOOZE CRUISE IS STILL AVAILABLE! We're happy to report that we have every confidence that business will carry on normally through January 31 and beyond. So stock up on as much wine and beer as possible.

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Boozy Boat Tour in Bristol

What's Included

• 2-hour cruise
• Experienced skipper
• Coolbox & drinks onboard
• Speaker to connect to
• Daytime & evening tours

😎 Why GoHen

• Easy individual payments
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Let's organise your hen do!

Just a £50 deposit to secure.

Minimum of 6 hens

7 days a week

Bring your own music

Smart casual

What you'll be doing

• Tour Bristol's waterways in style
• As you hop aboard your vessel
• For a boozy boat trip
• There's a coolbox onboard packed full of drinks
• Plus a speaker you can connect your tunes to
• You'll set sail on your two-hour tour
• With a pub stop en route
• Kick back, catch up and enjoy!

More information

Get the celebrations off to a sensational start as you kickstart your evening out with a boozy tour of Bristol's waterways. This is your chance to crank the tunes, enjoy some chilled drinks, soak up the sights and laugh with the hens before you carry on the party until the early hours of the morning.

On the day, you'll meet your captain before you hop aboard the boat and set sail for a boozy two-hour boat tour. There's a coolbox on board packed full of drinks to keep everybody in the celebratory spirits, plus a speaker you can connect to blare the tunes out (be sure to make a party playlist before the big weekend!).

Not only will you cruise the waterways and soak up the sights, but you'll also get to hop ashore for a pub stop en route, so you can raise a glass to the bride-to-be in style.

Yes, after a day of hen adventures and before that big night on the town, you need something suitably chilled to allow everyone to recharge and get in the right frame of mind, and that is exactly what this Boozy Boat Tour offers you. It's also a fun, unique and pretty damn awesome way to begin those celebrations, so be sure to add it to your hen itinerary to elevate your weekend to new fab heights.

Don't hesitate, though! Bristol is in our Top 10 most popular destinations for hens and stags, and the boozy boat tour is hugely popular (for obvious reasons). Be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.

Enquire today!

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Please Note: We work with 1000s of suppliers across the UK & Europe so prices, availability, photos and specifics on our boozy boat tour activity may vary depending on your preferred location and dates.

Feel free to ask your Destination Specialist at the time of booking if you have any questions about this.

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Click 'Get a Quote!' and tell us the when, where, how many, etc. (rough group numbers are fine at this stage).

We'll build your big weekend and send you your quote which you can book with one small £50 deposit.

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👑 UK was the vibe in 2022. 🔥 88% of our groups celebrated in the UK.

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Bristol Stag

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Stag Booze Cruise in Bristol

An exclusive boat cruise on the River Avon with a bar on board and visit three pubs.

Booze Cruise in Bristol

Bristol has a nautical history, Bristol stag weekend have a history of booze. So combine the two and get your own exclusive party boat with skipper to take you on a tailor-made waterfront pub crawl.

What's Included

• 3 Hour Booze Cruise
• Visits to 2-3 pubs and bars
• Nightclub entry

Booking Online

You can book your activity straight away via our secure online booking system, so you know you are ready to go! And don't forget, your friends can pay us direct via our event area, so you don't even need to collect payments. Book Now

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Stag booze cruise reviews.

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Number Seven Boat Trips

Proudly independent since 1999.

Around the Harbour

Number Seven Boat Trips has operated the well-known blue and white passenger boats around Bristol Harbour and on the River Avon since 1999.

River Trips

Leaving the Centre we cruise to the inland limit of the harbour and through Netham Lock where we join the River Avon.

Within minutes, the bustle of the city is left behind as we cruise upstream along tree-lined banks

Private Hire

From groups of twenty passengers, to larger parties of up to sixty, we have three boats to choose from to suit your event.

Private transfers, river trips or a party afloat. Make that occasion even more special by taking a cruise with us.

Cross Harbour Ferry

Notice: Due to the closure of Vauxhall Bridge we have temporarily reduced week day operating hours of cross harbour services to start at 08:30 instead of 07:30.

The "Mary Brunel" operates our Cross Harbour service 7 days a week between Hanover Quay and the S.S Great Britain.

Monday to Friday – 08:30 to 18:15 Saturday and Sunday – 10:30 to 17:30

The ferry runs on-demand within these hours and not to a set timetable The fare is £1.30.  Children five and under travel free.

Monthly tickets are available for just £22, allowing unlimited use for the whole month. Services operate every day except December 25th and December 26th.

If you would like further information about one of our trips or would like to book in with us please contact us . We will do our best to arrange a trip to suit all of your needs

Copyright © Number Seven Boat Trips Ltd. 2024 All Rights Reserved

EVENTS PLANNERS

01273 573824

Description

Simply Good Times offer Bristol Party Boats for private charter, and the best shared Party Cruises for all group sizes and occasions. Whether you’re organising a fun-filled Hen or Stag Weekend, Birthday Party, Corporate day out or product launch, our Party Cruises boast luxurious décor and impressive facilities for hosting a celebration that creates a timeless and unique experience.

Want to do this or plan a package? Simply

What happens on the day for Bristol Party Boat Cruises ?

Private Parties Our Party Boats can cater for intimate parties of six right up to big bashes for two-hundred people! The Boats are available for private charter at any time of the day and 365 days a year! Most of our Private Charters include a PA System on board, iPod Docks, WC's, showers and heating to keep the party going through the colder seasons. Party Boats can be used for Parties, Product Launches, Film Premiers, and so much more! As experienced Event Organisers; Simply Good Times have the knowledge, experience, and contacts to provide truly memorable private parties on board our Bristol Party Boats!

Shared Party Cruises Our Shared Party Cruises take place in the evening for around 3hrs. The boats have an on-board sound system and dance floor with flat screens that can be used for slide shows or karaoke. Your Party Boat will include a Cocktail upon on arrival, BBQ supper and Professional Disco. Some cruises also feature spectacular firework displays to be enjoyed from the deck (please enquire for more information).

Who is Bristol Party Boat Cruises for?

Our Party Boats are an exceptionally unique venue to celebrate any occasion, whether it is for Corporate Entertaining, a Stay & Hen Party or simply a brilliant Birthday Celebration or Family Party.

Location Information

Please enquire or call for further information on location

Pricing, times and duration for Bristol Party Boat Cruises

Prices start from £45pp for an exclusive Party Boat Charter (minimum 10x guests chargeable). Please note prices may vary depending upon group size and availability.

HAVE A QUESTION OR WANT TO PLAN AN EVENT? PLEASE CALL US. GET IN CONTACT

Call us on 0117 927 3416

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Forthcoming Trip Availability 2024

Trips available from August 31st

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Trips available from September 12th

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Bristol Docks Pub Cruise - 2 Hour

Product reviews.

Louise Talbot Wed 15 May 2024 5 / 5 Amazing

Ruth Dorse Mon 20 Jun 2022 5 / 5 Very happy with the boat ride

Michaela Shand Wed 04 May 2022 3 / 5 Cruise was nice and boat was good. Expensive for what it was as no drink was included.

Klaudia Kreplewicz Mon 25 Apr 2022 5 / 5 Really nice comfy boat, had a nice time in the sun

Susan James Sat 12 Mar 2022 5 / 5 Amazing time was has by all. The only downside was that we were informed that we could take our own drink and snacks onboard. I had to pay for 2 corkage charges which I wasn’t expecting.

Hannah Davis Wed 01 Sep 2021 5 / 5 Staff were very friendly, the boat was just for our party so had plenty of room to dance as a group and enjoy the sights of Bristol

Michelle Broadbent Tue 31 Aug 2021 2 / 5 We were only given a postcode and not the name of the boat company that was being used so it wasn’t clear where we should be so arrived 20 mins late then the driver took us in 5 mins earlier because we had accidentally let some confetti get on the floor and he needed to clean up before next trip this meant we lost 25 mins of our time

Natalie Bale Tue 31 Aug 2021 2 / 5 A bit disappointed although boat to ourself. We had to supply our own music, you could purchase drinks but little ice and choice. A bit basic. Crew were quiet but polite

Teresa Rogers Mon 30 Aug 2021 5 / 5 We absolutely loved the pub cruise. Staff on board were amazing and so friendly and we really enjoyed ourselves.

Kerrie Baxter Tue 24 Aug 2021 1 / 5 We were expecting a bigger boat due to the photo on your website and more stops. I think your website mentioned a few pub stops and we only stopped once. The staff on the boat weren't the happiest either.

Laura Heyes Tue 10 Aug 2021 5 / 5 I can’t fault Robyn, she was fantastic with organising the hen answering all my questions and rearranging the hen 3 times because of covid.

Donna Richards Tue 03 Aug 2021 5 / 5 Lovely couple hours with a great captain, couple nice little pubs on the way

Laura Green Tue 20 Jul 2021 5 / 5 Absolutely loved it! Brilliant trip around the harbour, can’t wait to do it again!

Rosie Birbeck Tue 13 Jul 2021 4 / 5 Lovely boat and driver was friendly. Was very chilled and plenty of drink on board!

Tracey Leopold Wed 30 Jun 2021 1 / 5 The cruise itself was OK, but the Chillisauce staff were absolutely rubbish. As soon as the lockdown was not lifted they cancelled our other events and made no effort to try to find alternatives, leaving us to have to do so ourselves They refused to answer their phones or respond to the messages that we left, leaving us to have to make alternative arrangements independently. I would recommend a company called Stag and Hen in Bristol - they were brilliant and couldn't do enough to help us

Zoe Booth Tue 29 Jun 2021 5 / 5 Great event

Amy Hughes Tue 17 Mar 2020 5 / 5 Really good time on the boat it was well organised. Perhaps 45 mins would have been better for the pub stops? 30 mins went very quickly.

Sammie George Wed 25 Sep 2019 5 / 5 Perfect activity to do on a sunny day

Chloe Thomas Tue 24 Sep 2019 4 / 5 Great staff!

Janet Brown Tue 24 Sep 2019 5 / 5 The pub cruise was brilliant, especially with the sunny weather. We did the first pub stop, but decided to skip the second, instead floated around using the the onboard bar and dancing to music. The music system is jack to jack, so if you have a new ish phone, for example an iPhone 7 or above, you can’t connect unless you have a clever adapter (I’d read previous reviews and brought a cheap one off amazon).

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Russian River Cruises

• Find your cruise
• Moscow — St. Petersburg
• Moscow — Astrakhan
• Astrakhan — St. Petersburg
• St. Petersburg
• Cruise Highlights
• News & Travel Tips

Russia is again welcoming travelers!

• A negative PCR test is all that's needed to enter Russia
• Regular flights are now operating to / from Russia
• Visas can be issues quickly (Volga Dream provides your invitation)
• All Volga Dream personnel and guides are fully vacinated
• Bookings are transferable without penalty for 12 months
• Volga Dream arranges PCR-tests if needed for your outbound flight

Check our COVID-19 Policy page to learn more.

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Luxurious river cruises in russia.

Explore authentic Russian cities. Enjoy premium service and engaging activities as you sail the Volga River.

2022 Cruise Season

Join our signature small group journeys and cruise in luxury along the Russian Volga river!

The Russian Odyssey

An extended 'South to North' view of Russia from Astrakhan to St. Petersburg through Moscow.

Explore Moscow, St. Petersburg and Russia’s Golden Ring in greater depth. Stay at gorgeous Four Seasons hotels. Enjoy special access to iconic cultural sites.

Lower Volga

Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience cruising the Volga river from Moscow to Astrakhan. The tour includes 2 nights in Moscow.

Find Your Cruise

Select destination Moscow — St. Petersburg Moscow — Astrakhan Astrakhan — St. Petersburg

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A Volga river cruise is more than a geographical voyage; it’s also a journey through Russia’s rich and captivating history. No other experience takes you so completely to another place and time. The Volga is Europe’s longest and largest river; it meanders through the stories of Ivan the Terrible and his rise to power, the two historic ‘Greats’ Peter and Catherine, and then on into today. It’s a unique opportunity to see modern Russia in the context of its intriguing history, ably assisted by friendly and professional academics and tour guides. A Volga Dream Russian river tour promises to leave you with an unforgettable afterglow of fond memories.

Moscow to St. Petersburg River Cruise

Moscow and St. Petersburg are Russia’s best-known cities, but the towns of Russia’s historic Golden Ring are delightful too. The luxurious Volga Dream offers a unique opportunity to visit these Russian gems by sailing gently along the Volga River on an unforgettable cruising experience. In small, exclusive groups you’ll enjoy preferential access to some of Russia’s most significant cultural sites.

Moscow to Astrakhan River Cruise

Your River Cruise on the luxurious MS Volga Dream takes you from Moscow along Russia’s grand Volga River to the legend that is Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) and Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea. Along the way, you’ll discover the treasures of Yaroslavl, the oldest city on the Volga, medieval Nizhniy Novgorod and beautiful Kazan, the ancient Tatar capital. We plan our tour carefully to combine the very best of Moscow with a world-class Volga River cruise.

Discover Russia with MS Volga Dream - Click-through map

We love hearing from guests about their time in Russia and one comment often hear is how surprised people are by the Russian capital. We can’t say for certain what people expected but we do know that it’s always far removed from what they imagined! It’s been called a modern metropolis, a cosmopolitan city, an historic gem, an architectural treasure and a cultural powerhouse, among other descriptions. Majestic Moscow has always surprised our guests and left them with lasting and fond memories.

Russia’s famous Golden Ring is an archipelago of historic towns surrounding Moscow. Uglich is one of the oldest and was founded under Igor, the last Varangian prince. It once resisted the Mongol invasion and its ancient walls saw the grisly murder of young Dmitri, son of Ivan the Terrible. The impressive Church of St. Dmitri on the Blood, with its classic onion domes and blood red walls, is a fine example of classic Russian architecture. The tour ends with an enchanting choral concert.

This, the oldest city on the Volga River, and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts a wealth of ancient orthodox treasures. The impressive Transfiguration of the Savior, adorned with murals depicting St. John’s apocalyptic visions can be seen in the Spassky Monastery. The Church of St. Elijah the Prophet is decorated with an awe-inspiring selection of rich frescoes. For a real taste of pre-revolutionary Russia, visitors are entertained by a costumed reception at the Governor’s House.

Close to the shores of White Lake once were the ‘tsar’s fishing grounds’. It lies in a place so serene that ancient monks chose to build no fewer than three holy sites here, including the Ferapontov Monastery. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, its chapels boast magnificent frescoes by Dionysius, one of Russia’s most renowned icon painters. The Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery was a refuge for many nobles during tumultuous times and later a fortress that successfully repelled invading armies.

The Karelia region is a vast and naturally beautiful wilderness that spreads all the way from St. Petersburg to the Arctic Circle. The glorious island village of Kizhi consists almost entirely of the traditionally styled wooden buildings of ‘Old Russia’. Among them is the famous Transfiguration Church built in 1714. Remarkably, and in testament to the craftsmen of the time, not a single nail was used in its construction! Kizhi is one of the favorite stops on the river cruise to St. Petersburg.

A typical rural hamlet brought to life by warm and welcoming villagers. Volga Dream guests are invited into local homes to enjoy classic Russian fare, tea with jam and ‘pirozhki’ (pies). Enthusiastic hosts share Russian traditions and the appeal of village life while proudly showing off their scrupulously kept homes and kitchen gardens. The tour continues with a brief bus ride to see a unique World War II memorial and then, for a real glimpse of Russian life, a visit to a local primary school.

Nizhny Novgorod

This was once a wealthy city thanks to its proximity to rich eastern trading routes. During the Soviet era, the city was closed to outsiders because of its military importance. It’s also where many political prisoners were sent to live out their days in exile. The 16th-century Kremlin ramparts offer spectacular views and the city is known for its elaborately decorated churches. For Volga Dream cruise guests, the highlight of the day is an evening folk concert performed by local children.

Sailing along the Volga river, the riverbank gradually ceases to be dominated by Orthodox churches. Instead, beautiful mosques appear as the river crosses into Tatarstan where the first stop is scenic Kazan, the region’s capital. Inside the white walls of the citadel, the famous Kul Sharif mosque and the old Cathedral of Peter and Paul stand side-by-side symbolizing the two faiths’ long and peaceful coexistence in the region. A concert of traditional Tatar music ends the Volga Dream tour in Kazan.

Passing the Zhigulevskie Mountains offers wonderful views from the sundeck before touring the city. One of the key attractions is the fascinating Space Museum, which offers a revealing glimpse of how the Soviet Union pursued its ambitious journey to the cosmos. The town is also noted for its beautiful esplanade, perfect for a relaxed stroll beside the Volga river. This in turn leads to the Samara State Art Museum. Founded in 1897, it is home to a collection of more than 16,000 works of art.

This city is best known for its close associations with cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin. The Russian hero who achieved worldwide fame as the first man in space lived and studied here. Saratov used to be home to a large German community, a heritage that can still be seen in the local architecture. The Volga Dream tour visits the Radishchev State Art Museum, the first picture gallery in Russia outside Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Originally called Tsaritsyn, the city was renamed Stalingrad from 1925 to 1961 in honor of the USSR’s leader. During World War II, the city’s residents put up a heroic defense, repelling an advancing Nazi invasion. The battle for Stalingrad has gone down in history as a pivotal moment in the bloody conflict on the eastern front. The most ferocious and deadly fighting took place on Mamayev Hill, where an imposing memorial now stands close to the excellent Battle of Stalingrad Panorama Museum.

Saint Petersburg

If Moscow surprises, then St Petersburg delights. Peter the Great founded the city to showcase Russia’s newfound enlightenment. He wanted to show the modern world a cultured and advanced society. In short, he built the city to impress and in that he succeeded splendidly! The striking buildings were designed by some of the finest architects Europe had to offer and even now, the ‘Venice of the North’ never fails to enchant with its spectacular buildings and impressive canal network. It is a city of true grandeur.

Cocktails with the Captain

Commanding any ship is a complex role that calls for a long list of skills. Captains know their vessels inside out as well as well as the routes they sail and when things don’t go to plan, they have to make instant decisions. Above all though, the most important part of the job, underpinning everything they do, is to keep the ship and everyone aboard safe. The Captain’s cocktail party is a great and a wonderful opportunity for passengers and crew to get acquainted as the gets underway.

Matryoshka doll painting

There is nothing more typically Russian than a Matryoshka. It embodies the fact that there’s always something deeper to be found in every aspect of Russian life. Learning the traditional designs and techniques used to decorate these iconic dolls offers a pleasant diversion and some cathartic creativity!

Superb Service & Dining

Our restaurant serves the highest standard of international cuisine, freshly made by our Cordon Bleu Chef. Choose either a sumptuous buffet or set menu for lunch while dinner is always four or five courses with full service. High praise for the exquisite quality of meals is yet another constantly recurring feature in feedback from our guests.

Meet the Professor

From the Mongol hordes to Soviet times, Russia’s history is, like all of Europe’s, a complex web of political intrigue, war and peace, trade and treaties, as well as heroes and villains. Academics devote whole lifetimes to studying Russia’s long past and one of them presents a series of lectures shedding light on everything from Gorbachev to Chekhov, Khrushchev to Ivan the Terrible and of course, contemporary Russia. Our Professor is on board throughout the river cruise for informal conversation.

Beginner’s Russian

The Russian language can be rather beautiful and poetic and we know that many seasoned travelers enjoy trying their hand at different languages. Our onboard teachers provide an introduction to the riches of Russian, so guests can try out a few useful words and phrases on real Russians during the exciting river tours from Moscow to St. Petersburg or from Moscow to Volgograd!

Russian tea tasting

The drink we tend to associate with Russia is vodka, but tea, in fact, is the much more universal beverage of choice throughout the country. Guests will get acquainted with the Russian tea etiquette, a fundamental component of the country's social culture, and enjoy the traditional tea ceremony while cruising from St. Petersburg to Moscow or taking a Grand Volga river tour.

Russian Dinner & Vodka Tasting

All our dining is international but for Russian Dining night, the Chef includes a selection of traditional Russian dishes: Chicken Kiev, Kulebyaka and no Russian table is complete without Borsch. To add to the ‘Taste of Russia’ optional Russian dress, or at least a touch of Russian style, is provided along with enthusiastic help from our staff!

Russian Cooking Class

A plate of pelmeni might not look like much to the untrained eye, but it forms the heart of Russian cuisine and culture. Basically, it's a type of dumpling: small portions of meat and onion wrapped in a thin sheet of unleavened dough and boiled, a little like ravioli. Guests can join a Russian cooking class onboard the MS Volga Dream to learn how to cook this delicious Russian dish.

Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov Piano Recital

Some of the greatest classical music ever written comes from Russia. It’s hard to imagine a more fitting stage for a virtuoso solo recital by our resident concert pianist than the mighty Volga or a better backdrop than the heart of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov’s own serene homeland.

Russian River Cruise Aboard Volga Dream

Moscow to St. Petersburg

Why Volga Dream

Family Owned & Operated

MS Volga Dream is Russia’s only family-owned river cruise ship. She can accommodate up to 100 guests, far fewer than most other cruise ships on the river making for a uniquely friendly and intimate atmosphere aboard.

Five-Star Central Hotels

We at Volga Dream are completely convinced that, our guests should stay in great 5-star hotels in Moscow and St. Petersburg within comfortable walking distance of all the major attractions, theaters and restaurants, rather than having to waste time in traffic.

Luxurious Accommodation

The MS Volga Dream is the most intimate and elegant 5-star cruise vessel in Russia. She boasts 56 cabins, all river facing, ranging from comfortable Standard Cabins to spacious Junior Suites and the luxurious forward facing Owner's Suite.

Russian Cultural Experience

Explore Russia's past with the help of professional tour guides. Our on-board program includes fascinating talks on Russian history and politics, Russian language lessons, a festival of Russian cuisine (including vodka tasting!), and much more.

Gourmet Dining

Our on board restaurant serves international cuisine to the highest standard, all freshly made by our Cordon Bleu Chef. For Russian Dining night, he prepares a selection of traditional Russian dishes: Chicken Kiev, Kulebyaka and Borsch.

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• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.

Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?

My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

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If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.   Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?   My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

• 4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

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