About Vodohod

A leader in the cruise industry

Vodohod is a full-service russian river cruise tour operator and the largest cruise operator in Russia. For 17 years, we have been organizing cruises visiting the most interesting cities and locations of our country, providing the highest service and maintaining high quality standards as well as increasing the popularity of cruises as a comfortable and modern way of enjoying your holidays.

Vodohod is the undisputed leader in the cruise industry in Russia, and one of the leaders in Europe in terms of the number of fleet units and passenger capacity. Every year about 110 thousand guests travel on our ships.

We are proud that in 2021, Vodohod was deservedly recognized as the “Industry Leader” among passenger shipping companies in Russia.

Vodohod fleet

We have 12 ships dedicated to international guests which we have divided into three, four and five star. Whichever category you choose, you can rest assured you’ll have an amazing and memorable holiday experience with Vodohod.

To maintain a high service quality, Vodohod renovates the fleet regularly. Vodohod has implemented a fleet renovation program since 2018, upgrading up to three ships per year and investing in high-quality interior solutions, modern design, spacious cabins and maximum convenience and comfort for our guests:

• 2020: MS Maxim Gorky 5*, MS Konstantin Korotkov 4+*
• 2019: MS Sankt-Peterburg 4*, MS Nizhny Novgorod 4*
• 2018: MS Kronshtadt 4*, MS Nikolay Chernishevsky 4*, MS Konstantin Fedin 4*

Luxury brand-new ship

In 2020 we launched our brand-new river-sea flagship Mustai Karim, the first luxurious 5-star vessel built in Russia in 60 years. Featuring modern European design, the ship interior resembles a five-star hotel with floor-to-ceiling windows, SPA area, restaurants and bars with specially created menus designed by multi-award-winning chefs.

Exquisite cuisine and a premium wine list to be enjoyed in several stunning panoramic bars are just a glimpse of the delights to be found on board. With our gracious service, extensive animation program, exclusive excursions we’ve crafted especially for our guests, you’ll experience a true masterpiece in river cruising. 

New type of vessel

The navigation of 2021 is marked by a new vessel that has become part of the Vodohod’s fleet. The hovercraft Biryusa has been built in the Leningrad region at the Parma shipyard to operate on the Baikal Lake. The craft has a cushion height of 0.9 m, which allows it to navigate over water, ice or even land, with passengers resting comfortably in reclining seats until they reach their destination. The propellers allow the craft to turn on site, reverse, and disembark passengers at any unequipped shore, allowing travellers to access the most beautiful and inaccessible spots along the itinerary. Guests are able to travel the entire route of the Baikal Expedition in comfort.

New destinations

Each year Vodohod introduces new destinations that allow our guests to expand their horizons and visit the most interesting corners of Russia. Since 2020, it has become possible to travel to the Black and Azov Seas on the 5* ship Mustai Karim. In 2022, in addition to the classic cruises between Moscow and St. Petersburg international guests are invited to cruise between Moscow and Rostov-on-Don or Kazan. On these itineraries the guests will visit new fascinating cities with rich history and unique architecture, get acquainted with diversity of Russian nationalities, each with its own background, language, food and traditions.

Wild Life expeditions

Discover untouched lands and sail unshared waters, only with Vodohod – the first and only Wild Life river expedition cruise launched in 2020 to travel the spectacular Yenisei River through the heart of Siberia.

Vodohod’s mission is to show the undiscovered rivers and hard-to-reach regions of wild Russia. This unique travel experience will be even more delightful onboard our newly renovated 5-star ship Maxim Gorky. Intricately designed to showcase Siberia at its most authentic, Maxim Gorky is a luxurious floating paradise – the perfect place to unwind after a day of new discovery.

The ship sails from Krasnoyarsk to Dudinka and vice versa visiting ethno cultural complexes, local tribes and old believers’ villages, wild nature of Siberia including the Putorana Plateau, huge basalt massif with the UNESCO World Heritage status. This is once-in-a-lifetime adventure that deserves to be on your bucket list. 

Our mission is not only to create the highest quality product, but to put together delightful journeys to show you destinations that will take your breath away. You will definitely want to come back there again, but we have so much more to offer! Russia is amazing, different and unusual, and we know how to show it at its best. Authentically Russian. Unforgettably Vodohod.