Captain Dmitry Furutin noted that while international tourists once predominantly occupied his vessel, it is now primarily favored by Russian travelers.
For many, a vacation conjures images of the sea, beaches, or mountain peaks. Yet, there`s a distinct group of travelers for whom true relaxation only begins aboard a riverboat. These enthusiasts know navigation schedules by heart, treating them as their personal calendars, and return year after year to trusted operators, familiar crew faces, and beloved waterways.
Photo: Tatiana Fedotkina
For them, a river cruise is a unique world: the deck offers an ever-changing landscape, mornings begin with coffee to the gentle lapping of waves, and new cities are explored without the hassle of road travel or heavy luggage. The sense of tranquility on board blends with vibrant, dynamic excursions to the most significant sights at each port of call.
My own journey, which left me feeling like I had lived a small lifetime, came about quite spontaneously. A week of free time, unsure how to spend it, led to a simple yet brilliant solution: a Volga River cruise. The route connected picturesque coves and beautiful riverside cities – the Golden Ring of Russia in all its splendor.
For this trip, I chose the «Ilya Repin» vessel operated by «Mosturflot.» I quickly realized it wasn`t just transport, but a true floating hotel. Cozy cabins, spacious promenades, a restaurant offering a breakfast buffet and à la carte lunches and dinners, evening shows, a mini-gym, and an entire team of entertainers who kept spirits high day and night.
Morning exercises at seven, yoga at noon, followed by games like «Mafia» and «Svoya Igra» (a Russian quiz show), engaging workshops (I even made a protective doll with my own hands), karaoke, and dancing until midnight. And this was all in addition to multi-hour excursions in every city the riverboat docked. The journey began in Moscow, then we visited Uglich, Yaroslavl, and Myshkin. It felt as if five days stretched into a month due to the packed itinerary.
Yet, there was no rush: luggage was unpacked just once, and each morning I woke up in a new city. Returning on board in the evening meant re-entering a world of comfort, enjoying dinner, sunsets over the water, and a feeling of absolute ease. The evening before arrival, a celebratory dinner with the captain and complimentary champagne from the cruise line awaited us. The trip concluded with a farewell tea party featuring delicious buns and pies; even a sailor carried my suitcase to the taxi. The food on this riverboat was simply amazing!
While I, a novice, was discovering the delights of river travel, I met true veterans of this type of vacation. Viktor Pavlovich Gulchuk and his wife were embarking on their 60th (!) cruise.
“My wife and I have been cruising for many years, and only with `Mosturflot.` We tried a couple of other companies, but their promises didn`t align with reality. Here, everything is clear, well-organized, and the crew consists of true professionals. They recognize us on the ships, and we know everyone by name. We don`t experiment: why change what`s already perfect?”
Viktor Gulchuk and Natalia Lakhmetkina with the ship captain. Photo: Tatiana Fedotkina
Question: How often do you go on cruises?
“Usually three times a season: one trip for the navigation opening, one in summer, and one for the closing. We prefer long routes; they allow for truly deep and fulfilling relaxation. We always go to St. Petersburg, enjoy sailing on the Oka River, and happily travel to Kazan and Samara. Our first cruise was back in 1993. Much was different then. I remember Uglich – without paved roads, a rather neglected town. Now it`s simply beautiful. We no longer go on excursions, having seen everything, but in each city, we have our familiar spots: a favorite cafe, known souvenir vendors.”
Question: Who among you initiated these trips?
“My wife Natalia first got me into it. When you sit on deck, with an endlessly changing landscape before your eyes, it`s the best relaxation one can imagine.”
A signature event of a river cruise is the captain`s dinner. Everyone dresses up for it – donning evening wear, applying makeup, and using perfume. Our captain, Dmitry Furutin, also appears in his ceremonial uniform, as does his entire crew.
After a welcoming speech, the captain personally visited each table to greet passengers and listen to their wishes. All toasts offered were filled with words of gratitude and good wishes. We seized the opportunity and asked to visit the captain`s bridge the next day. There, in conversation with the captain, we learned that the «Ilya Repin» once primarily hosted foreign travelers: Italians, French, and even guests from Africa. However, it is now increasingly chosen by Russians, from all corners of our country.
Question: Who is easier to work with?
“Foreigners,” Dmitry Vladimirovich chuckled. “They are more disciplined, don`t fuss. If they`re told to gather in fifteen minutes, everyone stands and waits. But ours… they like to be late. We have to wait for them, which is always risky and sometimes simply impossible.”
Question: Why is it risky?
“The ship`s schedule is very tight, especially due to the locks. The maximum speed of the vessel is 22 kilometers per hour in good water, and the minimum is only 7. Sometimes there’s a strong current – instead of twenty kilometers per hour, we go seventeen. Add to that passengers who are late…” the captain explained.
Question: Are the locks the most challenging part?
“Yes. It requires complete concentration. The ship can `hang` on a mooring rope – you have to react instantly, or it could be swept away. In strong winds, it`s particularly difficult: the ship is large, with high windage, and we have to enter at very low speed. Descending in the lock is easier, but when the water rises, the vessel behaves more erratically. But overall, we manage.”
Question: Are you a strict captain?
“Perhaps you should ask the crew. The captain is responsible for everything. I started as an intern back in 1994, then became a senior mate, and then a captain. For me, it`s no longer just a job, but a whole world I return to again and again. Today we dock, and tomorrow morning we set sail again.”
And returning from the cruise, I now know exactly what to dream about next: routes along the Baltic and White Seas. Kaliningrad, St. Petersburg, Arkhangelsk, Solovki, Murmansk… Each port of call is a distinct, unique story. A journey with one`s own ship, one`s own captain, with an atmosphere filled with love for these places.
