Moscow River Shipping Company has announced that its new premium cruise ship Vladimir Zhirinovsky will embark on its maiden voyage in May 2027 as bookings open for the 2027 river cruise season.

The five-deck river-sea vessel is the flagship of the company’s fleet and is designed to operate on both inland waterways and selected coastal sea routes.

First Cruise Scheduled for May 2027

The inaugural voyage is scheduled for May 2027 and will operate a three-day, two-night itinerary between St. Petersburg and Valaam Island before returning to St. Petersburg.

Prices for the maiden cruise start from 87,975 rubles per person.

From Peter the Great to Vladimir Zhirinovsky

The vessel was originally laid down in 2016 at the Lotos Shipyard in Astrakhan under Project PV300VD for Moscow River Shipping Company.

Initially named Peter the Great, the ship was renamed Vladimir Zhirinovsky in 2024 before entering service.

Designed as a five-star floating hotel, the vessel combines river cruising with the ability to operate in coastal waters, expanding the range of itineraries available to passengers.

Luxury Accommodation and Personalized Service

The ship accommodates up to 310 passengers in 131 cabins, including Superior and Executive Suite categories. Every cabin features a private balcony.

The operator plans to deliver premium hospitality through a high crew-to-guest ratio based on a two-to-one service standard, allowing staff to provide more personalized attention throughout each voyage.

Onboard Facilities

Guests will have access to a wide range of amenities designed to match luxury hotel standards.

Dining options include two main restaurants on the main deck accommodating 200 and 100 guests respectively, as well as a third restaurant with an open kitchen located on the boat deck and offering panoramic river views.

Around-the-clock refreshments will be available at a panoramic bar on the upper deck, where live music performances are also planned.

The vessel’s wellness facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, a spa with sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, massage rooms, and a hair salon. A spacious 500-square-meter sun deck with loungers provides additional outdoor relaxation space, while two passenger elevators improve accessibility across all decks.

Built for Rivers and Coastal Seas

Unlike traditional river cruise ships, Vladimir Zhirinovsky has been designed for both inland and coastal operations.

In addition to classic river itineraries such as Moscow–St. Petersburg and Moscow–Astrakhan, the vessel is certified to sail in the Caspian, Azov, Black, Mediterranean, and Red seas. Its hull is designed to safely operate in waves of up to 3.5 meters.

The ship measures 16.8 meters in width and has a maximum speed of 22.5 km/h, offering greater itinerary flexibility than conventional river cruise vessels.