Uniworld- Any experiences on Litvinov

[DGF]

Can any one provide us with advice and their experiences on the Russina Cruise aboard the Uniworld Litvinov, please?

[shsunseeker]

I too am looking for input from someone who has been on the Litvinov. We are booked next summer for St. Petersburg to Moscow.

[cv sailor]

We traveled onboard Litvinov during early summer 2004. Though the East German construction did not yield the luxury of more modern river ships (e.g., GCT), we felt the ship adequate to our needs. The food service was good to excellent, and the Russian crew provided friendly if not always highly professional service (e.g., teenage, school-girl wait staff).

Part of the adventure involves getting a feel for Russia. Litvinov provides that feel. The cultural offering were excellent, and that effort added greatly to the experience.

[2Bob]

We did Litvinov cruise during white nights (June/July) this year (2006). Loved it. Not being 'cruise people' we didn't expect (or want) luxury, black tie dinners etc. We found cabins adequate, food more than acceptable (and plenty of it) drinks cheap and we could buy drinks ashore and stock the mini bar for even cheaper (vodka from supermarket $5.00 or so a litre), crew great especially the cruise organisers. Shore excursions were as promised (and great) and very well organised, passengers (40% US, 20% Australian, 20% UK and rest Canadian and NZ good fun and mostly still active! (We are 56 and 60 and reasonably able but 'she' has a bad knee (in hospital at the moment for a total knee replacement) and 'she' found stairs and lots of walking a bit trying but didn't complain. Might do it again in a year or so when the knee has settled down! Will definitely do another river cruise when we can find the money! Loved the relaxed atmospher, little dressing for dinner etc and a good chance to see Russia which would be hard to do any other way. Just don't expect the 'normal' cruise carry on (thank heavans from my point of view but each to their own)! We organised tickets for Marinsky and Bolshoi ballets (over the internet) before going and the tickets were delivered to the ship as promised and the seats wer great (not cheap though) and the crusie people organised mini bus (there were others doing the same thing) and even had dinner for us at 11:00pm when we got 'home'. Can't ask for any more than that I think. Although we didn't book air tickets through Uniworld they had our names on list at the arrival airport and provided bus to the ship which we had not expected. They also arranged taxi (at 6:30am) to airport when we leaving. We had to pay for mini bus to ballet etc and taxi etc but they organised it no problem and with a smile. Lots of highlights but organised trip on Moscow Metro was one!

[DGF]

Thanks CV Sailor and 2Bob

[2Bob]

Just thought i would see if i could post a picture here!

 

Catherine' Palace about to be invaded by Litvinov cruisers:

 

[2Bob]

hey,

 

That was easy!

 

Kitze wooden church - visited between St. petersburg and Moscow. Very hard to get here except on a river cruise!

 

[2Bob]

And finally, sunset 11:00 pm from our cabin window (white nights period) on the way to kitze.

 

[2Bob]

Have put a few photos up as a slide show here:

 

http://img408.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img408/4863/11718648232jk.smil

 

I hope it works. Couldn't figure out how to add captions ... so, first photos are in Hermitage and Catherines Place (St. Petersburg) then more St. P, Kirov Ballet, St. P at night (1:00am), then on the way to Moscow, Moscow underground escalator and station, Gum department store on Red Square, Bolshoi ballet and guess the shop!

[DGF]

Thanks all for your advice

[DGF]

Any recent experiences on the Litvinov?