Introduction to Pearl of the Black Sea

10 days Odessa – Kiev on board MS VATUTIN

This is something special – a river cruise which starts on the Black Sea. We explore the charms of the maritime city of Odessa and of Sevastopol, on the Crimean Peninsula, with its restored buildings and attractive boulevards. We savour the fairytale atmosphere of a palace, once lived in by the Tartars, and in the historic resort of Yalta we can stroll along the promenade under palm trees. The River Dnieper is Europe’s third longest and offers an insight into the vastness of the landscape and into the character of this East European region. The cruise ends in Kiev, famed not only for its churches and monasteries with their golden domes, but also for its lively city atmosphere.

Itinerary

Tuesday

Fly Dublin to Odessa via Budapest.  On arrival you will be met and transferred to the MS Vatutin

Embark in Odessa

Once on board the MS VATUTIN there is a chance to get to know something of our floating hotel before taking a relaxing Welcome cocktail.

Wednesday Odessa

Odessa is known as the Pearl of the Black Sea. Our optional city tour introduces you to this attractive city with its finely restored Art Nouveau facades and shopping arcades as well as its tree-lined boulevards. We see the classic buildings of the city, such as the Governor’s Palace, the famous Opera House and the Museum of Fine Arts. You will certainly agree with the poet Pushkin, who once said that in Odessa one senses the whole of Europe. At midday we then set sail on our cruise – heading across the Black Sea to the Crimea.

Thursday Sevastopol

Our arrival in Sevastopol, the “City of Heroes”, is greeted with a lively fanfare by a military band. An optional coach tour then takes us to see the city’s classical buildings, rebuilt after the destruction of World War Two, and then on to the archaeological excavations of the former Greek colony of Chersones, with its rows of impressive pillars, situated directly on the coast. During the afternoon we offer an excursion to the Khan’s Palace at Bachtischisarai, the former residence of the Tartar leader (bookable only on board). This fascinating complex, which contains a mosque, a harem and the „Fountain of Tears“, described by the poet Pushkin, shows a wide variety of architectural styles – from Persia, Turkey, the Ukraine and Russia. During the evening we have the unmissable concert given by the world-famous Black Sea Fleet Ensemble (bookable only on board).

Friday Sevastopol/Yalta

One highlight of this cruise is a full day excursion (bookable on board) along the Mediterranean-like south coast of the peninsula to Yalta, dubbed the “Nice of the Black Sea”. The town was once the fashionable holiday resort of the royal family and of ambitious citizens. Today it remains the Ukraine’s most popular seaside resort on account of its splendid promenades and beaches. In the suburb of Livadia we visit the White Palace, once a summer residence for the Czar Nicholas II, and more recently the site of the historic 1945 Yalta Conference, at which Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill agreed the division of Europe. En route we stop to admire and photograph the unique, fairytale castle “The Swallow’s Nest”.

Saturday Kherson

After cruising into the delta of the River Dnieper we reach the regional capital and port of Kherson. A trip in small launches takes us through the narrow channels of the delta to Fisherman’s Island. On leaving Kherson we sail through the vast plains of the Ukraine and past plantations, vineyards and huge fields of wheat and melons.

Sunday Zaporozhye

To protect themselves from attacks by mounted raiders the local farmers banded together in the 16th Century to become the “Free Cossacks”, with their own code of laws, on the island of Khortitsa, close to the rapids near Zaporozhye. Our optional city tour takes you first to the Cossack Museum, dedicated to the history of these people, and then to an acrobatic demonstration of horsemanship, which also features traditional music and dancing.

Monday On board

Enjoy a relaxing day on board the MS VATUTIN. Why not sit on deck or in the Lounge and watch the landscape pass by? The character of the river varies from “natural” sections with steep cliffs, islands and wooded banks to huge reservoirs, which have the appearance of an inland sea. We also offer our entertaining on-board programme of events under the title “A Day in the Ukraine”, with traditional food, a talk on viticulture or a language lesson in basic Ukrainian. This evening we invite you to the sumptuous Captain’s Dinner, followed by a show staged by the ship’s crew.

Tuesday Kiev

The history of Kiev goes back over 1000 years – it is known as the “Cradle of Russia” Our optional city tour shows you that the city has retained and increased its charm as capital of the independent Ukraine. During the afternoon you can visit St. Sophia Cathedral, built in 1037 by Yaroslav the Wise in a Byzantine style. During the evening music lovers can book on board for a concert by the National Choir of the Ukraine.

Wednesday Kiev

Today we offer a visit to the famous Monastery of the Caves, which was once the spiritual home of the Russian Church, especially in the 10th and 11th Century. During the afternoon there is an optional excursion to the Open Air Museum, to learn something of the Ukraine’s history, culture and architecture.

Thursday Disembark in Kiev

After breakfast it is time to take leave of the MS VATUTIN. Surely you will get home with fond memories of your stay on board.

Please note the excursions are not included in the price.

Price inclusions

• Flight Dublin to Odessa via Budapest
• Transfer from the Airport to the Ship
• Cruise in the booked cabin-category
• One bottle of water per cabin on Embarkation day
• Full board with three main meals (from dinner on Embarkation Day to breakfast on the final morning)
• Coffee / tea after lunch and dinner
• Traditional Welcome Ceremony with bread and salt
• Welcome Cocktail with the Captain
• Captain’s Dinner
• Services of English speaking local guides
• Participation in the on-board events programme (eg dance evening, Ukrainian language course)
• Resident musician
• Detailed cruise documents
• All harbour dues
• Luggage transfer from the quayside to your cabin and vv
• Transfer from Ship to Kiev Airport
• Flight from Kiev to Dublin via Budapest
• Airport taxes

Booking remarks

• Inclusive of taxes and service charges as indicated
• Non refundable, non transferrable booking deposit of 10% per person
• Full payment due on confirmation
• 2% Surcharge if  balance is paid by credit or charge card
• Optional Insurance €48 (conditions apply)
• Single supplement €569
• Upper deck supplement on request
• Prices are correct at the time of going to press, flight supplements may apply depending on availabilty of negotiated airfares

Excursions

A package of excursions is available for €199 per person and includes the following tours:

• Day 2: Odessa City Tour
• Day 3: Sevastopol coach tour
• Day 5: Kherson – Boat trip to Fisherman’s Island
• Day 6: Zaporozhye City Tour
• Day 6: Zaporozhye – Traditional Cossack Show
• Day 8: Kiev City tour
• Day 8: Kiev – Excursion to St. Sophia Cathedral
• Day 9: Kiev – Excursion to the Monastery of the Caves

The following excursions are not included in the above package, but are available to be booked onboard:

• Day 3: Sevastopol – Khan’s Palace
• Day 3: Black Sea Fleet Ensemble Concert
• Day 4: Excursion to Yalta
• Day 8: National Choir of the Ukraine Concert
• Day 9: Kiev – Open Air Museum Excursion

Accommodation details

The MS VATUTIN has carried passengers on the River Dnieper and the Black Sea for a number of years now. The Ukrainian crew provide excellent hospitality and the traditional meals are much appreciated. The cabins are cosy, the bars inviting, and there is a large lecture and function room. The on-board shop offers a wide range of attractive souvenirs. Enjoy many hours on the spacious Sun Deck or pamper yourself with an extended visit to the hairdressing salon. A Doctor is on board for the whole duration.

The cabins

The cabins are 2-bed outside cabins, around 10 square metres in size with large, opening panoramic windows (those on the Lower Deck have a non-opening porthole). The cabins are furnished in a practical style with a heating and ventilation system, shower, fridge and a roomy wardrobe.

The 2-bed cabins all have lower separate beds. The cabins on the Lower Deck measure around 13 square metres and containing two lower twin beds and two upper foldaway beds, so that they can accommodate either 2, 3 or 4 guests. The 2-bed suites have separate bedroom (with a king-size bed) and lounge areas and are about 30 square metres in size. The single berth cabins have around 8 square metres of floorspace.

Facilities on board

• Panorama Restaurant
• Two Bars
• Sun Deck
• Lecture Theatre
• Reading Room
• Shop
• Hairdressing Salon

Medical

A doctor is on board to treat minor non-emergency matters.

Restaurant / Cuisine

Meals are served at a single sitting in the cosy panorama Restaurant. The menus offer traditional Ukrainian cuisine. At breakfast time there is a large buffet selection, whereas lunch and dinner are served at table.

On-board program

A variety of events, including lectures on the country and its people, Ukrainian lessons, music and dance performances.

Payment on board

The on-board currency is the Hryvnia. Drinks consumed on board and excursions booked on board can be paid for at the end of the cruise either in Grivna (cash) or with a credit card (Mastercard / VISA). We regret that we are not able to accept any type of cheque. There is a safe at the Reception desk, in which you may deposit valuable items for a small fee.

Life on board

The atmosphere on board is informal. We recommend comfortable clothing, a jumper for cooler evenings and stout footwear for the excursions ashore. Our multi-lingual Cruise Team is at your disposal during the whole cruise with help and advice. This is a non-smoking vessel (smoking is permitted only on the Sun Deck or Promenades).

• Capacity 280 passengers
• Length 129.1m
• Beam 16.7m
• Height above water-level 13.7m
• Draught 2.9m
• Crew abt 80
• Electrical supply 220 Volt

Dates and Prices

08June -17June 2010 €1369 Book this

29June -08July 2010 €1179 Sold out

20July -29July 2010 €1449 On request

10Aug -19Aug 2010 €1219 On request

31Aug -09Sep 2010 €1369 Sold Out

21Sep -30Sep 2010 €1329 Sold Out