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You can either tip crew members individually or as the whole. You can give tips in dollars, euros, or Russian rubles.
If you prefer to tip the entire crew, there will be a special box for it at the reception. The crew on the ship will advise you to use the second method, but you don't have to follow this advise. We leave it up to you.
Laundry
There are no laundry machines on the cruises, but there laundry service is available for additional cost. However, you will be able to use iron rooms on the ships.
We recommend that you bring enough close to last you through the entire trip. This way you won't have to worry about your laundry at all.
Russia, generally, has become much safer than in the past. Besides, you will be traveling with a group of professional guides and will feel safe at all times. However, you should still follow basic safety procedures about your documents and money.
First of all, you should not do not carry your passport with you during land excursions. We recommend that you carry a copy of your passport and visa with you. Leave your documents at the ship.
Secondly, you should be careful with your money and credit cards. Where there are tourists, there are pickpockets. This happens in every major European capital and is not unique to Russia. It is not widespread - the chances that you will encounter pick pockets are 1 out of 100 and the chances that they can steal something from you are 1 out of 1000 if you follow these simple precautions.
How to protect yourself against pickpockets:
- Don’t flash your wallet and money.
- Beware of the surrounding and don't let anyone walk into you. Pickpockets usually work like this: few people accidentally bump into you and then go on walking. The next thing you discover that you are missing something.
- Don’t carry more than few dollars on you (this is about 10,000 rubles).
- Split your money and credit cards to keep them in different pockets. Split between you and your companions too.
- Zipped or buttoned inside pockets are best for storing valuable things as they are harder to reach for pickpockets. Backpacks are also hard to pick.
If it does happen that someone stole your money or cards follow these steps:
- Notify your guide or cruise director immediately
- If someone stole your credit card, call your bank or credit card company and report them stolen.
- Contact the emergency numbers on your boarding pass to notify us if you need assistance.
In case of emergency you should notify your cruise director or the tour guide. You should also contact the emergency number of our representative that will be provided on your boarding pass.
Please note, we leave it to discretion of your guide to decide how to transport you to the medical center. In some circumstances it may be faster to use a cab service than to wait for an ambulance due to traffic jams.
Please note, we do not cover expenses that arise from medical situations and other emergencies. We recommend to all of our customers to purchase travel insurance that is designed for this purpose.
You probably know that borsh is Russian national meal and we assure you that you will have a chance to try it together with other succulent Russian dishes. Menu on board has been specially designed to give you a chance to try all famous Russian meals.
Russian food is made from very similar ingredients as most of European cuisine. You will notice that there is a greater emphasis on potatoes and that there are more salads with mayo (just like in Canada - it must be a northern thing).
Tip: You will even have a chance to learn how to cook Russian food in special Russian food class that will be included in the program of your cruise.
You can see an example of a typical menu on our river cruises by downloading the file below:
Russian cruise menu
Welcome aboard!
While on the cruise You can tip crew members individually or the entire crew. Recommended gratuity for one day is 10-15 dollars.You can either tip crew members individually or as the whole. You can give tips in dollars, euros, or Russian rubles.
If you prefer to tip the entire crew, there will be a special box for it at the reception. The crew on the ship will advise you to use the second method, but you don't have to follow this advise. We leave it up to you.
Laundry
There are no laundry machines on the cruises, but there laundry service is available for additional cost. However, you will be able to use iron rooms on the ships.
We recommend that you bring enough close to last you through the entire trip. This way you won't have to worry about your laundry at all.
Russia, generally, has become much safer than in the past. Besides, you will be traveling with a group of professional guides and will feel safe at all times. However, you should still follow basic safety procedures about your documents and money.
First of all, you should not do not carry your passport with you during land excursions. We recommend that you carry a copy of your passport and visa with you. Leave your documents at the ship.
Secondly, you should be careful with your money and credit cards. Where there are tourists, there are pickpockets. This happens in every major European capital and is not unique to Russia. It is not widespread - the chances that you will encounter pick pockets are 1 out of 100 and the chances that they can steal something from you are 1 out of 1000 if you follow these simple precautions.
How to protect yourself against pickpockets:
- Don’t flash your wallet and money.
- Beware of the surrounding and don't let anyone walk into you. Pickpockets usually work like this: few people accidentally bump into you and then go on walking. The next thing you discover that you are missing something.
- Don’t carry more than few dollars on you (this is about 10,000 rubles).
- Split your money and credit cards to keep them in different pockets. Split between you and your companions too.
- Zipped or buttoned inside pockets are best for storing valuable things as they are harder to reach for pickpockets. Backpacks are also hard to pick.
If it does happen that someone stole your money or cards follow these steps:
- Notify your guide or cruise director immediately
- If someone stole your credit card, call your bank or credit card company and report them stolen.
- Contact the emergency numbers on your boarding pass to notify us if you need assistance.
In case of emergency you should notify your cruise director or the tour guide. You should also contact the emergency number of our representative that will be provided on your boarding pass.
Medical emergencies
In case of medical emergencies, your guides are trained to take you to the American clinic in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Your medical insurance will be accepted at these clinics and they can provide you with qualified medical assistance.Please note, we leave it to discretion of your guide to decide how to transport you to the medical center. In some circumstances it may be faster to use a cab service than to wait for an ambulance due to traffic jams.
Please note, we do not cover expenses that arise from medical situations and other emergencies. We recommend to all of our customers to purchase travel insurance that is designed for this purpose.
You probably know that borsh is Russian national meal and we assure you that you will have a chance to try it together with other succulent Russian dishes. Menu on board has been specially designed to give you a chance to try all famous Russian meals.
Russian food is made from very similar ingredients as most of European cuisine. You will notice that there is a greater emphasis on potatoes and that there are more salads with mayo (just like in Canada - it must be a northern thing).
Tip: You will even have a chance to learn how to cook Russian food in special Russian food class that will be included in the program of your cruise.
You can see an example of a typical menu on our river cruises by downloading the file below:
Russian cruise menu
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