FAQ

S-Cruises International follows all the applicable regulations and safety protocols of the Russian Federation government.

The rules for travel and health protocols are continuously changing. As new protocols are developed, we will continue to publish them. Before setting sail, booked guests will be informed of specific requirements.

TThere is no dress code aboard our vessels. However, if you want to take part in our morning exercise program, you might be more comfortable in some sports attire, while going dancing might need something a little more stylish.

We recommend packing comfortable footwear with non-skid soles for walking on decks and during onshore tours. Bringing a sweater or windbreaker is also advised - evenings in the fresh air can be chilly even after a hot day.

if your cruise is more than 4 days, you might want to take with you special or uncommon attire for our themed dinners.

Captain’s dinner is often organized on board when your cruise is more than 4 days in duration. The captain and cruise director join travelers for dinner and a glass of champagne, as the head chef prepares exclusive dishes. Eveningwear and a festive mood are encouraged.

If you happen to be on a 7-day cruise, you will be surprised to see everyone wearing pirate’s clothing! Pack a sailor’s shirt and join the feast!

Ships depart from Moscow or St. Petersburg with a standard check-in procedure. The boarding begins two hours before departure. Check-in takes no more than a few minutes, and requires your cruise ticket and the identity documents of all tourists traveling with you. After check-in, you will receive your cabin keys, restaurant table number and tour group number.

We recommend that you board the vessel no later than 20 minutes before departure. Travelers are fully responsible for arriving on time. Our cruises keep to a strict schedule and late arrival or failure to arrive on time for any reason will lead to a non-refundable cancellation of the cruise. If for some reason you are unable to board on time, contact your travel agency representative or contact us directly. In most cases, you may be able to catch up with the ship and board at the next cruise stop.

You can always direct your questions and comments to the cruise director’s office directly on a ship. Likewise, many cabins are equipped with telephones so you reach the office by phone.

For the duration of the cruise, passengers must abide by internal regulations and safety rules and follow any instructions given by the ship’s crew or the cruise director’s office. Please maintain tidiness on board the ship and in the cities that you visit along the way and be respectful of historical and cultural landmarks. Respect other passengers.

Smoking is permitted on board only in a designated location in the stern of the ship’s middle deck. It is strictly forbidden to smoke in other public spaces or in cabins.

For several days, your cabin becomes a home away from home, designed for everything you need for a peaceful and memorable vacation.

S-Cruises ships offer a wide range of accommodation: Standard and Comfort cabins for two guests, Standard Single either with balcony or without one for a solo traveler, and Junior Suites and Suite with private balconies for those who like high-level of comfort.

Regardless of the category, all cabins have the following facilities: satellite TV, hair dryer, refrigerator and electric outlets, as well as complimentary bottled water for every guest, handy cruise accessories, blankets for keeping you warm on deck and much more.

Travelers staying in our Junior Suites and Suite will also be pleased to find bathrobes, slippers, sleep masks and shower gels, a coffee machine and mini-bar, as well as a complimentary welcome surprise.

A daily program will be delivered to all cabins every evening including tour schedule for the next day, as well as weather forecast and other useful information. At your request, we’ll prepare your cabin for your night’s rest: shutting the curtains, turning the evening lights on, and making the beds. 

Like to sleep in or eat breakfast with the whole family? We recommend trying out our complimentary in-cabin breakfast service. Simply fill out a checklist with your choice of dishes and your preferred breakfast time between 7 and 11 AM and just wait as we take care of the rest. In-cabin breakfast service doesn’t you can’t also visit the ship’s restaurant.

Travelling with children? S-Cruises vessels can provide a baby crib along with a set of children’s bed linen. Before setting out on a family trip, we recommend to check whether baby cribs can be set up in your selected cabins. Travelers under 10 years of age can expect a small present.

Start morning your way with our diverse breakfast buffet. There’s plenty to choose from: delicious porridge, fresh fruits and vegetables, fluffy omelet, blini, Russian syrniki (cottage cheese pancakes) with jam. For those who favor the unusual there’s also herring, bryndza cheese, and olives. A glass of champagne is the perfect way to wrap up breakfast.

Order lunch and dinner from a menu featuring three types of soups, salads, main courses and desserts. If meat is not your thing no need  to worry, menus include meat, fish and vegetarian dishes every day. Dinner will come not just with tea or coffee but also with your choice of wine or vodka. 

Apart from traditional dinners, longer voyages include dinner with the captain and other themed evenings.

Treat yourself with delicious coffee and desert, hot and cold appetizers, as well as sandwiches, salads and entrees in the ships’ bars. The menu includes traditional refreshments, alcoholic beverages, and a wide selection of tea and coffee. 

On our four-deck cruise ships, you will find coffeehouses where baristas will surprise you with unusual flavors, while those with a sweet tooth will be happy to find an excellent selection of deserts. 

Care for an aperitif? All ships serve drinks at special prices 15 minutes before dinner, lunch and evening’s entertainment.

Those who get up early can enjoy “early bird” tea and coffee in the ship’s bar an hour before the rest of the guests wake up. Start your day with a robust cup of coffee before breakfast. If you prefer to sleep in, take advantage of our in-cabin breakfast service. 

Cabin

• In-cabin breakfast
• Bottled water in every cabin on departure day
• Bottled water provided daily for Junior Suites and Suites.
• Blankets in cabins for every passenger
• A kit with travel essentials: sewing kit, comb, shoehorn and napkins.
• A daily onboard activity program
• A daily activity paper with the schedule of onboard entertainment, tours, and meals
• Luggage service to and from your cabin at the start and end of the cruise

Dining

• A complimentary drink upon boarding

• Low-calorie or gluten-free dining upon request

• A glass of wine, shot of vodka or glass of juice for dinner

• Water, tea or coffee for each meal

• A glass of sparkling wine for breakfast, at welcome dinner, and themed dinners

• “Early bird” tea and coffee

• Oxygen cocktails

• Drinking water station

Others

• Wi-Fi in bars

• Ironing room

• Medical room

• Morning exercise program

• Birthday surprise

• Sports equipment rental

• Shuffleboard equipment rental (on Dmitry Furmanov) and mini golf rental (Moonlight Sonata)

• Reading room

• Bar services

• Mini-bar services in Junior Suite and Suite cabins

• Unscheduled replacement of bed linens or towels

• Laundry services

• Souvenirs

• Binoculars rental

• Bicycle rental (Moonlight Sonata, Swan Lake, Dmitry Furmanov and Northern Tale vessels)

• Beach towels

• Photo and video service

• Sauna (Moonlight Sonata, Swan Lake, and Dmitry Furmanov vessels)

When our ships make stops along the way, you can enjoy walking or bus tours accompanied by guides who speak English or your native language if requested in advance.

Apart from standard and alternative tours included in your cruise price, some cities offer tourists additional tours, which are for extra charge.

Additional tours can also be purchased from the cruise director during the trip.

Information on the cruise schedule, itinerary, tour program, and other useful information can be found on a stand in the vessel’s main hall. The vessel supervisor will regularly announce travel information via onboard radio, and inform passengers about the sights and landmarks that you can see along the way.