cruise one excursions

Already have your cruise booked?

Search by cruise line, ship & sailing date here:

BEST SELECTION

24/7 service, best prices guaranteed, top destinations.

Caribbean Shore Excursions

Alaska Shore Excursions

Europe Shore Excursions

Bahamas Shore Excursions

Bermuda Shore Excursions

Canada & New England Excursions

Hawaii Shore Excursions

Mexican Riviera Shore Excursions

Pacific Coast Shore Excursions

River Cruising Excursions

South America Shore Excursions

South Pacific Shore Excursions

Arabian Gulf Shore Excursions

Asia Shore Excursions

Australia & New Zealand Excursions

5000+ local guides, handcrafted experiences, high satisfaction, recent articles.

Marvelous Malta

26 Mar 2024

Exploring Anchorage 2024

22 Mar 2024

Seattle is Special | Shore Excursions

20 Mar 2024

Visit Vancouver | Great Shore Excursions

14 Mar 2024

Our Shore Excursion Partners:

Get Updates & Promotions

Subscribe to our E-mail List

or continue with

Reset Password

Enter the e-mail address associated with the account. We'll e-mail a link to reset your password.

Shore excursions: What new cruisers need to know

The fun of a cruise is equal parts what you do on board and what you do on shore. Cruise lines offer a full schedule of shore excursions to help you make the most of your time in port. However, the process of choosing and booking tours can be overwhelming for new cruisers.

I've taken shore excursions around the world, both ship-run and independent, and spent many days in port wandering on my own. Allow me to take you through the basics of cruise shore excursions, so you can learn to have the most fun no matter what your budget is.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

What is a cruise shore excursion?

A shore excursion is a group tour or activity aimed at cruise travelers who can only spend a limited time in each port they're visiting on their itinerary.

A shore excursion could be a sightseeing bus tour, a guided visit to a museum or historic site, an athletic activity (like a hike, bike ride or snorkel outing), a day at the beach or a cooking or dance class. Shore excursions typically highlight the marquee attractions or culture of the destination you're visiting. Sometimes an excursion will take you to sites within walking distance of your cruise; on other occasions, they might take you on a day trip to a nearby city.

Some shore excursions are targeted at families or can easily accommodate children. Some can accommodate passengers with mobility issues or other disabilities . Others may require a minimum level of fitness and are not suitable for everyone.

Shore excursions may be sold by your cruise line and organized with a partner provider. They can also be purchased through independent operators or third-party tour sellers.

Do you have to buy shore excursions on a cruise?

In most cases, you don't need to book a shore excursion to explore a port of call. You can simply walk off the ship and stroll into town or catch a cab to take you wherever you want to go.

However, in some destinations, a shore excursion, or independently operated guided tour, is highly encouraged. This could be in places where it's difficult to navigate as a foreigner who can't speak the language or understand street signs or where the tourism infrastructure is not yet fully developed.

Can I book a shore excursion on my own instead of through my cruise line?

Yes. I use many factors to decide whether to take a ship's tour, book an independent excursion or explore on my own in port. However, if you're a novice traveler, you might want to book ship tours exclusively because they're the simplest, easiest and most convenient options.

The benefits to a cruise line's shore excursions are that they depart from and return to the ship; you don't need to figure out where to meet a guide in a port you've never visited. Better still, should an unexpected problem (traffic, a medical emergency) occur during your outing, the ship will not leave port until all of its own tours have returned.

Independent tours, on the other hand, can be cheaper than cruise ship tours. I once saved hundreds of dollars organizing a group to go on an overnight, independently operated excursion to see Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza from Port Said, Egypt; the ship's tours were incredibly marked up. Also, if you have a particular interest, the ship might not offer a tour for the activity or attraction you're excited about.

Related: Ship-sponsored vs. independent shore excursions on cruises: Which should you book?

Some third-party operators will customize a tour for you or your group, so you can spend more time at the places you most want to see. Sometimes these tour groups are also smaller than the large cruise ship tours — which can carry 30 to 60 people in a bus — so you will spend less time waiting for everyone.

Finally, some ports are simply wonderful to walk around, popping into shops and local restaurants or bars, going where you will. I've skipped tours in places like Key West, Florida; Tallinn, Estonia; Monaco; Nassau, Bahamas; Skagway, Alaska; Geiranger, Norway; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. A map and a guidebook got me where I wanted to go.

How much are shore excursions on a cruise?

Cruise shore excursion prices vary widely depending on the cost of living in the cruise destination, what type of activity is involved and whether it's a full- or half-day tour. Young children often pay a reduced rate for tours.

Looking at Princess Cruises ' shore excursions in Grand Cayman, a 2.5-hour stingray swim costs $70 per person, a 5-hour scenic island drive costs $100, and a 4-hour, two-tank scuba dive costs $180. In Juneau, Alaska, a 3-hour tour to the Mendenhall Glacier visitor center costs $50 per person. A 3-hour gold panning activity and salmon bake costs $125, while a 2.25-hour tour to take a helicopter ride to the top of the glacier, where you can walk around on the ice for half an hour, costs $420.

Some cruise lines, such as Viking and Regent Seven Seas Cruises , include the cost of basic shore excursions in their cruise fares. If you don't care to do any specialty tours, you might be able to get all your port activities for free. Other lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line , offer discounted tours or shore excursion credit as booking promotions .

Related: 8 tips for booking the best cruise shore excursion for your money

What's the best way to book shore excursions?

If you plan to book shore excursions through your cruise line, you have a couple of options of how to book them.

You can book your tours online in advance, or have your travel agent do it for you. This is the best route if there's a ship's tour you absolutely want to take and you don't want to risk its selling out. Book your tours the minute they open for reservations. When my parents traveled on a luxury Regent Seven Seas cruise, they said that waiting until the next morning to book tours meant that some of their choices were sold out.

The downside to booking tours in advance is that some cruise lines require that you pay for the tours in full, rather than putting them on your final cruise bill. It means you're out the money in advance and it can be difficult to use onboard credit to cover the cost of excursions booked online.

Related: Avoid these mistakes when booking cruise shore excursions

Alternatively, you can wait until you're on the ship and book your excursion in person at the shore excursions desk. You'll be able to ask the staff questions about the tours, and the charges will be added to your final cruise bill. However, you do run the risk that a popular tour might be sold out by the time you're ready to book.

The same is true with independent tours. Most people organize these ahead of time through a tour operator or travel agent. However, in popular cruise ports, there are often representatives waiting at the port or at a tourist office who can book you on same-day tours if space is available.

Is it cheaper to book shore excursions on the ship?

No. Most cruise lines either charge the same prices for shore excursions booked online and on board or offer a discount for tours purchased in advance. For example, Royal Caribbean often advertises up to 30% off select tours reserved ahead of the sailing.

Do I need to tip on shore excursions?

Whether you're on a cruise line sponsored or independent shore excursion, a best practice is to tip your tour guides at the end of the tour. Exceptions are if tips are included in the price or if you're visiting a country with a non-tipping culture, where offering cash would be awkward.

Related: Ultimate guide to tipping on cruise ships

Tipping is a personal matter, and there are no hard and fast rules. I canvassed TPG's cruise team and we agreed that we give roughly $5 to $10 per person for half-day tours and $10 to $20 per person for full-day excursions, adjusted for service and quality. Tip non-guide drivers roughly $2 per person in your party.

You'll likely want to tip more for customized, private tours — consider 5 to 20% of the cost of the tour.

How do I get the most from my cruise shore excursion?

The key to getting the most from your cruise shore excursion is to know what you want and make sure the tour description matches your expectations. I find that the more I cruise, the less I take ship-sponsored shore excursions because they don't offer exactly what I want.

For example, if you're considering a bus tour, make sure you understand how much time will be spent sitting on the bus and how much time will be at the destination or attraction, whether you will be looking at or going inside key attractions and whether there's free time to explore. If it's an activity, like snorkeling or a helicopter tour, read up on how much time is spent in transit and prep and how much time you will spend actually doing the activity.

Be sure to note the fitness level required and don't try to take on more than you're able to do. If you struggle with mobility, check to see if there's a lot of walking on uneven ground like cobblestones.

Related: 11 cruise ship excursions to avoid

If the tour takes place over lunchtime, check to see if a meal is included or if you have time to pick up something to eat.

Personally, I find that organized tours are best when the excursion is an activity I can't do on my own (such as kayaking, zip lining or a winery tour); when long distances are involved where I don't want to bother with public transportation or renting a car on a one-day visit; or when the culture is foreign enough that independent exploration would be tricky. Sometimes you also need an expert guide, such as in Pompeii, to know what you're seeing.

Bottom line

Shore excursions are a great way to make the most of your time in port, but you might get the most value out of a mix of guided tours and independent exploration. Choose the best option based on your budget and interests, and remember to look at both ship-sponsored and independent tour and activity options. And if you feel like staying on board one day while your ship is docked in a port that doesn't interest you, that's okay, too.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

• Login or Register to access your account
• Digital Wallet
• Get Started
• 114 Ports of Call
• 14 Destinations
• 76,834 Shopper Approved
• 16,125 Live Help
• 7,988 Excursion Reviews

• DESTINATION
• Free Back to Ship Guarantee & Free Last Minute Cancellations!
• Simply the Best Deal Guarantee, Or we refund 115% of Difference!
• 100,000+ Customer Reviews, 4.8 / 5 Booking Satisfaction Record!
• 24/7 Personal Traveler Assistance, 365 Days & Around the World!

Cruise Excursions & Shore Excursions

Most popular ports of call, 52 cruise regions, 14 cruise destinations, live help chat reviews.

16,130 Reviews Collected Since 2015

10 Shore Excursion Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Cruise Vacation

A re you going on a cruise? If you’re thinking about booking shore excursions, you need to read this first. Don’t let common shore excursion mistakes ruin your cruise vacation. 

Cruise Shore Excursion Mistakes You’ll Regret Making

1. not booking shore excursions in advance.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when you go on a cruise is not booking shore excursions in advance. Many first time cruisers assume that they can figure out shore excursions once they’re on board the ship. 

Little do they know that it’s too late by then. Most of the popular shore excursions will be sold out, and even the ones with independent tour operators will be hard to come by. 

Imagine going on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise and missing out on a bucket list activity because you didn’t plan ahead. Don’t let that happen to you. Book your shore excursions in advance to make the most of your cruise experience.

2. Not Comparing Shore Excursion Prices

Another common mistake that cruisers make when booking shore excursions is they don’t shop around. They end up paying more for the same experience because shore excursions booked through the cruise ship are usually more expensive. 

Savvy cruisers know that they can usually get the same or similar shore excursion at a cheaper price if they book through independent tour operator websites like Viator . 

Cruise lines charge more for shore excursions because they offer a guarantee that the ship will not leave you behind. However, this is usually not a concern because the cruise line usually uses the same tour operators as the independent tour operators. By booking through sites like Viator, you can enjoy the same or similar shore excursion at a much cheaper price.

Suburbs 101 participates in affiliate programs including Amazon Associates Program and may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

3. Not Booking a Private Shore Excursion for Your Group

One common mistake people make when they go on a cruise is assuming private shore excursions are expensive. However, this is not always true if they are traveling with a group. 

You should shop around and price out how much a private tour will cost. If you check independent tour operator websites like Viator, you might be surprised to find that the cost of a private shore excursion for a big group is similar to the price of the cruise shore excursion. 

In that case, you should book a private tour. This allows you to avoid sharing your tour with strangers and gives you more control over the tour experience.

4. Not Reading the Activity Level of the Shore Excursion

One mistake rookie cruise passengers tend to make when planning shore excursions is overlooking the activity level of the tour. Cruise lines typically rate shore excursions based on the level of physical activity involved, such as walking and climbing. 

If you’re a young and adventurous group, you don’t want to end up on a shore excursion that’s categorized as “Easy” since it’s likely going to be a tour catered to people with mobility issues. It’s important to do your research to make sure that the shore excursion you choose matches your physical capabilities.

5. Booking Everyone in Your Group on the Same Shore Excursion

A mistake I made when I went on a family cruise was booking everyone on the same shore excursion. Although it was my intention to keep us together, I realized that this strategy does not work for everyone. 

Some family members may be more adventurous and others may prefer a more relaxed pace. This became clear when we visited Edinburgh, where we had booked a tour that was rated as “easy” to accommodate my mother-in-law’s mobility issues. 

However, the pace of the tour was too slow for my teenage daughter and my tween son, who were left with a lot of idle time. Even getting on and off the bus took a very long time! 

In hindsight, it would have been better if we had chosen different shore excursions, one that was faster-paced for my kids and me, and a slower-paced one for my in-laws. The lesson learned was that when it comes to shore excursions, one size does not fit all.

6. Not Dressed Appropriately

A mistake cruisers make when they go on shore excursions is not dressing appropriately. For example, if you are on a Mediterranean cruise you need to dress conservatively when visiting religious places such as the Blue Mosque. Conservative clothing is a must to be allowed into the mosque. 

Women need to cover their heads, so you need to pack a shawl or pashmina. You will also be required to take off your shoes when entering the mosque, so it’s preferable to wear socks to feel comfortable while walking barefoot inside the mosque. 

If you’re not dressed appropriately, you will be denied entry into the mosque which is a big disappointment. Imagine you’re finally in Turkey and you can’t go in to see the Blue Mosque! That’s why it’s important to double-check and make sure you’re appropriately dressed for your shore excursion.

7. Not Wearing Sunblock

A mistake that people make when they go on shore excursions is they forget to wear sunblock. The last thing you want to happen during your cruise vacation is to be sunburned. That’s a mistake that can ruin your cruise! 

And the thing with shore excursions is that it’s not like you can easily stop at a store to buy sunblock (your tour guide will most likely say you don’t have time to make a stop!) 

Or you might even be in a remote location without access to shops. For example, you might be on an Alaska cruise and kayaking in the wild, so if you forget to apply sunblock, you’ll be out of luck. To be safe, apply sunblock even if you think it’s going to be an overcast day!

8. Not Wearing Comfortable Shoes

A big mistake that people make when they go on shore excursions is they don’t wear comfortable shoes. If you’re sightseeing, it’s important to be practical and wear comfortable shoes. 

If you’re on a European cruise, chances are high that you’ll be visiting ruins, castles, and strolling through cobblestoned streets. You need to be prepared. Make sure to avoid high heels at all costs!

9. Not Paying Attention to Time

One common mistake that people make during shore excursions is that they fail to keep track of time. Don’t be that person who is always running late and making everyone else wait for you. 

This is not only disrespectful to other people’s time but also puts your tour group at risk of missing out on parts of the tour. If you’re running late, the tour guide may have to skip certain portions of the excursion just to ensure that you make it back to the ship on time. To avoid this, always keep an eye on the clock and plan your time accordingly.

10. Bring Your Shore Excursion Tickets

It’s a good idea to bring a printed copy of your shore excursion tickets when you go on shore excursions. In my experience, shore excursions still operate the old-fashioned way with printed tickets, not e-tickets. 

During my recent cruise, I received my shore excursion tickets in an envelope delivered to my cabin by the cabin steward. I had to present that ticket when checking in to get a sticker for my shore excursion. 

Even when I booked shore excursions independently, I still printed out the ticket and showed it to the tour guide as proof. So, always remember to bring your shore excursion ticket to avoid any delays.

Check out these cruise packing lists with free printables

Alaska cruise packing list

Caribbean cruise packing list

Mediterranean cruise packing list

13 Things Only Rude People Do on a Cruise

10 Food I’ll Never Eat at a Cruise Buffet

12 Things to Bring from Home to Save Money on Your Cruise

10 Things to Never do in Cruise Ports

The post 10 Shore Excursion Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Cruise Vacation appeared first on Suburbs 101 .

The pre-purchase window for certain products and activities closes between one and three days prior to the sail date. If you missed the purchase window, check with us once you're on board — we'll help you find what you’re looking for.

The purchase window for certain products and activities closes before to the sail end date. If you missed the purchase window, check with us on board, we'll help you find what you’re looking for.

Shore Excursions

About shore excursions.

Already booked your cruise?

Log In  to shop food, entertainment and gifts for yourself or a friend!

Feeling Generous?

Give a gift to your friend going on one of our cruises!

• Favorites & Watchlist Find a Cruise Cruise Deals Cruise Ships Destinations Manage My Cruise​ FAQ Perfect Day at CocoCay Weekend Cruises Crown & Anchor Society Cruising Guides Gift Cards Contact Us Royal Caribbean Group
• Back to Main Menu
• Search Cruises " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-2-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruises" target="_self"> Search Cruises
• Cruise Deals
• Weekend Cruises
• Last Minute Cruises
• Family Cruises​
• 2024-2025 Cruises
• All Cruise Ships " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-4-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-ships" target="_self"> All Cruise Ships
• Cruise Dining
• Onboard Activities
• Cruise Rooms
• The Cruise Experience
• All Cruise Destinations " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-5-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-destinations" target="_self"> All Cruise Destinations
• Cruise Ports
• Shore Excursions
• Perfect Day at CocoCay
• Caribbean Cruises
• Bahamas Cruises​
• Alaska Cruises
• European Cruises​
• Mediterranean Cruises​
• Cruise Planner
• Book a Flight
• Book a Hotel
• Check-In for My Cruise
• Required Travel Documents
• Make a Payment
• Redeem Cruise Credit
• Update Guest Information
• Beverage Packages​
• Dining Packages​
• Shore Excursions​
• Transportation
• Royal Gifts
• All FAQs " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-7-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/faq" target="_self"> All FAQs
• Boarding Requirements
• Future Cruise Credit​
• Travel Documents​
• Check-in​ & Boarding Pass
• Transportation​
• Perfect Day at CocoCay​
• Post-Cruise Inquiries
• Royal Caribbean
• Celebrity Cruises

ADVENTURE IS A SHORE THING SHORE EXCURSIONS

DISCOVER YOUR OWN

IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

The excursions and guided tours designed to take your getaway to the next level — from locally-taught culinary classes and land tours infused with culture and history, to adrenaline amping outdoor thrills and off-the-grid exploration. Ready to revisit that bucket list? Explore the possibilities for shore excursions on your next cruise below.

ADVENTURE ON LAND

EUROPE EXCURSIONS

When you explore Europe’s ancient cities, every arch and alleyway tells a story. In Sicily, you can bike across the rim of Mount Etna, which the ancient Greeks believed was home to the legendary Cyclops. In Spain, learn how to prepare tapas like a true Malagan, then savor every single bite. And venture deeper into nature — literally — as you explore the magnificent Lipa Cave in Montenegro. No matter where your journey takes you, these experiences will make every moment memorable.  

PRIVATE JOURNEYS

For those looking for a more personalized adventure, there’s Private Journeys. Our Destination Insiders leverage extensive knowledge and years of travel expertise to hand craft one-of-a-kind private tours with you in mind. You can customize an existing tour that catches your eye, or work with an Insider to create an exclusive tour experience that’s completely unique to you or a small group. Celebrating a special occasion, chasing a lifelong dream, or looking for ways to rediscover a favorite destination? Private Journeys are at your service.  

DISCOVER WONDERS BENEATH THE WAVES

SNORKEL EXCURSIONS

Take your adventure underwater and discover a whole world that’s teeming with life. Swim with sea turtles and manta rays, float over vibrant reefs, and explore colorful coral forests on a snorkeling excursion designed to bring you up close with the ocean’s most beautiful natural treasures.  

SCUBA EXCURSIONS

There’s no better way to explore the beauty beneath the waves than on a guided scuba excursion. Dive deep below the surface of the sea with a certified expert and weave through brilliant coral colonies, scour centuries-old shipwrecks and come face-to-face with exotic aquatic critters.  

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK A SHORE EXCURSION

12 Coolest Slides On Cruise Ships

Long Weekend Cruises

Six Secret Finds During Your Weekend Cruise

• * Tours involving flights, trains, special events, overnight stays, hotel stays and Private Journeys must be cancelled 30 days prior to sailing to avoid cancellation penalties. Other restrictions may apply.
• + In the unlikely event that your tour is significantly delayed, we’ll make all the arrangements for you to return to the ship at the earliest opportunity at no expense to you.
• *Guests on tour under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 
• Read more on the Guest Terms site .

 EXPLORE MORE

Previewing: Promo Dashboard Campaigns

My Personas

Code: ∅.

Exclusive Shore Excursions Amazing Experiences

Venture ashore's essential collection.

The best way to explore must-see and do highlights in top destinations, at up to 40% off cruise line prices. Choose more with The Essential Collection!

Shore Excursions

For cruisers

Tours by Destination

Worldwide experiences

Group Tours

Custom experiences for groups of +12

Back-to-Ship Guarantee

Highest Quality Tours: The Essential Collection

Don't Port, Don't Pay Security

Flexible Cancellation: Up to 7 days before tour 

2022 Award Winning

Recognized for excellence in the cruise industry.

Cruise Tours Without the Cruise Line Prices

Save up to 40% with the best experiences, tested and approved.

The Essential Collection

Our most popular and top-rated shared tours.

Small Group Tours

More intimate experiences connecting you to local culture.

Private Excursions

Travel in a private vehicle with your own party and customize if desired.

Explore All Regions

Hundreds of locations around the world

AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & SOUTH PACIFIC

MEXICAN PACIFIC COAST

MIDDLE EAST

NEW ENGLAND & CANADA

SOUTH AMERICA

UNITED STATES

• Destinations
• Travel Agents

1 888 801 8547

0800 091 8274

Log in to Venture Ashore

Great Experiences Await!

Forgot your password?

Create a new account.

You'll zip through it!

• Visit Our Blog about Russia to know more about Russian sights, history
• Check out our Russian cities and regions guides
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to better understand Russia
• Info about getting Russian visa , the main airports , how to rent an apartment
• Our Expert answers your questions about Russia, some tips about sending flowers

Russian regions

• Bashkortostan republic
• Chuvashia republic
• Kirov oblast
• Mari El republic
• Mordovia republic
• Nizhegorodskaya oblast
• Orenburg oblast
• Penza oblast
• Samara oblast
• Saratov oblast
• Tatarstan republic
• Udmurt republic
• Ulyanovsk oblast
• Map of Russia
• All cities and regions
• Blog about Russia
• News from Russia
• How to get a visa
• Flights to Russia
• Russian hotels
• Renting apartments
• Russian currency
• FIFA World Cup 2018
• Submit an article
• Flowers to Russia
• Ask our Expert

Nizhny Novgorod city, Russia

The capital city of Nizhegorodskaya oblast .

Nizhny Novgorod - Overview

Nizhny Novgorod (colloquially often just “Nizhny”; from 1932 to 1990 - Gorky) is a large city located in the center of European Russia, the administrative center of the Volga Federal District and Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.

It is an important economic, industrial, scientific, educational, and cultural center of Russia, the largest transport hub of the Volga Federal District. Nizhny Novgorod is one of the main centers of river tourism in Russia. The historic part of the city is rich in sights and is a popular tourist destination.

The population of Nizhny Novgorod is about 1,234,000 (2022), the area - 411 sq. km.

The phone code - +7 831, the postal codes - 603000-603257.

Nizhny Novgorod city flag

Nizhny novgorod city coat of arms.

Nizhny Novgorod city map, Russia

Nizhny novgorod city latest news and posts from our blog:.

7 January, 2022 / Nikolai Bugrov's Summer Dacha in Volodarsk .

4 December, 2017 / Stadiums and Matches of the World Cup 2018 in Russia .

2 June, 2017 / The Most Beautiful House in Nizhny Novgorod .

13 March, 2016 / Official Look of Host Cities of World Cup 2018 in Russia .

29 September, 2015 / Nizhny Novgorod - the view from above .

More posts..

History of Nizhny Novgorod

Foundation of nizhny novgorod.

During the military campaigns of the Russian princes against the Volga Bulgaria, the place where the Oka River flows into the Volga was used as a gathering point for the Murom and Suzdal troops. In 1220, Grand Duke Yuri Vsevolodovich (the grandson of Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, the founder of Moscow) conducted a successful campaign against the Bulgars. After it, he “decided to strengthen this important place for Rus” and founded a town at the mouth of the Oka.

It was named Novgorod, which literally means “new town”. Later, the adjective “nizhny” (“lower”) was added to the name of the town in the Russian annals. This was probably done in order to distinguish it from the town of Novgorod (present Veliky Novgorod) and other Novgorods that existed at that time.

The founding of Nizhny Novgorod was the beginning of an active expansion of Russian influence in the Mordovian lands. Two white-stone churches were built in the fortress, including the Cathedral of the Archangel (1227) - evidence of the special role that the town had in the system of lands of Vladimir-Suzdal Rus. However, the Mongol invasion stopped further development.

Information about Nizhny Novgorod of the 13th century is extremely scarce. But it is known that after the invasion it revived relatively quickly. Nizhny Novgorod is constantly mentioned in Russian chronicles as a major political and economic center of North-Eastern Rus and a spiritual center of Orthodoxy in the Volga region. The town was often the object of conflicts between Moscow and Tver.

In 1392, the Moscow prince Vasily I received a jarlig for the Nizhny Novgorod Principality and captured Nizhny Novgorod. The final annexation of Nizhny Novgorod to the possessions of Moscow took place in the late 1440s.

More Historical Facts…

Nizhny Novgorod in the 16th-18th centuries

Under Ivan III and Vasily III, the town played the role of a border post and was a gathering place for military campaigns against the Kazan Khanate. In 1508-1515, the stone kremlin was built. After the capture of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible, the border role of Nizhny Novgorod became insignificant. At the same time, Nizhny Novgorod became the center of trade between Russia and the East and a large shipbuilding center.

In September 1611, during the Time of Troubles, the Second People’s Militia was organized in Nizhny Novgorod to fight the Poles who were able to establish control over Moscow. The militia consisted of detachments of townspeople, peasants of the central and northern regions of the Tsardom of Russia. The leaders were the Nizhny Novgorod merchant Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky (the monument to them is installed on Red Square in Moscow). In October 1612, the militia was able to completely liberate Moscow.

In the 17th century, a schism occurred in the Orthodox Church under Patriarch Nikon. It led to the formation of numerous settlements of Old Believers in the vicinity of Nizhny Novgorod. In 1695, during his Azov campaign, Peter I arrived in Nizhny Novgorod. In 1719, as a result of his administrative-territorial reforms, the town became the center of a separate Nizhny Novgorod Governorate. In 1722, setting off on the Persian campaign, Nizhny Novgorod was again visited by Peter I. Here he celebrated his 50th birthday.

In 1767, Nizhny Novgorod was visited by Empress Catherine II. During her stay in the town, she met the famous local mechanic and inventor Ivan Kulibin. After her visit, a new regular town plan was approved. The first town theater was built in 1798. Later, it became known as Nikolaevsky, in honor of Emperor Nicholas I.

Nizhny Novgorod in the 19th century

At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, Nizhny Novgorod became a major scientific and cultural center of the Russian Empire. In 1811, the population of Nizhny Novgorod was about 14,400 people. In 1817, the Makaryev Fair, the largest fair of the Russian Empire, was moved to the village of Kunavino (one of the districts of today’s Nizhny Novgorod). Before that, it was organized every year near the Makaryevsky Monastery, which burned down a year earlier. From that time on, it began to be called the Nizhny Novgorod Fair. Thanks to it, the rapid economic development of the town and adjacent villages began.

After Emperor Nicholas I visited the town in 1834, the large-scale reconstruction of Nizhny Novgorod began. In 1847, a water supply system appeared in the town and the first fountain was built. Private buildings in the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin were demolished and new administrative buildings appeared in their place. A lot of new buildings, streets, boulevards, and gardens were built.

In 1849, a large industrial enterprise was founded in the village of Sormovo (another district of today’s Nizhny Novgorod). Later, it became known as the Sormovo plant. It was producing river steamers, various railway cars, steam locomotives, and trams. Thanks to the plant, Sormovo soon turned into a large village of workers. In 1862, the construction of the Moscow-Nizhny Novgorod railway was completed. In 1863, the population of the city was 41,500 people.

In 1896, the city hosted the All-Russian Trade and Industrial Exhibition. The radio receiver of the engineer A.S. Popov, the hyperboloid tower of the engineer V.G. Shukhov were demonstrated at the exhibition, as well as the first Russian car of the Frese and Yakovlev factories.

Nizhny Novgorod in the first half of the 20th century

In 1914, about 111,000 people lived in Nizhny Novgorod. In 1917, during the First World War, the Warsaw Polytechnic Institute was evacuated to this city, on the basis of which the Nizhny Novgorod Polytechnic Institute was created.

On October 7, 1932, Nizhny Novgorod was renamed Gorky due to the 40th anniversary of the literary and social activities of the writer Maxim Gorky. In 1933, the first permanent bridge across the Oka River was built. The railway bridge across the Volga was constructed too. Thanks to this, it became possible to go by rail through Gorky to the Urals and Siberia.

The 1930s were a period of rapid industrialization. In 1932, the largest industrial enterprise in the city was opened - the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ), an important object of the Soviet defense industry. In the 1930s-1940s, the city was even referred to as “Russian Detroit”. By 1939, the population of Nizhny Novgorod increased to about 644,000 people.

Every fourth resident of the Gorky region (about 822 thousand people) fought on the fronts of the Second World War. Of these, more than 350 thousand people did not return from the battlefields - they were killed, went missing or died from wounds in hospitals.

In June 1943, three large raids of German bombers were carried out on Gorky. The main target of air strikes was the Gorky Automobile Plant, which as a result was almost completely destroyed. It was rebuilt only in the middle of 1944. Over 500,000 wounded were treated in dozens of hospitals during the war years.

The city was an important center for the production of weapons. During the Second World War, every second Soviet car, every third tank and every fourth artillery piece were produced at Gorky’s plants. In total, about 38 thousand tanks, self-propelled guns, armored vehicles, 43 thousand mortars, 16 thousand aircraft, 22 submarines, 109 thousand cars, more than 85 thousand radio stations, as well as 101 thousand artillery pieces and 1,165 Katyusha multiple rocket launchers were produced in Gorky.

Nizhny Novgorod after the Second World War

In 1946, the first GAZ-M-20 “Pobeda” passenger car and the GAZ-51 truck left the assembly line of the Gorky Automobile Plant. In 1949, the construction of the monumental Chkalov Stairs connecting the Upper Volga and Lower Volga embankments was completed in the historic center of Nizhny Novgorod. On August 4, 1959, the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR “On the closure of the city of Gorky for visiting by foreigners” was issued. In 1962, the population of Gorky exceeded 1 million people.

On January 18, 1970, a radiation accident occurred at the Krasnoe Sormovo plant. During the construction of a nuclear submarine, an unauthorized launch of the reactor took place. After working at prohibitive power for about 10-15 seconds, it partially collapsed. Hundreds of workers were exposed to the radioactive release. In total, over one thousand people took part in the liquidation of the consequences of the accident and were exposed to radiation.

In 1985, a subway was opened in Gorky. In 1980-1986, Andrei Sakharov, a world famous nuclear physicist, Nobel laureate, and activist, was in exile in Gorky to prevent his contacts with foreigners. In the early 1990s, the “closed city” status was lifted and the city became accessible to foreigners. On October 22, 1990, Gorky was renamed back to Nizhny Novgorod. In 1991, the population of the city reached its maximum - 1,445,000 people.

At the end of the 20th century, the information technology sphere began to actively develop in the city. In the 2000s, a transport problem arose because of the insufficient carrying capacity of the Nizhny Novgorod bridges connecting the lower part of the city and the upper one.

In February 2012, the Nizhny Novgorod Volga Aerial Tramway was opened. This 3661-meter-long gondola lift cable car connected Nizhny Novgorod with the town of Bor. Its daily passenger traffic is about 5,000 people. In 2013, the city electric train was launched - an alternative to the subway line from Sormovo to Moskovsky railway station.

Nizhny Novgorod hosted 6 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2018 . A new stadium was built, the old river port was demolished, a new park and embankments were created. Large-scale restoration of old streets and buildings took place, new museums were opened, hotels were built, and parks were reconstructed.

Streets of Nizhny Novgorod

One sunny summer day in Nizhniy Novgorod

Author: Denis Plekhanov

Apartment buildings in Nizhny Novgorod

Author: Eugene Ivanov

On the street in Nizhny Novgorod

Author: Sergey S. Kazenyuk

Nizhny Novgorod - Features

Nizhny Novgorod is located about 425 km east of Moscow, at the confluence of the two largest waterways of the European part of Russia - the Volga and Oka rivers. The city is divided by the Oka into two parts. The length of Nizhny Novgorod along the Oka is 20 km, along the Volga - about 30 km.

The climate in Nizhny Novgorod is moderately continental, with cold, long winters and warm, relatively short summers. The average temperature in January is minus 8.9 degrees Celsius, in July - plus 19.4 degrees Celsius.

A red deer is depicted on the coat of arms and flag of Nizhny Novgorod, which is a symbol of nobility, purity, life, wisdom, and justice. The City Day is celebrated on the 3rd Saturday in August.

In January 2019, Nizhny Novgorod was recognized as the best city in Russia in terms of quality of life. It took first place among Russian cities and 109th in the world in terms of quality of life. The rating was compiled by the site numbeo.com, which specializes in statistics on the cost of living and consumer prices in different countries of the world.

When compiling the rating, the purchasing power of the population, safety, health care, the cost of living, the ratio of real estate prices to the population’s income, traffic congestion, the level of environmental pollution, and climate were taken into account.

The main branches of the local industry are the production of cars and weapons, shipbuilding. Nizhny Novgorod is also one of the IT centers of Russia.

Nizhny Novgorod is a major transport hub. The city has a railway station, a river station, a cargo port, several berths for transshipment of goods. Strigino International Airport named after V.P. Chkalov offers regular flights to such cities as Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Kaliningrad, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Samara, St. Petersburg, Sochi, and a number of others.

Public transport in Nizhny Novgorod plays a very important role in ensuring the life of the city. At the same time, its work is hampered by the distribution of its population on the city’s territory, large daily migrations, a very high concentration of passenger traffic on the bridges across the Oka River, and the lack of an all-encompassing system of high-speed transport. There are municipal buses, fixed-route minibuses, trams, trolleybuses, the city train, and subway.

The tourist potential of Nizhny Novgorod is quite high. According to UNESCO, it is one of the most valuable historical cities in the world. In total, there are more than 600 unique historical, architectural and cultural monuments in Nizhny Novgorod, a variety of museums. The best time to visit Nizhny Novgorod is summer.

One of the alternative ways to visit Nizhny Novgorod is to take a river cruise along the Volga River. Travelers will find exciting excursions and meals in traditional Russian taverns. It will also be interesting to come during one of the many fairs or ethnographic festivals that are held in the city.

Main Attractions of Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin (1508-1515) - a fortress in the historic center of Nizhny Novgorod and its oldest part, the main architectural complex of the city located on the right high bank, at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers. To date, all 13 towers of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin have been preserved or have been restored. The thickness of the wall at the base reaches 5 meters. There are exhibitions in the towers of the fortress; a section of the wall is open for tourists to visit.

In the past, there were several churches on the territory of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. Today, only the Archangel Michael Cathedral has survived, built no later than the middle of the 16th century and rebuilt in 1628-1631 - the oldest surviving building in the kremlin. There is the grave of Kuzma Minin inside it.

An excellent view of the Volga River and Strelka (the confluence of the Oka and Volga) opens from the walls of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. Here you can also see a collection of military equipment from the Second World War.

Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum - one of the oldest museums in Russia, the largest museum of fine arts in the Nizhny Novgorod region. The Governor’s Palace on the territory of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin houses a permanent exhibition of Russian art and a collection of artistic silver.

In the House of the Merchant and Benefactor D.V. Sirotkin (Verkhnevolzhskaya Embankment, 3), an exposition of Western European art is presented and, separately, the painting by K.E. Makovsky “The appeal of Kuzma Minin to the citizens of Nizhny Novgorod” - one of the largest paintings on a historical theme in Russia (698x594 cm).

Chkalov Stairs (1943-1949) - a monumental staircase in the form of a figure eight in the historic center of Nizhny Novgorod. Connecting the Upper Volga (Verkhnevolzhskaya) and Lower Volga (Nizhnevolzhskaya) embankments, it is one of the longest stairs in Russia. It starts from the observation deck at the monument to Valery Chkalov (the famous Soviet pilot who made the first non-stop flight from the USSR to the USA via the North Pole), next to the St. George Tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin.

Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street - the main street of Nizhny Novgorod built up with noble mansions of the past centuries. A large part of Bolshaya Pokrovskaya is reserved for the pedestrian zone and is analogous to the pedestrian Arbat Street in Moscow. There are a lot of historic houses, cafes, souvenir shops, boutiques, monuments, and sculptures here. The length of the street is over 2 km.

The building of the State Bank (Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street, 26), resembling a medieval palace, is an outstanding architectural monument built in the Russian Revival style in 1911-1913. In the Museum of Old Equipment and Tools (Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street, 43), you can see unique exhibits, hear their history, and even touch them.

Fedorovsky Embankment - one of the most beautiful embankments in Nizhny Novgorod and the best observation deck in the city. Everything is perfectly visible from this embankment: the old part of the city, the river station with a park, the Kanavinsky bridge - one of the oldest in the city, and, of course, the opposite bank of the Oka River with the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the confluence of the Oka and Volga. People also come here to watch the sunset.

Nizhny Novgorod Volga Aerial Tramway . This cable car, 3661 meters long, connects the high right bank of the Volga River, where the historic part of Nizhny Novgorod is located, with the town of Bor. It has the largest unsupported span over the water surface in Europe - 861 meters.

A one way trip during which you can admire the picturesque views of Nizhny Novgorod and the Volga River takes 15 minutes. It is better to use it in good sunny weather, because in windy weather, the movement of the cabins can be stopped. Sennaya Square on Kazanskaya Embankment.

Nizhny Novgorod State Museum of History and Architecture (1875-1877). Also known as the Mansion of S.M. Rukavishnikov, it is an architectural ensemble built in the eclectic style in the historic center of Nizhny Novgorod, one of the most important and famous architectural monuments of this city. Guided tours are held in the premises, allowing you to learn about the life of the former owners of the mansion, as well as look at the historical expositions of different years. Verkhnevolzhskaya Embankment, 7.

Main Palace of Nizhny Novgorod Fair - a luxurious building constructed in the forms of Old Russian architecture of the 17th century. Today, exhibitions of various formats are held here, as well as the multimedia exposition “Russia - my history” dedicated mainly to the history of Nizhny Novgorod starting from the Finno-Ugric peoples. Sovnarkomovskaya Street, 13.

Museum of the History of the Gorky Automobile Plant . The museum houses expositions telling about the history and development of the Gorky Automobile Plant. In total, there are over 40,000 exhibits. Here you can see a collection of Soviet vintage cars, which includes “Chaika”, “Volga”, the truck “GAZ-51”, and a lot of others. Lenina Avenue, 95.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (1868-1881) - the most noticeable sight of the lower part of Nizhny Novgorod, which can be seen from all observation decks of the upper city. The church, 87 meters high, was built on the site of the Nizhny Novgorod Fair at the expense of merchants, who wanted to perpetuate the visit of Emperor Alexander II. Strelka Street, 3a.

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1696-1719) - one of the best examples of the Stroganov Baroque, an architectural monument of federal significance. From a distance, this colorful building looks like a sugar gingerbread with “candy” domes and decorated with stone flowers, pears and apples. Rozhdestvenskaya Street, 34.

Pechersky Ascension Monastery - one of the most interesting places in Nizhny Novgorod, where you can feel the spirit of the city. Most of the monastery buildings date back to the first half of the 17th century. A lot of beautiful photographs can be taken here. Privolzhskaya Sloboda Street, 108.

Limpopo Zoo - the first private zoo in Russia. More than 270 species of animals live here, 25 of which are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. It is located on the territory of the Sormovsky Park on an area of 7.1 hectares. Yaroshenko Street, 7b.

Architectural and Ethnographic Museum-Reserve “Shcholokovskiy Khutor” . The exposition of this museum is represented by 16 objects of rural architecture: residential houses, barns, mills and churches of the 17th-19th centuries brought from the northern districts of the Nizhny Novgorod region. The facades of the houses are decorated with traditional relief carvings. In the premises of the houses, interiors with authentic items of peasant life have been restored. Gorbatovskaya Street, 41.

Nizhny Novgorod city of Russia photos

Pictures of nizhny novgorod.

Chkalov Stairs and the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin

Author: Sergey Bulanov

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Nizhny Novgorod

Author: Evgeniy Balashov

Shopping and office center Smart in Nizhny Novgorod

Author: Diman Lazarev

Sights of Nizhny Novgorod

Annunciation Monastery - the oldest monastery in Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod Cathedral Mosque

Church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God Joy of All Who Sorrow in Nizhny Novgorod

The comments of our visitors

• Currently 3.14/5

Rating: 3.1 /5 (250 votes cast)

Baltimore cruises to reroute after bridge collapse pauses port traffic

Carnival will move some operations to norfolk while baltimore recovers from key bridge collapse.

Cruise lines are scrambling to make alternative plans and avoid the Port of Baltimore while officials suspend vessel traffic amid cleanup and rescue efforts around the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Three major cruise lines sail from Baltimore, though no ships were in port Tuesday morning. The next cruise was scheduled to depart Sunday, but its operator confirmed late Tuesday afternoon that the voyage would instead head out from Norfolk.

Amira M. Hairston, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore port, said in an email that the status of the upcoming cruise ship schedule is not yet known.

“At this time we do not know how long vessel traffic will be suspended. As soon as that is determined we will provide an update. Until then please keep those involved in your prayers,” Hairston wrote.

Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas left Saturday for a 12-night southern Caribbean cruise with plans to return April 4. The cruise line said in a statement that it was “closely monitoring the situation, and our port logistics team is currently working on alternatives for Vision of the Seas’ ongoing and upcoming sailings.”

“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and extend our heartfelt prayers to all those impacted,” the company said. Royal Caribbean International will contact guests and travel partners once plans are final, the operator said.

Carnival Legend set off Sunday for a seven-day Bahamas cruise; the ship was scheduled to return March 31 and depart for its next sailing the same day. Instead of coming back to Baltimore, Carnival said late Tuesday, it will end its trip in Norfolk, and free buses will bring passengers back to Baltimore.

The ship’s next seven-day cruise will leave Norfolk and return to the port. In a news release , Carnival said it would temporarily move Baltimore operations to Norfolk “while Key Bridge rescue and cleanup efforts continue.”

“Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore,” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement. “We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk.”

Carnival Pride is supposed to start sailing from Baltimore next month, mostly to the Bahamas and eastern Caribbean.

Norwegian Cruise Line does not have cruises scheduled out of the port until later this year. American Cruise Lines, a U.S. river cruise operator, has Chesapeake Bay trips on small vessels scheduled from Baltimore starting in May. The cruise line said it will monitor developments “and make adjustments if needed.”

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said it was “deeply saddened” by the bridge collapse and was closely following the situation. “Right now, the most important thing to do is to allow the emergency workers to do their work,” the group wrote in a statement.

This year, 12 ships are scheduled to make a total of 115 calls at the Port of Baltimore, the industry association said. With room for roughly 2,000 or 2,100 passengers at double occupancy, most Baltimore-based ships are much smaller than the record-breaking behemoths that sail from Florida ports.

“Any adjustments to current cruise activity at the port will be announced as soon as available by the individual cruise lines,” CLIA said in its statement.

A news release issued last month by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s office said that more than 444,000 individuals cruised out of the Port of Baltimore last year, the most since 2012. The Maryland Port Administration said in a news release last year that the cruise industry generates nearly 400 jobs and $63 million in revenue every year for local businesses.

The port positions itself as a convenient option for cruising year-round, thanks to its location off Interstate 95 and plentiful parking. More than 40 million people live within a six-hour drive of the city, the port administration says.

Baltimore bridge collapse

Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship , sending at least eight people from a construction crew into the water. Two people were rescued and the remaining six are presumed dead, officials said. Follow live updates and see photos from the scene .

How it happened: The container ship lost power moments before colliding with the bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said. Video shows the bridge collapse in under 40 seconds.

Victims: All six missing victims are presumed dead, the U.S. Coast Guard said, and the agency has ended rescue efforts. The entire crew aboard the 985-foot container ship Dali survived . First responders shut down most traffic on the four-lane bridge after the crew issued an urgent “mayday.” It saved lives, Moore said.

Economic impact: The collapse of the bridge, which severed ocean links to the Port of Baltimore, adds a fresh headache to already struggling global supply chains . See how the collapse will disrupt the supply of cars, coal and tofu .

History: The Key Bridge was built in the 1970s and spans the Patapsco River. Rebuilding the bridge over the Patapsco River will probably take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars, experts said.

Carnival Freedom's next two sailings canceled after funnel fire, second within 2 years

A fire in the exhaust funnel of the Carnival Freedom this weekend has disrupted a cruise for the second time in less than two years — and will mean that the Florida-based ship's next two sailings are canceled.

Damage to the funnel will require the cancellation of Carnival's next two cruises out of Port Canaveral, which were scheduled to depart Monday and Friday.

There were about 3,700 passengers onboard the ship when the fire occured. And the two upcoming sailings, which were canceled, likely would have had a similar passenger count amid the busy Spring Break season.

Carnival initially had said it expected no changes in its upcoming cruises, but on Sunday afternoon said the cancellations would be required.

"Regrettably, the damage is more than we first thought, and will require an immediate repair to stabilize the funnel, resulting in the cancellation of the March 25 and March 29 cruises from Port Canaveral," according to a statement issued by Matt Lupoli, Carnival Cruise Line's senior manager of public relations. "The funnel has been stabilized for the ship’s return to Port Canaveral overnight to disembark guests, and then it will go to the Freeport shipyard on Monday afternoon to begin the required repairs."

Carnival said it made the decision after "our technical team completed a thorough assessment" during the ship’s visit Sunday to Freeport in the Bahamas.

In the statement, Carnival said: "We sincerely regret the impact to our embarking guests, as we know they have been looking forward to their spring break vacation. We are providing all guests on both canceled cruises a full refund and a 100% future cruise credit, so they can come back and enjoy a future cruise with us. We also greatly appreciate the terrific guests who are currently sailing with us, for their outstanding cooperation and support."

In a Facebook post, Carnival's widely followed brand ambassador, John Heald, conceded that many people who booked one of the canceled cruises are "feeling very disappointed," and he apologized for the turn of events.

But, Heald added that he wanted to assure affected passengers that, "when you rebook, using your full refund and your 100% future cruise credit, that the crew will be standing by to give you all the fun you deserve."

More than 500 people responded to the post, with many saying they thought Carnival was generous with the compensation offer. But some people who said they were on the cruise that experienced the fire said they thought Carnival should have done more for the people who were on the ship.

Carnival said the fire was confined to the funnel area. The cruise line said there are no reports of injuries to passengers. Two firefighting crew members were treated for minor smoke inhalation.

Carnival said that, at about 3:15 p.m. Saturday, the Carnival Freedom reported a fire on the port side of the ship’s exhaust funnel. The ship was 20 miles off Eleuthera Island, Bahamas, heading to Freeport after a canceled call to the Carnival private island of Princess Cays due to adverse weather.

"The ship’s fire response team was quickly activated, and the ship’s captain also turned the vessel towards the heavy rain in the area to maximize the efforts to put out the flames," an earlier Carnival statement said. "Eyewitnesses reported the possibility of a lightning strike, and that is being investigated, but cannot yet be confirmed."

By 5:20 p.m. Saturday, the fire was extinguished. 

How safe are cruise stops? Travel advisories are only one marker for destinations

Carnival said the ship's captain made multiple announcements to passengers and crew, and advised all but essential safety personnel to stay away from balconies and all open decks. 

The port-side portion of the funnel had fallen onto Deck 10, and the firefighting response put out any flames. 

The U.S. Coast Guard has been notified of the fire, and Carnival activated its incident response team to support the ship’s crew. 

Carnival said there were no other operational issues with the ship’s systems, and the ship, which was on a four-night cruise, was visiting Freeport on Sunday.

A cruise ship funnel generally serves as a smokestack to lift emissions above the deck, thus away from passengers and crew.

On Saturday evening, "Carnival Freedom guests enjoyed the Elegant Night dinner as planned, and, with the exception of the open decks, all areas of the ship are fully functioning," Carnival said in its statement. 

The Carnival Freedom's next voyage was scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral on Monday afternoon on a five-night Eastern Caribbean cruise. That cruise had port-of-call stops scheduled at Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic and at Grand Turk Island in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

But that sailing and a Friday sailing both have been canceled. Friday's five-night sailing also was scheduled to stop at those two ports of call, but in reverse order.

In May 2022 , a fire broke out in the funnel area of the Carnival Freedom while it was docked in Grand Turk. Carnival then canceled three scheduled sailings of the Carnival Freedom out of Port Canaveral because of the need to repair the ship's fire damage at a shipyard in Grand Bahama.

More recently, in October 2023, the Carnival Freedom debuted a new iconic winged funnel after returning from a 16-day dry-dock refurbishment in Cadiz, Spain.

Dave Berman is business editor at  FLORIDA TODAY.  Contact Berman at  [email protected] .

Carnival cancels cruises after ship catches fire in bad weather

Customers are facing cancellations after a Carnival Cruise Line ship caught fire during bad weather on Saturday.

The company said cruises scheduled for March 25 and March 29 from Port Canaveral will not embark. Carnival also issued the following statement.

“We sincerely regret the impact to our embarking guests, as we know they have been looking forward to their spring break vacation. We are providing all guests on both canceled cruises a full refund and a 100% future cruise credit so they can come back and enjoy a future cruise with us. We also greatly appreciate the terrific guests who are currently sailing with us, for their outstanding cooperation and support."

The Carnival Freedom caught fire while sailing in the Bahamas. The company said there were multiple eyewitness reports of a lightning strike.

The ship was heading to Freeport after canceling a call to Princess Cay due to the bad weather. According to a release, the fire broke out on the port side of the ship's exhaust funnel, causing a portion to fall onto the deck.

Bay area residents Morgan Letchworth and Jacob Tures had just put their two young daughters down to a nap when they woke up to an emergency announcement on-board.

"It was pretty scary to be asleep and then get an announcement about a fire. It wasn't fun," Morgan said. "You can see people walking around in their life jackets. It was just kind of scary."

It's the second time in two years the Carnival Freedom's funnel caught fire, happening back in May of 2022.

Carnival Cruise Line now sending the ship back to Freeport for repairs, while fully refunding passengers on board the two cancelled trips this week.

"We are heartbroken," said Keen Red-Elk from West Lafayette, Indiana. "Luckily, we will go on another one we are positive about that."

Red-Elk said not only is the family getting fully-refunded for this trip, but a 100% credit for a future cruise and Carnival offered passengers up to $200 dollars a person for airfare he said.

"So in essence two [cruises] for the price of one," he said.

This while Morgan said she and her family were offered nothing for their troubles on ship.

"Obviously it's not their fault, but still our vacation was kind of ruined because we couldn't do stuff," she said. "The whole back was closed. There was a seafood restaurant, they had the track closed, the basketball courts closed, all of that."

A Carnival spokesperson told ABC Action News once the ship was cleaned of debris it was back to being "fully operational".

Though frustrated families who were on-board say it's not true and want to be compensated in some way.

"We made the best of what we could for our kids and us, but I don't think I should feel the way I do after getting off a vacation," Morgan said. "I shouldn't have anxiety."

Another viewer emailed ABC Action News with the same frustrations.

"Feel awful for my kid. She spent her (own) hard earned money to go and had a horrible experience," the email said.

No injuries to guests were reported, but two members of the firefighting crew were treated for minor smoke inhalation.

Latest Florida News from ABC Action News

Retiree remembers his close call as Skyway Bridge collapsed

Erik Waxler

4:50 PM, Mar 27, 2024

New Florida law squashing squatters' rights

Forrest Saunders

3:02 PM, Mar 27, 2024

Polar ice melt is changing Earth’s rotation and messing with time itself

2:19 PM, Mar 27, 2024

Settlement reached in lawsuit between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney

Associated Press

10:29 AM, Mar 27, 2024

Report a typo

Sign up for the Morning Headlines Newsletter and receive up to date information.

Now signed up to receive the morning headlines newsletter..

Local News & Weather. Watch Live and Free 24/7.

• Enable Accessibility

• 00800 0310 21 21 1-855-577-9489 1-877-288-3037 1-877-288-3037 1-877-474-2969
• | NCL Travel Blog">11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
• | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | Norwegian Cruise Line">20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | NCL Travel Blog">11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
• View All Results
• Preferences
• Latitudes Rewards
• Special Offers
• Personalised Recommendations
• Make reservations before you cruise
• 1 (current)

* Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings.

Explore Canada & New England: 2024 Cruises from Boston

Boston, Massachusetts, with a history stretching back to the 1600s, is one of the oldest cities in the United States, offering plenty to see and do . It's also a tremendous port of call from which Norwegian Cruise Line provides numerous opportunities to embark. So, if you're looking into cruises in 2024, let us guide you through all the itineraries and ports you could incorporate into your family vacation when departing from Boston .

Ready to start planning? Explore all Boston cruises .

2024 Bermuda Cruises from Boston

Around 770 miles south of Boston and 900 miles north of The Caribbean, Bermuda is home to a wealth of beautiful pink-sand beaches, green spaces, and opportunities for golfing, diving, caving, and historical sightseeing.

Check out these exciting cruise vacations that Norwegian has to offer in 2024:

Explore Bermuda & Maine on Norwegian Gem

Norwegian Gem will take you from Boston to Bermuda before looping around to Maine and back to Boston during a seven-day cruise . Embark on a late Friday afternoon and cruise the stunning Atlantic Ocean on Saturday. On Sunday, around noon, disembark at the Royal Naval Dockyard on the West End, the marine hub of the island.

This marks the start of three days and two nights on this breathtaking island. You can start your exploration by sticking around the West End and taking advantage of the azure waters with many water sports around the harbor. Or, simply enjoy the crystalline environment as a backdrop while checking out the market and shops.

RELATED CRUISES: 7-Day Bermuda Cruise from Boston 7-Day Canada & New England Cruise: Boston to Quebec City 7-Day Canada & New England Cruise: Nova Scotia & Saint John

On day two, you have plenty of time to explore the pleasures of Bermuda, and Norwegian's shore excursions can ensure the experience is hassle-free. Feeling adventuresome? Check out the island's caves and explore a shipwreck. More the easygoing type? Enjoy a traditional English tea service, hear fascinating stories about Bermuda's history, and visit the many museums with centuries of tales to tell. With a free morning and early afternoon on the third day, you can easily fill in any gaps in your itinerary.

After another day at sea, you'll land in Bar Harbor, Maine, a coastal Northeast wonder. With its charming, tranquil scenery and fresh seafood, this port is the perfect setting to wind down from the thrills of the previous six days. Then Norwegian Gem will return to Boston that evening, capping a luxurious week in the North Atlantic.

Visit Bermuda on Norwegian Gem

If you want more time in Bermuda, Norwegian offers a seven-day, two-port-of-call cruise from Boston to the Royal Naval Dockyard and back again. Leaving on Friday, you'll reach Bermuda on Sunday morning to enjoy the first of four days and three nights on the island. With a relaxed itinerary, you'll have ample time to take in the sun, water, and luxurious surroundings at your own pace.

2024 Canada & New England Cruises

In the heat of summer and the dragging humidity of early fall, many people choose to escape the heat for cooler climates. If you're one of them, a Norwegian cruise vacation to Canada and New England could be your perfect family getaway.

Explore Canada & New England on Norwegian Gem

Seven ports in seven days — are you up for it? After leaving Boston, spend a pleasant day among the natural opulence of Bar Harbor, Maine, before heading into Canadian waters, where the first stop is Halifax, Nova Scotia, remarkable for its thunderous rugged coastline as well as an affluence of wine, cider, and fresh seafood. From there, it's Sydney on the Nova Scotian island of Cape Breton and then Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island, both spectacular destinations for scenic tours.

After a day at sea, you enter Québec, beginning in Saguenay and culminating in Québec City. From there, you'll board a coach for the grand city of Montreal, where you can traverse the historic metropolis at your leisure.

Discover Halifax & Portland on Norwegian Jade

On this seven-day cruise , Norwegian Jade embarks from Boston and disembarks at Portland, Maine, providing a morning and early afternoon to explore the city's stellar waterfront, arts districts, museums, and shops. This journey includes three days in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, followed by a visit to the rugged beauty of Newfoundland. You'll find a wealth of historic sites, museums, and charming villages here, as well as opportunities to spot whales and icebergs.

As you can see, Boston is the perfect port to embark on an exciting adventure. Which cruise vacation will it be for you?

Be sure to sign up for Norwegian's cruise deals . You'll get the latest specials and offers delivered to your inbox.

2023 Cruises

Find the best deals on 2023 cruises and sail away on a 7-day eastern Caribbean cruise  or enjoy a 9-night Mediterranean cruise with  Royal Caribbean  at a price that suits you. Looking for a no-fly cruise without the hassle of airports? Take a look at cruises departing from Southampton and hop some fantastic ships such as the Anthem of the Seas , MSC Virtuosa , Arvia or Celebrity Silhouette .

With amazing cruise deals and discounts, treat the whole family in 2023 to the cruise holiday of a lifetime. Call us today on 08081234118 and speak to our cruise experts who will be more than happy to help you find the perfect cruise adventure.

Searching for cruises ...

Sorry, we couldn't find any cruises which meet your criteria. please consider searching for alternative options or call our expert cruise concierge who will be able to help.

Prices are subject to change and availability. Prices may vary depending on airport selected. Promotions are only applicable to select cabins grades, please call for details

Are You Looking For Your 2023 Cruise Holiday? 

Take advantage of great offers on early bookings for 2023 cruise holidays -there is no better time to book than now. We have some of our best 2023 cruise deals ready for you to secure today.

2023 Cruises - Search by Cruise Line

With an abundance of popular cruise lines to choose from, you really are spoilt for choice. Set sail with trusted cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, NCL cruises, Princess cruises and more, you are bound to find the perfect cruise ship for your 2023 holiday. 

2023 Royal Caribbean Cruises are packed full of the latest and most modern facilities at sea. From the world’s first bionic bar to exhilarating viewing platforms and everything in between, there’s a huge variety of on-board facilities available on each ship.

2023 Celebrity Cruises lets you experience a new kind of luxury with Celebrity Cruises, where everything is at your fingertips and comfort is always assured. From cosy staterooms and sumptuous suites to celebrated bars and dining venues to indulge in – Celebrity Cruises offer a chance to relax, unwind and be swept off your feet at every opportunity.

2023 NCL Cruises has revolutionised the cruising experience with their unique concept of freedom for their passengers – enabling them to have full flexibility while sailing. The cruise line offers to cruise with no timetable but your own, with full freedom on activities, dining and more.

2023 MSC Cruises feature modern elegant ships designed for a superior holiday experience. Enjoy tempting cuisine, impressive Broadway-style performances, fun nightlife and a great range of facilities for the whole family to enjoy.

2023 Princess Cruises are elegant and relaxing, offering a chance to recharge your batteries while embracing new cultures and experiences. You will enjoy exceptional cuisine prepared by world-renowned chefs, as well as exciting evening entertainment on every cruise ship in the fleet.

2023 P&O Cruises offers fantastic value for money, with so much included in the cruise fare. Itineraries are designed to reflect British style, with innovation in dining venues, entertainment and more. P&O Cruises are perfect for everyone, from families and friends to couples and even solo travellers.

2023 Fred Olsen Cruises fleet is designed to offer a more intimate and personal cruise experience. Each of the line’s vessels ensures you receive a warm and friendly welcome as well as great value cruises from the UK to a wide range of destinations worldwide. You can enjoy a traditional British ambience on board, where the on-board currency is in pounds.

2023 Carnival Cruises is dedicated to offering you the time of your life while on board. With an abundance of ships in the fleet – Carnival Cruises promises a holiday experience to suit all the family, with fun-filled voyages for all to enjoy. There’s comfy staterooms, attentive service, casual and elegant dining, as well as day and night-time entertainment.

2023 Cunard Cruises offers amazing options on outstanding luxury suite accommodations with their Queens Grill Suites and Princess Grill Suite options. When booking a suite with Cunard you will have access to additional luxury amenities that include, butler service, champagne and chocolates on arrival, a complimentary bar and priority disembarkation and much more.

2023 Holland America Line Cruises offers mid-sized vessels, furnished to a very high standard with amazing features that include glass elevators and art collections to add a touch of class. The cruise line is family-friendly, with activities for children of all ages, as well as a myriad of unique attractions for older guests. Every one of the Holland America Lines ships is guaranteed to provide an unforgettable cruise holiday.

2023 Virgin Voyages Cruises is an adult-only experience that takes inspiration from international cities, Virgin Voyages has created a getaway at sea with the perfect balance of uptown meets downtown. Combining the warmth of a luxury yacht with the endless options of a much larger ship, designed to offer an elevated and intimate environment. Say goodbye to buffet restaurants, dress codes and fixed dining times and say hello to a holiday on your terms featuring no less than 20+ eateries (all included), epic unexpected entertainment and champagne delivered to you anywhere on board with the shake of your wrist.

If you would like more information or to make a booking, call our Cruise Concierge team on 08081234118 for expert advice and award-winning customer service.

Our Cruise118 Award-Winning Service

Here at Cruise118 we are offering the best-in-class customer service and this is showcased through our expert team of employees and an array of awards.

Contact Us At Cruise118 

Please share any concerns or questions with our Cruise Concierge team when making your booking and keep an eye on our travel advice page. 

Our Award Winning Service

Large Cruise Agency of the Year 2023

Best Online Travel Agency 2022

TTG Top 50 Ocean Cruise Agency 2022

TTG Top 50 Ocean Cruise Agency 2019

Best Cruise Online Agent 2021

Best Cruise Online Agent 2019

Best Company Top 100

Request a Callback

Request a call back from our cruise experts.

Have you found your dream cruise, or do you want to talk to us to help you choose the right cruise for you at the best price? Request a call back from our expert cruise concierge and we’ll get in touch at a time to suit you.

If you would like to contact our service team, you can select a service call back below.

If you request a call back for now we’ll get back to you within 15 minutes, we’ll be calling you from 0161 333 4459 so you can recognise our call.

Select Day *

Callback time *

Expedia Rewards is now One Key™

Cheap flights from kuala lumpur (kul) to nizhniy novgorod (goj).

Bundle Your Flight + Hotel & Save!

Add a place to stay

Direct flights only

Featured airlines

• trending down icon Be in the know Get alerts if flight prices drop or rise*
• bex rewards loyalty icon Book smarter Save up to 30% on select hotels after you book a flight*
• one key icon Earn twice Earn your airline miles on top of our OneKeyCash Learn about One Key

Kuala Lumpur to Nizhniy Novgorod Flights

Whether you’re looking for a grand adventure or just want to get away for a last-minute break, flights from Kuala Lumpur to Nizhniy Novgorod offer the perfect respite. Not only does exploring Nizhniy Novgorod provide the chance to make some magical memories, dip into delectable dishes, and tour the local landmarks, but the cheap airfare means you won’t bust your budget. So no matter whether your ideal itinerary involves flying one way, non-stop, or round trip, you’re bound to find flights that match your schedule on Expedia, and at prices that won’t shock your wallet.

Bagging a cheap flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nizhniy Novgorod may mean more dollars to spend on for one-of-a-kind souvenirs when you arrive, but it doesn’t mean you have to skimp on your travel experience, as Expedia offers a sizzling selection of cheap airlines that’ll put you in your happy place on their planes, whether that’s getting lost in a hair-raising airport thriller, dreaming on the passing landscape over a glass of bubbly, or jotting down your vacation bucket list at 38,000 feet. There’s also bound to be plenty of opportunities to snap a few photos of the high life that will make your friends green with envy. After all, enjoying the journey is part of the fun.

With so many affordable flights and so many wonderful adventures awaiting you, there’s no reason to put off booking a fantastic flight from to today. So don’t leave it to the last minute to make your dream trip a reality: pack your bags with your go-to travel accessories, put together your list of must-see attractions and can’t-miss activities, and get ready to broaden your horizons – with Expedia, the wonders of Nizhniy Novgorod are only a plane trip away. Book your travel arrangements with us today!

If you would like to book flights to Nizhniy Novgorod more flexibly many prefer to purchase one-way tickets with options to take different airlines. A one way ticket to Nizhniy Novgorod is now!

Frequently asked questions

• Trending Routes
• Trending Flights
• Top Flights Destinations

More Popular Airlines

• Flights From Other Airports
• Expedia's Latest Trends

Top Routes from Kuala Lumpur

• Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai (KUL - PVG)
• Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu (KUL - BKI)
• Kuala Lumpur to Los Angeles (KUL - LAX)
• Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok (KUL - BKK)
• Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok (KUL - DMK)
• Kuala Lumpur to Denpasar (KUL - DPS)
• Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta (KUL - CGK)
• Kuala Lumpur to Male (KUL - MLE)
• Kuala Lumpur to Taipei (KUL - TPE)
• Kuala Lumpur to New York (KUL - JFK)
• Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi (KUL - LGK)
• Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo (KUL - NRT)
• AirAsiaX Kuala Lumpur to Taipei
• AirAsia Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi
• Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo
• IndiGo Kuala Lumpur to Ahmedabad

Top Flight Destinations

• Flights to Moscow
• Flights to St. Petersburg
• Flights to Mogot
• Flights to Kaliningrad
• Flights to Sochi
• Flights to Vladivostok
• Flights to Kharp
• Flights to Irkutsk
• Flights to Kazan
• Flights to Novosibirsk
• Flights to Yekaterinburg
• Flights to Kyzyl
• Flights to Krasnodar
• Flights to Makhachkala
• Flights to Gay
• Flights to Gelendzhik
• Flights to Mineralnye Vody
• Flights to Omsk
• Flights to Murmansk
• Flights to Khabarovsk
• Malaysia Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Turkish Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• Etihad Airways
• All Nippon Airways
• EVA Airways
• Singapore Airlines
• Thai Airways International
• China Airlines
• Japan Airlines
• Saudi Arabian Airlines

Nearby Airports

• Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
• Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport (KUA)
• Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (IPH)
• Senai Intl. Airport (JHB)

Additional information about Expedia Group