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Blogger and agent duo launch new cruise store.

A cruise blogger and his travel agent partner have launched their own high street store specialising in holidays on water.

The Cruise Room opened its doors in Hoylake on the Wirral earlier this week after being founded by couple Robbie O’Grady and Jonathan Howitt.

After the pair took their first cruise together seven years ago, O’Grady created The Cruise Room Ireland blog to offer advice to people interested in starting cruising, while Howitt has more than 40 years of experience in travel retail and working at sea for P&O Cruises.

When Howitt was made redundant from Irish tour operator Topflight last summer, O’Grady took a career break from his job in the Irish health service to launch The Cruise Room together.

“Having our own cruise agency has always been something we’ve wanted to do and we wanted to launch at what felt like the right time,” O’Grady told TTG .

“The cruise industry has gone through the suspension of the past year but it’s coming back so strongly and showing how much investment and demand is in the market - it feels like a really exciting time.

“There’s such an opportunity for agents selling cruise - just look at the summer of UK cruising we’ve got coming up - and we know cruise holidays are going to get more and more popular.”

Part of Barrhead’s Brilliant Travel and a member of Clia, the business will aim to offer traditional agency services combined with O’Grady’s social media focus and online cruise community to help generate customers and educate consumers curious about cruising.

The store has also been designed as a “ship in shop” concept to give customers the feeling of being onboard a vessel.

Despite only being open for a few days, the duo has already secured their first sales – with bookings for Cunard, Celebrity and Oceania.

O’Grady and Howitt said they hoped to be able to expand their team by recruiting two extra staff once the business was fully up and running and open further stores in future.

The shop’s launch had been slightly delayed to allow the pair to cruise onboard MSC Virtuosa last week during the second sailing from the UK since the pandemic.

“We wanted to get onboard and experience the new protocols and new way of cruising,” said O’Grady. “It felt incredibly safe and we had a great time. Being able to offer the knowledge and advice to customers is so important.

"The cruise industry has shown there really isn’t a safer way to holiday in the current climate than onboard a ship and we want to continue getting that message out there and bringing more and more people to try cruise."

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Cruise Room is Open for Business

A huge congratulations to the Cruise Room, which opened its first Cruise Store today, 1 June!

From its start in Ireland as an occasional blog by Robbie O’Grady to a dedicated bricks-and-mortar cruise store in partnership with experienced agent Jonathan Howitt, it’s been a hugely successful journey and ITTN wishes them well for the future.

The store is situated in Hoylake, Wirral making it the only dedicated cruise store in the Merseyside region and one of just a small handful of dedicated cruise stores in the country. As a dedicated cruise store it will work with cruise lines and suppliers across all cruise categories – Ocean, River, Luxury & Expedition.

The Cruise Room is partnered with Brilliant Travel, part of the Barrhead Travel Group. The Cruise Room is also a proud member of CLIA.

This ensures they have significant supports, the latest systems, established relationships and world class training – the formula to build themselves into the leading cruise store in the country.

A Different Concept

The concept for The Cruise Room is slightly different. It will offer a mixture of traditional agency offers and services with those of a cruise influencer – expect a highly active social media with a focus on developing a cruise community and helping to educate anyone interested in cruise. The store itself has been designed with an exclusive ‘Ship in Shop’ concept – to give the customer the feel of being on board the moment they step inside.

Launching the new store, Robbie O’Grady and Jonathan Howitt said: “Cruising is special, it’s a holiday experience unlike any other. However, we know that for many they do not really get that feeling or understand this until they step onboard but that step for first time cruisers (in particular) is often a big one that many still do not take. We want the cruise holiday experience to start the moment someone starts thinking about a cruise. Walking into The Cruise Room store gives a flavour of what being on a cruise ship is like – starting with the day of the week doormats at the front door to mirror the lifts onboard. We have thought a lot about what cruise moments we could bring into our store to make it a memorable and familiar experience. We hope we have delivered in our first store which has been 10 months in the making.

We cannot wait to start working with all the suppliers and the travel trade at large as well as playing a leading role in our local community”.

Getting in Touch

• [email protected]
• Cruise Room
• Jonathan Howitt
• Robbie O'Grady

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I always book the interior cabins on cruises — and it's not because I'm cheap

• I'm a frequent cruiser who's been on more than 25 voyages, and I always book interior cabins.
• Interior cabins on cruises are for anyone who wants to travel smarter.
• They're usually the cheapest, and the lack of a balcony or window encourages me to explore the ship.

When I started cruising in 2003, my family insisted on booking a balcony stateroom or a suite.

Having a big cabin to share was nice, but we didn't spend much time in the room and seldom used the balcony. It was a costly amenity that was largely unused.

When I started sailing independently, I booked balcony rooms out of habit.

Years later, I saw an inexpensive last-minute deal on a cruise from New York on Norwegian Cruise Line's Getaway, but it was in a 100-square-foot solo cabin without so much as a window.

I went for it. Since then, I've solely booked interior staterooms. I'm convinced these cabins are the smartest choice.

Interior cabin or not, you're unlikely to spend much time in your room — or on its balcony

No matter the cruise line, there's always more to enjoy outside the cabin than in it, from the spa to ports of call.

After 25 cruises and more than a decade of sailing in balcony rooms, I can estimate I've probably spent just a few hours on cruise-ship balconies.

Spending mere minutes or an hour on a balcony per cruise doesn't justify the extra cost .

And unless you've booked an extra-large balcony or a suite, the outdoor space will likely be teeny tiny.

Even cabins designed for families, like the 299-square-foot deluxe family ocean-view stateroom on the Disney Fantasy, don't have a balcony big enough for a group of four to sit comfortably.

Add in the potential for noisy neighbors or windy conditions that may force you indoors, and balconies become largely a waste of space and money.

Interior cabins are often just as big as, if not bigger than, rooms with windows

Though you're spending more money, you often aren't getting a bigger room by opting to have a window.

They vary by deck, location, and ship, but interior staterooms can be the same size as or larger than ocean-view ones.

For example, on Holland America Line's Rotterdam, double-occupancy interior staterooms are 143 to 225 square feet, and ocean-view staterooms are 175 to 282 square feet.

Interior cabins have fun features you don't get in exterior ones

Technology has helped make interior cabins feel comfortable instead of claustrophobic.

I've enjoyed the one-way window into the ship's corridor in Norweigan Cruise Line's interior cabins. Its cordless metal blinds let me adjust the light coming in, and sliding shutters offered a complete blackout.

Disney Cruise Line's interior rooms feature "magic" portholes, where footage featuring surprise character visits is displayed on a porthole-shaped monitor.

Some Royal Caribbean interior rooms have floor-to-ceiling virtual "balconies," which are screens that project real-time outside views.

I like that interior staterooms save me money so I can go on even more cruises

The savings add up, especially if you're on a tight budget or cruise often.

Plus, there's always a chance you could get upgraded to a balcony room for free if a cruise is undersold or you have a high-enough loyalty status.

I use the money I save on my room for onboard expenses on my next cruise — which I'll take in an interior cabin, of course.

Cruise ship room service: A line-by-line guide to in-cabin dining

There are few better places to be when hunger strikes than on a cruise ship. If the buffet is busy with people or packed away, 24-hour room service is always available to fill your belly. It's one of the greatest cruising amenities that's uniformly offered on all major cruise lines. No need to dress up for dinner — just order food, flip on your cabin TV and wait for your meal to arrive.

Wondering what you can order and how much it will cost you? Here's a line-by-line overview of room service options and pricing across the major cruise lines, along with in-cabin dining menus.

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

How do I order room service on a cruise ship?

Just pick up your in-cabin phone and dial the room service number to order food. Easy!

Some cruise lines offer the option to order your food and drinks through your in-cabin TV or a smartphone app, which populates photos of the menu items. Some cruise line apps even have location-specific features that allow you to order food and drinks for delivery almost anywhere on the ship.

Breakfast is often ordered by filling out a pre-printed menu card left in your cabin and hanging it outside your door before you go to bed. Crew members collect the orders during the night and deliver your food the next morning at the time you specified.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

What types of food can I order to my cabin?

Many cruise lines offer a complimentary continental breakfast delivery, which typically includes pastries, bread, fruit, yogurt and coffee and tea. You can order hot breakfast items like eggs, pancakes and bacon, but they cost extra on select lines or in specific cabin categories.

After breakfast service ends in the late morning, all major cruise lines offer an all-day room service menu of salads, sandwiches, snacks and desserts. Most cruise lines have special in-room dining menus separate from what you'd find that day on the buffet or in the main dining room.

However, some of the more upscale lines and some select concierge cabin classes offer comprehensive in-suite dining menus, often with the convenience of ordering off the menu from the main dining room or specialty restaurants on board. This elevated in-room dining experience might include a white tablecloth setup and your meal delivered course by course to your cabin or suite.

You can access additional specialty food experiences from room service operations. These include fresh pizza delivery as seen on Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises, a cutting-edge app feature for Champagne delivery on Virgin Voyages and lobster and caviar deliveries from luxury cruise lines such as Silversea Cruises.

Is room service free on a cruise ship?

While most land-based hotels charge a premium for any food delivered to your room, cruise ships have a long legacy of including room service in their fares. Many cruisers' favorite amenity is the 24-hour complimentary access to generic yet classic menu items such as fresh fruit, a cheese plate or a club sandwich, not to mention continental breakfast.

Recent changes in the economics of cruising have sunset the glory days of unlimited, complimentary room service on several of the most popular cruise lines. Service fees and menus dominated by a la carte options are now the new norms across the industry.

Still, the fees are often considerably less than at comparable land-based resorts, and continental breakfast items are commonly free of charge (with the exception of MSC's lowest cabin class, which charges a per-item and service fee for breakfast service).

Related: 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts — and what you can do about them

How much does room service cost?

Depending on the cruise line and your cabin class, room service can be a complimentary all-inclusive service, billed per item or charged at a flat delivery fee. Most lines will offer complimentary continental breakfast options through room service with no service fee, even if other options cost extra.

Luxury lines, including Seabourn, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, always include 24-hour room service as a standard amenity.

Delivery service fees per order can reach up to $9.95, the per-order rate currently on Norwegian Cruise Line's non-suite class cabins. A la carte prices average around $5 per item, whether that's a hot breakfast or a midday sandwich.

For example, on Carnival's new a la carte room service menu, salads cost $4 to $5 (with additional fees for adding proteins), sandwiches $5 to $7, snacks like pizza and chicken tenders $6 to $8 and dessert $3 to $5.

Do you have to tip for room service on a cruise?

On no-tipping lines, such as Seabourn and Silversea, crew members are compensated appropriately, and you do not need to tip for room service. On lines where guests are expected to tip crew members, determine first if a gratuity is automatically included in your room service order or delivery fee. If it's not, a small tip is always appreciated.

Depending on what you order and the line, you might not have the chance to sign a bill for your room service order, which could be a missed opportunity to add a tip. Come prepared with small bills to offer in appreciation of the service, as you'll find the room service staff works hard to expedite many meals around the ship.

Related: Tipping on a cruise: What to know about cruise ship gratuities

Line-by-line guide to cruise ship room service

Azamara cruises.

Azamara Cruises offers room service 24 hours a day at no additional charge for all cabins and suites. A full breakfast menu is available from 6:30 to 10 a.m., while lunch, dinner and late-night snacks include fresh salads, soups, pizzas, burgers and desserts.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival 's 24-hour room service is now an a la carte menu, with free continental breakfast service. Access the room service menu through the Carnival Hub app on your smart device or by scanning the QR code in your cabin.

Complimentary continental breakfast can be arranged the night prior by calling the room service line from your cabin and delivered to your room in the window of time you designate (available from 6 to 10 a.m.). The breakfast options include a selection of fruit, cereal, baked goods and yogurt, along with coffee, tea, milk and select juices. Four breakfast sandwiches are available for an additional fee, including a biscuit, egg, sausage and hash brown sandwich ($5) and a bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese ($6).

Daytime dining runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the salads, sandwiches, snacks and desserts are also priced a la carte. The menu includes a Greek salad ($5) to which you can add grilled chicken ($3), a roasted turkey wrap ($6), a Philly cheesesteak ($7) and firecracker shrimp ($8).

Some of the late-night favorites include wings ($7), a pan pizza ($6) and devil's-food cake ($5). Soft drinks, as well as beer, liquor and wine by the bottle, are available 24 hours a day with pricing based on the ship's bar rates and free delivery.

The Carnival Hub app offers more flexibility when ordering, allowing you to customize items like a free pizza and request delivery to any place you pinpoint on the ship for a $5 service charge.

Celebrity Cruises

Room service on Celebrity Cruises is complimentary from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. for non-suite-level and AquaClass passengers and is available to suite passengers 24 hours a day at no charge. Outside of the daily complimentary hours for non-suite passengers, room service orders incur a $9.95 service fee (plus an 18% automatic gratuity).

The standard non-suite room service menu includes the soup of the day, chicken skewers, seared salmon and warm cookies with milk. Breakfast room service for non-suite cabins is complimentary and can be ordered ahead nightly with a breakfast order card. The menu includes scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and hash browns, along with coffee, tea and select juices.

AquaClass passengers have more expansive options on their breakfast menu, including custom omelets, French toast and pancakes. AquaClass also has a few more options on its room service menu, including a chicken Caesar salad, a salade nicoise with grilled tuna and a Beyond burger.

Top suites on board offer an enhanced room service breakfast menu (New York strip steak and eggs, a black truffle omelet and more), along with a robust menu that includes shrimp cocktail, crabcakes, filet mignon and sea bass, plus canapes delivered each day.

Cunard 's room service is a complimentary amenity included in your fare.

The 24-hour service includes a robust breakfast menu that must be ordered the night prior via an order card in your cabin. The daytime room service menu is globally inspired with items such as chicken fajitas, a Mediterranean quesadilla, and chicken or shrimp Thai green curry. Dessert items include comfort food favorites like warm apple pie a la mode and vanilla cheesecake.

Passengers sailing in one of the Grill Suites can order from the full Princess Grill or Queens Grill restaurant menus. They can also order some luxurious treats for an extra fee, including caviar ($60) or caviar with a half bottle of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee NV Brut Champagne ($100) and a gourmet canapes tray ($34.50).

Disney Cruise Line

Complimentary 24-hour room service is included with all fares on Disney Cruise Line . The extensive menu, which is available until 1 a.m. on the day of your departure, can be found on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App, with plenty of food options for all ages, from macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders and burgers to more sophisticated items like a Greek salad, grilled salmon and a New York steak panini.

Snack items like salted peanuts, M&Ms and popcorn are available for an additional fee. Specialty coffee, sodas, bottled waters and all specialty juices and spirits are also available at an additional cost.

For in-room breakfast, complete the request card in your cabin the night prior and leave it outside your cabin for a complimentary continental breakfast with options that include bread, pastries and cereal, along with coffee and tea.

Concierge-class passengers have a special complimentary menu available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. that includes a seared ahi tuna salade nicoise, potato gnocchi and Mickey-shaped sandwich cookies.

Related: Is Disney Cruise Line concierge level worth it? We tested it to find out

Holland America Line

Holland America Line offers complimentary 24-hour room service for all cabins and suites.

The room service breakfast menu includes bagels and lox, a vegetable frittata and an American breakfast that features eggs, hash browns, bacon and sausage. Premium a la carte options include lobster Benedict ($12.50) and steak and eggs ($15), subject to an automatic 18% gratuity.

Fill out the breakfast menu in your cabin the night before, mark when you want it delivered and hang it on your cabin door for collection.

Holland America's all-day 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. room service menu includes a cheese and fruit plate, three-bean chili, roasted chicken, a barbecue pulled-pork sub sandwich and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. A late-night food menu from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. has select items such as a chicken quesadilla, a caprese panini and a chocolate layer cake.

The room service menus highlight a few dishes created by the line's Culinary Council, a group of six celebrity chefs. You can order items like a 10-ounce filet mignon ($15), a 12-ounce Maine lobster tail ($20) and a Japanese sushi bento box ($4.95 per item) to your room from 5 to 9:30 p.m. nightly.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers four tiered pricing packages, referred to as "experiences," which delineate service levels and additional fees. The base package, MSC's Bella Experience, includes room service but at a charge of $4.99 per delivery. The menu includes free items like sandwiches, minestrone soup, a salad and chocolate chip cookies. A fresh fruit basket (with five fruits) is $4.90. A service charge of $7.95 is applied to dinner menu items (think: Atlantic salmon, wings, steak and more).

The room service menu is the same for all four sailing experiences, though MSC Yacht Club suites incur no fee for any room service items and room service delivery. The Fantastica and Aurea experiences include complimentary delivery.

MSC Cruises is known for its Neapolitan pizza delivery service, with custom pizzas made to order and delivered to your cabin. The Margherita pizza is $6 with a $3.50 delivery fee for Bella passengers, no delivery fee for Fantastica and Aurea experience guests, and completely free for guests sailing in the Yacht Club.

Norwegian Cruise Line

You can start each day on a Norwegian cruise with continental breakfast room service (fruit, pastries, bread, cereal, coffee and tea) available from 6 to 10 a.m. A $4.95 room service breakfast fee is charged on all ships for all breakfast room service orders, but there's no per-item charge. (In-cabin breakfast is not available on the morning of disembarkation day.) Guests staying in suites and The Haven do not have to pay the room service delivery fee.

All-day menu items incur a higher per-order fee of $9.95 for guests not staying in suites; again, all items on the room service menu are available for no additional fee. They include breakfast options like a spinach and tomato omelet and steak and eggs, along with all-day menu items with highlights that include chili con carne, a veggie burger and shrimp creole.

All non-complimentary beverages ordered through room service (alcohol, specialty juices, bottles of water) incur a 20% gratuity on the cost of the drink. These fees are in addition to the delivery fee.

Oceania Cruises

Room service throughout the entire Oceania Cruises fleet is included in all fares and available 24 hours a day. Concierge-level suites have the option of ordering room service off The Grand Dining Room menu for lunch and dinner, so favorite items like the line's signature rack of lamb and a molten chocolate lava cake can be enjoyed in the privacy and comfort of your own suite.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises offers 24-hour room service delivery for various food, drinks and cabin amenities with the line's OceanNow feature on the MedallionClass app. The service lets you order food to your location anywhere on the ship, whether it's your cabin or poolside. However, you will need to pay an access fee of $14.99 per guest, per voyage, plus a $5 delivery fee for all room service orders. Passengers who purchase a Princess Plus or Princess Premier package get these two fees waived.

Princess offers a mix of complimentary and a la carte menu items on its room service menu. The long list of no-fee items includes staples like burgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, fries and a fruit cup; upcharges kick in for items like shrimp cocktail ($8), pizza ($3) and an 8-ounce filet ($19).

The complimentary room service menu includes a continental breakfast (fruits, bread and pastries, yogurt, coffee, tea and select juices). Order the service ahead by filling out the breakfast card in your cabin portfolio and leaving it hanging outside your cabin door before you go to bed.

You can also use the app to order extra towels, ice bucket refills or even aloe to soothe sunburns.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas ' cruise ship room service is complimentary and offered 24 hours a day to guests in all suites. Highlights from the extensive room service menu include a charcuterie and cheese platter, beef medallions, grilled tiger shrimp and creme brulee.

If you're dining during the operational hours of the Compass Rose, the line's main restaurant, you can also order from that rotating menu, with dinners served course by course in your suite.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers 24-hour room service with complimentary continental breakfast (pastries, bread, cereals, fruit and yogurt, along with coffee and tea) served from 6 to 11 a.m. If you're looking to add a heartier entree to the order, the American breakfast option (an assortment of eggs, buttermilk pancakes, sausage and so forth) on the menu is available for a $7.95 per-order charge plus an 18% gratuity, which brings the total service fee to around $9.40.

The daily room service menu is offered from 11 to 6 a.m. with meals for all times of day, from grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch and chicken tenders for an afternoon snack to grilled salmon or rigatoni bolognese for dinner and fried chicken wings and chocolate cake for a late-night snack. Room service costs $7.95 per order with an added 18% gratuity.

Guests sailing in one of Royal Caribbean's Grand Suites or higher can order in-room dining from the main dining room during the hours of operation and order room service from the standard room service menu without a service fee.

Seabourn Cruise Line

Seabourn Cruise Line 's gourmet dining experience extends to its room service with a menu of luxe delicacies available around the clock. Room service on board is always included and complimentary, with the option to order from the ship's main restaurant.

Highlights from the room service menu include a shrimp cocktail, prosciutto and melon, a New York sirloin steak and homemade cookies. While it's not advertised, guests can order complimentary caviar and Champagne anywhere, anytime on board.

Silversea Cruises

Silversea 's butler service for every guest includes complimentary around-the-clock room service. The line's room service menu is extensive, with various dishes from a shrimp cocktail, spring rolls and New York strip steak to burgers, pizzas and ice cream.

If you're looking for a more complete dining experience in your suite, multicourse meals (highlights include lobster salad, Chilean sea bass and hazelnut chocolate cheesecake) are available to order from Atlantide, the ship's main restaurant, during regular dining hours. Complimentary caviar and Champagne can be ordered at any time by any guest.

Viking provides complimentary 24-hour room service for all cabins on all of its ocean and expedition vessels. The room service menu includes a selection of cheeses, plant-based and beef burgers, New York strip steak, poached Norwegian salmon and a bourbon pecan brownie served with vanilla ice cream.

An extensive breakfast menu printed on an order card includes fresh breakfast pastries, custom eggs, pancakes, corned beef hash and smoked salmon. Grand suites can order from the main dining room menu for in-suite private dining and dinner parties.

Viking does not offer room service for any cabin category on its river cruises.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin 's 24-hour room service is an extension of the ship's on-trend cuisine, with many contemporary food options you're not likely to find on most other cruise lines. Room service orders can be placed through the Virgin Voyages app or by dialing the room service extension in your cabin.

Each room service order incurs a $7 delivery fee, though you can order as much food as you like. Certain items (such as specialty coffee, alcoholic beverages and fresh orange juice) carry an additional a la carte fee. However, your delivery fee is waived if you order an extra-fee item. The fee is also waived for all RockStar Quarters suites.

Breakfast delivery is from 5 to 11 a.m. The menu features contemporary items like a Nutella-stuffed French toast, an egg white frittata and a housemade date and almond protein bar. The shipwide room service menu from 11 to 5 a.m. has lunch, dinner and late-night options, with favorites that include a charcuterie and cheese plate, a New York strip steak, a blueberry-green tea vegan cheesecake and confetti cake pops.

Shaking things up, literally, Virgin's first-of-its-kind "Shake for Champagne" feature adds the convenience of Champagne delivery no matter where you are on the ship. Simply open the Virgin Voyages app and shake your phone three times to see a button pop up to order a $95 bottle of Moet & Chandon Imperial Champagne with flutes delivered to you anywhere on board, not just in your cabin.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar 's 24-hour room service is included with your fare. The line has a room service menu that includes a full breakfast, along with salads, burgers and sandwiches available until 10 p.m. nightly. The line also lets passengers order off the ship's main dining room's lunch and dinner menus during dining hours.

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

• Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

St. Petersburg vs Moscow?

By ethereal , June 30, 2008 in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

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My DH and I are taking our first (and probably only) Baltic cruise in August on the Celebrity Constellation. We'll only have 2 days in St. Petersburg, so we're wondering if it's possible to go to Moscow for 1 day and still see enough in St. Petersburg to feel like we haven't missed out. Has anyone done this? If you only had 1 day in St. Pete, what would you see?

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In late July, we'll have three days in St. Petersburg. We are doing one of those trips to Moscow through our ship's tour. That still leaves us with two days for St. Petersburg. From others on this site, some said strong to spend ALL of the time in St. Petersburg. BUT, those who have done this one day trip trip to Moscow say it is super great and the "experience of a lifetime" . It's a long, long day in going to Moscow. It's "POSSIBLE" to do your plan, but it is does sharply limit what you can see and do in St. Petersburg in only one day. In many ways you'll have to choose between seeing the great palaces outside of town at the Peterhoff and Catherine's versus the Hermitage and the wonderful city-Cathedral sites. Choices and trade-offs!!?? Lots of great options. Your choice! If your personal energy and wallet are better, it is easier to do more and accomplish most of your goals. If you've only got one day in St. Petersburg, doing a private tour makes it better to be more time efficient and see just the "best of the best" that you want to do in only one day. St. Petersburg is a large city of five million people so it does take some time for your logistics in this congested area.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Peregrina651

Another couple at our dinner table last summer did the one day trip to Moscow and then hired a car and guide (from the shorex) to take them around St. Petersburg the next day. When it is just you and the guide and the driver, you can cover a lot of territory. You see only the things that you want to see and you don't spend a lot of time waiting for anybody.

You are right; this might be your only trip to the Baltic and for sure you should make it count. As Terry said, it is a matter of choices and trade-offs.

If I had to do St. P in a whirlwind day, I would choose the following: The Amber Room at Catherine's Palace (go straight to the Amber Room and don't stop to see anything else), the gardens at the Peterhof (don't visit any interiors if you want to save time but Monplaisire Palace is a quick visit and Peter's favorite) and then head into St. P for a driving tour of the high points and a stop at either the Hermitage or Church on Spilled Blood for an extended visit. You can spend even more time sightseeing if you bring lunch from the ship and eat in the car as you drive from place to place (order sandwiches from room services).

I think it's not good idea in 2 days visit Moscow...

read about 1 day tour here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=782068

Another couple at our dinner table last summer did the one day trip to Moscow and then hired a car and guide (from the shorex) to take them around St. Petersburg the next day. When it is just you and the guide and the driver, you can cover a lot of territory. You see only the things that you want to see and you don't spend a lot of time waiting for anybody. You are right; this might be your only trip to the Baltic and for sure you should make it count. As Terry said, it is a matter of choices and trade-offs. If I had to do St. P in a whirlwind day, I would choose the following: The Amber Room at Catherine's Palace (go straight to the Amber Room and don't stop to see anything else), the gardens at the Peterhof (don't visit any interiors if you want to save time but Monplaisire Palace is a quick visit and Peter's favorite) and then head into St. P for a driving tour of the high points and a stop at either the Hermitage or Church on Spilled Blood for an extended visit. You can spend even more time sightseeing if you bring lunch from the ship and eat in the car as you drive from place to place (order sandwiches from room services).

Good summary of the best option IF you are trying to work it ALL in during two days , including Moscow and St. Petersburg. Or, do both days in St. Petersburg. Your choice, depending on your budget, travel style, energy and goals. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

I really appreciate your input -- sounds like it could be done, but definitely not in as much depth as I would like. I'm also concerned about the 15 1/2 hour Moscow involvement, coupled with what would be a hectic day in St. Petersburg, followed by Helsinki and Stockholm the following 2 days. Perhaps St. Petersburg done well (as well as 2 days allow!) would be the best solution -- especially since it's been at the top of my wish list for many years. Thanks a lot -- will drink a toast to you when I get there!!

Perhaps St. Petersburg done well (as well as 2 days allow!) would be the best solution -- especially since it's been at the top of my wish list for many years. Thanks a lot -- will drink a toast to you when I get there!!

Now go find a tour guide and car to take you around or join a small group going to the places you want to see (check out the roll call for your sailing for tour shares and search this forum for St. Petersburg to find the names of private tour companies).

Don't waste your time trying to figure out how to get from place to place --let an expert take care of that part for you. And let that expert handle the details of getting you in and out of the commercial port where most of the cruise ships dock.

Enjoy your dream cruise!!:)

Now go find a tour guide and car to take you around or join a small group going to the places you want to see (check out the roll call for your sailing for tour shares and search this forum for St. Petersburg to find the names of private tour companies). Don't waste your time trying to figure out how to get from place to place --let an expert take care of that part for you. And let that expert handle the details of getting you in and out of the commercial port where most of the cruise ships dock.

Good decision and reasoning. Moscow is a long day. The day after our Moscow trip, we're waiting till 10 am to start our St. Petersburg adventures. Doing a private guide does make a huge difference in being able to see and do more. Work with them as they know the hours open, logistics, etc. Time is money. The better your budget, the more you can do. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

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Cruise ship worker sentenced to 30 years for hiding cameras in guests' rooms

Authorities said arvin joseph mirasol would also enter guests’ rooms while they were showering and hide under their beds so he could secretly record them exiting the shower, by briana trujillo • published august 29, 2024 • updated on august 29, 2024 at 12:22 pm.

A cruise ship crew member was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in federal prison for installing hidden cameras in guests’ bathrooms to produce child pornography, authorities said.

Arvin Joseph Mirasol pled guilty to producing child pornography while he worked as a stateroom attendant aboard the Symphony of the Seas cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean Group, a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida said. 

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Mirasol was discovered when a guest on Feb. 25 found a hidden camera affixed to the counter under the sink in their bathroom and they reported the camera to ship security. 

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He was detained until the ship docked at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on March 3, when Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection officials boarded and began investigating. 

“Law enforcement discovered that Mirasol’s electronics contained numerous videos of children in various stages of undress.  The focus of the videos was on the children’s genital areas. One video showed Mirasol himself installing a camera in a guest’s bathroom,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated. 

The children in the videos were between 2 and 17 years old. 

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Authorities said Mirasol would also enter guests’ rooms while they were showering and hide under their beds so he could secretly record them exiting the shower.

Mirasol, a citizen of the Philippines, had been placing cameras in passenger cabins since December 2023, according to the news release. 

In a statement back in March , the Broward Sheriff's Office said their Special Victims Unit detectives were working with Homeland Security Investigations agents to find more possible victims.

Authorities said anyone with information regarding suspected crimes on cruise ships, including sexual abuse and child pornography offenses, is encouraged to contact the HSI tip line at 1-866-347-2423.

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Breaking news, perverted royal caribbean cruise ship worker gets 30 years for secretly filming kids.

A perverted Royal Caribbean cruise ship employee who planted hidden cameras in guests’ rooms — and even hid under beds to record young kids getting out of the shower — has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Arvin Joseph Mirasol, a 34-year-old Philippine national who worked as a cabin attendant on the Symphony of the Seas, was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to producing child sexual abuse material — including kids as young as 2, according to the Justice Department.

Mirasol was detained at sea on Feb. 25 after a girl found a camera “affixed to the counter underneath the sink” one day after the cruise ship set sail from Southern Florida.

He was arrested in March by Broward County deputies after the Symphony of the Seas returned to Port Everglades, originally on state charges. He was also fired from his job.

Investigators said Mirasol admitted to spying on young girls ever since he started working for the cruise ship in December 2023 — saying, “I want to control it, but I can’t.”

He also admitted to placing hidden cameras in multiple rooms, according to court documents.

Mirasol would enter guests’ rooms while they were in the shower and hide under their beds so he could secretly record them exiting the shower, investigators said.

His electronic devices contained numerous videos of children in various stages of undress — focusing on the children’s genitals.

One of the videos even showed Mirasol installing a camera in a guest’s bathroom, officials said.

Investigators determined that the children in the videos were as young as 2 and as old as 17.

One video featured a girl who was about 10 years old, undressing and showering with her genitals “clearly visible” and “the focus of the video,” according to a federal criminal complaint obtained by Local 10.

Authorities said they also found multiple voyeurism-related searches on Mirasol’s phone, including “teen on bed.”

When asked how he decided which rooms to target, investigators said Mirasol told them, “If I like who is in that room, I place it,” and said he would choose teenage girls over the age of 16.

Royal Caribbean previously said it “immediately reported this to law enforcement and terminated the crew member” once it knew of the allegations.

“We have zero tolerance for this unacceptable behavior,” a spokesperson for the crew company said soon after Mirasol’s arrest.

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A Volga river cruise is more than a geographical voyage; it’s also a journey through Russia’s rich and captivating history. No other experience takes you so completely to another place and time. The Volga is Europe’s longest and largest river; it meanders through the stories of Ivan the Terrible and his rise to power, the two historic ‘Greats’ Peter and Catherine, and then on into today. It’s a unique opportunity to see modern Russia in the context of its intriguing history, ably assisted by friendly and professional academics and tour guides. A Volga Dream Russian river tour promises to leave you with an unforgettable afterglow of fond memories.

Moscow to St. Petersburg River Cruise

Moscow and St. Petersburg are Russia’s best-known cities, but the towns of Russia’s historic Golden Ring are delightful too. The luxurious Volga Dream offers a unique opportunity to visit these Russian gems by sailing gently along the Volga River on an unforgettable cruising experience. In small, exclusive groups you’ll enjoy preferential access to some of Russia’s most significant cultural sites.

Moscow to Astrakhan River Cruise

Your River Cruise on the luxurious MS Volga Dream takes you from Moscow along Russia’s grand Volga River to the legend that is Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) and Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea. Along the way, you’ll discover the treasures of Yaroslavl, the oldest city on the Volga, medieval Nizhniy Novgorod and beautiful Kazan, the ancient Tatar capital. We plan our tour carefully to combine the very best of Moscow with a world-class Volga River cruise.

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We love hearing from guests about their time in Russia and one comment often hear is how surprised people are by the Russian capital. We can’t say for certain what people expected but we do know that it’s always far removed from what they imagined! It’s been called a modern metropolis, a cosmopolitan city, an historic gem, an architectural treasure and a cultural powerhouse, among other descriptions. Majestic Moscow has always surprised our guests and left them with lasting and fond memories.

Russia’s famous Golden Ring is an archipelago of historic towns surrounding Moscow. Uglich is one of the oldest and was founded under Igor, the last Varangian prince. It once resisted the Mongol invasion and its ancient walls saw the grisly murder of young Dmitri, son of Ivan the Terrible. The impressive Church of St. Dmitri on the Blood, with its classic onion domes and blood red walls, is a fine example of classic Russian architecture. The tour ends with an enchanting choral concert.

This, the oldest city on the Volga River, and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts a wealth of ancient orthodox treasures. The impressive Transfiguration of the Savior, adorned with murals depicting St. John’s apocalyptic visions can be seen in the Spassky Monastery. The Church of St. Elijah the Prophet is decorated with an awe-inspiring selection of rich frescoes. For a real taste of pre-revolutionary Russia, visitors are entertained by a costumed reception at the Governor’s House.

Close to the shores of White Lake once were the ‘tsar’s fishing grounds’. It lies in a place so serene that ancient monks chose to build no fewer than three holy sites here, including the Ferapontov Monastery. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, its chapels boast magnificent frescoes by Dionysius, one of Russia’s most renowned icon painters. The Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery was a refuge for many nobles during tumultuous times and later a fortress that successfully repelled invading armies.

The Karelia region is a vast and naturally beautiful wilderness that spreads all the way from St. Petersburg to the Arctic Circle. The glorious island village of Kizhi consists almost entirely of the traditionally styled wooden buildings of ‘Old Russia’. Among them is the famous Transfiguration Church built in 1714. Remarkably, and in testament to the craftsmen of the time, not a single nail was used in its construction! Kizhi is one of the favorite stops on the river cruise to St. Petersburg.

A typical rural hamlet brought to life by warm and welcoming villagers. Volga Dream guests are invited into local homes to enjoy classic Russian fare, tea with jam and ‘pirozhki’ (pies). Enthusiastic hosts share Russian traditions and the appeal of village life while proudly showing off their scrupulously kept homes and kitchen gardens. The tour continues with a brief bus ride to see a unique World War II memorial and then, for a real glimpse of Russian life, a visit to a local primary school.

Nizhny Novgorod

This was once a wealthy city thanks to its proximity to rich eastern trading routes. During the Soviet era, the city was closed to outsiders because of its military importance. It’s also where many political prisoners were sent to live out their days in exile. The 16th-century Kremlin ramparts offer spectacular views and the city is known for its elaborately decorated churches. For Volga Dream cruise guests, the highlight of the day is an evening folk concert performed by local children.

Sailing along the Volga river, the riverbank gradually ceases to be dominated by Orthodox churches. Instead, beautiful mosques appear as the river crosses into Tatarstan where the first stop is scenic Kazan, the region’s capital. Inside the white walls of the citadel, the famous Kul Sharif mosque and the old Cathedral of Peter and Paul stand side-by-side symbolizing the two faiths’ long and peaceful coexistence in the region. A concert of traditional Tatar music ends the Volga Dream tour in Kazan.

Passing the Zhigulevskie Mountains offers wonderful views from the sundeck before touring the city. One of the key attractions is the fascinating Space Museum, which offers a revealing glimpse of how the Soviet Union pursued its ambitious journey to the cosmos. The town is also noted for its beautiful esplanade, perfect for a relaxed stroll beside the Volga river. This in turn leads to the Samara State Art Museum. Founded in 1897, it is home to a collection of more than 16,000 works of art.

This city is best known for its close associations with cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin. The Russian hero who achieved worldwide fame as the first man in space lived and studied here. Saratov used to be home to a large German community, a heritage that can still be seen in the local architecture. The Volga Dream tour visits the Radishchev State Art Museum, the first picture gallery in Russia outside Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Originally called Tsaritsyn, the city was renamed Stalingrad from 1925 to 1961 in honor of the USSR’s leader. During World War II, the city’s residents put up a heroic defense, repelling an advancing Nazi invasion. The battle for Stalingrad has gone down in history as a pivotal moment in the bloody conflict on the eastern front. The most ferocious and deadly fighting took place on Mamayev Hill, where an imposing memorial now stands close to the excellent Battle of Stalingrad Panorama Museum.

Saint Petersburg

If Moscow surprises, then St Petersburg delights. Peter the Great founded the city to showcase Russia’s newfound enlightenment. He wanted to show the modern world a cultured and advanced society. In short, he built the city to impress and in that he succeeded splendidly! The striking buildings were designed by some of the finest architects Europe had to offer and even now, the ‘Venice of the North’ never fails to enchant with its spectacular buildings and impressive canal network. It is a city of true grandeur.

Cocktails with the Captain

Commanding any ship is a complex role that calls for a long list of skills. Captains know their vessels inside out as well as well as the routes they sail and when things don’t go to plan, they have to make instant decisions. Above all though, the most important part of the job, underpinning everything they do, is to keep the ship and everyone aboard safe. The Captain’s cocktail party is a great and a wonderful opportunity for passengers and crew to get acquainted as the gets underway.

Matryoshka doll painting

There is nothing more typically Russian than a Matryoshka. It embodies the fact that there’s always something deeper to be found in every aspect of Russian life. Learning the traditional designs and techniques used to decorate these iconic dolls offers a pleasant diversion and some cathartic creativity!

Superb Service & Dining

Our restaurant serves the highest standard of international cuisine, freshly made by our Cordon Bleu Chef. Choose either a sumptuous buffet or set menu for lunch while dinner is always four or five courses with full service. High praise for the exquisite quality of meals is yet another constantly recurring feature in feedback from our guests.

Meet the Professor

From the Mongol hordes to Soviet times, Russia’s history is, like all of Europe’s, a complex web of political intrigue, war and peace, trade and treaties, as well as heroes and villains. Academics devote whole lifetimes to studying Russia’s long past and one of them presents a series of lectures shedding light on everything from Gorbachev to Chekhov, Khrushchev to Ivan the Terrible and of course, contemporary Russia. Our Professor is on board throughout the river cruise for informal conversation.

Beginner’s Russian

The Russian language can be rather beautiful and poetic and we know that many seasoned travelers enjoy trying their hand at different languages. Our onboard teachers provide an introduction to the riches of Russian, so guests can try out a few useful words and phrases on real Russians during the exciting river tours from Moscow to St. Petersburg or from Moscow to Volgograd!

Russian tea tasting

The drink we tend to associate with Russia is vodka, but tea, in fact, is the much more universal beverage of choice throughout the country. Guests will get acquainted with the Russian tea etiquette, a fundamental component of the country's social culture, and enjoy the traditional tea ceremony while cruising from St. Petersburg to Moscow or taking a Grand Volga river tour.

Russian Dinner & Vodka Tasting

All our dining is international but for Russian Dining night, the Chef includes a selection of traditional Russian dishes: Chicken Kiev, Kulebyaka and no Russian table is complete without Borsch. To add to the ‘Taste of Russia’ optional Russian dress, or at least a touch of Russian style, is provided along with enthusiastic help from our staff!

Russian Cooking Class

A plate of pelmeni might not look like much to the untrained eye, but it forms the heart of Russian cuisine and culture. Basically, it's a type of dumpling: small portions of meat and onion wrapped in a thin sheet of unleavened dough and boiled, a little like ravioli. Guests can join a Russian cooking class onboard the MS Volga Dream to learn how to cook this delicious Russian dish.

Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov Piano Recital

Some of the greatest classical music ever written comes from Russia. It’s hard to imagine a more fitting stage for a virtuoso solo recital by our resident concert pianist than the mighty Volga or a better backdrop than the heart of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov’s own serene homeland.

Russian River Cruise Aboard Volga Dream

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Why Volga Dream

Family Owned & Operated

MS Volga Dream is Russia’s only family-owned river cruise ship. She can accommodate up to 100 guests, far fewer than most other cruise ships on the river making for a uniquely friendly and intimate atmosphere aboard.

Five-Star Central Hotels

We at Volga Dream are completely convinced that, our guests should stay in great 5-star hotels in Moscow and St. Petersburg within comfortable walking distance of all the major attractions, theaters and restaurants, rather than having to waste time in traffic.

Luxurious Accommodation

The MS Volga Dream is the most intimate and elegant 5-star cruise vessel in Russia. She boasts 56 cabins, all river facing, ranging from comfortable Standard Cabins to spacious Junior Suites and the luxurious forward facing Owner's Suite.

Russian Cultural Experience

Explore Russia's past with the help of professional tour guides. Our on-board program includes fascinating talks on Russian history and politics, Russian language lessons, a festival of Russian cuisine (including vodka tasting!), and much more.

Gourmet Dining

Our on board restaurant serves international cuisine to the highest standard, all freshly made by our Cordon Bleu Chef. For Russian Dining night, he prepares a selection of traditional Russian dishes: Chicken Kiev, Kulebyaka and Borsch.

Tailored Service

All our service crew members are native Russians who are fluent in English and handpicked by the Owner. Proudly, the Volga Dream is famous for her hard working and very hospitable personnel who take care of every aspect of your life aboard.

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Escape the hassle and bustle and add a satisfyingly informative element to your trip and bring together a colorful mosaic of people, history, traditions,  religion, music and art. These are the many strands that time has woven into what is known today as Russia.

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