Vodohod · Volga Premium

MS Mustai Karim

MS Mustai Karim is a 329-passenger Volga Premium river cruise vessel operated by Vodohod. Launched in 2020, she measures approximately 141 metres in length and offers 165 staterooms and suites across 4 passenger decks. MS Mustai Karim primarily sails the Volga, with seasonal repositioning to additional waterways.

Launched2020
Guests329
Cabins165
Decks4
Length141 m

About MS Mustai Karim

MS Mustai Karim belongs to Vodohod's Volga Premium series and entered service in 2020. Built to navigate the lock systems and bridge clearances of European waterways, she measures roughly 141 metres in length and accommodates up to 329 guests in 165 staterooms across 4 passenger decks.

Vodohod is the dominant operator on the Volga, Don, Svir and Neva rivers, with a fleet of refurbished Soviet-era vessels and the new MS Mustai Karim, the first new-build Russian river ship in three decades. Its signature itinerary connects Moscow and St Petersburg through the Russian heartland. MS Mustai Karim reflects that brand DNA — from the design of her public spaces to the inclusions in her base fare.

The ship's typical home waters are the Volga, where she runs 2 distinct itineraries during the operating season. Repositioning sailings, themed wine cruises and Christmas-market voyages may be added in autumn and early winter.

Background reading: our long-form explainer of the Vodohod fleet philosophy covers the design choices that distinguish Volga Premium ships from the rest of the European fleet.

Cabin categories

The following stateroom and suite categories are offered onboard. Square-foot figures are quoted from the operator's published deck plans and exclude balcony floor space.

CategorySquare feetDeckWindow / viewMax guests
Standard Cabin 170 sq ft Main Deck Picture window 2
Junior Suite 280 sq ft Boat Deck French balcony 2
Suite 430 sq ft Sun Deck Outside balcony 2

Deck plan

MS Mustai Karim is laid out across 4 passenger decks plus the open-air sun deck. Public spaces, cabins and crew areas are arranged in the configuration described below.

Sun Deck
Open-air sun deck with putting green, walking track, herb garden and shaded lounge.
Upper Deck
Most premium staterooms and suites, plus the panorama lounge and library.
Middle Deck
Mid-tier staterooms with French balconies and the main restaurant.
Main Deck
Standard staterooms with fixed windows, the reception, the gift shop and the spa.
For cabin-selection strategy across this class, see our deck-by-deck guide to choosing a cabin on a Volga Premium-style vessel.

Onboard amenities

  • Sun deck with shaded lounge area
  • Panoramic lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows
  • Main restaurant serving open-seating regional cuisine
  • Casual bistro for breakfast, lunch and late-night snacks
  • Reception with 24-hour staff and concierge service
  • Lift between most passenger decks
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi throughout the ship
  • Hair salon and small fitness room
  • Heated whirlpool on the sun deck

Featured itineraries

The voyages below are representative of those MS Mustai Karim sails during her primary season. Exact ports, departure dates and durations vary by year — consult the operator for current schedules.

ItineraryLengthSample portsRegion
Waterways of the Tsars 13 nights Moscow · Uglich · Yaroslavl · Kuzino · Kizhi Island · Mandrogi Volga
Russian Heartland 8 nights Moscow · Uglich · Yaroslavl · Kostroma · Plyos · Nizhny Novgorod Volga
Planning notes: our pre-departure logistics guide for Volga river cruises covers visa requirements, port-of-embarkation transfers and pre-cruise hotel options.

Sister ships in the Vodohod fleet