hartbeespoort cruise specials

• Daily Cruises
• Boat Rentals
• Sunday Lunch
• Shingalani Safaris & Bush Camp
• Accommodation in Harties
• Unimog Adventures

Boat Cruises

Daily Lunch Cruise

• R545 per person
• Children 6-12 R295.00
• 13h00 to 15h00
• 2 hour cruise
• Buffet of finger & Fork gourmet Snacks
• Music & Cash Bar

Champagne Sunset Cruise

• 16h00 to 18h00
• Champagne Welcome drink

Daily Brunch Cruise

• R545 per adult
• 10h00 to 12h00
• A beautiful 2 Hour Cruise around Hartbeespoortdam
• Breakfast/Brunch Gourmet Finger Food Platters
• Cash Bar on board

Best Dam Sunday Lunch Cruise

• R495.00 per adult
• Children 6-12 R245.00
• Welcome Drink on Arrival
• 3 Course Buffet Lunch

Come celebrate your birthday on one of our cruises

Why not book a combo

Boat cruise & bush braai combo, harties boat company offers a unique canvas in hartbeespoort dam to make your next corporate event/cruise memorable..

• Breakfast/brunch Cruise (10 to 12) with a generous finger and fork buffet breakfast
• Lunch Cruise (13h00 to 15h00) with either a menu of hot and cold finger & fork lunch or full 3 course buffet
• Sunset Cruise (16h00 to 18h00) with platters of canopies and a gourmet cocktail finger & fork menu

• Boat Cruises

Our Vessels

Experience the beauty of hartbeespoort dam.

Enjoy a Boat Cruise on one of our many vessels in our fleet. In Proud Association with hartbeespoortonline.co.za

Our Most popular smaller barge cruise is our 2 Hour barge cruise inclusive of Buffet catering and welcome drinks for only R495.00 pp. The alternative is a 1 Hour barge cruise at R190.00 pp. We aim to give you the most relaxing and fun filled experience you can possibly have at Hartbeespoort Dam. Our barges, speed boats, cataraman and sailing boat are equipment with all the lateast safety features and are all SAMSA registered and all have highly skilled and qualified personal at the helm, so rest assured your in safe hands. All our vessels are equiped with sound systems that really get the party started. We look forward to setting sail with you.

View our selection of vessels you can charter here...........

Smaller Barge

Enjoy a 2 hour cruise with full Buffet Catering! ( Max 16 Passangers) R550.00 pp

Enjoy a 1hour speed boat cruise around the dam. (Max 9 Passengers) R240.00 pp

Small Yacht

Enjoy a 2 hr intimate cruise with full Buffet catering (Min 4 passengers) R550.00 pp

Largest Barge

Enjoy a 2 hour cruise with full Buffet Catering! (Min 35 Passengers, Max 90 Passangers) R550.00 pp

Jet Ski Rides

Enjoy a Jet Ski ride around the dam. Adrenaline filled 15mins (Max 2 passengers) R190.00 pp

Large Yacht

Large catamaran cruise with full Buffet catering, 2hr Cruise (Min 10 passengers) R750.00 pp

Fun Filled Tube Rides for 15 mins R190.00 pp

In Partnership with

• Hartbeespoortonline.co.za
• Hartiesonline.com

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Come and experience

Hartbeespoort from the water, harties boat company cruises.

Hartbeespoort Dam, fondly known as Harties, has long been Gauteng’s hideaway and playground, located 45 minutes from Joburg & Pretoria and on route to Sun City and Pilanesberg.

Come and enjoy a cruise on Harties (Hartbeespoort Dam) with friends and family, and the best boat cruise company in Hartbeespoort, in the North West and most probably South Africa, who always put you first in everything we do.  Our cruises are legendary and enjoyed by all our beautiful passengers from all walks of life.  Our Chefs cooks their hearts out to bring you the tastiest gourmet buffet of finger and fork food that is sure to satisfy those empty tummies.  Our friendly welcoming staff will treat you like VIPs from the time you call, till we meet you again on your next cruise celebrating your birthday, special occasion, wedding, conference, team building or leisure day cruise with the Harties Boat Company.

Our highly trained and seasoned friendly courteous crew will ensure a great day out for you and your loved ones.  From serving you your favourite drink to choosing the right music for your cruise. Sit back and enjoy what Hartbeespoort Dam has on offer with our breakfast and lunch cruises, or Sunset cruises that are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

So hop aboard ….. it is your turn to come and enjoy Harties!

We operate three vessels and each one has its own charm and personality which caters for different needs.  Danny Buoy is our most famous and can be seen singing and dancing its way across the waves.  Toro Ya Me our family cruiser is a little more subdued but just as much fun.  The newest member to our family The Alba takes cruising on Harties to another level.

We now offer you our Zanzibar Beach Café and Shishanyama Lounge, to chill before and after your 2-hour cruise with lekker music that often goes on till late.

A visit to the Adventure Capital of the North West will definitely be a memorable one and our cruises are the perfect way to experience Hartbeespoort without any traffic!

Daily Cruises Click here

Corporate & Private Events Click here

The Alba Fine Dining Click here

THE 10 BEST Hartbeespoort Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in hartbeespoort.

• Boat Rentals
• Speed Boats Tours
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Water Sports
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Good for Couples
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. No1 Waterfront

2. Sunshine Cruises

3. Airboat Afrika

4. H2O-Cruise

5. Boaters World Adventures

6. Impact Adventure - Africa

7. Harties Boat Cruise

8. Paddle Power Adventures

9. Thalerra Tours Shuttles & Safaris

10. Hartebeespoort Online

11. WildCat Cruises

12. Chris Grosch

13. Panda On The Name

What travelers are saying.

• No1 Waterfront
• Sunshine Cruises
• Boaters World Adventures
• Harties Boat Cruise
• Airboat Afrika

Book your Harties Boat Cruise today

Enjoy a luxurious, 2-hour boat cruise on the placid waters of the Hartebeespoort Dam.

With 3 tours departing daily, at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM, pick the time that fits your schedule and hit the water.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Definitely a must when you go to Hartebeespoort!

Make a booking below, and we will make sure you have the most memorable visit .

Cruises start from R295 per adult, and R147,50 per child. Regret no children under 6 for safety.

Please complete all fields. You will be directed to the booking page once complete.

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The only Daily Boat Cruise in Hartebeespoort

Join us for an amazing day at Hartbeespoort Dam! Our friendly crew is here to make sure you and your loved ones have a fantastic time. From serving your favorite drinks to choosing the perfect music, we’ve got it all covered on our breakfast, lunch, and sunset cruises, available 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Experience the charm and personality of our three unique vessels. Watch Danny Buoy sing and dance across the waves, enjoy the family-friendly vibes of Toro Ya Me, or elevate your cruise with the newest member, The Alba.

But the excitement doesn’t stop there! Before and after your 2-hour cruise, relax at our Zanzibar Beach Café and Shishanyama lounge, where the cool vibes and great music extend late into the night.

Escape the traffic and make your visit to the Adventure Capital of the North West unforgettable with our hassle-free cruises. Get ready for a memorable experience on the waters of Hartbeespoort Dam!

Daily Lunch Cruise

A daily 2hr guided tour of Hartbeespoortdam whilst snacking to a scrumptious selection of traditional South African hot and cold finger and fork gourmet snacks.

Daily Sunset Cruise

A 2 hour cruise around the dam. Champagne & Canapés are served as well as a selection of hot and cold cocktail snacks on this cruise of celebration.

Weekend Brunch

A beautiful 2 Hour Cruise around Hartbeespoortdam from 10h00-12h00. Breakfast/Brunch Gourmet Finger Food Platters.

What Our Customers Have to Say

Smooth boat ride, lovely view of western area of Hartbeespoort Dam. Plentiful food in the buffet on the cruise!

Sandra Black

Refreshing, beautiful view, nice breeze. Good company and awesome music. A welcome drink and the food was delicious. 

Matjie Nong

It was really fun and relaxing. Definitely a must when you go to Hartebeespoort!

Lerato Mokhemisa

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• About this activity

Hartebeespoort: Boat Cruise with Food

• Free cancellation available
• Mobile voucher
• Instant confirmation
• Multiple languages
• Take in panoramic views of the oldest mountain range in the world
• Explore the natural scenery of Hartbeespoort Dam on a boat, with the Magaliesberg Mountain Range as your backdrop
• Experience nature, local food, and music on the waters of the Hartbeespoort Dam

Activity location

• Hartbeespoort
• Hartbeespoort, North West, South Africa

Meeting/Redemption Point

• Entry is through the Kommando Nek Nature Reserve Gate, proceed through the reserve and follow signs to Harties Boat Company. The booking office will be next to the boat where you will check in and complete paperwork before boarding the boat at the designated jetty. Boarding and docking will commence at the same jetty.
• Mon, Apr 1 -
• Tue, Apr 2 $32
• Wed, Apr 3 $32
• Thu, Apr 4 $32
• Fri, Apr 5 $32
• Sat, Apr 6 $32
• Sun, Apr 7 $32
• Mon, Apr 8 $32
• Tue, Apr 9 $32
• Wed, Apr 10 $32
• Thu, Apr 11 $32
• Fri, Apr 12 $32
• Sat, Apr 13 $32
• Sun, Apr 14 $32
• Mon, Apr 15 $32

Hartbeespoort: Lunchtime Cruise

• Activity duration is 2 hours 2h 2h

Departing daily for a guided tour of Hartbeespoortdam taking in all the history, fauna and flora of the dam and the area whilst snacking on a selection of traditional South African hot and cold finger and fork gourmet snacks.

Hartbeespoort: Daily Champagne Sunset Cruise

Board this 2-hour cruise with a glass of bubbles in hand, taking in all the sights and sounds of Harties up-close. Canapes are served as well as a selection of hot and cold cocktail snacks on this cruise of celebration.

What's included, what's not

• What's included What's included 2-hour cruise experience
• What's included What's included Traditional South African food
• What's included What's included Service and music
• What's included What's included Day pass into the nature reserve
• What's excluded What's excluded Drinks (available to purchase onboard)
• What's excluded What's excluded Tips

What you can expect

Enjoy a luxurious, 2-hour boat cruise on the placid waters of the Hartbeepoort Dam. With 3 tours departing daily, at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM, pick the time that fits your schedule and hit the water. Located within the Kommando Nek Nature Preserve, gaze at the protected nature that surrounds you, showcasing the abundance of South Africa’s flora and fauna.

Upon boarding the boat, you’ll be treated to a welcome drink as you depart to survey the stunning dam’s waters. With all daily cruises, enjoy a luxurious spread of traditional South African hot and cold finger foods. After your cruise is over and you return to the dock, your entrance pass to the nature preserve will still be valid, so get out there and explore the beauty of the South African countryside.

Book your trip now!

Hartbeespoort dam – boat cruises.

Thanks for visiting Boaters World Adventures on Hartbeespoort Dam.

Enjoy a speed boat tour on board one of our luxury speed boats which includes a shaded canopy and a sound system while cruising around the scenic Hartbeespoort Dam, viewing all the popular sights and view points. Perfect for those looking to take beautiful pics.

Our Beach Bar on the shore is available to hire should you need a venue for a birthday party, wedding or corporate event. @ R50 p/person

*6x Passenger 30 min private boat tour = R1,400 *10x Passenger 30 min private boat tour = R1,600 (Own cooler boxes welcome has music onboard)

JET-SKI RENTALS

* Please Note:

• 50% Deposit confirms your booking, the balance to be paid in full within 14 days prior to boat cruise date.
• If clients are late they will be running into their own booking time as cruises depart in a strict schedule to accommodate all our clients.
• If cruise is cancelled your deposit will be forfeited.

Visitors Guide to Hartbeespoort Dam

Today, Hartbeespoort and the Hartbeespoort Dam are known mainly as a South African resort town north of Johannesburg where ‘Gautengers’ like to go for some R&R on the weekends. It’s also known for its many popular attractions: Hartbeespoort Dam boat cruises, the Crocodile River and the Hartbeespoort Cableway (the longest aerial monocableway in all of Africa) which ascends up the slopes of the majestic Magaliesberg mountain range. Still, there’s so much the average visitor or would-be holidaymaker might not know about Hartbeespoort Dam (or ‘Harties’ as its affectionately known by its groves of visitors each year) and the town of Hartbeespoort that surrounds it.

Sunshine Leasure or Speed Boat 8/11 Seater

Speedboat trips 8 seater.

Best Times: With the recent changes in weather conditions, it could be anytime but recent experience appear to be early  morning…..

A]   R 270.00 per person * Duration: 60 minute cruise [slow cruise only]

B]   R 390.00 per person * Duration: 90 minute slow cruise

• Minimum of 8 pax & Maximum of 11 pax [weight TC’s]
• Private or shared cruises
• Own drinks allowed @ no hidden fees
• Sound system, you can listen to what you prefer

Leasure Cruise Boat

Best Times: Any time for the adrenalin junky…….

A]   R 285.00 per person * Duration: 60 minutes (combo cruise & speed – min 8 passengers or private option)

B]   R 430.00 per person * Duration: 90 minutes (combination slow & speed, min of 8 passengers)

C]  Tube rides or water-ski on request [10 minute per person]

• Prices on request [R980.00] separate event [prices can change]
• Minimum of 2 pax & Maximum of 4 pax
• Private or shared trips/cruises
• Own drinks allowed @ no extra fee
• Sound system

Leisure Boat

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Harties Boat Cruise

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Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

HARTIES BOAT CRUISE (Hartbeespoort) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

• Corporate & Private Events
• Weekend Lunch

Boat Cruises

• Unimog Adventures

Join one of our daily boat cruises

Welcome aboard Danny Buoy

Daily brunch cruise.

• R545 per adult
• R295 per child under 12
• Under 6 Free of charge (limited to 2 per couple)
• 10h00 to 12h00
• A beautiful 2 Hour Cruise around Hartbeespoort dam
• Breakfast/Brunch Gourmet Finger Food Platters
• Cash Bar on board

BOOK NOW  

Daily Lunch Cruise

• R545 per person
• 13h00 to 15h00
• 2 hour cruise
• Buffet of finger & Fork gourmet Snacks
• Music & Cash Bar

Champagne Sunset Cruise

• 16h00 to 18h00
• Champagne Welcome drink

Why not charter one of these boat for your wedding with a reception on the lawn by the water edge.

• [email protected]
• +27 82 749 6478

Hartbeespoort Dam Boat Cruise

If you are looking for an amazing hartbeespoort damn boat cruise, you are in the right place.

Hartbeespoort Dam, located in the North West Province of South Africa, is a picturesque location known for its scenic beauty and outdoor activities. One of the most popular ways to explore the dam is by taking a boat cruise.

Related Article: Things to do in Hartbeespoort

With several boat cruise options available, visitors can choose from a variety of experiences ranging from leisurely sightseeing tours to adrenaline-pumping adventures. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best boat cruises available at Hartbeespoort Dam, so you can make the most of your visit to this stunning location.

Table of Contents

Recommended for you

Hartbeespoort: Daily Boat Cruises

Hartbeespoort: Aerial Cable Car Ride

Hartbeespoort: Predator Safari with a Guide

Hartbeespoort Elephant Sanctuary – From Johannesburg

Our list of hartbeespoort dam boat cruises, harties boat company.

Harties Boat Company is a popular boat cruise operator that offers a variety of boat cruises on the Hartbeespoort Dam in South Africa. The company has been in operation since 2008 and has built a reputation for providing high-quality, safe, and enjoyable boat cruises.

Some of the popular boat cruises offered by Harties Boat Company include:

• Sunset Cruise: This is a 90-minute boat cruise that departs in the late afternoon and offers stunning views of the sunset over the dam. The cruise includes a complimentary drink and snack, as well as live music and entertainment.
• Lunchtime Cruise: This is a 60-minute boat cruise that departs at midday and includes a light lunch and a complimentary drink. The cruise offers beautiful views of the dam and the surrounding mountains.
• Private Charter: Harties Boat Company also offers private charters for special events such as weddings, birthdays, and corporate events. The company has a range of boats available for charter, from small intimate boats to larger party boats.

In addition to these boat cruises, Harties Boat Company also offers a variety of food and drink options on board, including a fully stocked bar and a range of snack and meal options.

Overall, Harties Boat Company is a great choice for anyone looking for a fun and relaxing way to explore the Hartbeespoort Dam. The company has a strong commitment to safety and customer service, and their experienced crew ensures that every guest has a great experience on board.

Booking info

No1 Waterfront

No1 Waterfront Luxury Yacht Cruises operates a 44ft catamaran boat that is named De Jagter and has been providing cruises to clients for more than 6 years. It is a family-owned company that places an emphasis on providing a warm experience and making customers feel the utmost level of comfort.

The yacht has a capacity of up to 12 people and lends itself to an intimate experience with smaller groups. This also makes it easier to afford booking out the whole boat, compared to the larger vessels.

The yacht  features plenty of seating space, spacious decks for sunbathing, two marine toilets, music of your choice, shaded seating and pre-arranged stocked bar. The experienced and friendly crew is always on hand to make the trip a wonderful experience.

Their signature experience is a magnificent two hour sunset cruise with sundowners and snacks

This particular cruise operator has received rave reviews across Google and social media, being lauded primarily for their excellent customer service.

One review even comments that she did not make it onto the boat on time to join their friends and No1 Waterfront was kind enough to bring her on-board the cruise boat on a smaller life-boat.

The excellent scenery coupled with the excellent customer service make this one a good cruise company to use for your cruise.

If you want to explore Harties in different and perhaps more “in touch with the environment” type of way, why not try the airboat?

Airboat cruises are a unique and thrilling way to explore waterways, particularly in areas with shallow waters and vegetation that traditional boats can’t access. Here are some things that make airboat cruises good:

Airboats are quiet compared to other motorized boats, so they don’t disturb the wildlife and won’t scare the birds away.

The Unique Experience: The sensation of gliding over the water with the wind blowing in your face, and the sound of the propeller creates a unique and thrilling experience that is hard to replicate with other modes of transport.

Airboat Africa offers cruises in Hartbeespoort of both the dam and the Crocodile River. These can be experienced as separate packages or as a combo with the prices listed below.

Crocodile River – 30 minutes – R395

Harties Explorer – 60 minutes – R495

Crocodile + Harties – 90 minutes – R795

Overall, airboat cruises are an exhilarating way to experience the outdoors and get close to nature. They offer a unique perspective of waterways and are perfect for anyone looking for a bit of adventure while exploring the great outdoors.

It’s not all individuals when it comes to boat cruises. Sometimes you might be feeling like a boss and want to rent a whole boat to yourself and your own group.

That is where Pary Boat comes in.

If you want to whole boat to yourself, the price for a cruise is R4500. This gets you the party boat for a three hour cruise, with the option to add additional hours.

Party Boat runs two cruises,  a morning cruise which runs from 11:00 to 14:00, and a sunset cruise which runs from 15:00 to 18:00.

The Harties Party Boat is a great venue for Corporate Events, Product Launches, Year End Functions, Anniversaries and Parties of any nature. The boat can hold up to 90 persons for a cruise and onboard there is a well-stocked cash bar as well as the option of a catered cruise.

The cruise service works just like others and you can go on as an individual or a small group and join other passengers. For that there is a minimum passenger requirement of 20 people for the cruise to depart.

Harbeespoort Online Boat Cruise

Hartbeespoort online is an accommodation booking agency that specialises in accommodation packages with some of the guest houses in Hartbeespoort.

Well, being that the dam is the number 1 attraction to the town of Hartbeespoort, boat cruises are logically in high demand among their clients so the offer boat cruise packages too and have become quite popular as a service provider.

They offer a 1 hour cruise in a shaded boat with an onboard sound system. The amazing boat cruise will allow you to see the dam and surrounding mountains.

Their boat can accommodate up to 8 passengers for a slow cruise on the dam. You are allowed to bring your own drinks onboard and the price per passenger is

R240 for adults

R100 for children under the age of 13

They have been in business for over 5 years and have a whopping 140 reviews on Google with an average score of 4.3

In conclusion, taking a boat cruise at Hartbeespoort Dam is a must-do activity for anyone visiting the area. With so many options available, visitors can choose a boat cruise that suits their interests and preferences. From exploring the dam’s tranquil waters to getting up close with wildlife, there’s something for everyone.

We hope that this article has given you an insight into the best boat cruises available at Hartbeespoort Dam, and that it helps you plan your next visit to this stunning location.

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Boat Cruises

The Harties Boat Company in Kosmos offers boat cruises on the Hartbeespoort Dam on Saturdays and Sundays. Saturday Cruises include an Afternoon & Sunset cruise, and the Sunday Lunch cruise is a 2 hour cruise with buffet/carvery, bar service (beer & wine), and credit card facilities. Kosmos is a small village situated on the banks of the Hartbeespoort Dam in the North West Province, with great views of the Magaliesberg Mountain Range.

Harties Boat Company offers:

• Saturday and Sunday Cruises on Hartbeespoort Dam.
• Sunday Lunch Cruise: 2 hour Sunday Lunch Cruise – buffet/carvery.
• Saturday Cruises: Afternoon & Sunset cruises
• Corporate & Private Charter Packages: can be tailored to suite corporate or private charters.
• Cruise Times: may change according to seasons.

Harties Boat Company Contact Details:

Telephone: +27(0)122535045

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.hartiesboatco.co.za

Physical Address: Harties Boat Company 105 Jocelyn Street Kosmos

Postal Address: Harties Boat Company P.O. Box 139, Kosmos, 0216 North West province

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Moscow Boat Tour

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Description

See all the gems of historical and cultural center of the capital in short time and without traffic jams or tiresome walking.

Depending on the itinerary and duration of the Moscow River boat trip, the tour can be 3 or 5 hours.

Highlights of the tour

• St Basil’s Cathedral;
• Stalin skyscraper on Kotelnicheskaya (Tinkers) embankment;
• The Kremlin;
• “House on the Embankment” Stalin skyscraper;
• Monument to Peter I;
• The Central House of Artists;
• Christ the Savior Cathedral;
• Gorky Park;
• Moscow State University;
• Russian Academy of Sciences;
• Luzhniki stadium;
• Novodevichy Monastery;
• Kiev railway station;
• Europe Square;
• Moscow City Hall;
• Government House;
• Expocentre Exhibition Complex;
• and other famous sights.

You will learn about the different epochs of the city from the foundation in 1147 till Soviet times of 20 th  century.

Moscow River

Moskva river has the form of a snake and is the main waterway of Moscow, consisting of a cascade of reservoirs. Within the city, Moskva river is 80 km long, 120 m - 200 m wide and up to 14 m deep. The narrowest part of the river is the Kremlin area in the city center, and the most extensive is around the Luzhniki Stadium in the south. 

Bridges in Moscow

Undoubtedly, bridges and embankments are among the most scenic spots and main attractions of Moscow. Plus, they are so romantic.

• Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge –  Great Stone Bridge –  is the main bridge of Moscow . The first stone bridge was constructed here in the 17th century.
• Patriarshy Bridge  is one of the youngest pedestrian bridges, built in 2004. The bridge connects the iconic Christ the Saviour Cathedral with funky Bersenevskaya embankment, extremely popular place among locals for its trendy art galleries, cafes and panoramic views. Patriarshy Bridge used to be a shooting location for ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's New Year speech to the nation.
• Borodinsky Bridge,  erected in honor of the 100th anniversary of the glorious victory in the Battle of Borodino (which every Russian kid knows about), a fierce legendary battle during the Russo-French war of 1812.
• Bagration Bridge  one of the  pedestrian bridges with most picturesque views of the Moskva River with its numerous upper-level observation platforms. The bridge was erected to celebrate the 850th anniversary of Moscow city in 1997.
• Krymsky Bridge  used to be in Top 5 Europe’s longest bridges some 100 years ago. The bridge got its name after the ancient Krymsky ford which Crimean Tartars used to invade Moscow in the 16 th  century.

Embankments of Moscow

Moscow river boats 37 embankments, the most popular being Kremlevskaya, Sofiyskaya, Pushkinskaya, Vorobyovskaya and Kolomenskaya.

You can get the most spectacular views of the Kremlin from  Kremlevskaya and Sofiyskaya embankments.

• Pushkinkaya embankment  is the most romantic in Moscow. It meanders along Gorky Park and Neskuchnyi garden and is rich for all kinds of entertainment as well as cozy nooks, including Olivkovy beach, the famous Zeleny theater as well as a pier for river cruisers.
• Vorobyevskaya embankment  is part of Sparrow Hills nature reserve. This place opens a beautiful panorama of the river and city from the observation deck and is considered to be the place for taking serious decisions in life.
• Embankment in Kolomenskoye  Museum-Reserve has a special charm due to its peculiar geographical relief. The boat trip around Kolomenskoye would be the most peaceful in your life.
• Taras Shevchenko embankment  is popular among photographers for its modern Moscow City skyscrapers. Highly recommended for your night boat trip.
• Embankments of Moscow are the pride of the capital. A distinctive feature of each of the promenades is its architecture and beautiful views. In addition, almost all the embankments of Moscow have a rich history and a lot of notable buildings.

Different epochs

Taking a walk along the Moskva River by boat, you will witness the architecture of Moscow from different eras and styles. Archaeological studies indicate that already in the XI century there stood a fortified settlement on Borovitsky hill, which is now called the Kremlin. Little fortress could not accommodate all the residents of the rapidly growing city, and the Grand Duke ordered the construction of a new Kremlin, larger than the former.

Boat trip around Kolomenskoe Park

Moscow river boat trip starts from the pier Klenovy (Maple) Boulevard and provides reat views of Nicholas Perervinsky monastery.

Nicholas Perervinsky monastery was founded at the time of the Battle of Kulikov (1380). The monastery, got its name from the surrounding area – “Pererva”, which can be translated like “tear off” and because of the location –  here it abruptly changed its course, turning to Kolomna, standing on the opposite bank.

Nowadays Kolomenskoye is State Art, Historical, Architectural and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve, which doors are open to everyone who wants to get in touch with the ancient history of Russia.

Take a break from the big city hustle in the shady parks and gardens of the Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve. Don’t miss a wonderful Church of the Ascension and Tsar Alexey’s Palace in Kolomenskoye!

Monasteries and temples

• Novospassky Monastery
• Founded in the 13th century on the site where now is located the Danilovsky monastery. After a few decades, in 1330, Ivan Kalita moved the monastery onto the Borovitskii hill of the Kremlin. However, in the 15th century, Spassky Monastery again moved, this time to a more spacious place on Krasnoholmskaya waterfront.
• Church of St. Nicholas in Zayaitskom
• Erected in the middle of the XVIII century in baroque style. The building survived after the 1812 fire, but the utensils were destoyed. Parishioners collected donations and restored the temple on their own. In Soviet times, it was closed and re-opened only in 1992.
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• The church was originally erected in honor of the victory over Napoleon and was being under construction for long 44 years. Notoriously demolished in 1937 to be a giant swimming pool under open sky. The current building was constructed in 1990s. It is the tallest and one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world.
• The temple was built in 1679-82, during the reign of Tsar Fedor Alekseevich, in late Muscovite Baroque style and can be characterized as bonfire temple. Each gable is a symbol of a heavenly fire.
• Novodevichy Convent
• The most famous concent and monastery in Moscow, presumably founded in 1524. Novodevichy’s status has always been high among other monasteries, it was in this monastery where the women of the royal blood, the wives of Tsars and local rulers of Moscow were kept in prison as nuns.
• St. Andrew’s church  (male acts as Compound Patriarch of Moscow)
• St. Andrew’s church stands right on the slopes of the Sparrow Hills, on the way down to the Moskva River, on the territory of the Nature Reserve “Sparrow Hills”. The monastery is small in size but is very cozy. It’s situated in a quiet courtyard surrounded by temples, fruit trees and flowers.

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow river cruise.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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More From Forbes

Why costa cruises are so cheap.

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Costa Cruises vessels are a common sight at Mediterranean ports.

Embarking on a cruise vacation doesn't have to break the bank. Although traditionally seen as an extravagant choice, cruising today is known just as much for its family-friendly and bargain deals.

Among the mainstream cruise lines, Costa Cruises is known for keeping its base fares as low as possible. While rarely the final price you pay, the advertised rates are a tempting prospect.

At the time of publication, Costa’s ‘Easter sale’ features various 7-night European itineraries from under $450 per person, based on two sharing a cabin in November 2024.

Known for its European onboard experience, Costa Cruises has become a popular choice among budget travelers and families seeking to explore the world—and especially the Mediterranean cruising region —without splashing too much cash. But the line isn’t for everyone, especially those used to a more all-inclusive cruising experience.

From its back-to-basics business model to the efficiencies of being part of the Carnival Corporation, this is how Costa manages to keep its prices so low, and what you can expect on board.

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Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, flexible itineraries.

One of the biggest differences offered by Costa Cruises and fellow Italian line MSC Cruises is their approach to itinerary planning.

Typically, cruise lines base their ship in a port for a season, and offer varied itineraries throughout that season. Costa, however, runs its ships the same looped itinerary throughout a season, especially in the Mediterranean region, and allows embarkation and disembarkation at different ports.

Costa Cruises ships share the same basic design as many other lines in the Carnival Corporation.

This increases the flexibility for guests when booking, and allows Costa to offer specific segments or itineraries at lower prices in order to fill its ships throughout the season.

Although this practice does help keep ships busy and fares low, it also results in hectic mornings and constant announcements in every port aimed at new arrivals, which can become tiresome after several days.

One area of the Costa experience often criticized on forums such as Cruise Critic is the food. With the main dining room and buffet restaurant always included, it’s fair to say that you won’t go hungry on a Costa vacation.

However, the standard is more everyday than luxury, with a strong focus on Italian cuisine including salads, breads, and pasta.

Another common grumble from some travelers is the relatively late fixed dining times, which can be as late as 9pm. Although this is perfectly normal in Mediterranean culture, it may not suit all travelers.

Non-Inclusive Business Model

There are specialty restaurants on all Costa ships should you wish to pay for an elevated dining experience. This is one example of Costa’s business model of stripping out many items from the cruise fare and making them optional extras.

Although basic food and onboard entertainment are included in the base fare, there are many additional charges to watch out for, including taxes and gratuities.

Perhaps the biggest bill faced by travelers will be for drinks. Tea, coffee, and water are available in the buffet during its opening hours, but all other drinks are chargeable, even water in the main dining room.

Costa Toscana shares the same cruise ship design as many other Carnival Corporation brands.

This makes beverage packages worth consideration for most travelers, even if you don’t drink alcohol.

High Guest-To-Crew Ratio

One of the biggest differentiators between the standard of cruise lines can be seen by examining the guest-to-crew ratio. Simply put, the more passengers per crew member, the slower and less personal the service is likely to be.

On most mainstream cruise lines, a ratio of around 3:1 is the norm, but on Costa Cruises it can be as big as 4:1. This can result in longer waiting times in the dining room and at the bars, something that is another common complaint from Costa cruisers.

Large Cruise Ships

Costa Cruises was founded in 1948 and became a part of the Carnival Corporation in 2000. Being part of the world’s largest cruise group including famous industry brands Carnival, Cunard, Holland America, P&O Cruises, Princess, and Seabourn, gives Costa several advantages that contribute to its ability to offer low-cost cruising options.

One of the biggest factors is the size of Costa cruise ships. All but one of Costa’s ten ships have a gross tonnage above 100,000, while the newest, Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana , are among the world’s biggest cruise ships.

The more passengers Costa carries, the cheaper the costs of operation are on a per passenger basis. High numbers of passengers also mean more upsell opportunities.

The Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana also demonstrate another benefit of being part of the larger group. Both are ‘Excellence-class’ ships, a class of cruise ship ordered by Carnival Corporation for many of its brands. Sharing a design across so many lines leads to a lower unit cost.

Although there are downsides to taking such a cheap cruise, especially the uncertain amount of additional costs and constant upsells, Costa Cruises does offer a compelling value proposition especially for families. If you know what to expect, a Costa vacation can prove to be an enjoyable travel bargain.

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• Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

Moscow: question for those who have gone from St Petersburg

By Wayfairers , August 22, 2019 in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

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I have read many of the threads that discuss whether or not Moscow is worth the expense and long day, especially when there are only 2 days in port.  I realize there are two strong opinions from people with one side saying it is worth it and the other side says stay in St Petersburg. We have decided to go Moscow on day 1 of our visit. 

So, those who have done the long trip to Moscow....did you go with the cruise ship or a private guide?   If a private guide, who and would you recommend them?  Did you take the train both ways or fly one direction?  

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On 8/22/2019 at 9:28 AM, Wayfairers said: I have read many of the threads that discuss whether or not Moscow is worth the expense and long day, especially when there are only 2 days in port.  I realize there are two strong opinions from people with one side saying it is worth it and the other side says stay in St Petersburg. We have decided to go Moscow on day 1 of our visit.    So, those who have done the long trip to Moscow....did you go with the cruise ship or a private guide?   If a private guide, who and would you recommend them?  Did you take the train both ways or fly one direction?  

Been to Moscow several times. We have used the Sapsan both ways and have also flown both ways - never a combo of the train/plane. We enjoyed the Sapsan more than the flight. We have NOT travelled to Moscow when arriving by cruise ship so have no comment on your particular situation regarding a one day tour with only 2 days in St. Pete.  Good luck - hope the visit meets your expectations.

Thanks for the info.  Good to know you enjoyed the train more than the plane - I would expect we would too as flying is typically more hassle than taking the train.  

We decided to book the trip to Moscow with the cruise ship after learning that if we miss the train or plane we don’t get a refund in addition to missing Moscow.  And, I’ve had friends who’s ship missed the St Petersburg stop due to weather.

Moscow is a great city but I would rather spend all two days in St Petersburg. Some years ago we had almost a week there and still it doesn’t seem enough. We also had one day in Moscow and the journey arranged by the local travel agency was well organized and comfortable. In a view of time restrictions of the journey (we spent almost 8 hours on the train and just 6-7 hours in the city) one day in Moscow still felt a little rushed. Anyway, enjoy planning your trip and hope you have a great time in Russia!

Just make sure the day you are going to Moscow, it is not one of their holidays or even a day before a holiday.

Moscow is an amazing city but it is frustrating when Red Square is closed for parades, etc.... It is hard to determine when they close it but it is definitely closed for their holidays. When it is closed - you can only walk around the exterior of the square and look in.

Thanks!   I will check.  We are in Moscow May 16.  I know May 9 is a holiday. 

AngelDisney

I have 2 days in St. Petersburg and am thinking about this possibility. I think it’s hard to do this with 2 days. The first day will take longer time to go ashore because of the immigration process. The second day is not possible due to the early all abroad time. It seems that it’s only worth doing it if there are 3 days in St. Petersburg especially when a full day of touring in Moscow is preferred. 

1 hour ago, AngelDisney said: I have 2 days in St. Petersburg and am thinking about this possibility. I think it’s hard to do this with 2 days. The first day will take longer time to go ashore because of the immigration process. The second day is not possible due to the early all abroad time. It seems that it’s only worth doing it if there are 3 days in St. Petersburg especially when a full day of touring in Moscow is preferred. 

For 2 days - spend the time in St. Petersburg. There is so much to see there. Save this for a 2nd trip.

When we were in St. Petersburg we were also very interested in visiting Moscow. We were already in Russia why not visit as much places as we could, right? We used Anastasia Travel for our St. Petersburg tour and also asked them to include Moscow. They were very helpful and were very much willing to arrange a day trip to Moscow for us but they suggested we just stay in St. Petersburg since we only had 2 days. They were kind enough to explain that we would just waste time and money if me push through with the Moscow trip. We would spend more time on the train instead of using the time to explore and enjoy the sights. They were actually correct and we ended up enjoying a wonderful 2-day tour in St. Petersburg. I guess we'll have to go back to see Moscow and make sure to stay longer! 

angie7911922

When we went to St Petersburg we had the same dilemma. We decided not to go to Moscow and didn’t regret it one bit. There is so much to see! If you spend the 2 days in St Petersburg you can go and see Peterhof Palace on one of the days. We were on a Princess cruise and like flowslow, we booked our private tours with Katharina from Anastasia Travel.   This way we used our time to the fullest to see as much as possible at our pace with a personal guide. (We are not fond of the big group tours from the cruise lines).

9 hours ago, angie7911922 said: When we went to St Petersburg we had the same dilemma. We decided not to go to Moscow and didn’t regret it one bit. There is so much to see! If you spend the 2 days in St Petersburg you can go and see Peterhof Palace on one of the days. We were on a Princess cruise and like flowslow, we booked our private tours with Katharina from Anastasia Travel.   This way we used our time to the fullest to see as much as possible at our pace with a personal guide. (We are not fond of the big group tours from the cruise lines).

We have two days and decided only staying in SPB for both days. We are thinking of forming a private tour with other cruisers on another forum as the CC roll call for that cruise is so quiet. We are looking into Anastasia Travel as well. Very excited to go!

On 9/1/2019 at 8:09 PM, AngelDisney said: We have two days and decided only staying in SPB for both days. We are thinking of forming a private tour with other cruisers on another forum as the CC roll call for that cruise is so quiet. We are looking into Anastasia Travel as well. Very excited to go!

Great idea to form a small group!! Have a fantastic time and I am sure you wont regret that decision!! 

luvtravel88

I'm not sure about customs when coming in on a cruise ship. We were told that if we wanted to leave the ship, we would have to be on a tour, either a ships tour or private tour. I know we had to show our tour tickets at customs to be allowed to go further. We chose Alla tours and they were fantastic. We were docked in St. Petersburg for 3 days and we did go to Moscow on the Capsan train on the 2nd day. It was a VERY long day. We had to meet our group at 6:00am and were on the train at 7:00am. We arrived back at to our cabin at 1:30am the next day. It was a wonderful day and we're so glad we went but if we were in St. Petersburg for only 2 days, I probably wouldn't spend a day in Moscow. It is a 4 hour train ride each way, and if you need to be back to the ship to depart, it may not leave you much time in Moscow. The 8 hours we spent there, wasn't nearly enough. Traffic is horrible and we ended up getting off our bus and taking the subway to Red Square. Those 8 hours allowed us a tour of Red Square, which was phenomenal as well as a quick walk through GUM department store and a ride on the subway with several stops to see the mosaics, sculptures and chandeliers that are in the corridors of the subway stops.

But.....there is so much to see in St. Petersburg , the 2 days we spent there, were a whirl.

Whatever you decide to do, be sure you're in line to get off the ship before the ship arrives in port. We were in line an hour early and there were still about 20 people ahead of us. We found that the cruise ship allowed their tour groups to get off the ship first, so when we got to customs, the lines were outrageous. It took us about an hour in line and we were late starting our tour. I had organized the tour with Alla and had advertised it on our cruise forum here at Cruise Critic. There were 12 of us and we met up on the ship each morning and went through customs together so we all met the tour bus at the same time. That was very helpful!

The lines the first day were the worst and days 2 and 3 went much more quickly. Also, everyone was getting off the ship at the same time on Day 1, but tours met and left at different times on Days 2 and 3.

16 minutes ago, luvtravel88 said: . Whatever you decide to do, be sure you're in line to get off the ship before the ship arrives in port. We were in line an hour early and there were still about 20 people ahead of us. We found that the cruise ship allowed their tour groups to get off the ship first, so when we got to customs, the lines were outrageous. It took us about an hour in line and we were late starting our tour. ! The lines the first day were the worst and days 2 and 3 went much more quickly. Also, everyone was getting off the ship at the same time on Day 1, but tours met and left at different times on Days 2 and 3.

This is one of the reasons that we decided to use the cruise ship to go to Moscow our first day in St Petersburg. 

25 minutes ago, Wayfairers said: This is one of the reasons that we decided to use the cruise ship to go to Moscow our first day in St Petersburg. 

I believe that the ship tours to Moscow go via air, right?

Yes, as others have noted, there is MUCH to see in Saint Petersburg and in spending a week there one will barely scratch the surface - the same is true for Moscow.

It sounds like you want to get a "taste" of both cities - don't allow anyone to "throw water" on your plans as you best know what you want to do. You can always return for an extended visit.  😉

4 hours ago, dogs4fun said: I believe that the ship tours to Moscow go via air, right? Yes, as others have noted, there is MUCH to see in Saint Petersburg and in spending a week there one will barely scratch the surface - the same is true for Moscow. It sounds like you want to get a "taste" of both cities - don't allow anyone to "throw water" on your plans as you best know what you want to do. You can always return for an extended visit.  😉

No, our ship tour is going by train there and back unless I misread something.  You are right...we just want a taste of both cities.  In fact, that is what we get from all cruise port stops - just a taste.  We are never there long enough to the see the area completely.

2 hours ago, Wayfairers said: No, our ship tour is going by train there and back unless I misread something.  

Interesting - I thought that the ship tours flew to Moscow when in port for only 2 days. Hope you will post upon return and let us know how it went.

16 hours ago, dogs4fun said: Interesting - I thought that the ship tours flew to Moscow when in port for only 2 days. Hope you will post upon return and let us know how it went.

Double checked and it says we go to Moscow on the high speed train.   Come back the same way.   From all I’ve read it takes a little longer (ship to Moscow sites) to fly than to take the train.  

I've been thinking about that - and I might be wrong, but it seems to me an SPB-Moscow combo over a 3-day cruise is one of the few remaining cases where obtaining a full-fledged Russian visa actually makes sense (especially for families/groups and especially if one is willing to do some DIY trip planning). 

Just to make sure, though - for those staying on the ship, is there some kind of curfew, or are you able to come and go as you please?

4 minutes ago, napoxoguk said: I've been thinking about that - and I might be wrong, but it seems to me an SPB-Moscow combo over a 3-day cruise is one of the few remaining cases where obtaining a full-fledged Russian visa actually makes sense (especially for families/groups and especially if one is willing to do some DIY trip planning).    Just to make sure, though - for those staying on the ship, is there some kind of curfew, or are you able to come and go as you please?  

If you have a Russian visa there is no curfew - you may come and go as you wish. In fact, if you so choose, you can spend the entire time in the city (staying at a hotel in either Moscow or St. Petersburg) rather than returning to your ship each evening - but ONLY if you have a visa.

6 minutes ago, dogs4fun said: If you have a Russian visa there is no curfew - you may come and go as you wish. In fact, if you so choose, you can spend the entire time in the city (staying at a hotel in either Moscow or St. Petersburg) rather than returning to your ship each evening - but ONLY if you have a visa.

That is what my research shows too.  A quick google search showed the tourist visas for US citizens are $160.  I’m willing to pay for a tour rather than get the visa.  We’ve gotten most of the visas that are a pain to get and I’m tired of doing that. 

2 minutes ago, Wayfairers said: I’m willing to pay for a tour rather than get the visa

I understand. Ru visa process can be expensive and time consuming, especially if you live far away from one of the visa centers.

I'm just trying to come up with a reasonably conservative number - what can one realistically expect to pay for a mad 1-day Moscow dash if they go DIY.

For a regular SPB-only itinerary, visa doesn't seem to make sense - not only price-wise, but also from the standpoint of convenience - all the local operators have their itineraries down to a science.

With Moscow, though, it's not so clear-cut.

I found that most of the tour operators will give you a tour but no guarantee that you make it to Moscow because you will miss the train if debarkation is too slow.  I found one tour that offers a 2 day tour with a flight to Moscow day 1 and train back and St Petersburg day 2.   Seriously considered them.   I briefly thought about getting a visa and spending the night in Moscow but never priced everything out. If you look into that I would love to see what you find. Probably not for us though because I want to see some of both cities.  

2 hours ago, napoxoguk said: I understand. Ru visa process can be expensive and time consuming, especially if you live far away from one of the visa centers. I'm just trying to come up with a reasonably conservative number - what can one realistically expect to pay for a mad 1-day Moscow dash if they go DIY.

I have visited Russia multiple times. I received my latest 3 year visa in May and here are the associated costs:

Single/Double/Multiple entry visa, consular fee = $198

Visa Center Processing fee = $50

Total = $248   (this is your total if you apply in person at one of the 4 consulates located in the USA - since I don't live near a Russian consulate, I must use the more costly mail option)

SO ... here is what I actually paid:

Multiple entry visa, consular fee = $198

Visa Center Processing fee by mail = $120

Return shipping/handling fee = $35

Total = $353

Totally worth the fee as I spend multiple weeks in Russia yearly and prefer DIY - personally, I would not consider a visa if it was a one time visit via cruise.

So, for DIY, added to the visa expense, one must add the cost of the sapsan train (or flight), Moscow transportation (metro is great), food & associated entrance fees to the Kremlin (and whatever else one has the time/desire to visit).

FYI: There is a HOHO in both Moscow & St. Petersburg.

Okay, I think the diy budget might be something like ₽20,000 (about $300) per person. This includes:

Train tickets: ₽9000 (5+4); Kremlin+armory: 1700 (1000+700)

Boat ride:600

Meals: 3000 (1500 per casual meal)

Contingencies (Uber ride if needed, etc): 2500. 

It's based on a number of assumptions, so real-life mileage will vary - please let me know if you identify some glaring omissions or errors.

Assumptions:

Done on day 2 of three.

Good weather (lots of outside/walking time)

Earliest Sapsan to Moscow, overnight double decker from Moscow (no hotel stays)

Train tickets purchased at least 30 days in advance, economy for Sapsan and economy plus for the double decker (includes a bottle of water and a piece of gingerbread).

All group members are adults

Done on a day when the Kremlin, Red Sq, and other Moscow attractions are actually open.

Boat ride via watertrams-radisson.ru (the cheapest option with English audio guide)

Sample itinerary:

leave SPB on Sapsan 743a (5:30am), sleep on the train.

Arrive Moscow 9am

DIY Metro tour until 11am

Kremlin excursion (cathedral Sq, DIY) 11:30

Armory excursion (audioguide) 12:30 

Quick lunch (at GUM stolovaya or fast food chains at Manezhnaya sq) : 2 to 3pm.

Walk to Zaryadye boat pier via Alexander's garden, Red Sq, Zaryadye. Boats leave every 30 minutes. Route: Zaryadye- Gorky Park - luzhniki- Ukraina - turnaround - sparrow hills - Gorky Park. Time on board: 2 hrs. 

Gorky Park/muzeon (5:30 to 7:30). 

Head back (metro) towards red sq for evening walk/dinner (tverskaya-kamergersky-b.dmitrovka-metropol-nikolskaya area)

Need to be back at the train station by 10:30 to catch the 006aa train departing at 10:50. 

Back to SPB at 6:47 am.

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How one cruise line will keep kids from running wild on its new, huge cruise ships

It's no small feat to keep the largest cruise ships in the world from being overrun with children.

Megaship sailings are ideal for families with kids of all ages. Do it right, and you're making memories that will last a lifetime. Do it wrong, and you've got moody teens hanging out in stairwells, rowdy kids taking over hot tubs and screaming babies in the dining room.

That's why MSC Cruises is playing it smart with its newest megaships, 6,762-passenger, 215,863-ton MSC World Europa and its Miami-based twin, MSC World America , the latter of which debuts in 2025. (For context, these new World Class ships are similar in passenger count and ship size to Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships .)

After all, the line has plenty of experience with children; it carries 600,000 kids and teens annually. In high season, its largest ships sometimes see 2,000 kids and teens per cruise.

MSC's goal is to give kids and families plenty of options for fun — both together and apart — to keep everyone busy, happy and out of trouble (my words, not theirs).

"We are working every week to surprise them and give them something new," Matteo Mancini, MSC Cruises' senior manager of kids and family entertainment, told me during a Zoom interview. In the highly competitive family cruise market, MSC Cruises is not trying to dominate; its goal is "to be simply different and unique."

MSC Cruises is a privately owned family company, whose top executives are grandparents and parents themselves. So the line's mission to create appealing choices for families and kids is personal.

Here's how the Mediterranean-based cruise line plans to win over the littlest cruisers on its biggest new ships — and, consequently, keep those kids from running wild on board.

More space for kids

MSC Seascape , which debuted in late 2022 and currently sails weeklong Caribbean and Bahamas cruises, offers 700 square meters (more than 7,500 square feet) of Doremiland youth space between its Baby Club (for babies and toddlers younger than 3), Mini Club (ages 3 to 6), Junior Club (ages 7 to 11), Young Club (ages 12 to 14) and Teen Club (ages 15 to 17).

When MSC World America debuts next year, it will house more than 1,000 square meters (nearly 10,800 square feet) of youth space, as well as more youth staff members to accommodate more kids.

Plus, its upper decks, at least on the back half of the ship, will be filled with kid-friendly attractions, including waterslides, an arcade with virtual reality attractions, an indoor sports court and the aforementioned kids clubs.

The buffet is also in this area, and Mancini says that the ship will feature a new section of the buffet especially for kids and teens, with different food options daily. The line is also taking a page out of other cruise lines' books and bringing free soft-serve ice cream — a kid favorite — to the buffet.

Related: The 6 types of MSC Cruises ships, explained

Kid- and teen-approved activities

But how does MSC Cruises know what kids will like? They go to the source and ask.

"Every three months, both on board our ships and in the headquarters in Geneva, we do a kids committee with kids and teenagers," Mancini revealed. "We talk to kids and teenagers, and we ask them, 'Guys, are you having fun with our Doremiland program?'"

MSC asks what the kids like, what they don't like and which programs and activities the line should cancel.

The line also presents ideas it's toying with bringing to the ships, and its focus group of kids and teens tells them whether the ideas are worth exploring or not.

This process allows the line to continuously adapt and improve its youth programming. Changes that Mancini has seen include shortening activities from an hour to half an hour to get in a wider variety of events and giving kids the choice of joining in the group activity or continuing to do free play in the youth space.

The line has also changed how its staff approaches participation in youth club activities. "Because of social media, Instagram, YouTube, now teenagers want to be the star of what we're offering," says Mancini. "Once upon a time, they were like, OK, let's watch this activity. Now they want to be on stage, they want to be part of something, and we give them the opportunity if they feel like it."

Plus, the line has different options for what it means to participate. "I give you an example — at some point, we were doing dance competitions, but not everyone is comfortable in dancing," explains Mancini. "So we tell them, do you want to be the [judge] of the dance competition, and there we see magic because they say, 'Oh, yes,' and then you give them the microphone, and you discover another talent that you didn't expect."

With a game show-style activity, teens can choose to be the contestant, the judge, the emcee or the audience. Everyone can play a role and have fun in a way that works for them.

Related: MSC Cruises vs. Royal Caribbean: Which big-ship line is right for you?

High-tech activities go beyond video games

MSC Cruises knows that kids these days are immersed in technology, but its youth staff wants programming to be more than just video games. So it got creative.

Drone Academy is a new program that takes place in the Sportplex indoor sports court where teens learn how to pilot drones and race them around obstacles. Instead of typical arts and crafts with paper and crayons, kids can create images on computers and print them out on 3D printers. The activities blend innovation with technology, so kids are not just mindlessly playing Mario Kart all day long.

Don't worry, parents of video game-obsessed children — MSC cruise ships do also have PlayStations on board. But the youth staff tries to make the games social. "When you are on our cruise ships, you play together with other kids and teenagers," says Mancini. "You talk to them because you are playing in a group." The games serve as an entree into socializing and making friends, rather than a solitary activity.

Related: 5 best cruise lines for families

Kids clubs are inclusive

MSC Cruises is an international brand, and its ships routinely sail with 35 different nationalities on board. While the international vibe might be appealing to adults, it can be intimidating for kids to interact with peers who don't speak the same language.

But MSC has already thought about that.

"Right now, in the U.S., the majority of kids and teenagers we are having in our kids club are from America," says Mancini. "There is no issue to make friends." However, MSC's youth staff members all speak several languages so they can translate for kids if necessary.

Plus, this international vibe is the main reason why MSC pursued a relationship with Lego, whose beloved bricks are now found in kids clubs fleetwide.

"We went to Lego years ago and we say, 'Listen, we are having 35 different nationalities of kids. They are from different cultures and speak different languages, and the only toy that needs no explanation is a Lego brick. So we need you. Can you guys help us?' And they said yes for this reason."

It's not only different language speakers who are welcomed into MSC's kids clubs. The line also welcomes children with disabilities.

"At the end of 2023, we asked all our youth staff fleetwide to follow specific training to work and spend time with children with autism," says Mancini. When an autistic child comes on board, every member of the youth staff knows how to work with them and provide a welcoming environment within the kids club.

No-cost programming

When Mancini said MSC wants its program to be unique, he wasn't only referring to the specific activities. He was also referring to its cost — or lack thereof.

All of the Doremiland clubs are open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. free of charge. Other lines start charging for late-night babysitting after 10 p.m., but MSC Cruises gives kids an extra hour for free. In addition, babies and toddlers can be dropped off at the Baby Club for free — unlike on Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line , where parents must pay for drop-off baby care.

In addition, the line has a program where kids and teens can eat lunch and dinner with the youth staff so parents can enjoy a leisurely meal and date night together. Again, this service is provided at no extra cost to families.

It's not just the big ships

MSC Cruises' Doremiland youth program is the same fleetwide, whether you're on the smallest ship or the biggest . You'll find the same Lego partnership, the same range of age-appropriate clubs, arcades and some kind of kid-friendly water attraction. Family programming, such as "Master Chef at Sea Juniors" or the "Guinness World Records" family game show, takes place across different sizes of ships.

When MSC World America debuts in Miami next year, the line hopes it will win the hearts of cruising families with its wealth of attractions and activities aimed at keeping kids and teens busy, not bored. But when MSC's newest fans decide to branch out and sail the line's smaller ships in Europe or South America, they won't have to settle for less-than kids programming.

And the adults on board fleetwide can breathe easier, knowing that the kids will be lured away from the stairwells and into the kids clubs — hopefully leaving the hot tubs free for some adult R&R.

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