The two-deck motor ship Vasily Chapaev was built at the Obuda Hajoguar plant in Budapest (Hungary) in 1964. This is a small river ship, but at home cozy and comfortable. A thorough reconstruction was carried out in 2010 under project 305, that is, the vessel was modernized, cabins and other rooms were reconstructed. Cruise trips start from the South and North river stations of the capital of Russia. In winter, when most of the rivers are icebound, the ship stands on a pier in Nizhny Novgorod. It differs from others by the presence of a green waterline.
Ship structure
The ship "Vasily Chapaev" is designed for 160 passenger seats. Thanks to a small draft, only 1.5 meters, it can run along all the rivers of Mother Russia. And in fact, he visited all water streams, except for the Don. In the summer, he always stops in Moscow and invites Muscovites and guests from all over the vast country onto his board. The length of the ship is 78 meters, the width is 15 meters. Engine power - 800 horsepower.
The vessel moves with a small walking speed of 19.5 km / h, which allows vacationers to examine in detail the natural beauty of the river banks.
Upon entering the ship, travelers pass into a beautiful lounge with a reception desk located on the lower deck. Floors and ramps throughout the ship are covered with red carpets, and two open decks, salons and discos are green. On the stairs you need to climb to the middle deck, where the cabins for passengers begin.
Also on the ship "Vasily Chapaev" there are restaurants, a salon where concerts and entertainment events, a disco and a karaoke bar are available for guests. You can play table tennis or sunbathe in the solarium outdoors. Those who wish to steam can visit the sauna. If necessary, travelers will be provided with qualified medical assistance at the first-aid post.
For corporate meetings and classes there is a convenient conference room. A large area is occupied by wide walking decks, where you can walk or sit on comfortable sun loungers. In the evening, they offer to go to the cinema and watch a movie or sit at the bar with a glass of champagne and listen to the concert.
Tasty at home
There are two restaurants on all ships of the project 305. They receive visitors in two shifts. Breakfast is a varied buffet. These are cheese and meat slices, sausages and eggs, rice casseroles and omelets. For lovers of a thorough breakfast, eat cereals and meatballs with stewed vegetables. For those who are worried about the figure, they serve yogurts and assorted fruits. The main dishes offer various sauces. Delicious fresh bun can be spread with butter and jam. Drinks are also full of variety. These are milk, coffee, tea, juices.
For lunch and dinner, you need to choose one of the two dishes offered. For example, one of two salads, desserts, soups or main dishes. Drinks are also of your choice, if desired (jelly, tea or coffee). The menu is varied, the chefs cook deliciously. Dishes serve interesting, not trivial. For example, beef tongue with peanut sauce, cabbage soup with mushrooms, seasoned with sour cream, a variety of salads from meat, chicken and herbs. Everything is fresh and tasty.
Desserts also attract them to try. These are oriental sweets (dried fruits with nuts), and ice cream with fruits, sweet pastries and chocolate mousses. Real jam!
Cabin classification
The cabins existing on the ship "Vasily Chapaev" are divided into three main groups. These are super comfortable junior suite cabins located on the middle and main decks. There are only six of them. They differ from the rest of the cabins with their increased comfort. Each has a washbasin and shower, refrigerator, toilet room with a hairdryer, air conditioning configured for cold and heat, a TV with satellite channels, a telephone by boat, comfortable beds and a sofa, a table with dishes, terry bathrobes and slippers. In high-class cabins, 2 to 3 windows are located.
The next type of cabins is indicated by the letter A. There are also several types: single and double, there are also cabins with additional seats (sofas). Compared to junior suites, cabins are much smaller in size. But the rooms have a shower, toilet, washbasin. There is also a TV, fridge, air conditioning, working in the winter for heating, and in the summer to cool the room. The telephone provides intercom.
The last type of cabins is indicated by the letter B. These are economy class cabins. They have only a washbasin. There is no toilet, it is located on the deck and is shared. The cabin has bunk beds, a refrigerator, a TV, a small table. But there is a TV, air conditioning and telephone.
What distinguishes the ship "Vasily Chapaev" from sea liners is the fact that in every cabin, even an economy class, there are windows. This is a huge advantage, because without windows the room is very depressing, and you don’t feel like being in the cabin at all. On this vessel, rest is comfortable everywhere.
The history of the ship
The vessel is named after the commander of the Red Army, the legendary hero of films and the people's favorite Vasily Chapaev. He was the first to cruise in 2005 along the following route: from the Moscow river station to Perm, then there was a call to Ufa and the way back to Moscow.
In 2009, the ship became a pioneer on the Sura River. And in 2011, during a tourist expedition, he went along a new route, exploring the banks of Sura, Vetluga and Vyatka. The tour called "Tributaries" was called.
In 2013, the ship again became a pioneer among cruise ships calling on the Vyatka River. Continuing the traditions of the initiator, "Vasily Chapaev" in 2016 brought travelers to the city of Kirov.
At the moment, the ship makes river cruises along many rivers of Russia with calls to the main coastal historical cities of the Volga region, Tatarstan, the North and the famous Golden Ring.
Ship owners
Immediately after construction, the ship operated under the leadership of the Volga Shipping Company right up to 1980. The home port was considered Astrakhan. Then, until the fall of 2009, it belonged to the Belsky River Shipping Company, with a home port in the city of Ufa. In this city he made river trips and cruises. Then the Bashkir River Shipping Company became the owner of the ship .
In 2009, a large cruise company Infoflot signed a bertout charter agreement for the lease of a vessel for a long period. Such a contract means chartering a ship without a crew at the discretion of the owner. After signing a long-term contract, the new owner in the same year put the ship in the Ufa backwater for complete modernization.
Ship reconstruction
During the modernization, we changed the entire wiring of the ship, conducted a fire alarm. The ship "Vasily Chapaev" navigates by the latest GPS-systems, a radar and two modern diesel electric generators are installed, thanks to which it became possible to increase the consumption of electricity by passengers and staff.
Reconstructed all common rooms and cabins. Almost all cabins have their own toilet. All held water: cold and hot. Changed the cladding of walls and floors, bought new furniture in cabins, restaurants and bars. The vessel is painted white with patterns and ornaments in blue, blue and orange, which is unconventional among the river vessels of Russia.
Each cabin has acquired equipment (TV, air conditioning, refrigerator, hairdryer, telephone). The TV receives signals from a satellite dish. What is interesting is the broadcast on one of the TV channels of the foreground of the ship. The image from the camera mounted on the bow of the ship is transmitted.
Plastic panoramic windows are installed on the main deck, which provide an overview of the entire surrounding coastal area.
Ship safety
In each cabin for passengers there are life vests, there are even children's ones. At the beginning of each cruise there is a training alarm and a rehearsal for the evacuation of passengers to their rafts and lifeboats. At the signal of the captain, everyone takes his vest, puts it on, after reading the instructions in the cabin. Further at a fast pace, people gather on the upper deck. They also show a film about the actions of people in case of any danger.
For the crew of the ship, exercises are held twice a month on work with boats, fire alarm and the "Man Overboard" signal. Boats, rafts and motobots are designed for all passengers and crew in abundance. In case of strong wind or waves, the vessel does not reach dangerous areas of water, the safest course is chosen.
In all rooms there are fire extinguishers and fire alarm. Navigational safety is carried out using the latest technologies, navigation instruments and the selection of experienced specialists with extensive experience working on river cruise ships. Life-saving appliances are reviewed, re-certified each year and complete in a new way. All passengers are compulsorily insured.
Ship crew
The passenger crew is engaged in the crew of 42 people. The captain of the ship Masharipov Yuri Matyakubovich personally meets tourists on the deck. The cruise director Khodyrev Pavel Vladimirovich draws up the documents right there. Cute and welcoming crew members escort guests to their cabins, show the location of the restaurant. The chefs cook deliciously, the waiters are welcoming and friendly. Maids carefully clean, so that the ship reigns clean and tidy.
Passenger rest
On the ship, tourists can not only relax and enjoy the views of the river, but also improve their health. Every morning morning gymnastics is conducted with experienced instructors, you can do yoga and Pilates, work out at various sports equipment, drink tea infused with medicinal herbs, and taste an oxygen cocktail.
In the parking lots, interesting excursions to historical places are conducted. On long trips, dry rations are allocated so that passengers are not hungry. Guides tell a lot of informative and interesting about the city. One tour is included in the cruise price, several are offered at a choice at additional prices.
In the evenings, the music salon hosts concerts, theme nights, discos. A team of artists works, performances for children, master classes and animation are organized. According to the reviews of tourists, the ship "Vasily Chapaev" will not be bored by anyone: neither adults nor children.
Weekend tour
The route of the ship "Vasily Chapaev" passes through several rivers of Russia. This is the Volga, Sura, Vyatka, Oka, Moscow River. Cruises are divided into short, long and weekend tours. The shortest trip Moscow - Tver - Moscow is designed for two nights. On Friday evening, departure from the capital. All Saturday passengers enjoy the views of the Moscow River and the Volga.
The next day in the evening, at about 18.00, the ship arrives in Tver. This ancient city is a large industrial and cultural center of Russia. Founded in 1135, the city is located at the confluence of three rivers: Volga, Tmaki, Tvertsy. Having made a city tour, tourists go on the return trip. Cruise "Moscow - Tver" is the shortest route of the ship, only 177 km.
Trip to Nizhny Novgorod
This cruise is a one way trip. Tourists spend 3 nights on a ship and visit several places on the way. These are the ancient beautiful Russian cities of Uglich, Myshkin, Yaroslavl. In each city, basic and additional excursions are held. The last stop will be the most beautiful city on the Volga - Nizhny Novgorod. There, the trip ends with a captain's champagne dinner.
Long cruises
In the summer, from two river stations in Moscow , multi-day cruises on the rivers of Russia are carried out. These are seven-day cruises on the Volga and the cities of the Golden Ring, two-week tours in the cities of the Volga region and to the North. There are even tours of 17 and 18 days.
The motor ship reaches right up to Ufa. During a cruise on such a small ship, travelers become one friendly family. Reading the reviews of tourists, you understand that having spent so much time in such a company, you get not only vivid impressions and a lot of useful information about the most beautiful corners of Russia, but also a large number of acquaintances and friends from all over the country.
Travel, relax and learn with the crew of the ship "Vasily Chapaev"!