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If you’re looking to fast-track your medical career, becoming a cruise medic is just the ticket

Join our team and you’ll gain skills and qualifications as you work in a fast-paced and rewarding environment. Our well-equipped medical centres and people-centric business ethics ensure quality patient care, with opportunities for invaluable experience across all medical specialisms.

Our teams work hard and enjoy amazing travel experiences, a stable salary and the benefits of working in the private healthcare sector.

Your career at sea

As a cruise medic you’ll grow both technical and non-technical skills, supported by a team both on board and ashore.

We’ll help you broaden your independent practitioner skillset while providing gold standard care in a unique environment. Gain technical skills such as running blood tests or performing X-rays, alongside first responder duties supporting the team with immediate patient care and transfers. You’ll also learn about the management and upkeep of a standalone medical department, including maintaining rosters, supplies, and equipment.

From a personal perspective, you’ll work within a team of other experienced medical professionals, developing strong working relationships to bring the best out of yourself and others.

All medical team members work on sister-brand ships so join us and you’ll get to experience life on board both P&O Cruises and Cunard. And should you return to shore, your years of ship experience will help you secure a more senior role.

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How to become a Traveling Physical Therapist

Joaquim miro.

• February 18, 2017

36 Comments

During my travels in Sri Lanka I met a very amiable French girl that was traveling with her brother. She told me her dream was to travel around the world but that she couldn’t because she was a physiotherapist. I answered that you can travel with any job as long as you truly want it. Because I truly believe that !

After conducting a lot of research, here is a list of the best options I found to help her and all other aspiring physio travellers like you follow their personal legend!

How To Become a Traveling Physical Therapist

Teach a course in a developing country.

Source: City Sports Physio Article on Traveling Physio

Meet Carl , who recently traveled to Buenos Aires to teach a course. Many people travel around teaching courses, and you could too!

This definitely requires a few years of prior experience, but if you have those under your belt, then this option is for you.

Work for an International Sports Team & Travel With Them

If you work as a sports physio you can travel extensively by staying with them on the road. In addition, if you get a contract with a major sports team or specific player, this is probably one of the best paid jobs in the traveling physical therapist industry.

Here are some great resources to get you started;

• Canada – Register to Find a Physio .
• UK – Physio Spot & Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
• Forums – PhysioBob’s Forum
• Facebook – Join Groups related to Sports & Physiotherapy as they sometimes post jobs and opportunities
• Twitter – Follow thought leaders in the physio industry as they also post jobs and opportunities
• Google+ – Follow Google+ communities related to physiotherapy. You may be surprised to find your next opportunity here!

Work for Doctors Without Borders

There is an increasing demand for traveling physical therapists for emergency prevention. Go out for a year or two and help doctors in unstable regions, offering your skill set for a life-giving cause.

This is actually a great alternative way to become a traveling physical therapist! Not only are you traveling, but you are also helping others and honing your skill set for when you return home.

February 2017 Edit : You can also apply to work with The International Red Cross (ICRC) , or Handicap International which offer great work opportunities abroad.

Work on a Cruise Ship

Cruise ships are always fighting for quality talent. You can work on a cruise ship as their primary physical therapist. Websites you can use to find these jobs include Cruiseshipjobs.com , and HotelCareer.com . Once you find the jobs you want, search for them on the specific cruise company website. This will give you a better chance of success and you won’t have to pay commission.

If this alternative way is of interest to you, here is a great article to get you started on how to land a traveling physiotherapist job on cruise ships , and a great forum with practical advice.

Learn the In’s and Out’s of How to Secure A Cruise Ship Job

Apply for an internship with these companies.

WorkTheworld , Projects-Abroad , Go Abroad , One World 365 , etc. These are all companies that will either: give you free room & board, or make you pay a lump sum that includes transportation, room & board, food, and activities during your internship.

These internships can get quite expensive, so this is suited to a student or recent graduate that needs international experience and has money to spend.  

Nevertheless, there are some hidden gems in these websites so they are still worth a look!

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Work in a high-end hotel  .

HotelCareer.com gives you access to a job board that focuses on physical therapy opportunities in luxury hotels. This is a great way to make a salary while living in a different part of the world, not to mention free room and board!

Sometimes they also offer jobs on cruise ships so it’s worth the look.

Offer your services on WorkAway, Helpx, and WWOOF

This is another volunteer option that can allow you to travel and volunteer, without having to pay. It may be more difficult, but if you succeed the benefits will outweigh the time and effort you put into securing an opportunity.

What you can do is offer your physio skill sets to a HelpX, WorkAway, or WWOOF host. People in their community may be in dire need of a traveling physical therapist, and have never asked through these platforms. You are likely to receive many “No’s” but all you need is a few “Yes’s” to make a 6-month trip happen.

Legal Note: When advertising your services on these platforms I would advise you to check the insurance and health policies and standards in the country before you commit!

Apply for a Longer-Term Position in a Specific Country

Going to a different country to work a full-time job for a year is just as much traveling as backpacking through SE Asia for a few months. You experience a specific culture on a much deeper level and get to know all the best places local places to eat and have fun. Many countries are looking for full-time, quality physiotherapists. You can find jobs on website s like  PhysioHub , Trademe , and Learn 4 Good .

If you have skills or knowledge that is specific to your country, use it to secure a position overseas. Whether that be Australia, New Zealand, Qatar, Asian or African countries, it is certain that the practices will differ slightly from place to place- and you have knowledge to bring to other cultures!

Simply search “physio jobs in COUNTRY” or “traveling physical therapist jobs in COUNTRY” (or a derivative of these) on Google and you will learn about many opportunities in that country.

Related: Things to think about before you quit your job to travel the world

Write a Book or Build a Blog

Take a year sabbatical and go around the world interviewing professional physiotherapists. Then write a book about your findings. This will probably allow you to land multiple other jobs in other countries as your network will grow drastically.

This one may be a bit farfetched, but I figured I would include it in the end to get the creative juices flowing!

Here is an amazing blogging course I recommend if you want to start generating extra income through a professional blog. As a Physical Therapist you have knowledge few others share and you can use that to your advantage.

When there’s a will, there’s a way.

Don’t give up!

If you truly want to become a traveling physical therapist, there are ways to do so.  I’m only getting you started.

These may require more research, outreach, and perseverance – but this is the price of following your dreams, no matter what your objective is.

I invite you to comment if you have ever been a traveling physical therapist or are planning to do so. If I’ve missed any alternative ways of traveling as a physio please let me know.

Until Next Time,

The Alternative Ways

Photo Credit: Thank you Pixabay for all the amazing pictures!

• Physio Therapist
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As a passionate traveler, pianist, paraglider, digital marketer, blockchain and vr enthusiast, I always felt the urge to travel the world, but stopped myself because of my career. So I took a leap of faith to prove that it is possible to grow your career through travel. And it worked! Now I am on a mission to help you do the same.

It just shows you can travel with virtually any job if you’re prepared to think outside the box a bit. I’m not convinced it is particularly easy to travel as a physio, but there are a lot of possibilities. This is an interesting way to think about travel.

Very true! It definitely isn’t the easiest career to pursue for a life of travel but there are many Physio Therapists out there that want to travel but think they can’t. So I wrote this guide to inspire them to make it happen 🙂

Hi joaquim, I am Nikita. I am a physiotherapist from India. I have not only done my internship but even have few years of experience in government hospitals too. I am a foodie and a travel buff too and now this blog of yours gave me a sigh of relief. I request you to cite some more places where we go and apply to become a travel physical therapist.

That’s awesome to hear 🙂 Yes I can do some more research and ping you once it’s ready. Glad you like it and that this helped you in your research.

I always wonder when people say they can’t. No one seems to be able to do research or figure it out. Glad you have the know how!

Often times it’s because the information is all of over the place. This is why I am trying to put it all in the same place!

You’re right, where there’s a will there’s a way. If you want something badly enough you’ll find a way to do it. The methods you mentioned are specific to physio therapy but I’m going to check out HelpX, WorkAway, or WWOOF and a cruise ship with my skills.

Awesome! What are your skills I will be happy to write an article related specifically to your skill sets!

Wow there are so many options when it comes to travelling with work. As a nurse I have the options of travelling and working. However I decided last year to leave my job for a while. I wanted complete freedom to travel wherever I want whenever I want. In the future I would definitely look at some of these options in a nursing capacity.

That’s amazing my mom is also a nurse! I will be writing a similar post soon about the different nursing options that are available. I’ll let you know once it is published 🙂

What an interesting post. I think that if you are committed and really want something then you can have it. It may take hard work, dedication, blood, sweat, and tears, but if it is truly what you desire, and you go after it with all that you have got, then you can have itl – or at least, a part of it. Good post. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Raymond!

Great post – I like that you provide specific companies to apply to for these jobs. I feel like there are actually a ton of opportunities for not just physios but doctors/nurses in general to work abroad since medical help is needed everywhere. Thanks for sharing this useful post!

So true! I will also be writing one specific to nurses and one specific to doctors! No matter your profession, if you want to travel you can. That’s what I believe 🙂

If I wish I had a skill the physio so that could travel the world and work. Great ideas for people to know you are trying achieve this. Great links I like the Hotel careers. Thank you for sharing so many options

Hi Michaela, thanks for the positive comment! Glad you liked it 🙂

This article is so true! I think you can travel around the world with any job, you just need to find the way! But I also think that is not just a matter of days, in order to create a flexible lifestyle with this type of jobs you need to spend time thinking about the best option. Not all the countries work the same way. But of course, if you truly want it, you will do it! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

There are so many great ways to make your career work for you – thanks for sharing the opportunities available to physios and masseurs. The links to specific sites are really helpful. Like your final graphic says – where there is a will there is a way – and that can go for most careers.

I can imagine that a qualified physio would be very much in demand overseas! Thanks for the roundup of different places to look for opportunities – goes to show that most skills can be transferred beyond your own borders.

You’re so right. The possibilities are everywhere. I bet your friend was shocked at how many great and practical ideas you discovered.

People really let their limiting beliefs get in the way of their dreams. What a great way to show that your job CAN allow you to travel as a physio therapist, if you just go out there and fine the way! You have done some great research in getting this info that may really help some people.

I really hope it does! 🙂

Well, I’m not in that line of work, but I just might leave it to you to make a list of possible jobs while travelling for my profession! 😉 You are right, if you want something you will find the way, or “the way” will find you if you’re serious enough about it. An opportunity will open up, sooner or later! 🙂

The possibilities are endless! I am blown away with how many creative ideas you have here :).

This is awesome- I especially like the last part: ‘When there is a will there is a way’. This is super handy for all the PT’s and others in related fields who want to travel while keeping their profession. I wish I could work remotely but that’s not really possible in the HR field. Fingers crossed, one day!

What a creative list! I would have never thought of all of these alternatives. The “teaching a course” would definitely apply to a lot of different occupations.

I love the many opportunities that you have presented, I honestly wouldn’t have thought of. Even though I’m not a physiotherapist, I’m pretty sure this will really help someone in this situation.

Sometimes it seems impossible to continue a career in another country, but this article really helped me realize how many different and creative opportunities there are that allow travel and to build upon a career instead of halting it. Thank you for the wide array of options and ideas (that really do spread across many disciplines)

That’s the objective of these articles and of this blog so glad you came to that conclusion 🙂

And to top it all, you too, can have a great work out. Seriously amazing options. I wish I had known earlier. Or maybe it is not too late to do a course and get going. What say. Thanks for the inspiration

This is a great list of ideas! I am a history professor, not a physical therapist, but there are ways to apply these tips to any career area. I’d love to move to another country!

Hi Micki! Thanks for your comment! I will soon write a guide to traveling as a history professor as well so keep an eye out for it! 🙂

Thank you!! Just what i needed to read. I’m currently trying to get into another country as a physiotherapist but it has taken over a year to get the correct certification to practice abroad. I left my permanent job in April and have been racking my brain to see what else I can do but still travel. This was such an eye opener and exactly what i needed to stubble across. Given me new ideas, so, Thanks!!

Really happy you enjoyed the post and that it helped you!!

This post is definitely making all the physiotherapists who want to travel around the world positive about their career! Great job!

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Why you should consider living in lisbon, welcome to the alternative ways.

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Cruise Ship Doctor Jobs

Cruise line companies hiring doctors:  PRINCESS CRUISES /HOLLAND AMERICA / P&O AUSTRALIA / SEABOURN / CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

The cruise ship recruitment agency Pro Sea Staff assists Registered Physicians in securing employment for maritime medical careers with the above-listed cruise line companies. Cruise ship medical jobs  offer excellent benefits and a great career opportunity with the possibility of continuous professional development and reliable employment. Cruise ship physician salary as well as numerous job benefits are also very attractive. Embark your medical career on a prestigious cruise line ship for a unique mix of challenge, adventure and responsibility!

Assignments for cruise ship doctor jobs are organized on a rotational basis of 4 months on board and 2 months off – on leave. Flights to and from your home are paid by the cruise line company. A cruise ship doctor is provided with Private Officers Single cabin accommodation. Housing, meals and healthcare insurance are provided by the cruise line company.

Cruise ship doctor recruitment

Cruise ship doctor requirements.

The requirements to work as a cruise ship doctor include a professional degree, relevant post-graduation experience and an unrestricted medical license.

Please consult the details below:

• MBChB, MBBCh (or equivalent) medical degree
• Current, unrestricted license to practice medicine with at least three years post-graduation experience
• Majority of experience in one or more of the following areas: Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Critical / Intensive Care, Cardiology, Anesthetics, Remote Medicine. Additional qualifications such as Diploma in Primary Emergency Care, Diploma in Anesthetics or FCEM are preferred
• Additional skills such as Ultrasound are advisable and certificates such as Advanced Trauma and Pediatric Life Support are also required by some cruise lines

In addition, applicants for cruise line physician jobs MUST have:

• Fluency in English – all candidates for the cruise ship doctor position must be able to communicate fluently in English as a medical professional
• At least 3 years post-graduate experience in Adult Emergency medicine or family practice. Work experience must be recent
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS / ALS) certification and Basic Life Support (BLS). Some companies also require ATLS and PALS
• Good computer skills – Windows based software
• Ability to meet the challenge of learning to work as a doctor in a new and different environment

Working as a doctor onboard a cruise ship

The role of a cruise ship physician goes beyond the scope of responsibilities of a mere GP on a cruise ship. You will lead the medical team in the management of several areas including laboratory testing, radiography, computer work, dispensing of medication and the control and monitoring of stock. Career opportunities for professional development are sponsored by the cruise line company.

Cruise ship doctor job description

As a cruise ship doctor, you will be working closely with other medical staff, your colleagues and a team of nurses under your supervision.  Cruise ship medical jobs involve providing both in and out patient care.  Outpatient care encompasses minor and severe illnesses, respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, minor skin complaints and accidental injuries. In-patient care encompasses the management of a wide variety of clinical problems including cardiac diseases (thrombolysis and cardiac monitoring), trauma/orthopedic problems and acute medical and surgical emergencies.

Cruise ship doctor salary

Along with the benefits offered by onboard employment, cruise ship doctor job salary can be an additional source of motivation for the medical professionals in search of a new career opportunity.

Most cruise ship doctors working on passenger cruise ships can expect to earn anywhere between $8000 and $12000 monthly . Cruise ship physician’s salary may vary. Factors such as previous ship experience , years of practice and certifications may be taken into consideration when determining the starting salary.

Only the candidates with the above-noted requirements will be considered for the cruise line doctor job openings.

FinanceBuzz

15 Jobs for Cruise Lovers (Get Paid to Travel!)

Posted: February 19, 2024 | Last updated: February 19, 2024

Traveling the world while getting paid to do it might sound like a dream, but it can be a reality if you take a job on a cruise ship.

This type of work isn’t for everyone — the hours can be long, and it may mean a lot of time away from home. But there are plenty of benefits as well.

If working for a cruise line sounds ideal, there are plenty of career opportunities on board. Here are 15 jobs that can help  boost your bank account  as you travel the world.

Editor's note:  All salary figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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Activities coordinator

Even short cruises are packed with activities for travelers to engage in. Among other things, you'll find games, happy hours and live music.

An activities coordinator is similar to an event planner. In this role, you oversee things like recreation on board and coordinating shore excursion activities. The BLS does not offer wage information for this position.

If you want to find  ways to travel more — and get paid to do it — this can be a good role to consider.

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It’s no secret that people on cruises like to drink. Many cruise lines offer a food and alcohol package as part of the booking process.

The amount of money you can make working as a bartender on a cruise ship varies greatly, depending on whether guests are expected to tip. But the average salary for bartenders is $29,380 annually.

Casino dealer

Working as a dealer at a cruise casino can be an exciting gig. These workers may oversee poker, blackjack, roulette, and more games.

Gambling service workers make $31,290 a year. However, as with tending bar, the actual wages for casino workers on a cruise can vary.

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Many cruise ships have cafeterias and restaurants for when guests are in the mood for fine dining.

Cruise ship chefs may be involved in cooking and planning menus for guests and staff. Chefs or head cooks make $56,520 on average annually.

Deckhands help maintain the cruise ship. They may be involved in keeping these massive ships running, including cleaning and maintaining equipment, loading cargo, and getting passengers safely on board.

The experience required to work as a deckhand can vary greatly depending on the job description. The BLS does not offer salary information for this position.

Entertainer

Cruise lines hire all sorts of entertainers, from dancers to cover bands and magicians.

Working on a cruise ship can be a great way to hone and improve your craft or even take it in a different direction. The average wage for entertainers and performers is $29.67 an hour, which equates to about $61,713 annually.

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Entertainment director

Cruise ships also need people to manage their entertainers, particularly if the ship has a lot of shows and performances scheduled.

Entertainment directors may be involved in scheduling staff, planning performances, and doing administrative work. The average salary for entertainment/recreation managers is $67,220 annually.

Fitness instructor

Many cruise ships also offer various fitness classes, including yoga, Zumba, spin, and more.

For qualified instructors, this can be a great way to stay healthy, make money, and travel the world all at the same time. The average fitness instructor makes $45,380 annually.

Hair/makeup artist

On cruise ships, hair and makeup artists may work in spas, providing services to guests looking to get pampered while on board, and may be needed to work with the ship’s performers.

The BLS groups barbers, hairstyles, and cosmetologists together and states an average of $33,400 annual salary for these workers.

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Hotel director

Since a cruise ship is essentially a floating hotel, many employees with experience working in hospitality are needed.

Hotel directors ensure that guests are comfortable and enjoy their experience. They may also be involved in planning and coordinating cruise activities.

The average salary for lodging managers is $61,910 annually.

Some cruise ships also hire nurses to provide care to passengers and cruise staff.

The amount of money nurses make on average usually depends on the type of nurse. Registered nurses (RNs) make $81,220 annually. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) make $54,620 a year.

Massage therapist

Many cruise passengers opt to take advantage of spa services. Massage therapists may work in a spa or travel to guests’ rooms with their equipment to provide massages.

Licensed massage therapists make just under $49,860 annually on average.

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Cruise ships also frequently employ security staff to ensure the safety of guests and crew members. These workers may patrol the ship regularly and respond to any issues that come up.

The average salary for security guards is $33,030 annually.

Eating often and well is a big draw for many cruise passengers. Ships often have several restaurants on board and employ experienced servers to staff them.

Pay for these workers can vary, depending on the cruise line’s tipping policy. The average salary for a server in the U.S. is $29,120 annually.

Sales associate

Part of the beauty of the typical cruise ship is that it’s kind of like a floating mall, filled with gift shops and retail stores galore. Ships often need many sales associates to staff these stores.

Again, depending on the cruise line and the job, the pay for these gigs may vary. However, BLS data puts the average salary for a retail sales worker at $30,750 annually.

That’s not huge money, but perhaps it's enough for students to get ahead financially during breaks between school years.

Bottom line

Working as a cruise crew member is certainly not for everyone — lodging for staff can be cramped, days can be long, and you might be away from home for weeks at a time.

But if you're looking to boost your bank account  as you travel, it just may be a win-win situation.

More from FinanceBuzz:

• 7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.
• Can you retire early? Take this quiz and find out.
• 12 legit ways to earn extra cash.
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Knot on her watch!

Tammy Barr, who says she worked on cruises for three years, reveals in a new Insider essay the six things she’d never do on board.

Barr’s nauti list includes shelling out for dining upgrades or a drink package; touching certain surfaces with bare hands; wearing a room key as a necklace; using improper maritime grammar; and risking not returning to the ship on time.

She doesn’t mean to be a keel-joy, but she stern-ly advises against “supplementary” dinner items.

“I know $12 may not seem like much for a steak or lobster tail at dinner, but the cost of the cruise is supposed to include your food,” Barr penned for Insider. “So, even though I enjoy lobster, I stick with the items without the upcharges.”

Data from late 2023 found that a five-night cruise in the Caribbean cost around $736 per person — a colossal 43% hike compared to the same time in 2019, as demand for cruise vacations spiked following the COVID-19 pandemic .

Barr keeps costs in mind while counseling against unlimited drink packages, especially for passengers who plan to leave ship bars to go ashore for the day.

And third, Barr suggests touching common surfaces such as elevator buttons with knuckles or elbows.

“This strategy has worked for me, as I have never contracted norovirus, even when it was running rampant on a ship I was on,” Barr shared. “It’s quite contagious and can linger on your fingertips even after using hand sanitizer. I’d definitely rather be safe than sorry.”

13 outbreaks of norovirus — an easily spread stomach bug — were reported on cruises in 2023, the most since 2012, when there were 16 confirmed outbreaks.

The first norovirus cruise outbreak of 2024 was logged in January, on a Celebrity Cruises ship.

Also to stay safe, Barr recommends not wearing your room key around your neck, as it looks “pretentious” and “like an invitation to be robbed.”

Speaking of con-sea-ted, Barr is particular about how she identifies ships.

“Ships have proper names, and so do not require a definite article. For example, ‘Tomorrow I am embarking on Discovery Princess,’ or ‘I enjoyed scenic cruising on MS Westerdam,'” she imparts to the Insider audience.

And finally, make sure to make it back to the ship on time, so you don’t wreck your vacation.

Just last month, Norwegian Cruise Line left eight passengers stranded on a tiny island in Africa after their private tour ran late.

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Moscow (Russia)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Russia Rivers

Local Time 2024-04-29 23:59

Moscow is a Volga River cruise port, Russia's capital and largest city (population over 12,2 million, metro 17 million). Moscow City covers a total area of approx 2610 km 2 (970 mi2). By population, the city is ranked the world's 14th largest. Moscow is one of the Russian Federation's all 3 federal cities - together with St Petersburg and Sevastopol .

Being Russian Federation's capital, Moscow is a major economic, political, scientific and cultural center, as well as Europe's biggest city.

According to Forbes 2013, Moscow has been ranked as the 9th most expensive city in the world by Mercer and has one of the largest urban economies, being ranked as an alpha global city according to Globalization and World Cities Research Network. It is also one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world according to MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index. Moscow is the northernmost and the coldest megacity and metropolis on the Earth. It's home to Ostankino Tower, the tallest free-standing European structure; the Federation Tower, the tallest European skyscraper; and the Moscow International Business Center. 

Moscow is situated on Moskva River in the Central Federal District of European Russia, which makes it the most populated inland city in the world. Moscow city is well known for architecture, particularly its historic buildings like Saint Basil's Cathedral. With over 40% of its territory covered by greenery, it's one of the greenest capitals and major cities in Europe and the world. Moscow is the seat of power of the Russian Government, being the site of Moscow Kremlin, a medieval city-fortress that is now the residence of the President of Russia. Moscow Kremlin and Red Square are among the several World Heritage Sites in the city. 

Moscow has 2 passenger terminals, North River Terminal (Rechnoy vokzal) and South River Terminal. The regular ship routes and cruises along Moskva and Oka rivers are used mostly for entertainment. North River Terminal (1937-built) is currently the main hub for long-range routes along the river. There are 3 freight ports that serve Moscow.

In late-July 2021 the city announced plans to incorporate a fleet (unspecified number) of fully electric passenger ferries into its public transportation network from summer 2022, the goal being to reduce the dependence on cars.

• The boats are designed with length ~22 m (72 ft), passenger capacity 42, modern amenities (Wi-Fi, USB charging points, tables for working commuters), spaces for storing scooters and bicycles.
• Moscow Transport confirmed that two routes (with max daily capacity ~16,000 passengers) have already been mapped out.
• Passengers will be able to pay via bank cards, the city’s Troika card (smart card for travel by any public transportation) or biometric payment cards. Those with monthly/yearly public transit tickets will use the boats at no extra cost.
• The new electric ferry service is up to 5 times faster (in comparison to other city public transports) and ~2 times faster than by car.

Moscow cruise terminal

Moscow's cruise terminal is called North River Terminal or River Station  ("Rechnoy Vokzal" / "речной вокзал").

The terminal was opened in 1937 and is one of 2 passenger terminals (the other being South River Terminal) of the city's river transport. North River Terminal is the main hub for long-range (including cruise) shipping routes. 

South River Terminal (above photo) was opened in 1985.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

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Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

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• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
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See photo of the meeting point