Ukrainian Waterways & Cruising the Black Sea

The Top 3 cruises from Kyiv (Kiev) to the Black Sea port of Odessa | Best Prices for 2020. Each of our Ukrainian cruises is a sail through magical Slavic hinterlands! From $1,850

Ukraine is one of the largest and the most vibrant European countries. Cruising downstream the Dnieper River from Ukrainian capital Kyiv (Kiev) to the Black Sea gives great opportunities for exploring ancient and legendary trade routes of this fine country. The Dnieper River is the fourth largest river in Europe and is the main waterway of Ukraine. Ports of call are large cities and small traditional villages, all rich in culture and history. Ukrainian Black Sea Port, the fabulous city of Odessa is often called the Black Sea Pearl. The fighting and riding skills of the Cossacks on Khortitsa Island, the magnificent Monastery of the Caves in Kyiv, and ballet in Odessa are just a few highlights of these voyages. The Danube Delta is one of the most incredible highlights of our Ukrainian cruises because of its unique wildlife and stunning nature. Our experience and horizons will be also widened when visiting the village of Vilkovo that really is the ‘Ukrainian Venice’ at the Danube Delta. Learn about the great history and great people, whose wisdom, goodness, and hospitality have already become a legend!

● Our Ukrainian River Cruise ship is certified to cruise the Black Sea on the way to the Danube Delta and the Village of Vilkovo

Cruises 2020

Sightseeing

Vilkovo

Vilkovo. This unique small village on the Ukrainian-Romanian border really is a pearl of the pre-Danube lows. Located where the Danube meets the Black Sea, it is often called the ‘Ukrainian Venice’: nearly half of it stands on water. The land that holds houses and gardens appears to be numerous man-made islands. Instead of the ordinary street roads the blocks are separated by the water channels. The most common transport here is the local “gondola” built by skilled craftsmen. Not far from the settlement, on the coastline at the confluence of the Danube and the Black Sea there is “0 km” sign symbolizing the end of the mighty Danube and the beginning of the vast Black Sea. Vilkovo is known to be the town of fishermen and winemakers. The latter produce delicious house wine out of unique local grapes named ‘Novak’. Village of Vilkovo is famous all over Ukraine for its incredibly tasty strawberry: local gardens are normally fenced with two-meter (six and a half feet) cane on the three sides, with the fourth side covered by the Danube - thus ideal conditions for the accumulation of sunlight and heat are created, providing for best sweetness and aroma. Foods cultivated in Vilkovo are organic and ecological: only the sludge from the Danube is used for fertilizing.

Kremenchuk

Kremenchuk. Once there were two fortified settlements opposite each other on the left and right banks of the Dnieper River - they belonged to two different states and often confronted each other. In the course of time the two settlements have merged into one (within one state) and got united by a bridge. Modern bridge that is now connecting two parts of Kremenchuk is quite a technologically sophisticated structure. It has two levels: the lower one is for trains and the upper one is for motor transport. This bridge appears to be a part of two Ukrainian state routes, with more than 3,000 trucks crossing the bridge daily. The most amazing fact is that the modern construction is built on the supports of the old bridge of 1872. Since the middle of the 19th century Kremenchuk is known as the center of the tobacco producing industry in the region. During the Crimean War, Kremenchuk was a major shipbuilding powerhouse. KrAZ, a famous automotive plant that produces trucks and other special-purpose vehicles (particularly heavy-duty off-road and military models) is located here. The city was almost entirely ruined during WW II; therefore most buildings there belong to the Soviet era. The place itself is located in a very nice area of the Central Ukraine and is surrounded by beaches.