Russians can book Mediterranean cruises starting at 70,000 rubles, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), which also highlighted a range of cheaper visa-free alternatives.
ATOR pointed to the "Magic of the Mediterranean" cruise aboard the MSC Orchestra, an MSC Cruises liner, which departs from Rome. The eight-day trip starts from 725 euros, or roughly 70,000 rubles, per person, not including flights.
Also available is the "Mediterranean Islands" cruise on the MSC Seaview, departing from Barcelona. That trip costs from 715 euros, or 69,300 rubles, per person for the same eight days, with flights not included.
ATOR reminded Russian tourists that visa applications currently require at least two months to process.
Visa-free Nile and Turkey options
The association also detailed visa-free cruise routes. It named autumn as a good time for a trip down the Nile, with cruises departing from Luxor or Aswan and lasting from four days. Some itineraries include a stop in Cairo, and travelers can extend their trip with a stay in the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh before or after the cruise.
A Nile cruise from the operator Briz Line on a five-star ship starts from 182,000 rubles per person for five days, excluding flights and hotel stays. Four-star liner cruises on the same route start from 93,000 rubles.
Russian tourists are also booking cruises around Turkey, with prices starting from 76,000 rubles per person for five days.
Maldives and the rise of Asia
Divers are drawn to autumn megayacht cruises around the Maldives, which start from 377,000 rubles per person for eight days, not including flights or diving packages. ATOR said Asia has become a new popular cruise destination among Russian travelers.
It was previously reported that Russians have begun holding weddings aboard icebreakers at the North Pole, paying millions of rubles for the trips. Such journeys are most often chosen by people over 35, either couples or groups.
