The Knyaz Vladimir cruise ship boasts a rich history. Built in 1971 as a car ferry/cruise ferry in France, the ship sailed as the MV Eagle, operated by the British company Southern Ferries for five years. In 1981, it was rebuilt into a cruise ship and sold to Paquet Cruises, where it received a new name, Azur. Six years later, the vessel found its new owners at the Greek cruise company Chandris Lines and was renamed The Azur.
Since then, the ship had changed its name four times more: Eloise (in 2004), Royal Iris (2005-2014), Roy Star (2014-2017) and finally Knyaz Vladimir (since 2017).
© Sputnik / Nina Zotina / Go to the mediabankThe Knyaz Vladimir passenger ship started regular cruise service on June 11. The vessel’s journey began in its home port of Sochi.
The Knyaz Vladimir passenger ship started regular cruise service on June 11. The vessel’s journey began in its home port of Sochi.
© Sputnik / Nina Zotina / Go to the mediabankThe liner features three swimming pools, two restaurants, bars, a dance club and concert venues, saunas, Jacuzzis, sports facilities, a casino, duty-free shops, a beauty salon and a cinema.
The liner features three swimming pools, two restaurants, bars, a dance club and concert venues, saunas, Jacuzzis, sports facilities, a casino, duty-free shops, a beauty salon and a cinema.
© Sputnik / Nina Zotina / Go to the mediabankA week-long cruise runs along the Black Sea coast, on the Sochi-Novorossiysk-Yalta-Sevastopol-Sochi route. Passengers can hop-on or hop-off at any of these stops.
A week-long cruise runs along the Black Sea coast, on the Sochi-Novorossiysk-Yalta-Sevastopol-Sochi route. Passengers can hop-on or hop-off at any of these stops.
© Sputnik / Nina Zotina / Go to the mediabankThe cruise liner project was implemented within the recovery program of the regular marine transport connection in the Black Sea region.
The cruise liner project was implemented within the recovery program of the regular marine transport connection in the Black Sea region.
Lifeboats on board the cruise liner.
© Sputnik / Nina Zotina / Go to the mediabankThe Knyaz Vladimir ship has nine decks and can accommodate 800 passengers and 250 crew members.
The Knyaz Vladimir ship has nine decks and can accommodate 800 passengers and 250 crew members.
© Sputnik / Nina Zotina / Go to the mediabankThere are 300 cabins of different categories available for passengers.
There are 300 cabins of different categories available for passengers.
© Sputnik / Nina Zotina / Go to the mediabankThe cost of the cruise depends on the season and cabin category.
The cost of the cruise depends on the season and cabin category.
© Sputnik / Nina Zotina / Go to the mediabankBuffet and A la Carte style services are provided at the restaurants on the ship.
Buffet and A la Carte style services are provided at the restaurants on the ship.
Passengers on board the Knyaz Vladimir ship.
© Sputnik / Nina Zotina / Go to the mediabankIf this project is popular with tourists, it is likely there will be other ships and new cruise routes along the Black Sea coast, according to Russia’s Federal State Unitary Enterprise Rosmorport, whose Black Sea Cruises company operates the vessel.
If this project is popular with tourists, it is likely there will be other ships and new cruise routes along the Black Sea coast, according to Russia’s Federal State Unitary Enterprise Rosmorport, whose Black Sea Cruises company operates the vessel.
Deck of the Knyaz Vladimir cruise liner.
© Sputnik / Nina Zotina / Go to the mediabankKnyaz Vladimir will operate during the peak season, which usually ends in October.
Knyaz Vladimir will operate during the peak season, which usually ends in October.
One of the restaurants of the cruise liner.
Children's playroom on board the cruise liner.
© Sputnik / Nina Zotina / Go to the mediabankThe 9,159-ton ship, which was initially built in 1971 as a passenger and car ferry vessel in France, now flies the Russian flag.
The 9,159-ton ship, which was initially built in 1971 as a passenger and car ferry vessel in France, now flies the Russian flag.