Cruises from Kyiv
Published: 2 min read
Kyiv is not the departure port of any cruise liner, and no MSC, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Costa, or Celestyal route starts in the Ukrainian capital. But it is from Kyiv that the whole chain of the trip is easiest to build, since this is the city with the widest choice of transport connections within the country. Buses and trains leave for the western border every day, and dozens of travel agencies and carriers offer organized group transfers straight to airports in Poland, Slovakia, or Hungary. From there the route is standard: a ground segment to the neighboring country, then a flight to one of the European ports of embarkation, most often Barcelona, Venice, Civitavecchia near Rome, Genoa, or Piraeus near Athens. Airports in Warsaw, Krakow, or Rzeszow open up the widest choice of connections to the Mediterranean, so Kyiv residents usually find it easier to pick a flight convenient by time than residents of smaller cities. This does not mean the road is short: it takes more than one day once you count the ground segment, the border, and the flight, but Kyiv still has the largest choice of directions and carriers. When planning the trip, budget time not only for the cruise itself but also for the road there and back, and keep the transfer agency contact details on hand. We laid out the full step by step route with options in the article "How a Ukrainian can get on a cruise: the road to the port."
Cruises
BLACK FRIDAY from MSC Cruises
Mediterranean
Buenos Aires, Argentina, Santos, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Maceio, Mindelo, Cape Verde, Madeira (Funchal), Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal, Casablanca, Morocco, Malaga, Spain, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Barcelona, Spain, Marseille, Provence, France, Genoa, Italy
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Athens (Piraeus), Greece, Santorini, Greece, Heraklion (Crete), Greece, Zakynthos, Kotor, Montenegro, Zadar, Croatia, Rijeka (Croatia), Venice, Italy, Venice, Italy, Bari, Italy, Calypso Deep, Calypso Deep, Santorini, Greece, Mykonos, Greece, Katakolon (Olympia), Greece, Venice, Italy
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Tokyo, Japan, Kyoto (Osaka), Japan, Kochi, Japan, Okinawa, Japan, Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, China, Hue/Danang (Chan May), Vietnam, Singapore
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Cape Liberty, Njc, Port Canaveral, Florida, USA, Nassau, Bahamas, Cape Liberty, Njc
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Reykjavik, Iceland, Isafjordur, Iceland, Akureyri, Iceland, Alesund, Norway, Skjolden, Norway, Maloy, Norway, Brussels (Zeebrugge), Belgium, Paris (le Havre), France, Southampton (London), United Kingdom
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Hong Kong, China, Coron, Puerto Princesa, Philippines, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Muara, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Laem Chabang, Thailand, Ko Samui, Thailand, Singapore
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Auckland, New Zealand, Tauranga, New Zealand, Timaru, Dunedin, New Zealand, Dusky Sound Fjord, New Zealand, Milford Sound, New Zealand, Melbourne, Australia, Burnie, Tasmania, Eden, Australia, Sydney, Australia
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Civitavecchia, Italy, Naples, Italy, Barcelona, Spain, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, La Spezia, Italy, Civitavecchia, Italy
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Fort de France, Martinique, Pointe-A-Pitre, Guadalupe, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, St John S, Antigua and Barbuda, Basseterre, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Roseau, Dominica, Fort de France, Martinique, Pointe-A-Pitre, Guadalupe, Kingstown, St. Vincent, Bridgetown, Barbados, Castries, St. Lucia, Saint George, Grenada, Fort de France, Martinique
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Civitavecchia, Italy, Sicily (Messina), Italy, Valetta, Malta, Split Croatia, Dubrovnik, Croatia, Corfu, Greece, Katakolon, Greece, Naples, Italy, Civitavecchia, Italy
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Frequently asked questions
How to get from Kyiv to the port of embarkation for a cruise?
The standard route: a ground transfer by bus, train, or transfer service to Poland, Slovakia, or Hungary, then a flight to a European port, most often Barcelona, Venice, Civitavecchia, Genoa, or Piraeus. Kyiv has the most buses, trains, and transfers departing, so the choice of routes and dates is widest here.
How much time should I allow for the road from Kyiv to the port?
Realistically plan for at least a full day, and better with a small buffer: the ground segment, border control, and the flight connection rarely go smoothly without risk on the very same day. The exact time depends on the direction and the carrier.
Do I need a visa to travel through a neighboring country?
It depends on citizenship, age, and the transit country. Check current requirements on the official embassy or consulate websites in advance, and make sure your passport stays valid for the whole trip.
Which European port is most convenient to choose from Kyiv?
Thanks to the wide choice of connecting flights from Warsaw, Krakow, or Rzeszow airports, Kyiv residents usually have access to all the main directions: Barcelona, Venice, Civitavecchia, Genoa, and Piraeus. Choose the port based on the cruise route itself, not just the convenience of the flight.
Is it better to travel independently or with a group transfer?
Both options work. A group transfer suits those who would rather not coordinate every leg of the road themselves, while independent travel gives more flexibility with timing. Choose based on travel experience and the size of your group.