Cruises for Ukrainians
Published: 2 min read
Ukrainians still regularly go on sea cruises today, only the route to the port of embarkation looks different than it did before 2022. No airport in Ukraine currently accepts civilian flights, so the road to the liner always consists of two parts: first a ground segment to a neighboring country, most often Poland, but also Romania, Moldova, Hungary, or Slovakia, then a flight to an airport near the European port of embarkation, usually Barcelona, Venice, Civitavecchia near Rome, Genoa, or Piraeus near Athens. The airport and the pier are not always in the same place, so after landing it is worth budgeting a short transfer to the port itself as well. From there MSC, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Costa, and Celestyal liners depart, and it is on board that the part of the trip everything was planned for begins: your own cabin, pool decks, evening shows, and a daily change of ports of call. The logistics have grown more complicated, but the trip is entirely achievable: thousands of Ukrainians successfully make it every year, and each season agencies and carriers make it more convenient. Besides sea cruises, there is also a river format, for example routes along the Danube or the Rhine, where the European departure cities often have simpler connections and can suit those not ready for a long flight. The specific route differs depending on which Ukrainian city you depart from: the road to the border takes much less time from Lviv than from Kharkiv or Dnipro, while people from Odesa sometimes find it more convenient to travel through Moldova or Romania than through Poland. We described these differences for Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Warsaw in separate pages, and collected the full step by step route with all the details in the article "How a Ukrainian can get on a cruise: the road to the port."
Cruises
San Juan, Puerto Rico, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, St. Johns, Antigua, Castries, St. Lucia, Bridgetown, Barbados, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Athens (Piraeus), Greece, Strait of the Dardanelles, Istanbul, Turkiye, Mykonos, Greece, Mykonos Bay, Mykonos Bay, Heraklion (Crete), Greece, Rhodes, Greece, Kos Island, Greece, Athens (Piraeus), Greece
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Athens (Piraeus), Greece, Strait of the Dardanelles, Istanbul, Turkiye, Mykonos, Greece, Rhodes, Greece, Santorini, Greece, Heraklion (Crete), Greece, Athens (Piraeus), Greece
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Istanbul, Turkiye, Mykonos, Greece, Mykonos Bay, Mykonos Bay, Heraklion (Crete), Greece, Rhodes, Greece, Santorini, Greece, Archipelago of Santorini, Athens (Piraeus), Greece, Strait of the Dardanelles, Istanbul, Turkiye
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Civitavecchia, Italy, Savona, Monte Carlo, Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco, Marseille, Provence, France, Barcelona, Spain, Formentera Bay, Ibiza, Spain, Palermo, Sicily, Italy, Civitavecchia, Italy
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Marseille, Provence, France, Savona, Barcelona, Spain, Gibraltar, United Kingdom, Lisbon, Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal, Seville (Cadiz), Spain, Malaga, Spain, Marseille, Provence, France
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Athens (Piraeus), Greece, Strait of the Dardanelles, Istanbul, Turkiye, Mykonos, Greece, Mykonos Bay, Mykonos Bay, Heraklion (Crete), Greece, Rhodes, Greece, Santorini, Greece, Archipelago of Santorini, Athens (Piraeus), Greece
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Athens (Piraeus), Greece, Cape Sounion, Valetta, Malta, Catania, Italy, Etna Skyline, Taranto, Argostoli, Greece, Mykonos, Greece, Mykonos Bay, Mykonos Bay, Athens (Piraeus), Greece
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Civitavecchia, Italy, Savona, Monte Carlo, Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco, Marseille, Provence, France, Barcelona, Spain, Formentera Bay, Ibiza, Spain, Palermo, Sicily, Italy, Civitavecchia, Italy
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Le Havre, France, Lisbon, Portugal, Seville (Cadiz), Spain, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain, Fort de France, Martinique, Pointe-A-Pitre, Guadalupe, Basseterre, Saint Kitts, Nevis, St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda, Antigua Bay, Tortola, Santo Domingo, Dom Rep, Pointe-A-Pitre, Guadalupe, Fort de France, Martinique
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Frequently asked questions
Is it realistic for a Ukrainian to go on a cruise right now?
Yes, it is entirely realistic and happens regularly: the route simply includes an extra ground leg to a neighboring country before the flight to the European port of embarkation, instead of a direct flight from Ukraine.
Which city in Ukraine is more convenient to depart from for a cruise?
Formally a cruise is available from any city, and the difference is only in the length of the ground segment to the border: it is shortest from Lviv, longer from Kharkiv or Dnipro, and from Odesa the southern direction through Moldova or Romania is often more convenient.
How many days should I allow for the road to the port of embarkation?
The general recommendation is at least a day with a buffer, and for cities far from the western border, better two days. The exact time depends on the city of departure, the chosen direction, and the carrier.
What documents are needed for the trip?
At minimum a valid passport, and the specific requirements for visas or additional documents depend on citizenship and the transit countries. Check them on official embassy or consulate websites before the trip.
Which cabin should I choose for a first cruise?
For a first trip, a cabin with a window or balcony is often recommended: it costs a bit more than an inside cabin without windows, but it lets you keep track of the time of day and feel the sea journey better. The final choice depends on budget and cruise length.