On a Russian River Cruise, Thin Walls Made for an Unforgettable Journey

Russian travel blogger Elena Liseykina recently set sail on the “Konstantin Simonov” for a river cruise, and her candid account of the trip offers a mix of pleasant surprises and a few noise-related challenges. Writing on her blog “Travels with a Camera,” Liseykina was struck by the ship’s crew of 129 people. Despite the vessel’s age, she noted that everything onboard functioned smoothly, with no broken amenities.

Her cabin came equipped with a private bathroom, shower, refrigerator, TV, and a heater-capable air conditioner. However, soundproofing was a different story. “I heard everything that was happening with my neighbors—conversations, phone calls, the TV, the radio,” she wrote. “I got lucky; my neighbors were a quiet couple, but it’s a lottery.” The ship’s constant public-address system, announcing activities and narrating passing scenery, only added to the noise. “You can turn off the radio in your cabin, but it doesn’t help much because you still hear your neighbors and the deck. Earplugs were essential,” she admitted.

On the positive side, Liseykina praised the warm, relaxed atmosphere among passengers. Strangers quickly became friends, sharing tips, jokes, and excursion stories. “It’s one of those things you can’t quite put into words, but you remember for a long time,” she said. This contrasts with another recent review of the “Pavel Bazhov” cruise, where a passenger complained of a stuffy cabin and a sewage smell, calling it disappointing. For Liseykina, the thin walls were a small price for a memorable journey.