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

Mariner of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
Mariner of the Seas
Caribbean
11.03.2028 · 7 nights Port of departure: New Orleans, Louisiana ALL (NO DRINKS)

New Orleans, Louisiana, At Sea, Cozumel, Mexico, Costa Maya, Mexico, Belize City, Belize, At Sea, At Sea, New Orleans, Louisiana

from €1,757
B Balcony €2,514

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Mariner of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
Mariner of the Seas
Caribbean
18.03.2028 · 7 nights Port of departure: New Orleans, Louisiana ALL (NO DRINKS)

New Orleans, Louisiana, At Sea, Cozumel, Mexico, Costa Maya, Mexico, Belize City, Belize, At Sea, At Sea, New Orleans, Louisiana

from €1,757
B Balcony €2,514

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Celebrity Silhouette
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Silhouette
Caribbean
19.12.2027 · 9 nights Port of departure: Fort Lauderdale, Florida ALL (NO DRINKS)

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, At Sea, At Sea, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, St. Johns, Antigua, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Basseterre, St. Kitts, At Sea, At Sea, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

from €1,757
I Interior €1,924
B Balcony €2,612
S Suite €8,273

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MSC Splendida
MSC Cruises
MSC Splendida
Northern Europe and Norwegian fjords
11.08.2028 · 5 nights Port of departure: Oslo, Norway ALL (NO DRINKS)

Oslo, Norway, Copenhagen, Denmark, Warnemünde, Alemania, At Sea, Helsinki, Finland, Stockholm, Sweden

from €1,758
I Interior €1,758
O Ocean View €1,978
B Balcony €2,258
S Suite €3,338

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Costa Smeralda
Costa Cruises
Costa Smeralda
Mediterranean/Europe
21.05.2027 · 7 nights Port of departure: Genoa, Italy ALL (NO DRINKS)

Genoa, Italy, Bay of the Calanques National Park, Marseille, Provence, France, Barcelona, Spain, Sardinian Sea, Cagliari, Cerdeña, Naples, Italy, Capri Bay, Civitavecchia, Italy, Genoa, Italy

from €1,758
I Interior €1,758
O Ocean View €2,118
B Balcony €2,298

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Norwegian Epic
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Epic
Caribbean
11.04.2027 · 7 nights Port of departure: Port Canaveral, Florida, USA ALL

Port Canaveral, Florida, USA, At Sea, Cozumel, Mexico, George Town, Cayman Islands, Falmouth, Jamaica, At Sea, Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, Port Canaveral, Florida, USA

from €1,758
I Interior €1,758
B Balcony €2,058
S Suite €2,318

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Norwegian Epic
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Epic
Caribbean
04.04.2027 · 7 nights Port of departure: Port Canaveral, Florida, USA ALL

Port Canaveral, Florida, USA, At Sea, Cozumel, Mexico, George Town, Cayman Islands, Falmouth, Jamaica, At Sea, Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, Port Canaveral, Florida, USA

from €1,758
I Interior €1,758
B Balcony €2,118
S Suite €2,298

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MSC Magnifica
MSC Cruises
MSC Magnifica
Mediterranean/Europe
18.12.2026 · 10 nights Port of departure: Barcelona, Spain ALL (NO DRINKS)

Barcelona, Spain, At Sea, Seville (Cadiz), Spain, Casablanca, Morocco, Malaga, Spain, Alicante, Spain, At Sea, Civitavecchia, Italy, Genoa, Italy, Marseille, Provence, France, Barcelona, Spain

from €1,758
I Interior €1,758
O Ocean View €2,018
B Balcony €2,318

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Costa Favolosa
Costa Cruises
Costa Favolosa
Transatlantic cruises
01.03.2027 · 19 nights Port of departure: Santo Domingo, Dom Rep ALL (NO DRINKS)

Santo Domingo, Dom Rep, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Fort de France, Martinique, Fort de France, Martinique, Pointe-A-Pitre, Guadalupe, Basseterre, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Антигуа (Ливардовские Острова), Tenerife, Canary Islands, Tangier, Morocco, Malaga, Spain, Barcelona, Spain, Balearic Sea, Balearic Sea, Marseille, Provence, France

from €1,758
I Interior €1,758
O Ocean View €2,718
B Balcony €2,978
S Suite €3,338

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Costa Fascinosa
Costa Cruises
Costa Fascinosa
Mediterranean/Europe
29.05.2027 · 7 nights Port of departure: Toulon-la Seyne sur Mer ALL (NO DRINKS)

Toulon-la Seyne sur Mer, Ligurian Sea Darkest Spot, Savona, Olbia, Costa Smeralda (Italia), Aranci Gulf, Valencia, Spain, Formentera Bay, Ibiza, Spain, Ibiza, Spain, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Toulon-la Seyne sur Mer

from €1,758
I Interior €1,758
O Ocean View €2,098
B Balcony €2,418
S Suite €2,738

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Where to next

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.