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

MSC Meraviglia
MSC Cruises
MSC Meraviglia
South America and Antarctica
30.01.2028 · 7 nights Port of departure: Santos, Brazil ALL (NO DRINKS)

Santos, Brazil, Camboriu, Brazil, At Sea, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, At Sea, At Sea, Santos, Brazil

from €1,762
I Interior €1,762
O Ocean View €2,062
B Balcony €2,133

Press "Details" button to see an actual price. Price per cabin.

Details
MSC Meraviglia
MSC Cruises
MSC Meraviglia
South America and Antarctica
31.01.2028 · 7 nights Port of departure: Camboriu, Brazil ALL (NO DRINKS)

Camboriu, Brazil, At Sea, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, At Sea, At Sea, Santos, Brazil, Camboriu, Brazil

from €1,762
I Interior €1,762
O Ocean View €2,062
B Balcony €2,133

Press "Details" button to see an actual price. Price per cabin.

Details
MSC Meraviglia
MSC Cruises
MSC Meraviglia
South America and Antarctica
20.01.2028 · 7 nights Port of departure: Buenos Aires, Argentina ALL (NO DRINKS)

Buenos Aires, Argentina, At Sea, At Sea, Santos, Brazil, Camboriu, Brazil, At Sea, Punta del Este, Uruguay, Buenos Aires, Argentina

from €1,762
I Interior €1,762
O Ocean View €2,062
B Balcony €2,133

Press "Details" button to see an actual price. Price per cabin.

Details
Norwegian Luna
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Luna
Caribbean
16.01.2027 · 7 nights Port of departure: Miami, Florida ALL

Miami, Florida, At Sea, Roatan, Honduras, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, Mexico, Cozumel, Mexico, At Sea, Miami, Florida

from €1,763
I Interior €1,763
O Ocean View €2,033
B Balcony €2,933
S Suite €3,333

Press "Details" button to see an actual price. Price per cabin.

Details
Allure of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
Allure of the Seas
Caribbean
04.09.2027 · 8 nights Port of departure: Fort Lauderdale, Florida ALL (NO DRINKS)

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, At Sea, At Sea, Willemstad, Curacao, Oranjestad, Aruba, Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, At Sea, Perfect Day Cococay, Bahamas, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

from €1,763
B Balcony €2,179
S Suite €5,438

Press "Details" button to see an actual price. Price per cabin.

Details
Celebrity Edge
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Edge
Australia & New Zealand
20.02.2028 · 9 nights Port of departure: Sydney, Australia ALL (NO DRINKS)

Sydney, Australia, At Sea, Hobart, Tasmania, At Sea, Adelaide, Australia, Adelaide, Australia, At Sea, Melbourne, Australia, At Sea, Sydney, Australia

from €1,763
I Interior €1,877
B Balcony €2,782
S Suite €8,617

Press "Details" button to see an actual price. Price per cabin.

Details
Celebrity Infinity
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Infinity
Mediterranean/Europe
05.01.2028 · 12 nights Port of departure: Barcelona, Spain ALL (NO DRINKS)

Barcelona, Spain, At Sea, At Sea, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, At Sea, Madeira (Funchal), Portugal, Madeira (Funchal), Portugal, At Sea, Tangier, Morocco, At Sea, Barcelona, Spain

from €1,764
I Interior €1,867
B Balcony €2,918
S Suite €9,365

Press "Details" button to see an actual price. Price per cabin.

Details
Celebrity Infinity
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Infinity
Mediterranean/Europe
12.12.2027 · 12 nights Port of departure: Barcelona, Spain ALL (NO DRINKS)

Barcelona, Spain, At Sea, At Sea, Madeira (Funchal), Portugal, Madeira (Funchal), Portugal, At Sea, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, At Sea, Tangier, Morocco, At Sea, Barcelona, Spain

from €1,764
I Interior €1,867
B Balcony €2,748
S Suite €9,364

Press "Details" button to see an actual price. Price per cabin.

Details
Norwegian Epic
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Epic
Mediterranean/Europe
18.10.2026 · 7 nights Port of departure: Barcelona, Spain ALL

Barcelona, Spain, Marseille, Provence, France, Villefrance, Livorno, Italy, At Sea, Sicily (Messina), Italy, Salerno, Italy, Civitavecchia, Italy

from €1,765
I Interior €2,149
B Balcony €1,765
S Suite €1,975

Press "Details" button to see an actual price. Price per cabin.

Details
Freedom of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
Freedom of the Seas
Caribbean
18.11.2027 · 9 nights Port of departure: Miami, Florida ALL (NO DRINKS)

Miami, Florida, At Sea, At Sea, Oranjestad, Aruba, Willemstad, Curacao, At Sea, Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, At Sea, Nassau, Bahamas, Miami, Florida

from €1,765
B Balcony €4,145
S Suite €6,218

Press "Details" button to see an actual price. Price per cabin.

Details

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.