Scenic Tsar Turns Passengers’ Unexpected Free Day into a Party on the Volga

Shoreside church on the Volga River
The passing scene on the shores of the Volga-Photo copyright Wallace Immen

WALLACE IMMEN on AvidCruiser.com

We’re dead in the water. And the ghosts seem to be rising as glimmering wisps of mist rise from the water all around us.

Overnight the temperature has dropped and the cold damp air over the warm water of the Volga River has turned into a dense fog that makes it difficult to see the shore that’s only a few feet away from us. The Scenic Tsar’s passengers were supposed to do another half-day exploration ashore today starting at 8:30, but opening the curtains in the morning it was clear we weren’t going anywhere—at least not just yet.

Ghostly morning on the Volga River
Ghostly mist in the morning on the Volga–Photo by Wallace Immen

The fog adds to the moody timelessness of rural Russia, but it proves a nuisance. It’s so thick that all ships on the river had to drop anchor overnight en route to their next ports and wait for the pea soup to clear.

The delay made for an unplanned but welcome morning with some free time after five days with all-day shore excursions. It was a perfect opportunity to find out more about the ship.

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