This winter, beginning December 19, St. Petersburg launched its first-ever season of regular winter sightseeing cruises. The three deck restaurant vessel Shustry Bober (Шустрый бобёр **) will sail along the Neva River and, weather permitting, venture into the Gulf of Finland toward the Lakhta Center.
Where to Take a Winter Cruise in St. Petersburg
Shustry Bober is a three deck restaurant ship accommodating up to 65 passengers. The 20 meter vessel is built to ice class standards, allowing it to safely navigate through thin seasonal ice. For winter outings, the ship offers heated lounges, a bar, and full restaurant service.
A signature element of the winter program is the Captain’s Welcome — a traditional greeting delivered by the captain and crew before each departure.
Departures take place from the Peter and Paul Fortress pier (Mytninskaya Embankment, 3).
This marks the city’s first attempt to operate regular winter cruises on a restaurant class vessel. Until now, such trips were unavailable during the cold season, as passenger navigation traditionally ended with the close of the standard navigation period.
For now, Shustry Bober is expected to operate at least through mid January. According to organizers, the project will help assess the potential for developing winter water routes in Russia’s northern capital.
The vessel’s ice class allows it to operate until the river fully freezes over.
Shustry Bober is equipped with a modern heating system that maintains a comfortable temperature in all lounges during cold weather. The interior features heat treated ash wood.
Shustry Bober Schedule
New Year’s Neva River Tours
Departures: 12:00, 13:30, 15:00, 16:30
Price: from 1,000 RUB
Christmas Dinner Cruises on the Neva
Departures: 18:00, 20:00
Price: from 1,580 RUB
Winter Neva Cruises (restaurant style experience on the water)
Departures: 12:00, 13:30, 15:00, 16:30, 18:00, 20:00
Price: group deposit — from 15,000 RUB for 4 people.
\* The vessel’s name literally translates as “nimble beaver.” The transliteration is preserved in English to maintain the original branding and avoid unintended slang associations.
\** Shustry Bober — “SHOOS-tree bah-BYOR”. This simplified pronunciation guide is provided to help English‑speaking readers approximate the original Russian name.
Photo credits courtesy of Astra Marine Group
