Clergy of the Nizhny Novgorod Diocese blessed the new cruise ship "Nikolai Zharkov."

      Press service text of "Vodohod" company. Photos by Gleb Pushmenkov and the press service of "Vodohod".

      On July 11, at the «Krasnoe Sormovo» plant in Nizhny Novgorod, a launch ceremony took place for the new passenger ship «Nikolay Zharkov» – the flagship of the cruise ships series of project 00840 "Karelia", built by order of the shipping company "Vodohod" with the participation of the State Transport Leasing Company.

      Clergy of the Sormovo deanery of the Nizhny Novgorod diocese, Father Ioann Kryuchkov and Protodiakon Vasily Tybulovich, performed the blessing of the vessel.

      The laying of the «Nikolay Zharkov» ship took place on April 28, 2023. The new cruise ship will be put into operation in spring 2026 and will undertake more than 20 cruises. The hybrid «river-sea» vessel will operate in the Caspian, Azov, Black, White, and Baltic Seas, as well as on internal routes of Russia.

      The flagship of the series of project 00840 "Karelia" was named «Nikolay Zharkov» in honor of the Russian shipbuilder, Hero of Labour of the Russian Federation, General Director of PJSC «Red Sormovo Plant» (1984–2018), Nikolay Sergeyevich Zharkov.

      Within the framework of the state program for fleet renewal, two more cruise ships of project 00840 «Karelia» are being built at the «Krasnoe Sormovo» plant — «Mikhail Zhvanetsky» and «Rasul Gamsatov».

      The four-deck «Nikolay Zharkov» cruise ship is built using advanced Russian shipbuilding technologies, including modern automated control and safety systems. The vessel is equipped with two azimuth thrusters with bow tunnels; the traditional helm is absent. Ship control is conducted via two joysticks, which provides maneuverability in confined spaces – ports, bridges, locks, and narrow channels.

      In terms of comfort, the ship will match a 5-star hotel with a high level of service. The passenger-to-crew ratio meets global «luxury» standards: a ratio of 2:1, with 97 crew members for 183 guests. The ship offers 88 cabins in various categories, most of which (60) are equipped with balconies, allowing guests to enjoy nature at any time.

      An exclusive feature of project 00840 «Karelia» ships is the open heated pool on the promenade deck. The total area of the promenade deck is 870 m². Besides the outdoor pool, there will be an open sun deck, an amphitheater and summer cinema, a lounge area under a retractable canopy, a venue for events, and a 360° bar.

      Another design feature of the new ships is the presence of verandas in the restaurant and open terraces in the panoramic bar.

      For guests’ comfort, onboard facilities also include a wine library, a music salon, a fitness center with panoramic windows, a SPA zone with a Finnish sauna, a farmhouse bath, massage salons, a children's room with professional animators, a playroom with a large screen, and a video game console.

      In 2026, the «Nikolay Zharkov» will undertake over 20 cruises ranging from 3 to 15 days. Both classic cruise routes and new destinations are planned. Among the new offerings in 2026, the «Pomorskoe Koltso» (Pomor Ring) cruise will be 15 days long, traveling along a new route that includes the White Sea, Arkhangelsk, Solovetsky Islands, and Umba. A novelty in the southern direction will be the «Legends of the Caucasus» cruise with a port call in the Caspian Sea, featuring a three-day stay in Dagestan.

      The 2026 schedule also includes popular routes along the Volga River, visiting picturesque towns of the Golden Ring. Travelers can choose between short cruises from Moscow, including Tver and the «Zavidovo» resort, or longer journeys lasting 5-7 days, with stops in Myshkin, Kostroma, Ples, Uglich, Yaroslavl, and Nizhny Novgorod.

      For more information, visit the official website of the Nizhny Novgorod Diocese: [hyperlink required].