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Phoenix Reisen

T/S Maxim Gorki

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Reviewed by: Patrick Wetter
Date of Trip: August 25, 1998
# previous cruises: 3
Itinerary: Europe

Cruises with MAXIM GORKIY are perfect. Organization is very well done by the Phoenix Reisen team and the ship is providing everything you need in elegant surroundings. MAXIM GORKIY is a First Class ship (to be rated at least with 4 stars) which is one of the most famous and most liked cruise ships in Europe. I recommend this ship to everybody who's looking to have a destination filled cruise in an elegant surrounding for a very fair price. Some information about the companies dealing with this ship:

Owner: Belata Shipping Company Ltd., Limassol / Cyprus (a sister company of Sovcomflot, Moscow / Russia)

Cruiseline: Maxim Gorkiy Ltd., Nassau / Bahamas (a division of Unicom Shipmanagement Ltd., Limassol which is a joint venture between Sovcomflot and Acomarit, Genoa / Italy)

Operator: Phoenix Seereisen GmbH, Bonn / Germany (is operating the ship under full charter)

Catering: Zerbone Catering Services, Genoa / Italy

Public areas on board MAXIM GORKIY are very comfortable and elegant trough out. The nicest Lounge is the Rossiya Lounge located on the Lido deck which offers a fantastic view over the sea. There's a well stocked library and a fantastic club room next to it where you can organize a private party. Two wintergardens (1 smoking and 1 non-smoking) offer a panoramic view. There are two closed promenades as well. In the Maxim theater you can watch great movies and listen to interesting lectures about the various ports. In the music lounge you can watch to very good Russian crew shows as well as to other fine shows. There's an indoor and outdoor pool, a fitness center and several very charming bars. As well there's a chapel and a conference room.

The food is served in three different dining rooms: Odessa, Crimea and Sea restaurant. This provides dining in one seating only. A buffet is served in the Lido bar next to the pool deck. All dining rooms are completely refurbished and look very nice now. The service, provided by Russian and Ukrainian waiters and waitresses is very friendly and well performed. The hotel management is under direction of Zerbone Catering which does a very good job. The food is international and varies a lot. Quality is very good. There are fine Russian dishes as well.

The ship offers the largest standard cabins and bathrooms you can imagine. Every cabin is equipped with 2 to 4 beds, lots of closet space, satellite TV, radio, telephone armchairs and table. All bathrooms, except of 20 cabins, have full bathtub. In each bathroom is a hair dryer and bathrobes. I've never seen such spacious bathrooms in standard cabins on any other ship. Suites on Promenade deck have huge panoramic windows, separate living room and mini bar. Because MAXIM GORKIY is a turbine ship cabins are all very calm and you won't hear any engine-noise. The insulation of the walls is very good.

There are very good Russian crew-shows. They are performing typical Russian dances. The entertainment is various and good, although the technology in the Music Lounge is a bit old and could be upgraded. The cruise staff does a very good job and there are interesting lectures about the various ports. Nightclub and disco is never empty and has good success. Various bands are playing dance music in the Rossiya Lounge. There are nice sail-away parties at the outside located Neptunbar on the back of the ship.

The ship is cruising worldwide, not only the Baltic Sea. That means there are plenty ports the ship will stop and everywhere the cruise staff has planned fantastic excursions. While on board, there's never a boring moment. At every time there's something to do, like language courses, painting courses, shopping in of the shops, relaxing in a quiet area, and so on. A very nice indoor pool is perfect for cruises in colder areas but also the outside pool is heated and can be used. There's a sauna and massage room and a well equipped health club. You can also take medicine baths. The cruise staff cares about children while you're on excursion or want to be on your own for a while. Once a cruise there's a carnival party as well which is very funny and colorful.

Fellow passengers are mostly Germans. There's a lot of fun during lunch or dinner time and because the ship is only 25000 tons large, the ambiance is very familiar and you'll easily find your table neighbours. Over the day the ambiance is relaxed and casual and will end up in a fine evening. Twice a week is a captains party and people like to dress elegantly but it's not a rule. There are many repeaters on board which shows that people like the ship and being together with former fellow passengers again.