cruise america compact rv

I took a 1,000-mile road trip in a 150-square-foot RV, where no space was left unused. Take a look inside.

• Cruise America's "compact RV" was the smallest motor home I could get my hands on for a recent road trip.
• The RV was comfortable but not too difficult to drive.
• I thought the RV was surprisingly spacious and comfortable.
• While there was a clever way to store the dinette table's leg to turn it into a bed, I didn't notice any other space-saving features.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

I recently rented an RV for the first time in my life, using it to drive almost 1,100 miles from New York to Acadia National Park in Maine and back.

As first-time RV -ers, my friend and I spent hours scouring the internet to find just the right one: small enough not to be too difficult or slow to drive, but large enough to sleep us comfortably and not ruin a decade-long friendship (i.e. had a bathroom with a door).

We settled on Cruise America's " compact RV ," the smallest motor home offered by the rental company, which has 127 locations across the US and Canada.

RV rental companies have seen an enormous spike in bookings since states started lifting stay-at-home orders, as Business Insider's Brittany Chang previously reported .

While I paid $225 a night for my rental, booking about a month in advance, Cruise America's website says "prices fluctuate based on season, location, and availability much the way airline prices fluctuate. In general, the earlier you book, the lower the price."

Despite being 20 feet in length, 12 feet in height, and 7.5 feet wide, my compact RV was a lot more comfortable and spacious than I thought it would be, though it didn't have the space-saving features I expected from a tiny home on wheels.

With a length of 20 feet, our RV wasn't that much longer than an SUV. For reference, a Ford Expedition is 17.5 feet long.

The RV looked pretty standard on the outside.

There was a little storage window for the water hose ...

... And another one for the charger cable.

Inside, the RV was surprisingly spacious.

Six-and-a-half-foot ceilings meant that even my tall friend could stand up straight and move around comfortably.

We had two cozy beds, one behind the driver's seat and one above it.

The main bed, located over the front of the RV, was queen-size and full-length.

It featured a window, skylight, and curtains both for the window and between the bed and the rest of the RV for privacy.

My bed was technically for children, but at 5-foot-4 I fit perfectly and slept soundly.

There was a dinette table that could seat four. The table and cushions could be turned into the second bed.

Turning the cushions into the bed meant that there were no stray pillows obstructing the limited space at night.

The table's leg went in here, which I thought was a clever space-saving feature.

While there were cabinets for storage around the top of the RV ...

... I didn't really unpack and kept my suitcase under my bed.

This extra seat was also a great storage spot for backpacks and other knickknacks, though they tended to shift while driving.

Underneath that seat, there was a nifty little shoe rack that fit about three or four pairs.

I think this compartment was meant for clothes since it had a closet rod (though no hangers), but since it was located between the fridge and kitchen sink it made more sense to us as a pantry.

The fridge was quite small. As you can see, a gallon jug, laid sideways, took up almost an entire shelf.

The freezer was even smaller. The ice tray didn't come with the $110 kitchen kit we rented with the RV.

The kitchen also had a microwave ...

... And a double burner stove. To get it going, however, you need matches.

Counter space was extremely limited (especially when you kept the dinette table made up as your bed), but the stove had a clever plastic lid that could double as counter space.

There were three cupboards and three drawers in the kitchen.

There was also a small sink, where we put everything from the counter before driving so it wouldn't fall to the ground as we were moving.

There was a control panel in the corner that was meant to show us how full the tanks were, but it didn't seem to work half the time. It was also where you turn the generator and water pump on and off.

The tiny bathroom was right next to the kitchen and had the smallest sink I've ever seen.

There's a freshwater toilet that you flush by pushing a lever with your foot. If you run out of water in the tank and aren't connected to a water hookup, well, then you can't flush ...

There's a handheld shower head right over the sink, meaning that to shower you basically contort yourself between the sink and toilet, as there's a drain between the two.

If your grey water tank (used water that isn't sewage) is full, however, the shower won't drain. We learned this the hard way.

Surprisingly, a very quick shower managed to flood the kitchen right outside.

Outlets were few and far between.

The door, which was covered in duct tape, had two locks so that it wouldn't pop open while driving.

The front of the RV was comfortable and spacious, and filled with various nooks, crannies, and cupholders.

While the RV was nice and bright thanks to various windows and skylights, that's not what you want when parked at a campsite where people are all around you looking in.

This divider curtain, I believe, was meant to shield the RV interior from view, but clearly didn't do a good job. I'm sure a few passersby caught glimpses of me changing.

A Cruise America representative told me that the oldest compact RV they have at my location is from 2017. While I don't know what year mine was from, it felt a little older and more worn to me than that.

It was also not as clean as I would have liked.

My biggest gripe, however, was that the RV only had four hooks for towels and coats, and not a single mirror anywhere.

While super comfortable for a short summer road trip in which we spent most of our time outside, and kept the second bed made rather than turning it back into a dinette every day, I thought it could get quite cramped in this RV if we had heavier clothes in winter, or if we were on a longer trip with more luggage.

Representatives for Cruise America did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

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This is an opinion column. The thoughts expressed are those of the author(s).

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Home Suppliers Cruise America / Canada Compact Plus Motorhome C21

Cruise America / Canada

Compact Plus Motorhome C21

The Compact Plus motorhome C21 is the newest camper type of RV supplier Cruise America and is suitable for a family of 4. It is a great choice if you are not used to big RV's, the C21 offers sleeping arrangements with one double bed and one cabover.

With a total length of 21 feet this small RV offers enough comfort for a couple or family with 2 small children and is able to easily maneuver in to any campsite. Features of the C-21 RV include internal walk through, a toilet/shower, airconditioning and cruise control. 

For now it is available in the following locations Boston, Charlotte, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Orlando, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington 

For Canada these are:  Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Calgary

Click here for the virtual tour of the Compact Plus Motorhome C21

• Over 100 locations in North America
• Canada & USA
• Largest fleet

The photos and floor plans shown on this page are indicative, no rights can be derived from them.

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Cruise America RV: MOST In-Depth Analysis [RV Cost, Types & Safety]

There’s nothing like traveling across America by road. This is the home of iconic Route 66, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Pacific Coast Highway – there are myriad bucket-list journeys to take.

Yep, hitting the great open asphalt in the USA can mean crossing dusty Arizonan deserts where cowboys once roamed. It can be about feeling the salt spray of the Californian ocean through your window. Or, it can mean weaving through the snow-dusted tops of the Rocky Mountains. It’s for all those reasons and more that Cruise America RV rentals are such a popular option for travelers…

In fact, an RV rental could be precisely what you need to take that American odyssey to the next level. Not only do these wheel-spinning rides promise to get you out and about in the great outdoors. They also offer you the chance to take all those prized creature comforts with you. How? Well, Cruise America fields a whole host of possible autos. They start with small-scale vans for the no-frills freedom seeker and go all the way to fully-fledged motorhomes. The latter throw in extras like gas cooktops, refrigerators, showers, and electrical generators. It’s like cruising with a hotel in tow!

So, if you find yourself searching for that dream Cruise America RV or sifting through Cruise America reviews, be sure to read on. This guide has useful info and titbits that can help you plan the perfect RV rental. Before you know it, you’ll be gliding through the hemlock-hemmed ridges of Appalachia or pulling up at salt-washed surf spots on Oregonian shores. Let’s get started…

What exactly is Cruise America?

Cruise America is one of the leading providers of RV rentals in the United States. Since opening in 1972, it’s been offering adventurers the chance to lease large-scale motorhomes and smaller travel trucks to live the American dream of cruising through cities, states and wonderful landscapes. It’s now an employee-owned enterprise that trades publicly.

Where can I get an RV rental from Cruise America?

There are hundreds of locations where you can pick up a Cruise America RV rental in the United States. From East Coast to West Coast, the Arizonan deserts to the redwoods of the Pacific Northwest, your ride can be waiting for you pretty much wherever you want. That’s thanks to a whopping 132 outlets across the continent (yep, it’s possible to find Cruise America in Canada, too). Some offices are found in town centers, others in industrial parks on the outskirts of major cities. Those near big airports are often linked directly to the terminals by shuttle bus.

What types of RV rental does Cruise America offer?

In a world dominated by assisted braking, eco fuel pumps, and diesel-infused engine valves, Cruise America has opted to keep things simple with its range of rental options. Would-be drivers have just four packages to choose from. Each has its own price point, pros, and cons, and is aimed at a different type of traveler. Let’s take a look at each, beginning with the smallest…

Truck Camper rental

Starting the ball rolling is the Truck Camper Rental . This is the smallest of the bunch. You can expect more of a glorified roadster than a motorhome. The engine room of this bad boy is an F-150 Ford with a five-liter V8 under the hood. You get all the bonuses of power steering and cruise control, along with an AUX-input sound system that’s great for playing The Eagles on repeat on any long-haul drives through Cali. Of course, the main limitation of this is the size. Inside, it’s compact with room for a small seating area, a double bed, and a small kitchenette.

Compact RV rental

The next size of RV rental on the menu with Cruise America is the compact. Small but not too small, this one’s interior boasts extra prep space in the kitchen, two seats up front, and a partitioned dining area. Said dining spaces transform neatly into one double bed come evening, while a lofted section above the driving cab also comes with space for a sleeper. The lower height and width make the compact RV a little less bulky than its larger compadre. That makes it easier to drive in high-wind conditions and on winding mountain roads.

Standard RV rental

The Standard RV rental option is perhaps the most common choice among Cruise America customers. It’s a midrange, mid-sized vehicle that packs in plenty of space and extras to make that roadie across the USA a comfy one.

It’s really a classic motorhome, offering a partitioned bedroom, a dining sector, and a large kitchen. You get all the comforts of gas stoves and refrigerator in the cooking area, and there’s a roomy bathroom that’s loaded with a flowing shower and fresh-water loo. You might want to consider this style of an auto if you’re after the classic RV experience. It’s also got room enough for the whole family and is an all-round versatile ride.

Large RV rental

Whoever said size didn’t matter? The largest RV rental on offer from Cruise America is powered by a Ford V10 engine and comes with the biggest amount of square meterage of all the options. It’s one for extended families who are looking to bring their pets in tow. And it’s a top choice if you’re looking for more creature comforts on a longer, coast-to-coast road trip. Benefits include a trio of double beds, a single sleeping area, and dual rear tires for a smoother journey.

How much does an RV rental with Cruise America cost?

As with all sorts of vehicle rentals, the costs of a Cruise America RV can be tricky to calculate. What with daily rates, fuel surcharges, add-on policies, and a whole host of potential other extras to factor in, it’s usually best to take a holistic approach. That means calculating what your whole trip will cost, from the moment you collect your RV to the moment you drop it off.

Daily Rate 

Naturally, the daily rate will change depending on what particular RV rental you plump for – larger motorhomes will set you back more than smaller ones. On average, the price of a standard motorhome is about $50-60 a night. For a 10-day trip, you’re looking at $500 all in.

Miscellaneous Top-Ups 

What’s more, personal kits continuing necessities like pillowcases, matches, and plates can be added for around $100 per ride. There are state taxes to tack on, as well as the cost of electrical generators. You’ll also have to pay a deposit on pick-up, which is blocked at $500 on a credit card or taken in $1000 cash. And that’s not even mentioning the price of mileage (see below).

The upshot of all this is that the cost of a Cruise America RV rental depends on oodles of factors and extras. You might be able to bring a short, local trip in at under a few hundred dollars. For longer rides with all the bells and whistles? It’s probably going to be a price tag in excess of $3,000-$4,000 a pop…

All about Cruise America mileage options

One of the things that affect the bottom line on Cruise America RV rentals the most is the mileage. There are surcharges for mileage applied to every vehicle. That comes in at $0.35 per mile and is counted at 100 miles on local rentals, and 250 miles on point-to-point rentals. So, you can expect to pay upwards of $35 more per day when renting on a standard RV just to cover the cost of getting around. Of course, that estimation may go up or down according to your policy and location.

Some RV rentals with Cruise America might be eligible for a premium unlimited mileage option. This is by far the simplest way to go about things. It’s not available for all vehicles but means you won’t have to keep an eye on that distance ticker.

Where can I go with my Cruise America RV?

One of the joys of opting for a Cruise America RV is the freedom it brings. If you’ve ever dreamed of hitting the open road – this is where that dream becomes reality. Yep, from the ancient granite domes of Yosemite to the sand-blasted beachfront of the Carolinas, the wetlands of Florida to the sleeping volcanos of the Washington Cascades, there are not many limits on the wonders you’ll be able to see when driving your motorhome across the stars and stripes.

It’s really one-way RV rentals that make all that possible. They allow you to go from A to B without worrying about how you’re going to return your wheels at the end of it all. Cue New York to San Diego trips. Get ready for those jaunts down Route 66. Prepare for odysseys up the surf-washed Pacific Coastline. You get the idea.

Before starting your trip, it’s worth reading up on the few restrictions there are on RV rentals with Cruise America. For example, customers won’t get recovery if they go off-road in the far-flung Yukon. And there’s no help for breakdowns in extreme Death Valley locations come the scorching summer months, either.

Where can I sleep with my Cruise America RV?

One of the most common questions that would-be renters ask is where they can spend the night. Of course, RV rentals are equipped with a bed (sometimes several). But does that mean you can rock up and catch some Z’s wherever you want?

The answer: Within limits.

In fact, just glossing over Cruise America reviews is usually enough to see the variety of places where RV rental folk have gotten some shuteye. They include Walmart parking lots (it’s recommended to ask permission of the store manager beforehand, though) and rest stops on the roadside in a whole host of states (some states, like Arizona and Texas, don’t permit it).

However, by far the most comfortable place to spend the night in your RV is in a dedicated RV campsite. There are more of these than you can poke a Buffalo wing across the United States. They sit in sleepy city suburbs and cling to the edges of breathtaking national parks alike. Some have modern facilities with electrical hookup points and flushing toilets. Others are more rustic affairs, where it’s likely to be just you and the engine and the starry skies.

You can soften the cost of staying in RV rental campgrounds by getting passes of all sorts. Take America the Beautiful pass as an example. It costs $80 for the year but provides the holder access to loads of federally operated recreation sites, many of which contain paid campgrounds at a small extra charge.

What’s it like driving a Cruise America RV?

Let’s not pretend that driving a dual-wheeled 20-footer is the same as purring around in an economy car. It’s not. C-type motorhomes are a little different from classic autos, but not so different you won’t be able to handle them.

The major changes are the effect that high winds and adverse weather will have on your driving. You might find you’ll need to compensate more on the wheel as you come over the blustery buttes of Colorado, for example. Adding to that, the extra weight means it can often be tricky getting up steep slopes, though powerful Ford engines and modern tech usually takes care of that too.

One thing for sure is that there are plenty of RV options for you to choose from. But if you’re down to choosing the best Cruise America RV, you’ll find your answer right here. However, if you’re seeking some of the best places to camp with your RV, here are some suggestions.

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Cruise America Review: What We Really Think

Cruise America, as a corporate rental company, strongly contrasts with popular peer-to-peer rental service providers like RVshare and Outdoorsy. And looking for the best RV rental service, you are likely wondering whether Cruise America is a good place to rent an RV from.

To figure out whether renting an RV from this company is worth it, we need to cover a lot of details, including rental options, fees, penalties, insurance, and whatnot. They are important for our points that we will present to you in the end, as well as for your understanding of what Cruise America is.

Let’s begin with the rental options offered by Cruise America.

Cruise America Review

The primary rental options offered by Cruise America is the traditional round-trip rental where you rent an RV, drive it to your destination, spend your vacation, drive back, and pay the fees. This rental has a minimum duration of 7 days.

Aside from this, however, Cruise America also offers one-way and long-term rentals. Let’s overview them a little more in-depth.

The other big player in the RV peer to peer rental space is RVShare and Outdoorsy you might want to check out our in-depth review of them here and here .

One-way rental

With one-way rental, you can pick up an RV at one Cruise America location and drop it off at another, without having to drive the RV back to the location where you took it from.

One-way rentals can be cheaper than round-trip rentals, with the rates sometimes being as low as $1/night. However, there is a drop fee associated with one-way rental – usually between $250-650 – as well as some other fees that we are going to talk about a bit later.

With peer-to-peer RV rental, people very rarely rent-out their RV for one-way trips. The vast majority of the rental offers are round-trip. Thus, the one-way rental option certainly is a plus for Cruise America.

On the other hand, Cruise has “more than 120 rental locations” in the United States and Canada, which is very little given that they are servicing almost the entire North America. So even though one-way rental has some nice benefits, you will be rather limited with drop-off locations.

It should be also kept in mind that Cruise America won’t always able to provide RVs for one-way rental due to certain RV number requirements at each location.

Long-term rental

Cruise America also offers long-term RV rental. In fact, they offer this type of rental for both temporary housing needs for individuals and for business uses. The pricing for these rental options is set on a case-by-case basis, so you’d need to contact Cruise America and provide them with all the details of your trip so that they could set a fee.

As a corporate rental company, Cruise America has its own RV fleet.

One very common complaint with Cruise America is their poor selection of RVs. And indeed, even though they do offer RVs of different sizes for rental, they only have a couple of Thor Majestic class C motorhomes, which are basically reinforced variants of Thor Four Winds RVs.

Cruise America has 4 RV rental options to offer – Large, Standard, Compact, and Truck Camper. These options differ by their amenities and comfort, and we think we should briefly overview them so that you know what you are dealing with.

Cruise America seeks to always maintain their RVs in good condition for rental, so you could be sure that you are getting a problem-free RV from them. Even if mechanical breakdowns do occur while on the road, Cruise America has an assistance and reimbursement program, which we will cover a bit later.

Before moving on to overviewing the RV offers, we’d like to note that Cruise America provides quite a lot of information on their RVs. Compared to offers available on peer-to-peer rental websites, it may be much easier to make an informed decision with Cruise America.

Cruise America doesn’t dive too deep into the specs of their RVs – which they maybe should – but they do provide you with some crucial information in regard to floorplans and key amenities.

Large RV Rental

The RV in this offer is a 30 feet class C motorhome, the Thor Majestic 28A. This motorhome offers up to 7 sleeping spots. Among the amenities provided with this RV are:

• Air conditioning.
• Shower & freshwater toilet.
• Gas cooktop.
• 4KW generator.

A thing that Cruise America also lists among the comfort features of this plan is pet friendliness. This actually is a feature of all the rental plans, and it is among the things that we like about Cruise America. With peer-to-peer rental, not everyone is going to allow you to bring along pets.

Cruise America also allows towing with their 30 feet class C motorhomes. However, there are certain limits to towing:

• Cruise America doesn’t provide hook-up services or towing equipment.
• The towing weight needs to be within 2,500 pounds of tow weight restrictions.
• A daily towing charge is imposed if you tow a vehicle to Cruise America’s RVs.

Keep in mind that before rental, Cruise America requires that you declare the intention to tow prior to departure from a rental center.

Cruise America also allows customers to attach a bike rack to the receiver hitch free of charge. The customer needs to again let the rental center know about the intention of mounting a bike rack so that the RV’s locking pin can be removed.

Standard RV rental

With Standard RV rental, you get a 25 feet Thor Majestic 23A class C motorhome.

The amenities are very similar between the Standard and Large RV rentals. One difference should be noted though – at the moment of the review’s writing, Cruise America provided customers with generators only in the US, so do keep that in mind if you want to rent an RV from them in Canada.

Aside from that, 25 feet RVs sleep up to 5 people.

Compact RV rental

With the Compact RV rental option, you are getting a 20 feet Thor Majestic 19G motorhome. The RVs in this plan offer up to 3 sleeping spots.

Like it was with the Standard RV rental plan, Cruise America only provides US customers with RV generators. And aside from some differences linked to the smaller size – like smaller water or fuel tank sizes – the Compact RV rental doesn’t differ from the previous two options.

Truck Camper RV rental

With the Truck Camper rental, Cruise America basically provides you with a Ford F-150 truck with a truck camper mounted on top. Aside from the much smaller size, one crucial difference in this option is that the RVs don’t include a generator, as well as can’t be used for towing.

On the other hand, the interior amenities in the Truck Campers are very nice, essentially corresponding to those of the previous rental options. And like the Standard and Compact RV rental options, you are getting 3 sleeping spots out of this thing.

RV rental rates

Compared to peer-to-peer renting, Cruise America certainly offers a couple of good things for the money. However, there are also some downsides that you should know about. Cruise America’s payment system is a bit convoluted compared to peer-to-peer renting, and there’s a lot to know about.

One thing that we and many other people dislike about Cruise America is the variety of fees they impose, as well as the variety of upsells they offer.

Aside from that, what we personally don’t like is that Cruise America has all the fee info scattered throughout their website instead of having it easily accessible in one place. Not only that, but we actually had to go to third-party websites to get some of the fee information.

Overall, here’s what you will have to pay for when renting from Cruise America:

• Reservation deposit.
• Nightly fee.
• Mileage fee.
• Environmental fee.

In addition, there are some charges that you may or may not need to pay:

• Generator fee if you use the RV generator.
• Early Bird Departure Special fee.
• Optional kit fees.
• De-winterization fee.
• Towing fees if you use the RV for towing.
• Certain penalties for failing to comply with the rental conditions.

As you can see, Cruise America has many service fees, and this is a big reason why people prefer to opt for peer-to-peer rental services. If you will indeed be renting an RV from Cruise America, we’d advise you to find out about all the possible fees directly from them since we may have missed something, and things may change over time.

Cruise America requires that all the payments be made with Visa, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards. In the US, they also accept Discover Cards. The credit card needs to bear an imprint of your name that matches the driver’s license. The cardholder is required to be listed on the contract as the primary renter or an additional authorized driver.

Upon the return of the vehicle, Cruise America accepts stored value/prepaid/gift cards.

Now, let’s overview all the aforementioned charges one by one.

Mandatory fees

The very first thing you are going to pay for with Cruise America is deposits. Cruise America requires you to make two kinds of deposits – a $300 reservation down payment and a refundable $500 security deposit.

The reservation down payment will be applied toward the rental charges. As for the security deposit, it is used to cover any excess charges that occur during the trip. Upon return, extra charges are balanced against the security deposit.

If you didn’t use up the $500 security deposit, Cruise America will issue a credit to cover the refund. If you aren’t using a credit card, Cruise America will issue a check and send to your home address. Cruise America doesn’t do cash refunds.

Speaking of cash, the $500 security deposit needs to be paid with a credit card. If you are using any means other than a credit card, the security deposit charge will be $1,000. Keep this in mind in order to avoid quite expensive surprise costs.

A thing to note is that for certain rental applications like Bonnaroo or Burning Man, Cruise America may impose increased charges at their own discretion. In addition, they may require you to make a full prepayment in advance for rental events like auto race events, music festivals, or gatherings in remote areas.

Per-night fees

Cruise America imposes per-night fees which vary from season to season. On average, it seems that the nightly fee is around $90-100. It may be lower or higher depending on the season.

Given that Cruise America rents out RVs for at least 7 days, your fees per night will likely quite easily exceed the $300 down payment deposit.

Cruise America calls their daily rental rates Flex Rates since they vary over time, and sometimes quite significantly. If you book an RV early and there are plenty of them available, the daily rental rate will be lower for you.

If you need a change after booking and confirmation (aside from changing party size and adding pre-paid items), the rate will be recalculated using the most current Flex Rate. This Flex Rate will be compared to the Flex Rate that you’ve booked an RV with. The higher rate of the two will be selected as a new Flex Rate.

Mileage fees

Aside from a nightly fee, Cruise America applies estimated mileage charges to your rental in advance. Mileage charges are per night based on 100 miles for round-trip rentals and 250 miles for one-way rentals. In other words, you will be charged 100 miles per day with round-trip rental and 250 miles per day for one-way rental.

At the end of the rental, you will be refunded if you’ve driven fewer miles than you’ve paid for. Conversely, you will be charged $0.35 per mile if you have exceeded the estimated mileage.

Cruise America offers pre-paid mileage packs as well – the 100-Mile Package for $28, 500-Mile Package for $140, Unlimited Miles Package for $750, and Unlimited Miles Plus Package for $1000.

The Unlimited Miles Plus Package includes unlimited mileage, one personal kit for each passenger, one vehicle departure kit, and unlimited use of the RV generator for 21 days. Past 21 days, Cruise America will charge you with $29 per day. The same applies to the Unlimited Miles Package.

All the costs above are excluding taxes. Since these will likely depend on the area you will be renting the RV from, it is difficult to say how much tax you will have to pay.

Environmental fee

Cruise America imposes a $5 environmental fee per rental. As Cruise America writes, this fee’s purpose is to offset a “wide range of environmental expenses” associated with the proper disposal of shop waste, filters, tires, batteries, etc.

Optional fees

Generator fees.

Cruise America also imposes a generator fee of $3.50 per hour. This fee will be collected upon return based on the onboard running time meter. There is also an option of purchasing unlimited generator usage at an $8 daily rate.

Keep in mind that the generator is not required for normal RV operation, so you don’t have to operate it while traveling. A generator will be required only if you decide to run the RV electrical appliances while on the road. You can power all the appliances at campgrounds with electrical supply systems.

Early Bird Departure Special fee

Cruise America offers an optional Early Bird Departure Special for a $350 fee. The Early Bird Departure Special allows you to depart from a rental location as early as 9 AM instead of the regular 1 PM.

You will then need to return the vehicle at the specified date between 9 AM and 3 PM. Regular renters need to return the vehicle by 9 AM and in no case later than 11 AM.

The Early Bird Departure Special needs to be reserved at least 30 days in advance and prepaid. In addition, keep in mind that Sunday departures/returns aren’t allowed.

Optional kits

Cruise America also offers a couple of optional kits for borrowers. These kits are the Vehicle Provisioning Kit and the Personal Kit.

The Vehicle Provisioning Kit includes kitchen-related items like bows, forks, knives, plates, and many other things. The Personal Kit includes items like bath & dish towels, pillows with pillowcases, etc.

The Personal Kit costs $60 per person, while the Vehicle Provisioning Kit costs $110 per vehicle. All items must be returned clean to Cruise America.

De-winterization fee

In locations with colder winter weather, Cruise America winterizes their motorhomes from around mid-October to late March. When winterized, you cannot use the RV’s water and holding tanks. Due to this, if you chose to have the motorhome de-winterized, you will need to pay an up to $40 fee.

Towing charges

If you plan to tow a car or boat behind the motorhome, keep in mind that Cruise America imposes towing charges of $25 per night.

Aside from the charges we’ve described above, there are certain penalties that borrowers will need to pay should they fail to comply with the rental terms.

These penalties include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

• Housekeeping charges of up to $250 for returning an RV uncleaned.
• Reservation changes are charged at $50 per change from second and subsequent reservation changes. The first change is free of charge.
• Dump charges of up to $50 for not emptying the RV holding tank prior to returning the vehicle.
• The RV is overdue after 11 AM on the return date. If you fail to return the vehicle on time, you will be charged a fee of $25 per hour after 11 AM of the return date.
• You are responsible for any damage or equipment loss, except mechanical wear. The penalty for damage or equipment loss is limited to $1,500 per occurrence or incident.
• $200 – 46 days or more prior to departure.
• $600 – 16-45 days prior to departure.
• $850 – 8-15 days prior to departure.
• $1050 – 1-7 days prior to departure.
• Full rental charges – departure day and no-shows.

Cruise America rental deals

Cruise America from time to time offers rental deals and discounts. For example, for departures between September 4, 2019, and December 31, 2019, from any of Cruise America’s North American rental centers, a mileage rate reduction of 50% applies. Another deal is 300 free miles for departures by December 31, 2019, in the US.

Offers are typically not combinable with others, but they do offer some remarkable value. These were examples of deals available as of June 2019, but Cruise America will surely introduce others in the future as well.

How Cruise America handles RV maintenance & breakdowns

Overall, it seems that Cruise America keeps a good eye on their RVs. They appear to be quite strict when it comes to RV condition, so you could be sure that the RV you are renting from them is in a good state.

But for cases when the rented RV breaks down, Cruise America offers nice support to the clients.

Roadside assistance & repair reimbursement

In the event of mechanical breakdown on the road, Cruise America provides the around-the-clock Travelers Assistance Hotline. For authorized repairs, your expenses will be reimbursed by Cruise America. Alternatively, Cruise America may directly pay for the repairs.

According to the conditions of Cruise America, any vehicle service expense over $75 requires authorization from Travelers Assistance, where your problem will be documented in a customer service log.

For repairs costing under $75, you may have repairs done, but you will need to keep the receipt with you for reimbursement. Rental centers will reimburse receipts under $75 without a service log. If a repair service costing over $75 isn’t documented by Cruise America, you will not be provided with a reimbursement.

Aside from that, engine battery jump-starts require approval from Travelers Assistance, so keep that in mind.

Long service time reimbursements

If as a result of a breakdown the RV is in repair for 12 hours or less through no fault of yours, Cruise America may refund you a portion of the daily rental rate. If the repair requires more than 12 hours, certain living/transportation expenses may be reimbursed by Cruise America as well. However, you will need to immediately report the breakdown to Cruise America.

Cruise America provides up to $30 a day per party for transportation expenses and up to $30 a day per person for lodging. Total provisions are limited by Cruise America up to $3000 per tour. To receive reimbursement, you will need to provide all receipts for your expenses.

In certain cases, Cruise America does not reimburse for repairs, transportation, and lodging. Cruise America does not cover expenses associated with the breakdown of the RV generator, AC unit, refrigerator, microwave, appliances, and cruise control since these aren’t needed for the basic operation of the RV.

In addition, Cruise America doesn’t reimburse damage caused by collision or accident. Plus, failure to call Travelers Assistance immediately after a breakdown will make the reimbursement void.

There are certain travel restrictions as well. The areas that fall under Cruise America’s restrictions are:

• Death Valley and other desert areas.
• Alaska and Manhattan, New York City, in the US.
• Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Newfoundland in Canada.

If issues occur in specified areas, Cruise America coverages will not apply. In fact, you may be held responsible for all vehicle damages associated with driving the RV in the restricted areas.

Aside from that, Cruise America prohibits entry of their RVs to Mexico, so be mindful of that.

How Cruise America handles tolls and traffic violations

Cruise America also has specific procedures with regard to tolls and parking/traffic violations.

Cruise America has a policy for All-Electronic Tolling. If you didn’t know, with All-Electronic Tolling, the picture of a vehicle’s license plate is taken and then used to determine who will be billed.

In some cases, a process called reassignment is utilized by Cruise America. The company basically transfers your information to the relevant tolling authority. Then, you will have to handle the fees yourself.

For other cases, Cruise America will pay the tolling authority directly. However, Cruise America will impose a $10 administrative fee on you and charge the credit card you used for rental. The administrative fee is per rental.

For other tolling services like EZ Pass lanes or Fastrack, it will be your responsibility to use a corresponding transponder in order to avoid any fees or penalties.

Parking/traffic violations

Cruise America handles parking and traffic violations in a similar manner to tolling. However, in cases where they pay the fines for you, you will be charged a $35 administrative fee per rental.

At rental return, you will be responsible for reporting and paying for any parking or traffic violations. If you fail to report a parking/traffic violation at return, Cruise America will charge an administrative fee of up to $250.

Cruise America rental coverage

A very nice thing about Cruise America is that they offer coverage options for their customers in case of accidents or mechanical breakdown. We’ve overviewed mechanical breakdown coverage above, but there’s more to the coverage provided by Cruise America.

All in all, Cruise America offers:

• Up to $1 million Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) against claims made by third parties for property damage or bodily/injury caused by the operation of the RV. There are certain exclusions to the SLI, a part of which is contained in the rental contract.
• Expense reimbursement of up to $3,000 in case of long service times, which we overviewed earlier.
• Responsibility of up to $1,500 for vehicle damage or loss per occurrence. If you do not abide by the terms of the rental contract and fail to promptly report any incident, you will be fully responsible for the damage or loss of the RV.

RV departure & return at Cruise America

The RV departure time at Cruise America begins at 1 PM. For Early Birders, as we mentioned above, the departure starts at 9 AM and ends at 12 PM.

A common point of complaint among users of Cruise America services is that it can take several hours before you actually leave the rental center. Early Birders may be able to avoid waiting for hours, but they aren’t insured from it as well.

As for RV return, regular renters are required to return the vehicle by 9 AM and no later than 11 AM. As we mentioned above, Cruise America imposes a $25 fee for each hour past 11 AM. At the same time, no refunds will be made if you return the vehicle early or if you pick it up late.

For Early Birders, which we again mentioned earlier in the material, the return time is between 9 AM and 3 PM. Failure to return the vehicle in this time frame will incur an hourly $25 penalty.

Keep in mind that departure and return times on Saturday may vary because some Cruise America locations close earlier.

Customer interaction

Customer interaction is another area where Cruise America is notorious. If you look around for user reviews, you will find that quite a considerable number of people have complained about the customer support of Cruise America in various areas, starting from the quickness of service and ending with the inability of the company to resolve issues.

A testimony to this may be Cruise America’s frankly quite low BBB rating , which indicates how the company is expected to interact with customers. There have been so many complaints about Cruise America that BBB has even put alerts on the company profile page, indicating noticeable issues with customer service.

What we really think of Cruise America

With everything above in mind, we’d like to present to you the advantages and disadvantages of RV rental with Cruise America, as well as what we really think of Cruise America.

So, the advantages are:

• A good amount of information provided on the RVs.
• Well-maintained RVs.
• One-way and long-term rentals available.
• Pet-friendliness.
• Reimbursements for mechanical breakdowns and long maintenance.
• Quite advantageous deals.

What we didn’t like about Cruise America.

• The plentitude of fees makes rental quite pricey.
• Poor selection of RVs.
• The customer interaction isn’t always spot-on.
• Quite uneasy to find fee information.
• The minimum rental period is 7 days.

As a corporate RV rental company, Cruise America isn’t going to provide you with much flexibility. They have a mechanism that works and doesn’t really take into account your specific needs, unlike peer-to-peer rental platforms.  You have limited options when it comes to fees and RV selection. Their customer service also isn’t spot-on.

On the other hand, they do have some benefits like one-way rental, a comprehensive reimbursement policy, and occasional deals. So we can’t say that Cruise America is a bad place to rent an RV from.

In the end, we’d say that those who want to quickly rent an RV may want to go for Cruise America since it has an established policy that is designed to ensure hassle-free rentals. But if you want flexibility and don’t mind spending a lot of time finding the right RV, you’d want to go for a peer-to-peer platform.

If you’d like to see how Cruise America is rated against other RV rental companies you might want to check out our review of the best RV rental companies .

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10 One-Way Road Trips to Take in 2024

At some point, you’ve probably wondered what it would be like to hit the open road and drive wherever your heart desires. Across the country, there are thousands of local stopping points, never-ending roads, scenic landscapes, and historical landmarks waiting for your arrival. The options for exploration are abundant, to say the least!

If embarking on an open-road adventure is on your bucket list for 2024, then you’re in luck! This article will discuss some of the best options for a one-way road trip adventure!  

Best One-Way Road Trip Adventures to Take in 2024

As we bid farewell to 2023, it is time to evaluate our resolutions and see what adventures lie ahead for 2024. With this in mind, here are some one-way road trip adventures you should consider: 

Trail Ridge Road

As one of the highest roads in the United States (12,183 feet), Trail Ridge Road exposes visitors to some of Colorado’s most breathtaking scenery. Eleven miles of this road are above the treeline at a high elevation. Along the way, you can spot wildlife, alpine wildflowers, lush mountain meadows, and parts of Rocky Mountain National Park . 

Visitors can either begin their journey at Estes Park or Grand Lake. Either way, expect to climb approximately 4,000 feet within minutes.

Route 100 (Vermont)

What makes Route 100 one of the best destinations for a road trip adventure? This route takes visitors through the striking Green Mountain National Forest, vast hardwood forests, and several New England towns. On top of that, this route remains Vermont’s longest state highway. Feel free to spend the night at their campgrounds for an overnight trip. 

If you’re looking for a winter adventure on your one-way RV trip, the town of Stowe is a popular attraction for alpine skiing and snowboarding. 

Highway 50 (Nevada)

Dubbed the “loneliest road in America,” Nevada’s Highway 50 is anything but an endless despair of loneliness and boredom. On the contrary, this highway is an entry point to several statewide attractions worthy of an Instagram post. You can explore ghost towns, mining communities, and historical markers. You can also take this route to Great Basin National Park . 

Pacific Coast Highway

The Pacific Coast Highway is reminiscent of California’s mesmerizing landscapes. Along the 600-mile highway, visitors can pull aside to view the Pacific Ocean, take in the views of nearby mountains, or explore surfing villages. For an authentic coastal adventure, there is no better option.

Olympic Peninsula

Bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean, the Olympic Peninsula is 3,600 square miles of sheer beauty. What is there to explore along your journey? The list includes logging towns, picturesque waterfalls, snow-covered peaks, and the 7,000-foot White Mountain. Olympic National Park is not a bad option for a stop.

Red Rock Country

Located in north-central Arizona, Red Rock Country is a natural beauty wrapped up in sandstone cliffs, skyscraper-like rock formations, and desert-style wildlife. As far as outdoor recreational activities, there are plenty of hiking trails in the wilderness areas, including Boynton Canyon and the Devil’s Bridge Trail. If you’re bringing an RV, stop at the Clear Creek Group Campground for an overnight stay.

Avenue of the Giants

The Avenue of the Giants is another option if you want the thrill of a scenic west coast adventure. Stretching for 31.5 miles, this avenue crosses through giant redwoods, Shelter Cove, and the Rockefeller Forest. You can also visit Humboldt Redwoods State Park — California’s largest redwood state park.     

Going-to-the-Sun Road

Located in Montana, Going-to-the-Sun Road encompasses 50 miles of majestic beauty. Expect to see glaciers, cascading waterfalls, towering mountains, and mesmerizing wildflowers. Stop the u-shaped Big Bend point if you plan on photographing the valley. Future visitors should note that there is a ticketed entry reservation system to access the road. Also, you’ll have to pay a fee if you plan to enter Glacier National Park .

Blue Ridge Parkway

For a spectacular fall foliage adventure, look no further than Blue Ridge Parkway which spans across Virginia and North Carolina. You’ll be amazed at the scarlet sourwoods that surround the parkway. The mountainous terrains are enough to keep your attention for a prolonged period. Make sure to watch your speed limit since bicyclists visit this parkway.

Utah’s Mighty 5

Think of Utah’s Mighty 5 as the golden ticket for national park exploration. Why is that? Because you can immerse yourself in Utah’s five fascinating national parks. You can also take a 16-mile drive through Scenic Drive, hike on rugged canyons, and explore sandstone rocks, just to list a few activities. 

Hit the Road on a One-Way Road Trip with Cruise America 

A one-way road trip is your first step to exploring the unknown, embracing spontaneous adventures, and making meaningful memories. If you need a motorhome for your journey, Cruise America is ready to serve you. Get yourself one of our many customized one-way RV rental vehicles and indulge yourself with the comforts of home-style features. After all, there is no place like home!

Contact us so we can explore your options.

• RV Lifestyle

A Full Guide to California State Parks for Nature Lovers

State parks in alabama worth visiting for family fun, 6 must-see colorado state parks.

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Find Your Perfect RV To Rent

A traditional motorhome with the self-contained features you expect. This economical family unit is a traditional favorite for those who want the walk-through convenience of a motorhome.

Features And Amenities Include:

• Air Conditioning
• Fresh Water Toilet
• Gas Cooktop
• Towing Allowed
• Pet Friendly
• Refrigerator

A traditional motorhome with the self-contained features you expect, units in the USA even include a power generator. This economical family unit is a traditional favorite for those who want the walk-through convenience of a motorhome.

• Generator USA

Our compact plus unit is a fully self-contained RV. The floorplan features a unique rear kitchen design with all the amenities of a larger unit. The compact RV is the ideal unit for two adults of any age and a dinette folding to an extra bed allows for a child. With 6.5 foot/2 meter ceilings and walk through convenience even tall campers can enjoy the compact plus RV.

Our compact unit is a fully self-contained RV. The floorplan features a unique rear kitchen design with all the amenities of a larger unit. The compact RV is the ideal unit for two adults of any age and a dinette folding to an extra bed allows for a child. With 6.5 foot/2 meter ceilings and walk through convenience even tall campers can enjoy the compact RV.

This custom built trailer provides the freedom to setup camp and use your own vehicle to get in and out of town.  It has all the amenities of a motorhome, but provides flexibility when you need it.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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• Moscow Tours

Our 20 Best Moscow Tours of 2022

Join us on an unforgettable tour to Moscow, the capital of Russia. Imagine visiting Red Square, St. Basil’s the Kremlin and more. Moscow is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities and one of Russia’s most historical. All of our tours to Moscow are fully customizable and can be adjusted to fit any budget. Our most popular tours are listed below. Please click on the tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page. You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.

Classic Moscow

This is our most popular Moscow tour that includes all the most prominent sights. You will become acquainted with ancient Russia in the Kremlin, admire Russian art in the Tretyakov Gallery, listen to street musicians as you stroll along the Old Arbat street, and learn about Soviet times on the Moscow Metro tour.

Accommodation

PRIVATE TOUR

A Week in Moscow

This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing.

Weekend in Moscow

This tour is a great way to get acquainted with the capital of Russia if you are short of time. You will see all the main attractions of the city, the most important of which is the Kremlin - the heart of Russia. The tour starts on Friday and can be combined with a business trip.

Group Tour Moscow Break by Intourist

Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.

Kolomenskoye Tour with transport

The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was...

Tours by car

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Armory Tour

The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury...

Walking tours

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals, Armory, Diamond Fund Tour

Old Arbat walking tour

You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the...

Tour to Sergiev Posad with transport

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra)...

Tour to Kuskovo with transport

The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history...

Tour to Tsaritsyno with transport

The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic...

Moscow Metro and Old Arbat Tour

The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion and vodka tasting)

Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone...

Mikhail Bulgakov Apartment Museum

This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's...

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Diamond Fund Tour

The State Museum of Lev Tolstoy Tour

Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy...

Novodevichy Convent Tour with transport

Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure...

City Tour with Visit to St. Basils & Red Sq. with transport

Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will...

City Tour of Moscow

Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous...

Moscow Metro walking tour

Kremlin, Red Square and Cathedrals Tour

KGB Tour with transport

This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to...

Soviet and Post-Soviet Moscow Tour

The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...

Tretyakov State Gallery Tour

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...

Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

Tours to Moscow

Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!

Moscow, a City Like No Other

Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.

Moscow Tours centering on Russian History

Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

What is the best time to visit moscow.

Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide

How many days are enough in Moscow?

If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.

Do they speak English in Moscow?

As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.

Is it safe to travel to Moscow?

It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .

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Moscow (Russia)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Russia Rivers

Local Time 2024-04-21 01:54

Moscow is a Volga River cruise port, Russia's capital and largest city (population over 12,2 million, metro 17 million). Moscow City covers a total area of approx 2610 km 2 (970 mi2). By population, the city is ranked the world's 14th largest. Moscow is one of the Russian Federation's all 3 federal cities - together with St Petersburg and Sevastopol .

Being Russian Federation's capital, Moscow is a major economic, political, scientific and cultural center, as well as Europe's biggest city.

According to Forbes 2013, Moscow has been ranked as the 9th most expensive city in the world by Mercer and has one of the largest urban economies, being ranked as an alpha global city according to Globalization and World Cities Research Network. It is also one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world according to MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index. Moscow is the northernmost and the coldest megacity and metropolis on the Earth. It's home to Ostankino Tower, the tallest free-standing European structure; the Federation Tower, the tallest European skyscraper; and the Moscow International Business Center. 

Moscow is situated on Moskva River in the Central Federal District of European Russia, which makes it the most populated inland city in the world. Moscow city is well known for architecture, particularly its historic buildings like Saint Basil's Cathedral. With over 40% of its territory covered by greenery, it's one of the greenest capitals and major cities in Europe and the world. Moscow is the seat of power of the Russian Government, being the site of Moscow Kremlin, a medieval city-fortress that is now the residence of the President of Russia. Moscow Kremlin and Red Square are among the several World Heritage Sites in the city. 

Moscow has 2 passenger terminals, North River Terminal (Rechnoy vokzal) and South River Terminal. The regular ship routes and cruises along Moskva and Oka rivers are used mostly for entertainment. North River Terminal (1937-built) is currently the main hub for long-range routes along the river. There are 3 freight ports that serve Moscow.

In late-July 2021 the city announced plans to incorporate a fleet (unspecified number) of fully electric passenger ferries into its public transportation network from summer 2022, the goal being to reduce the dependence on cars.

• The boats are designed with length ~22 m (72 ft), passenger capacity 42, modern amenities (Wi-Fi, USB charging points, tables for working commuters), spaces for storing scooters and bicycles.
• Moscow Transport confirmed that two routes (with max daily capacity ~16,000 passengers) have already been mapped out.
• Passengers will be able to pay via bank cards, the city’s Troika card (smart card for travel by any public transportation) or biometric payment cards. Those with monthly/yearly public transit tickets will use the boats at no extra cost.
• The new electric ferry service is up to 5 times faster (in comparison to other city public transports) and ~2 times faster than by car.

Moscow cruise terminal

Moscow's cruise terminal is called North River Terminal or River Station  ("Rechnoy Vokzal" / "речной вокзал").

The terminal was opened in 1937 and is one of 2 passenger terminals (the other being South River Terminal) of the city's river transport. North River Terminal is the main hub for long-range (including cruise) shipping routes. 

South River Terminal (above photo) was opened in 1985.

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