A Cruise to Odessa on the Black Sea
Cruising Journal, the international portal for cruise ship reviews, takes you to Odessa! Experience the thrill of Odessa during a cruise stopover in the Cruising Journal tips.
Take in the colourful sights of Odessa, learn about its dark history, and experience its fun side on your trip to this beautiful city.
Built around the ruins of a Turkish fortress, Odessa stands proudly on the coast of the Black Sea. Once a haven to the partisan resistance during World War II, Odessa is a city you must visit during your lifetime.
Odessa
How to Get to Odessa
As you set out on your journey through the Black Sea, there are many itinerary options offered by Oceania Cruisesand Azamara Cruises to help you set sail for an adventure.
Catacombs Walk
This tour offered by Green Tour Ukraine lets you experience history and archaeology up close and personal by delving into the depths of Odessa. You’ll make your way through the labyrinth of tunnels and corridors – the longest in the world – with a guide by your side to teach you about the history of the catacombs and the role they played during World War II. You can even visit the underground Museum of Partisan Glory, which was built in memory of the members of the resistance that hid there during the war. On this tour, you’ll have an experience that you are sure to remember.
Crime and History
Is your idea of a fun night settling in to watch a crime documentary? Green Tour Ukraine has just the experience for you. On this tour, your guide will get you acquainted with Odessa’s dark past right away, and you’ll learn that the criminal history of Odessa begins with its foundation. Following the conquest of the Turkish fort, the Russians and Ukrainian Cossacks built the port city on the remains of the fortress; with the port came the perfect environment for criminal activity. During this tour, you’ll visit the Shevchenko Park, where you’ll see the fortress where it all started, as well as other notable places, such as the quarantine haven and the customs office. You’ll even walk down Moldovanka street, where the chief of the Odessa mafia was born. This exciting tour will teach you all about the dark figures of Odessa’s past.
Odessa
Shustov Cognac
For liquor enthusiasts, The Shustov Cognac Winery Museum is one of the must-see locations in Odessa. Here, you’ll learn about the Shustov Cognac, one of the few foreign brandies that are legally allowed to be produced as Cognac. During your visit to the Shustov Cognac Winery Museum, you’ll learn about its secrets, get a look behind the scenes of its production, and discover its fascinating history. Founded in the 19th century by a wealthy entrepreneur from the Russian Empire – Shustov – this brandy factory went on to win various Grand Prix prizes at the international exhibitions held in Europe in the 1900s. Enjoy a wide variety of tastings as your guide explains the complicated process behind brandy production and dishes out some secrets about the city. At the end of the tour, you’ll be able to sit back and relax at the art bar, where a selection of Cognacs will be available for you to enjoy.
Museum of Curious Science
The Museum of Curious Science is an interactive museum that lets you explore science the way it was meant to be experienced – by doing. A series of safe and fun experiments are available for each major field of science for anyone with enough curiosity to try them out. This museum is suitable for everyone, from kids wanting to have fun to adults looking to put into practice those pesky formulas they studied in school. Guides and information panels are also available for those left wanting more from the experiments.
Odessa
Of the many local attractions, Privoz Market, the world’s largest farmer’s market, is a must-see location, as is the picturesque Deribasovskaya street.