I cruised from St Petersburg to Moscow a few years ago. It had changed humungously since the 1970s - Big Macs and traffic jams. I believe visas are very expensive now. But away from the big cities, often very beautiful.
I would be careful of bragging about the fact that you cruised all the way between Moscow/St.Petersburg. Those who are less pure in thought than I am might put a different interpretation on your remarks.