MS My Story

The 1971-built (as Holland Pearl) cruise ship MS My Story was constructed by the Dutch shipbuilder Bodewes Binnenvaart BV (Millingen am Rhein, Netherlands) for the Holland River Line.

The Holland-flagged vessel (ENI number 07001704) is currently owned and operated by Euro Shipping Voyages (Bemmel, Netherlands-based shipowner and river cruise travel agency).

The riverboat My Story cruises mainly on Danube itineraries. Fleetmates (Euro Shipping Voyages-owned boats) are Royal Crown and Serenade 2. Sistership is MS Bellriva.

In April 1976, the Holland River Line increased capacity on the Cologne-Dusseldorf route, adding two more boats (including My Story/named then MS Austria) to its 6-ship fleet.

In 1995, West KD Schiff-Invest AG (a subsidiary of West LB AG) acquired the ship. After a comprehensive refurbishment and modernization (equipment upgrade), the boat was sold in 1997 to the Rhine Danube Line (Basel).

For one year, in 2000, Viking River Cruises also owned MS Austria.

In 2001, the ship was purchased by Bonaventura Cruising and renamed MS Bonaventura Pearl.

In 2003, the Danube River Line acquired the ship and renamed it MS Danube Pearl.

The current shipowner (Dutch Euro Shipping Voyages) purchased the ship in 2007 and renamed it to MS My Story.

Decks and Cabins

The riverboat has 87 staterooms (equally sized - approx 9 m2 / 95 ft2) each equipped with 2 low beds and en-suite bathroom. One of the beds is daytime sofa (during the day can be used as a couch, while the other bed is fold-away. Single cabins are with 1 lower plus 1 upper bed (bunk). Some staterooms are with triple occupancy, providing a folding bed (upper bunk) for a 3rd passenger. Some cabins are interconnected (with connecting doors) which is convenient for families with kids.

Standard cabin amenities include either partially opening window (with sliding down upper section) or non-opening Porthole window, en-suite bathroom (washbasin, WC-toilet, shower, hairdryer), flat TV (satellite reception, ship info channel, real-time bow camera views), intercom phone (onboard calls only - Reception Desk, passenger cabins, wake-up service), wall-mounted mirror, coffee table with chair, wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), 220V power sockets, individually controlled air-conditioning.

The boat has 3 decks, of which 2 have cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

MS My Story has a complimentary Panorama Restaurant (dining room, also accessible via a stairlift), Lobby Hall (two ship entrances, 24-hour Reception Desk, Tour Office), Panorama Salon-Bar (main lounge with dance floor), Boutique Shop (souvenirs, logoed clothing, jewellery, cosmetics, toiletries), Library (reading lounge with books, DVDs, puzzles, board games), Sun Deck with shaded seating (retractable awning, 4-seat tables) and sunbathing area (deckchairs, sun loungers).

Through sinking the Wheelhouse (Navigation Bridge on Sundeck) and folding the railings and awnings, the boat's height is reduced to ~7 m (23 ft) for passing under low bridges.

On the Promenade Deck are located the Salon (Bar-Lounge, Restaurant-Galley, Lobby Bar, wraparound promenade (outdoor walking area). On the Lower Deck is the wellness area with Finnish Sauna (6-person, free of charge, 1-hour advance reservation required), adjacent Shower Room and Solarium (spa massages and tanning bed, at a surcharge per 0,5 hour).

One stairlift and a grand staircase connect decks Main and Promenade. Four staircases (2 forward plus 2 aft) connect decks Lower (Rheindeck) and Main (Loreleydeck).

Laundry and ironing services, bicycle rental, Wi-Fi (WLAN) connections, Internet and shore excursions cost extra.

Smoking is permitted only at the designated area on Sun Deck.

Onboard entertainment (in the Salon) includes live music performances, crew show, playing cards and board games, bingo, skat tournaments, music quizzes, napkin folding lessons, evening dance parties. Shore excursions are offered in each itinerary port and at extra cost.

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.