Amadeus Cara

The 2021-built / 2022-inaugurated Amadeus Cara cruise ship is a 170-passenger riverboat (the fleet's 17th vessel), owned by the Austrian company and shipowner Luftner Cruises and operated under the Luftner-owned travel brand Amadeus River Cruises.

Cara’s sisterships are the newest fleet members — Amadeus Riva (2023), Amadeus Nova (2024), Amadeus Amara (2025), and Amadeus Aurea (2026).

Amadeus Cara cruises on the Moselle, Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers, including itineraries that explore the Danube Delta and reach the Black Sea.

The ship’s itinerary program is based on homeporting in Passau, Germany, Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Basel, Switzerland.

The Maiden Voyage (an 8-day Rhine Cruise) was originally planned to depart from Basel on June 10, 2022, and end in Amsterdam on June 18. However, due to construction and delivery delays, the inaugural cruise (8-day itinerary) departed from Cologne (Germany) on July 2. Prices started at EUR 2000 (~GBP 1690) per person based on double occupancy.

The vessel (ENI number 2339509) is Germany-flagged (MMSI 211867530) and registered in Cologne.

Cabins

MS Amadeus Cara has a total of 81 staterooms spread across 4 decks — the open-air Sun Deck and three interior passenger decks named after famous Austrian composers: Haydn, Mozart, and Strauss.

The ship features 10 Amadeus Suites (27 m², with step-out balconies, all located midship on Mozart Deck), 55 French Balcony cabins (18 m², with drop-down panoramic windows), and 16 Window cabins (16 m², with non-opening windows, all situated on Haydn Deck near the aft crew areas).

All staterooms come with standard amenities including twin beds (convertible to Queen-size), mirrored vanity with chair, wardrobe, electronic safe (in the closet), direct-dial telephone, LCD TV, seating area (two armchairs and a round coffee/dining table), floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows (French Balcony cabins only), and en-suite bathrooms with WC, single-sink vanity, shower, and hairdryer.

Suites also feature fully stocked minibars (not complimentary), a corner sofa (daybed), walk-in wardrobe, and a step-out balcony.

Shipboard Facilities and Amenities

All meals are served in the Panorama Restaurant (located forward on Strauss Deck 2), offering early breakfast, buffet breakfast, buffet or sit-down lunch, and five-course gourmet dinners with complimentary regional wines. The cuisine features locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. Guests can also enjoy Afternoon Tea & Cake, midnight snacks, and a 24-hour coffee/tea station.

The Sun Deck (Deck 4) is the prime leisure area, offering scenic views, deckchairs, sun loungers, shaded seating under retractable awnings, a putting green (mini-golf), Giant Chessboard, Shuffleboard, and the Lido Bar serving light snacks and beverages. The Wheelhouse (Navigation Bridge) is located forward and is accessible to passengers; it is telescopic to allow clearance under low bridges.

• Panorama Lounge & Bar (Mozart Deck 3 forward) – the main show lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows, comfortable seating, and a full-service bar. It also hosts enrichment activities including port talks, themed lectures and media presentations, live performances, crew shows, and destination parties.
• Amadeus Club (Mozart Deck 3 aft) – a cozy wine bar and library with Internet stations.
• Cafe Vienna (Mozart Deck 3 midship) – a bakery/patisserie and coffee house serving Austrian specialty coffees, homemade cakes, pastries, and gourmet desserts.
• River Terrace (Mozart Deck 3 bow) – a glass-shielded outdoor lounge (wind- and rain-protected) accessible from the Panorama Lounge or via stairs from the Sun Deck.
• Additional amenities include a Spa (massage room), Hair Salon (hairdresser), and Gym (fitness room).

The ship has no swimming pool or outdoor Jacuzzi. A single elevator (passenger lift) connects all cabin decks. Wi-Fi is available shipwide for an extra charge.

Complimentary bicycles (stored on the Sun Deck) and wireless audio systems are provided for all tours and shore excursions.

The vessel (ENI number 2339509) was built at TeamCo Shipyard in Heusden, North Brabant, Netherlands. The ship's name, Cara, is of Latin origin and means "precious" or "valuable." It was chosen to reflect Luftner's 40-year legacy as a family-owned company, now one of Europe's largest river cruise shipowners, internationally recognized as a 5-star travel brand and a top-rated cruisetour operator.

The shipbuilding contract with TeamCo Shipyard BV was signed on January 10, 2020. Amadeus Cara, Luftner's 17th vessel, was originally scheduled for delivery in March 2021, but the launch was postponed to July 2022. The planned Maiden Voyage in 2021 was an 8-day itinerary titled "Danube Rhapsody," departing roundtrip from Passau, Germany.

Construction began on April 8, 2020, marked by the keel-laying ceremony at TeamCo Shipyard.

Amadeus Cara officially joined the fleet on June 29, 2022, in Cologne, where the christening ceremony was held. The event was led by godmother Anna Luftner, Luftner Cruises' Director of Marketing & Public Relations.

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