Arosa Sena

The 2022-built Arosa Sena cruise ship (also known as "Arosa E-Motion"/Emotion) is the newest riverboat in the Arosa fleet. Originally scheduled for delivery in May 2021, the ship was inaugurated in May 2022. She cruises on the Rhine River and the inland waterways of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, departing from homeports Amsterdam and Cologne, with ports of call including Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Bruges. Itineraries are 7 days in length and include overnight stays in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. For the first time, Arosa also visits the Dutch cities Dordrecht and Utrecht with this vessel.

Arosa Sena is currently the largest and most technologically advanced vessel in the fleet, and the first on the Rhine River with five decks (most European riverboats have four). The name "Sena" was officially announced on August 11, 2021. Derived from Arabic (a variant of "Sana"), it means "beauty" or "grace."

The ship measures 135 meters in length (LOA) and 17.7 meters in width, making her significantly wider than standard European river cruise vessels (typically 11.4 meters wide). She features five decks and was built by Concordia Damen at the shipyard in Gorinchem, southern Netherlands. Like all Arosa ships, Sena offers spacious family cabins (28 m²) on the Lower Deck, adjacent to a dedicated indoor family complex with a Kids Club. These staterooms accommodate up to five guests and include a double bed (non-convertible), a sofabed, lower-upper bunks, a separate play area, a large bathroom with dual sinks, and ample storage space.

A fleet-first—and industry-first—feature is the Sun Deck's shallow kids' pool, in addition to the heated adult pool (23 m²). The ship has 121 Balcony Cabins and 7 Suites with balconies. During school holidays, a complimentary childcare service (8 am to 9 pm) offers supervised activities such as pizza baking, treasure hunts, dance parties, and trivia quizzes. The main restaurant also includes a separate children's dining area. On all Arosa cruises, children up to 15 years old travel free (in a Premium All-Inclusive cabin) when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Located aft on the Lower Deck (Kids Deck), the staff and crew cabins are generously sized for single or double occupancy (not the usual quad configurations), and the Mess Hall serves as a dining, bar, and relaxation area.

Signature onboard amenities include a Dining Room Restaurant (buffet-style breakfast and lunch, five-course dinner), a wellness complex with Spa (massage rooms, heated loungers), Sauna Room, indoor Jacuzzi (whirlpool), and an Ice Grotto (ice fountain, chilled vapor, rain showers).

The open bar throughout the ship serves complimentary beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) at all times, including beer, wine by the glass, spirits, cocktails, and soft drinks.

On the Sundeck (Deck 5) are located the collapsible Wheelhouse (Navigation Bridge), two swimming pools (adult and kids), poolside showers, sunbathing area with loungers, shaded seating area (with retractable awnings), a relaxation zone with sunbeds and umbrellas, the Light Dome (SkyLight over the Atrium), a Mobile Bar, and an Activity Area with deck games and an outdoor playground.

On the Upper Deck (Deck 4) are the Garden Restaurant (with two buffets and a live cooking station), Galley/Kitchen, Steakhouse (part of Garden Restaurant), Outdoor Restaurant (aft alfresco terrace), the Lobby area (Reception, Shop, Tours/Cruise Director's Office), Bar Lounge (with Winebar, dance floor, and stage), and Outdoor Lounge (bow terrace). All venues on this deck feature floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows.

On the Middle Deck (Deck 3) are the upper ship entrances (port and starboard) and a Lounge. On the Main Deck (Deck 2) are the lower ship entrances and the Reception Desk. On the Lower Deck (Deck 1) are the Kids Club (indoor playground), Spa Room (Jacuzzi), Massage Rooms, Beauty Parlor (hair, nail, barber services), Relaxation Lounge, Sauna Room, Fitness (Gym Room), staff/crew cabins, and aft machinery rooms (engines and propulsion).

A single passenger elevator connects all cabin decks. All decks are also interconnected via forward, midship, and aft staircases, including a spiral grand staircase in the Atrium.

Decks and Cabins

Most Arosa Sena staterooms are double-occupancy cabins with outdoor balconies. There are four cabin categories, with a maximum capacity of five guests per cabin. The ship has 140 staterooms in total, including 7 Suites (category F-Balkonsuite). The Balkonsuites feature a "twin balcony" design—French Balcony and step-out veranda for all-weather use. The most affordable cabins are on Deck 1 (category G Familienkabine), equipped with a large non-opening porthole window, Queen bed (non-convertible), and three additional beds (sofabed and lower-upper bunks) for children.

All Arosa Sena staterooms include twin beds (convertible to Queen, 200 x 160 cm), luxury bedding, wool blankets, bedside cabinets, reading lamps, closets with under-bed storage, 220V/110V power outlets, USB ports, full en-suite bathrooms (toilet, glass-door shower, lighted mirror, hairdryer, bath amenities, bathrobes, slippers), a seating area (loveseat, round coffee table), mirrored wardrobe, writing desk with puff chair, onboard phone, electronic safe, complimentary bottled water (daily), smart HDTV (infotainment, satellite, free Internet/Wi-Fi), and individual air conditioning.

All staterooms on Decks 2 and 3 are in Balkonkabine categories C and D, sized 21 m², featuring wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows, with sliding glass doors that open to a furnished step-out veranda (two padded chairs and a low table).

The largest accommodations are category G Family cabins (28 m², Deck 1) and category F Balcony Suites (26 m², Decks 2 and 4). Suites have two sets of floor-to-ceiling glass doors—one leading to a French Balcony (bedroom) and the other to a step-out balcony (living room). Suite features include a walk-in closet (two wardrobes), large bathroom with daylight, dual-sink vanity, separate WC and shower (no bathtub), two-seater sofa, and balcony furniture (two armchairs, low table). Suite guests receive perks such as priority check-in, personal welcome (from noon), cocktail reception with the Hotel Manager, dedicated butler service, complimentary minibar, fresh flowers and fruits, free laundry and ironing, and complimentary room service.

All Arosa Sena staterooms include a Welcome Aboard gift: a bottle of champagne, a fruit basket, and a rose in a vase.

Unlike nearly all European riverboats (except Russian vessels), Arosa Sena features five decks, including a full Sundeck (Deck 5).

Itineraries

Arosa Sena's itinerary program began with her Inaugural Cruise on June 18, 2022. The Maiden Voyage was initially planned for May but postponed three times. The 7-night roundtrip from Cologne visits The Netherlands (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Dordrecht) and Belgium (Antwerp).

• 4-night "Rhine Mini Cruise Metropolisis 2021" (Nov 21, 25, 29; Dec 3, 7, 11, 15, 19) roundtrip from Cologne to Rotterdam and Amsterdam – from EUR 720 pp.
• 5-night "Rhine City Experiences 2021" (Nov 6, 11, 16) roundtrip from Cologne to Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Utrecht – from EUR 1120 pp.
• 7-night "Rhine Discovery Amsterdam and Rotterdam 2021" (multiple dates from May to Oct) roundtrip from Cologne to Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Dordrecht, Antwerp – from EUR 1680 pp.
• 7-night "Rhine Cities and Christmas Cruise 2021" (Dec 23) – from EUR 1930 pp.
• 7-night "Rhine Cities & New Year 2021" (Dec 30) – from EUR 2190 pp.

Guests enjoy complimentary bicycles for individual or guided shore excursions, including "food and wine" tours, cultural and historical sightseeing, and leisure biking/walking tours led by professional local guides (German and English-speaking). Arosa cruise deals also include airport/land transfers, taxes, onboard gratuities, and services by an English-speaking professional staff.

Due to the Coronavirus crisis in 2020, the delivery of the A-Rosa E-Motion boat was postponed from May 2021 to June 2022. The delay was primarily caused by disruptions in the shipbuilder’s supply chain. The vessel’s construction began in Romania at the Santierul Naval Severnav shipyard in Drobeta-Turnu Severin.

The ship’s hull (ENI 2339241) was completed in April 2021. On April 28, the YACHT EXPRESS (a 2007-built Heavy Lift Vessel, IMO 9346029) departed from Constanta, Romania, transporting the hull to the Netherlands. Final outfitting was completed at the Concordia Damen Shipyard in Werkendam, near Gorinchem.

The Arosa “E-Motion” ship Sena features an alternative battery power system that enables emission-free navigation in ports along the river cruise route. In addition, the ship utilizes an air lubrication system that injects a layer of air bubbles beneath the hull, enhancing fuel efficiency by approximately 8% and reducing emissions. To optimize hull design, the fuel tank capacity was reduced. This air bubble technology (DACS) is patented by Concordia Damen Werft.

While cruising at optimal speeds, the ship’s diesel engines (part of the diesel-electric propulsion system) operate in a fuel-saving low-power mode. Excess electricity is stored in the ship’s batteries. When running on battery mode, the vessel navigates almost noiselessly and without emissions. Like all Arosa ships, Sena is equipped with a shoreside power connectivity system, allowing the batteries to recharge while the ship is docked.

On December 15, 2017, Concordia Damen was officially established as a joint venture company based in Werkendam, formed by Damen Shipyards Group and Concordia Group. The agreement for the design and construction of a new class of inland cruise ships was signed by Chris Kornet (Concordia Group CEO), Simon Provoost (Damen Shipyards Gorinchem Product Director), Jan-Wim Dekker (Damen Shipyards Gorinchem CPO), and Kommer Damen (Damen Shipyards Group Chairman).

On April 2, 2019, Arosa Flussschiff GmbH (based in Rostock) signed an agreement with Concordia Damen Shipbuilding for one vessel specifically designed for deployment on the northern Rhine River. The delivery was initially scheduled for May 2021. The contract was signed by Jorg Eichler (Arosa CEO) and Simon Provoost (Concordia Damen Managing Director). Bookings for Arosa Emotion cruises opened on December 9, 2019.

The ship’s Maiden Voyage and christening ceremony were originally planned for May 2022 (postponed three times: May 14, May 21, and May 28), to be held in the homeport of Cologne/Köln (Germany). The event was to be led by godmother Yvonne Catterfeld (a 1979-born German actress, singer, and TV personality), with support from AROSA’s “future generation” ambassadors Clara Katharina Eichler (14) and Enna Marie Kate Sandmann (10) — daughters of the company’s managing directors. However, the riverboat was officially named in Dusseldorf on June 18 (prior to the Maiden Voyage) and christened by Clara Eichler, daughter of AROSA CEO Jorg Eichler.

The repeated cancellations of the Maiden Voyage were attributed to shipbuilding issues, mainly due to COVID-related supply chain disruptions, infections among employees, suppliers, and service providers, as well as supply shortages worsened by the Ukrainian crisis.

During two Rhine voyages on Arosa Sena in August 2023 (Aug 5–12 and Aug 12–19), the cruise line introduced the river cruising industry’s first onboard swimming lessons. The program was offered in partnership with Wasserlust GmbH (swimming schools in Hamburg and Dusseldorf). The lessons, designed for children aged 4.5 to 7, cost EUR 100 per child. Each course was limited to 6 participants and included 6 swimming sessions per voyage, each lasting 40–50 minutes. Instruction was led by a qualified, Wasserlust-certified teacher. Upon completion, children received Wasserlust Certificates for Beginner and Intermediate levels.