DCS Alemannia

DCS Alemannia cruise ship was built in 1971 in Wiesbaden (Germany). Currently, the riverboat is owned by Basel-based company Breeze River Cruises GmbH (shipowner) and operated under charter by DCS Touristik. The previous charterer was the Stuttgart-based company Nicko Tours (subsidiary of Mystic Cruises). Until 2007, the ship (as "MS Germany") was chartered to Viking River Cruises.

MS Alemannia cruises on Rhine River, with roundtrip departures from homeport Cologne Germany and between Amsterdam Holland and Basel Switzerland.

DCS-Touristik GmbH (1985-founded) is a Nagel Germany-based company that specializes in bus-and-cruise travel excursions. DCS-Touristik's cruisetour program includes river cruise travel, group bus tours (usually event-themed and city tours), wellness- and music-themed excursions. The company's charter fleet includes 8 boats deployed on the rivers Rhine-Main-Danube, also Nile (Egypt) and Volga (Russia).

Onboard language is German, the currency is EUR. Onboard payments can be done via credit cards (Eurocard, Euro-Cheque card, MasterCard, VISA, American Express, Diner's Club). The ship has no Infirmary (resident physician / nurse) so in cases of emergency, passengers are transferred to land-based hospitals. Shore excursions are optional and cost extra (not included in the DCS-Touristik fares).

Cabins

DCS Alemannia staterooms (92 total) accommodate max 184 passengers (double-occupancy). Standard cabins are all outside, equally-sized (12 m2 / 130 ft2) and equipped with 2 twin (separate) lower beds, cabinets, wardrobe, large mirrors, low table with 2 armchairs, en-suite bathroom (glass shower, WC-toilet, washbasin, hairdryer, towels, shaver-only socket), HDTV (satellite reception, ship info channel, real-time bow camera views), electronic safe box (in the closet), phone (intercom / onboard only), 220 V power outlets, individually controlled air-conditioning. One of the lower beds is folding, which allows during the day to be folded to the wall to create more space.

Suites are on Upper Deck, larger (24 m2 / 260 ft2) and additionally offer a double bed (convertible to 2 twins) and larger seating area (with mini-bar). Only Upper Deck cabin windows are opening (tiltable). Main Deck cabins have 2 small non-opening windows.

Some cabins are Triples (2 lower beds plus 1 upper bunk bed) but sized as standard Doubles.

Shipboard amenities

MS Alemannia has a midship-located Dining Room Restaurant (Panorama) with large windows, single-seating capacity and open seating arrangement. On embarkation day, a specific table can be reserved for the duration of the cruise. Dining Room menu includes both traditional dishes (itinerary-based on visited countries) and international cuisine specialties. The culinary highlight of each voyage is the Gala Dinner held here, with exquisite menu and ice parade.

The ship also has Reception Desk (24-hour guest services and assistance), Tour Office (excursions information and booking), Library (Lobby corner with small Gift Shop) with souvenirs, books, popular board games, 4-seat table with armchairs. A stairlift serves disabled passengers (in wheelchairs).

The Sun Deck features a heated swimming pool flanked by two retractable Awnings (roofed / shaded seating lounge with tables and chairs, full bar service) and aft deckgames area (with Giant Chess Set). The sunbathing area by the pool is furnished with sunloungers and deckchairs.

The fore-located on Upper Deck Bar Lounge Panorama has large windows, comfortable seating (2-seat sofas, armchairs, round tables), grand piano (live performances by resident pianist) and is served by its own Bar. Onboard entertainment includes daily live music performances, cooking demonstrations, quiz games, bingo, crew show, themed dance nights, enrichment lectures and media presentations (related to the cruisetour itinerary's destinations, ports, excursions), a pirate-themed evening, live musical performances (by guest artists boarding the ship in some ports).

In the Salon-Bar are served morning coffee and afternoon tea with light snacks. Traditionally for DCS-Touristik, upon boarding the Amethyst Classic ship all passengers are welcomed with mulled wine. The river cruising experience also includes the traditional formal events Welcome Dinner (on embarkation day) and the complimentary Farewell Cocktail Reception (in the evening before debarkation day). Another themed onboard event is the Gala Dinner with "Ice Parade" (once per voyage). Onboard entertainment (at the Bar Lounge) includes a pirate-themed evening, crew show, daily quizzes, cooking demonstrations, live musical performances by guest artists (boarding the ship in some ports).

The cruise company offers optional shore excursions (not included in the fares) in each of the visited ports. Land tours include sightseeing tours, city walks, cycling tours, bus travel to nearby tourist destinations. On all guided shore excursions are provided complimentary portable audio headsets.

MS Alemannia river cruise deals are inclusive of all onboard meals (breakfast buffet, waiter-served lunch and dinner, afternoon coffee with cake, midnight snacks), Welcome Cocktail party, Welcome Dinner, Gala Dinner, onboard entertainment, ship tour, port taxes. Cruisetour deals don't include flights, transfers, excursions, insurance, gratuities, beverages, personal expenses.

Between November 1989 and February 1990, the boat received a drydock refurbishment at Shipyard De Biesbosch (Dordrecht Holland). The existing Grill Room and surrounding Veranda were removed to enlarge the Dining Room Restaurant. The ship also received new Bar and the number of passenger cabins was reduced from 108 to 94.

Ship's machinery includes four 12-cylinder diesel engines (model Deutz FM716 378, total power output 1,5 MW), two rudder propellers (Voith-Schneider), bow thruster (power output 190 kW). Sundeck's Wheelhouse, all railings and awnings are retractable to allow passing under low bridges.

The vessel (ENI number 7001703) is currently Switzerland-flagged (MMSI 269057061) and registered in Basel. When launched in 2004, it was originally named "MS Germany".

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.