DCS Amethyst Classic

The 1990-built DCS Amethyst Classic cruise ship (formerly VistaClassica) was known as "MS Heinrich Heine" until 2017. During that time, she was owned by Union Group (Bulgaria) and operated by its subsidiary Dunav Tours (Ruse, Bulgaria). Until 2018, the riverboat was frequently chartered by German cruise travel agencies Phoenix Reisen and Nicko Tours.

In 2017, MS Heinrich Heine was acquired by Classica River Cruises GmbH (a Basel-based cruise shipping company) and chartered to 1avista Reisen under the new name VistaClassica.

Since 2021, the vessel has been chartered to DCS Touristik for Rhine and Moselle cruises, primarily targeting German travelers.

Shipboard facilities

Onboard amenities include a comfortable Bar Lounge, a small library, a Sauna Room, and a Solarium (sundeck area) with an indoor swimming pool. The Sun Deck features a pool area (swimming pool and sunbathing zone), an outdoor gym with fitness equipment, a shaded seating area (deckchairs, loungers), a Giant Chess Board, and a quoits play area on the partially covered section. Cabin decks are connected by stairs and one lift (passenger elevator) that also provides access to the Restaurant. The crew is well-trained and friendly.

Dining onboard is complimentary and fixed (with assigned seating), featuring buffet-style breakfasts and lunches, and waiter-served 4-course dinners with themed menus and regional specialties. Main dinner courses are selected at noon from an a la carte menu. All meals follow set dining times. Afternoon tea and coffee with cakes and pastries are served, along with late-night snacks. Open bar and table beverages such as draft beer, house wine, soft drinks (cola, lemonade, juices, mineral water), tea, and coffee are included and available from 08:00 to 24:00. Special dietary meals (gluten-free, lactose-free, diabetic-friendly, etc.) are available upon request, and dietary needs, allergies, and intolerances must be communicated in advance. Formal events include the traditional Captain's Reception (cocktail party) and Captain's Dinner (gala menu), both held in the Restaurant.

The well-stocked breakfast buffet (served from 7:00 to 9:00) offers eggs, sausages, bacon, assorted breads and rolls, a variety of sausages and cheeses, dairy products, yogurts, fresh fruits, and eight types of muesli. Lunch buffet hours depend on the itinerary (port calls and excursions) and typically include one fish dish, one meat dish, hot side dishes, one soup, a salad buffet, and a dessert station. On embarkation day, coffee, tea, and cakes are served near the Restaurant for about 30 minutes. On non-excursion days, cakes are served in the Lounge. On tour days, offerings are limited to coffee, tea, and midnight snacks (canapés).

The 4-course dinner includes two appetizers, one soup, one main course (pre-ordered in the afternoon), and one dessert. Main course choices always feature one meat and one fish dish. Dietary requirements, light meals, and vegetarian preferences are accommodated. The mostly Eastern European waiting staff is German-speaking, well-trained, and attentive.

Entertainment in the Salon-Bar / Lounge includes live music, crew shows, card and board games, bingo, skat tournaments, music quizzes, napkin folding classes, and evening dance parties. Shore excursions are available at additional cost at every port of call, with complimentary maps and tour information provided at each stop.

Morning coffee and afternoon tea with light snacks are served in the Salon-Bar. In true DCS Touristik tradition, passengers are welcomed onboard with mulled wine. The river cruise experience includes the Welcome Dinner (on embarkation day), the complimentary Farewell Cocktail Reception (held the evening before debarkation), and the Gala Dinner with an "Ice Parade" (once per voyage). Additional themed events include a pirate night, crew show, daily quizzes, cooking demonstrations, and live performances by guest artists joining at select ports.

The onboard language is German, and the currency is EUR. Payments can be made using credit cards (Eurocard, Euro-Cheque Card, MasterCard, VISA, American Express, Diner's Club). The ship does not have a medical center (resident physician or nurse), so in case of medical emergencies, guests are transferred to local hospitals. Shore excursions are optional and not included in DCS Touristik fares.

Cabins

MS VistaClassica has a total of 55 staterooms across two decks. All cabins are outside-facing and uniformly sized (12 m² / 130 ft²). Some twin cabins can be booked for single use (at a 50% supplement).

Standard amenities in all cabins include a partially opening window (with a sliding upper section) or non-opening porthole windows, an en-suite bathroom (with washbasin, WC, shower, under-sink storage, hairdryer, razor socket), LCD TV (satellite reception, ship information channel, real-time bow camera, weather forecast), onboard telephone (for internal calls only, including Reception, other cabins, and wake-up service), wall-mounted mirror, round table with chair, shelf above the bed, wardrobe (with hangers, no drawers), electronic safe (in the closet), 220V power sockets, and individually controlled air conditioning.

The riverboat is not suitable for wheelchair users, and moorings are often not accessible to guests with mobility impairments.

1avista VistaClassica cruise deals

1avista Reisen cruise packages include:

• River cruise accommodation in a stateroom
• Shipboard dining – buffet breakfast, waiter-served lunch, afternoon coffee/tea with pastries, waiter-served dinner, and late-night snacks
• Captain's Dinner (special menu) and Welcome Cocktail Party
• Unlimited beverages (from 8:00 a.m. to midnight) – house wine, draft beer, soft drinks (cola, lemonade, juices, mineral water), coffee, tea
• Onboard facilities and live entertainment program
• German-speaking tour guide
• Luggage handling on embarkation and debarkation
• All government taxes and port fees

Not included in the cruise fare are transportation to/from the ship, personal expenses, shore excursions, and gratuities (recommended at EUR 7 per person per day).