MS Alisa

The 2023-built MS Alisa cruise ship operates itineraries on inland waterways through Holland and Belgium, and on the rivers Rhine, Main and Moselle. Departures are offered from Germany (homeport Cologne). The riverboat is owned by Rijfers Nautical Management BV (Holland) and is currently chartered by the German tour travel company Phoenix Reisen.

Phoenix Reisen was established in 1973 and started passenger shipping operations in 1988 with the charter of MV Maxim Gorky (Russian ocean liner 1969-built/2009-scrapped). In 1993, Phoenix Travel started to offer river cruises in Europe via the brand "Phoenix Reisen Flusskreuzfahrten".

The vessel (ENI number 2339778) is currently Switzerland-flagged (MMSI 269057830) and registered in Basel.

Alisa's sisterships are the same-designed fleetmates (Phoenix Reisen-chartered newbuild riverboats) Amina (2024), Antonia (2021), Andrea (2020), Alena (2018), Adora (2018), Asara (2017).

Traditionally, all Phoenix Reisen boats have names starting with the letter "A".

Phoenix Reisen christened MS Alisa on March 31, 2023. The naming ceremony was held in Bonn and during the Maiden Voyage, while the boat was navigating on the Rhine en route from Arnhem (Netherlands) back to Koln/Cologne. The special event was led by godmother Katharina Lisa Wust (since 2021 employed as Senior Manager Marketing, Social Media and Event Management at StaTa GmbH Stadtmarketing & Standortentwicklung Taunustein). The christening ceremony was attended by Johannes Zurnieden (Phoenix Reisen's CEO) and Benjamin Krumpen (Phoenix Reisen's Managing Director).

Itineraries

During the inaugural season (2023) MS Alisa had scheduled voyages based on two itineraries (both Kohl roundtrips).

One of the 4-night itineraries visits Bonn/passage, Worms, Mannheim, Kehl/Strasbourg, Iffezheim Lock, Mainz, Loreley Rock/Rhine Gorge passage, and Koblenz (overnight). The second itinerary visits Worms, Mannheim, Kehl-Strasbourg, Loreley Rock, Mainz, and Koblenz. The third itinerary visits Rudesheim, Mainz, Mannheim, Bingen, Loreley Rock, and Koblenz.

The 7-night itineraries are on Rhine and Mosel. The first itinerary visits Konigswinter (overnight), Braubach, Loreley Rock/Rhine Gorge passage, Rudesheim (overnight), Koblenz, Cochem (overnight), Traben-Trarbach, Trier, Bernkastel-Kues, Winningen, and Bonn (overnight). The second itinerary visits Loreley Rock, Boppard, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Mannheim, Kehl-Strasbourg, Basel/Zurich, Breisach, Worms, and Mainz.

Decks and Cabins

MS Alisa staterooms (96 total, in 8 grades) accommodate 190 passengers on 3 decks (out of 4).

All passenger cabins are outside (including 78x French Balcony), and most are sized (170 ft2 / 16 m2).

All passenger cabins on Neptune Deck (deck 1) are smaller (sized 130 ft2 / 12 m2) and have two fixed (non-opening) windows located near the ceiling (at water level). Neptune Deck also houses most staff/crew cabins as well as the machinery rooms (engines, propulsion, electricity generators, etc).

All cabins on Orion (deck 3) and Saturn (deck 2) have French balconies (sliding floor-ceiling glass doors open to a railing / false balcony).

Passenger staterooms are tastefully decorated, with modern and comfortable furniture.

As standard amenities, all passenger staterooms offer hotel twin beds (convertible to a double bed/Queen-size), bedside cabinets (2-drawer), wall-mounted reading lamps, LED ceiling lights, en-suite bathroom (WC-toilet, glass-door shower, single-sink vanity, large backlit LED mirror, towels, bath toiletries), 40-inch smart HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system, bow camera real-time views), mini-bar/refrigerator, Nespresso coffee machine, round coffee table with 2 armchairs, dressing table (writing desk), wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), hairdryer, direct-dial phone, radio, individual air-conditioning, evening turndown service.

Cabin categories include:

• Triple Outside (category A, Neptune Deck)
• Twin Outside (category B, Neptune Deck-aft)
• Twin Outside (category C, Neptune Deck)
• Twin Outside with French Balcony (category D, Saturn Deck)
• Twin Outside with French Balcony (category E, Orion Deck)

Category G-Single Cabin with Windows (Neptundeck 2-Bett zur Alleinbenutzung) is a Double Cabin that can be booked without a single supplement (subject to availability).

Category H-Single Cabin with French Balcony (Saturndeck 2-Bett zur Alleinbenutzung mit Franz Balkon) is a Double Cabin that can be booked without a single supplement (subject to availability).

Shipboard facilities

MS Alisa has 4 passenger decks, Panorama Restaurant "Vier Jahreszeiten" ("Four Seasons" Dining Room with adjacent Galley/Kitchen), Lido Restaurant (aft on Orion Deck / a-la-carte priced Specialty Restaurant / Steakhouse / Bistro & Bar with an outdoor Lido Terrace/stern-facing, with small seating), Panorama Bar Lounge (with Library and bow-facing Panorama terrace / with small seating), Foyer (Lobby Hall with Reception Desk and Tour Desk / Cruise Director's Office), Boutique Shop, Lift (passenger elevator connecting all cabin decks).

In addition, the riverboat has a Wellness complex (midship on Neptune Deck) with Relax Room, Sauna Room, Steam Bath, Gym Room (with modern fitness equipment). Sundeck (an outdoor top deck) has a games area (Shuffleboard, Giant Chess Set), shaded seating areas (covered by 4x retractable awnings, with deckchairs and tables), sunbathing areas (with padded premium patio chairs, 2-seater sofas, sun loungers), Covered Terrace (outdoor Lounge with 4-seat tables, covered by a retractable roof), an outdoor plunge pool (large Jacuzzi/whirlpool hot tub).

Entertainment options include playing board and card games, dancing nights with live music performances, themed and quiz evenings, regional events, language courses, lectures.

Laundry service and WiFi (wireless LAN / WLAN) are offered for a fee.

The onboard language is German, the currency is EUR. Girocard, VISA and MasterCard are accepted.

Smoking is only permitted in a designated Sundeck area.

Phoenix Reisen Alisa cruise deals are inclusive of all shipboard meals. Breakfasts are buffet-style, while lunches and dinners are multi-course and waiter-served, featuring traditional European and vegetarian cuisine specialties. Afternoon Tea service, coffee/tea and midnight snacks are provided complimentary. Beers, house wines (by the glass), soft drinks (mineral water, juices, sodas, lemonade), tea and coffee are offered complimentary daily (between 8 am and 12-midnight).

The traditional for river cruise ships Captain's Cocktail Reception and Captain's Gala Dinner events are held once per voyage, respectively, in the Bar Lounge and the Dining Room Restaurant. Upon request are complimentary provided vegan and special diet dishes (gluten-free, lactose-free, fat-free, diabetic, etc).

The vessel's construction (hull and superstructure, ENI number 02339778) was done at the Vahali Shipyard in Zasavica (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia). The 1923-founded Dutch shipbuilding company (Scheepswerf En Machinefabriek Vahali BV) owns and operates yards in Serbia (Belgrade, and Zasavica) and in Holland (Gendt). Vahali Shipyard Zasavica was officially opened in 2013.

Following the construction in Serbia, the ship was towed to Holland for final outfitting at Scheepswerf Vahali (Gendt).

Note: You can see 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.