MS Amina

The 2024-built MS Amina 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 2340166) is currently Switzerland-flagged (MMSI 269057002) and registered in Basel.

Amina's sisterships are the same-designed fleetmates (Phoenix Reisen-chartered newbuild riverboats) Antonia (2021), Andrea (2020), Alena (2018), Adora (2018), Asara (2017), Alisa (2023).

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

Phoenix Reisen will christen MS Amina in April 2024. The naming ceremony will be held during the Maiden Voyage (departure on April 3rd, roundtrip from Bonn).

Itineraries

During the inaugural season (2024) MS Amina had scheduled voyages based on one-way and roundtrip itineraries leaving from the German homeports Bonn, Cologne/Koln (Rhine), and Passau (Danube).

The inaugural cruise (Baptism Journey) is a 2-day roundtrip from Bonn (itinerary April 3-5, 2024/booking code AMI001A) visiting Rudesheim and Koblenz.

The 5-day "Holland Enjoyment" itinerary (roundtrip from Cologne) visits Amsterdam, IJsselmeer (cruising), Hoorn, Rotterdam, Gorinchem and Arnhem.

The 10-day southbound relocation voyage "Via the Rhine and Main to the Main-Danube Canal" (from Cologne to Passau/departure May 25th, booking code AMI011) visits Frankfurt, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Main-Danube Canal (transit), Kelheim and Linz.

The 5-day "Danube Nut" itinerary (roundtrip from Passau) visits Vienna, Esztergom, Budapest, Bratislava and Durnstein.

The 10-day northbound relocation voyage "Via the Main-Danube Canal to the Main and Rhine" (from Passau to Cologne/departure September 2nd, booking code AMI030) visits Main-Danube Canal (transit), Regensburg, Kelheim, Nuremberg, Wurzburg, Wertheim, Frankfurt and Rudesheim.

The 5-day "Advent Shopping in Holland" itinerary (roundtrip from Cologne) is Christmas Markets-themed and visits Amsterdam, IJsselmeer (cruising), Medemblik, Hoorn, Rotterdam, Gorinchem and Arnhem.

The 8-day "On a Three-Country Tour over New Year's Eve Cruise" (departure December 27th/booking code AMI048) is a roundtrip from Cologne visiting Bonn, Koblenz, Loreley Rock/Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim, Mannheim, Strasbourg/Kehl, Basel, Speyer and Mainz.

Decks and Cabins

MS Amina staterooms (96 total, in 8 grades) accommodate 208 passengers on 3 decks (out of 4). All cabins are outside (including 84x French Balcony), and most are large-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 Amina 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 "Trattoria Caminetto" / 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 facility (aft on Orion Deck) comprising a Sauna Room.

The Sundeck (an outdoor top deck) has a games area (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 Amina 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 02340166) 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.