MS Amina

The 2024-built MS Amina cruise ship operates itineraries on inland waterways in Holland and Belgium, as well as on the rivers Rhine, Main, and Moselle. Departures are offered from Germany, with the homeport in Cologne. The vessel is owned by Rijfers Nautical Management BV (Netherlands) and currently chartered by the German tour company Phoenix Reisen.

Phoenix Reisen was founded in 1973 and began passenger cruise operations in 1988 with the charter of MV Maxim Gorky (a 1969-built Russian ocean liner, scrapped in 2009). In 1993, Phoenix Reisen launched European river cruise operations under the brand "Phoenix Reisen Flusskreuzfahrten."

The vessel (ENI number 02340166) is currently Switzerland-flagged (MMSI 269057002) and registered in Basel.

Amina’s sisterships are same-designed fleetmates (Phoenix Reisen-chartered newbuild riverboats) Antonia (2021), Andrea (2020), Alena (2018), Adora (2018), Asara (2017), and Alisa (2023). Traditionally, all Phoenix Reisen vessels have names beginning with the letter “A.”

Phoenix Reisen christened MS Amina in April 2024. The naming ceremony took place during the Maiden Voyage (departure on April 3rd, roundtrip from Bonn).

Itineraries

During the inaugural 2024 season, MS Amina operated a series of one-way and roundtrip itineraries departing from Bonn, Cologne/Köln (Rhine), and Passau (Danube).

The inaugural “Baptism Journey” (April 3–5, 2024; booking code AMI001A) was a 2-day roundtrip from Bonn visiting Rüdesheim 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” (Cologne to Passau; departure May 25th, booking code AMI011) visits Frankfurt, Miltenberg, Würzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Kelheim, and Linz.

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

The 10-day northbound relocation voyage “Via the Main-Danube Canal to the Main and Rhine” (Passau to Cologne; departure September 2nd, booking code AMI030) visits Regensburg, Kelheim, Nuremberg, Würzburg, Wertheim, Frankfurt, and Rüdesheim.

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

The 8-day “Three-Country New Year’s Eve Cruise” (departure December 27th; booking code AMI048) is a roundtrip from Cologne visiting Bonn, Koblenz, Loreley Rock/Rhine Gorge, Rüdesheim, Mannheim, Strasbourg/Kehl, Basel, Speyer, and Mainz.

Decks and Cabins

MS Amina staterooms (96 total, in 8 categories) accommodate 208 passengers on three decks (of four). All cabins are outside-facing (including 84 with French balconies), and most measure 170 ft² / 16 m².

Cabins on the Neptune Deck (deck 1) are smaller (130 ft² / 12 m²) and have two fixed, non-opening windows near the ceiling (at water level). This deck also houses most of the crew cabins and machinery spaces (engines, propulsion, generators, etc.). Cabins on the Orion (deck 3) and Saturn (deck 2) decks have French balconies with sliding floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening to a railing (false balcony).

All staterooms are tastefully decorated and furnished in a modern, comfortable style.

Standard cabin amenities include hotel twin beds (convertible to double/Queen-size), bedside cabinets (two-drawer), wall-mounted reading lamps, LED ceiling lighting, en-suite bathroom (WC, glass-door shower, single-sink vanity, large backlit LED mirror, towels, bath toiletries), 40-inch smart HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system, live bow camera views), mini-bar/refrigerator, Nespresso coffee machine, round coffee table with two armchairs, dressing table (writing desk), wardrobe, electronic safe (in the closet), hairdryer, direct-dial phone, radio, individual air-conditioning, and 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 (Neptune Deck, double cabin for single use) can be booked without a single supplement, subject to availability.

Category H – Single Cabin with French Balcony (Saturn Deck, double cabin for single use with French Balcony) can be booked without a single supplement, subject to availability.

Shipboard Facilities

MS Amina has four passenger decks, including the Panorama Restaurant “Vier Jahreszeiten” (“Four Seasons” Dining Room with adjacent galley/kitchen), and an aft Lido Restaurant (on Orion Deck, à la carte Specialty Restaurant “Trattoria Caminetto”/Steakhouse/Bistro & Bar with outdoor Lido Terrace). Other public areas include the Panorama Bar Lounge (with Library and bow-facing Panorama Terrace), Foyer (Lobby Hall with Reception Desk and Tour Desk/Cruise Director’s Office), Boutique Shop, and a passenger Lift (elevator) connecting all cabin decks.

The ship also features a wellness facility (aft on Orion Deck) with a Sauna Room. The Sun Deck includes a games area (Giant Chess Set), shaded seating (four retractable awnings), sunbathing areas (with padded premium patio chairs, sofas, and loungers), a Covered Terrace (outdoor lounge with tables, shaded by a retractable roof), and an outdoor plunge pool (large Jacuzzi/whirlpool hot tub).

Entertainment options include board and card games, live music and dance evenings, themed parties, quiz nights, regional performances, language lessons, and lectures. Laundry service and Wi-Fi (WLAN) are available for an additional charge.

The onboard language is German, and the official currency is EUR. Girocard, VISA, and MasterCard are accepted. Smoking is permitted only in designated areas on the Sun Deck.

Phoenix Reisen’s MS Amina cruise fares include all onboard meals. Breakfast is buffet-style, while lunch and dinner are multi-course and waiter-served, featuring European and vegetarian specialties. Afternoon tea, coffee, and midnight snacks are complimentary. Beers, house wines (by the glass), soft drinks (mineral water, juices, sodas, lemonade), tea, and coffee are available daily (8 a.m.–12 midnight).

The traditional Captain’s Cocktail Reception and Captain’s Gala Dinner are held once per voyage, respectively, in the Bar Lounge and the main Dining Room. Upon request, special dietary dishes (vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, fat-free, diabetic, etc.) are available at no extra charge.

The vessel’s construction (hull and superstructure, ENI number 02340166) was completed at Vahali Shipyard in Zasavica (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia). The Dutch shipbuilding company Scheepswerf en Machinefabriek Vahali BV, founded in 1923, owns and operates shipyards in Serbia (Belgrade and Zasavica) and in the Netherlands (Gendt). Vahali Shipyard Zasavica officially opened in 2013.

After the hull construction in Serbia, the vessel was towed to the Netherlands for final outfitting at Scheepswerf Vahali in Gendt.

Note: You can view CruiseMapper’s complete list of river cruise ships and riverboats in the “Itinerary” section of our River Cruises hub, where all companies and their fleets are listed.