MS Annabelle

The 2020-built and 2021-inaugurated MS Annabelle cruise ship operates exclusively in France, sailing itineraries along the Rhone and Saone rivers with roundtrip departures from her homeport in Lyon. The vessel is owned by the Swiss company Scylla AG (based in Basel) and operated under charter by Phoenix Reisen Flusskreuzfahrten ("River Cruises").

Annabelle’s sisterships are the same-designed riverboats and fleetmates Anesha (2015), Anna Katharina (2019), and Annika (2020). Traditionally, all Phoenix Reisen cruise ships bear names beginning with the letter "A." The German cruisetour company Phoenix Reisen was founded in 1973 and began passenger shipping operations in 1988 with the charter of MV Maxim Gorky (a 1969-built Russian ocean liner, scrapped in 2009). In 1993, Phoenix Reisen launched river cruising in Europe under the brand "Phoenix Reisen Flusskreuzfahrten."

The vessel (ENI number 07002113) is currently Switzerland-flagged (MMSI 269057697) and registered in Basel.

Phoenix Reisen’s MS Annabelle cruise fares include all onboard meals. Breakfasts are buffet-style, while lunches and dinners are multi-course and waiter-served, featuring traditional European and vegetarian specialties. Afternoon tea, coffee, and midnight snacks are complimentary. Beer, house wine (by the glass), soft drinks (mineral water, juices, sodas, lemonade), tea, and coffee are offered complimentary daily between 8 a.m. and 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, vegan and special dietary options (gluten-free, lactose-free, fat-free, diabetic, etc.) are provided at no extra charge.

Decks and Cabins

MS Annabelle staterooms (90 total, across 9 categories) accommodate 184 passengers on 3 of the ship’s 4 decks. All cabins are outside-facing (including 74 with French balconies), tastefully decorated, and equipped with modern, comfortable furnishings. Standard amenities include twin beds (convertible to double/Queen-size), wall-mounted reading lamps, LED ceiling lights, an en-suite bathroom (WC, 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 glass-top table with two armchairs, mirrored dressing table (writing desk with an armchair), wardrobe, electronic safe (in the closet), hairdryer, direct-dial phone, radio, individual air-conditioning, and evening turndown service.

Cabins on decks Orion and Saturn feature French balconies (sliding floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a railing). All cabins on Neptun Deck (Deck 1) have two fixed, non-opening windows located near the ceiling at water level. Most cabins are double-occupancy and equally sized (17 m² / 185 ft²), while the Suites are larger (19 m² / 200 ft²) and offer triple occupancy.

Cabin categories include:

• Twin Outside Single (Category H, Neptun Deck)
• Twin Outside (Category B, Neptun Deck – aft)
• Twin Outside (Category C, Neptun Deck)
• Triple Outside with French Balcony (Category A, Saturn Deck)
• Twin Outside with French Balcony (Category D, Saturn Deck)
• Twin Outside with French Balcony (Category E, Orion Deck)
• Twin Suite with French Balcony (Category F, Saturn Deck)
• Twin Suite with French Balcony (Category G, Orion Deck)
• Twin Outside Single with French Balcony (single-occupancy, Category I, Saturn Deck)

Shipboard Facilities

MS Annabelle features 4 passenger decks, including the Panorama Restaurant "Vier Jahreszeiten" ("Four Seasons" Dining Room), the Lido Specialty Restaurant (Orion Deck), and a Barbecue à la carte Restaurant/Steakhouse/Bistro & Bar with an outdoor Lido Terrace. Other facilities include the Panorama Lounge with Bar, Foyer (Lobby with Reception Desk and Tour Desk/Cruise Director’s Office), a small Boutique Shop, Library, and Lift (passenger elevator connecting all cabin decks). The wellness complex features a Spa (massage room, indoor Jacuzzi/whirlpool), Steam Room, Sauna, and Gym (with modern fitness equipment). The spacious Sun Deck offers a games area (shuffleboard and mini-golf putting green), shaded seating zones (five retractable awnings with deckchairs and tables), sunbathing areas (with loungers and low tables), and an outdoor swimming pool.

Onboard entertainment includes playing cards, board games, bingo, trivia quizzes, dancing, and live music performances in the Bar Lounge. Themed quiz and dance nights, daily lectures with media presentations, itinerary-based port talks, language lessons, and cooking demonstrations are also offered. Laundry service is available for an additional charge. Wireless LAN (WLAN) is available onboard for a fee. The onboard language is German (some crew members also speak English), and the ship’s currency is the Euro (EUR). Girocard, VISA, and MasterCard are accepted for onboard payments. Smoking is permitted only on the Sun Deck (Deck 4) in designated areas.

River Cruise Itineraries

On MS Annabelle, Phoenix Reisen offers the following France cruisetour itineraries, all roundtrips from Lyon:

• 10-day “Rhone und Saone hautnah” (Rhone and Saone Up Close) itinerary visiting Tournus, Chalon-sur-Saone (overnight), Lyon, Tournon (overnight), Avignon (overnight), Tarascon (overnight), Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone, Viviers (overnight), La Voulte-sur-Rhone (Erik Borja Garden, steam train excursion), Tournon-sur-Rhone, Vienne (overnight), and Lyon (overnight).
• 7-day “Hohepunkte auf Rhone und Saone” (Highlights of the Rhone and Saone) itinerary visiting Tournus, Chalon-sur-Saone (overnight), Lyon, Tournon-sur-Rhone (overnight), Le Pouzin, Viviers, Avignon (overnight), Tarascon (overnight), Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone (overnight), Viviers, La Voulte-sur-Rhone, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Vienne (overnight), and Lyon (overnight).

The vessel’s construction (hull and superstructure, ENI number 07002145) was carried out 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. Following her construction in Serbia (2018), the cruise ship was towed to the Netherlands for final outfitting at Da Capo BV Shipyard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam. The riverboat was officially delivered to Scylla AG in June 2019.

The vessel is powered by two Caterpillar marine diesel engines (model 3508C-DITA) with a total output of 1590 kW / 2130 HP. Her propulsion system includes two controllable-pitch propellers and one Veth-Jet bow thruster — an in-hull mounted azimuthing propulsion unit with a power output of 400 kW (530 HP).

MS Annabelle’s christening ceremony took place on July 5, 2021, in Chalon-sur-Saone, France. The ceremony was led by godmother Uta Worms, one of Phoenix Reisen’s loyal guests and a regular cruiser for over 15 years. The vessel, captained by Michael Fouquet, was blessed by Pastor Gilbert Lepee.

Note: You can find 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.