MS Asara

The 2017-built MS Asara cruise ship operates European itineraries on inland waterways through Holland and Belgium, and on the rivers Rhine, Main and Moselle. Departures are offered from Germany (homeport Koln/Cologne). The riverboat is owned by Rijfers Nautical Management BV (Holland) and 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 02337042) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 248094000) and registered in Valletta.

Asara's sisterships are the same-designed fleetmates (Phoenix Reisen-chartered newbuild riverboats) Antonia (2021), Andrea (2020), Alena (2018), Adora (2018). Traditionally, all Phoenix Reisen cruise ships have names starting with the letter "A".

Decks and Cabins

MS Asara staterooms (96 total, in 8 grades) accommodate 190 passengers on 3 decks (out of 4). All cabins are outside (including 78x French Balcony), equally sized (170 ft2 / 16 m2), 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.

All cabins on Orion (deck 3) and Saturn (deck 2) are with French balconies (sliding floor-ceiling glass doors open to a railing / false balcony). All cabins on Neptun Deck (deck 1) are with two fixed (non-opening) windows located near the ceiling (at water level).

Cabin categories include:

• Triple Outside (category A, Neptune Deck)
• Twin Outside (category B, Neptune Deck-aft)
• Twin Outside (category C, Neptune Deck)
• Twin Outside Single (category F, Neptune Deck)
• Twin Outside with French Balcony (category D, Saturn Deck)
• Twin Outside with French Balcony (category E, Orion Deck)
• Twin Outside categories BG-Zweibett Gluckskabine (Double Happiness Cabin) and DG-Zweibett Gluckskabine mit Franz Balkon (Double Happiness Cabin with French Balcony).

Shipboard facilities

MS Asara 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.

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 MS Asara 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).

Vessel's construction (hull and superstructure, ENI number 02337042) 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 cruise ship was towed to Holland for final outfitting at Scheepswerf Vahali (Gendt).

Note: You can see the 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.