MS Asara

The 2017-built MS Asara cruise ship operates European itineraries along inland waterways in Holland and Belgium, as well as on the rivers Rhine, Main, and Moselle. Departures are offered from Germany, with Cologne as the homeport. The riverboat is owned by Rijfers Nautical Management BV (Holland) and is currently chartered by the German tour company Phoenix Reisen.

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, the company launched river cruises in Europe under 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) Amina (2024), Alisa (2023), Antonia (2021), Andrea (2020), Alena (2018), and Adora (2018). Traditionally, all Phoenix Reisen riverboats have names starting with the letter “A.”

Decks and Cabins

MS Asara staterooms (96 total, in 8 categories) accommodate up to 190 passengers across 3 of the ship’s 4 decks.

All cabins are outside-facing (including 78 with French Balconies), and most measure 170 ft² / 16 m². Cabins on Neptune Deck (Deck 1) are smaller (130 ft² / 12 m²) and have two fixed, non-opening windows positioned near the ceiling at water level. This deck also contains most crew cabins and technical spaces (engines, propulsion, and generators). Cabins on Orion Deck (Deck 3) and Saturn Deck (Deck 2) feature French balconies with sliding floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening to railings (false balconies).

All staterooms are tastefully decorated and comfortably furnished. Standard amenities include twin beds (convertible to double/Queen-size), bedside cabinets (two drawers), wall-mounted reading lamps, LED ceiling lights, and an en-suite bathroom (WC, glass-door shower, single-sink vanity, large backlit LED mirror, towels, and bath toiletries). Each cabin also offers a 40-inch smart HDTV (with satellite reception, infotainment system, and 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)
• Twin Outside “Glückskabine” categories: BG – Double Happiness Cabin, DG – Double Happiness Cabin with French Balcony

Category G – Single Cabin with Windows (Neptune Deck, 2-bed for single use) is a Double Cabin bookable without a single supplement (subject to availability).

Category H – Single Cabin with French Balcony (Saturn Deck, 2-bed for single use with French Balcony) is a Double Cabin bookable without a single supplement (subject to availability).

Shipboard Facilities

MS Asara has 4 passenger decks, including the Panorama Restaurant “Vier Jahreszeiten” (“Four Seasons” Dining Room with adjacent galley), the aft Lido Restaurant (à la carte specialty restaurant/steakhouse/bistro & bar with outdoor Lido Terrace seating), and the Panorama Bar Lounge (with Library and bow-facing Panorama Terrace). Other amenities include the Foyer (Lobby Hall with Reception and Tour Desks/Cruise Director’s Office), Boutique Shop, and Lift (passenger elevator connecting all cabin decks).

The wellness complex (midship on Neptune Deck) features a Relax Room, Sauna, Steam Bath, and Gym (with modern fitness equipment). The Sun Deck offers a games area (Shuffleboard, Giant Chess), shaded seating (covered by four retractable awnings), sunbathing areas with premium loungers and patio furniture, a Covered Terrace (outdoor lounge with tables and retractable roof), and an outdoor plunge pool (large Jacuzzi/whirlpool).

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

The onboard language is German, and the currency is the Euro (EUR). Girocard, VISA, and MasterCard are accepted. Smoking is permitted only in a designated area on the Sun Deck.

Phoenix Reisen’s MS Asara cruise fares include all onboard meals. Breakfasts are buffet-style, while lunches and dinners are multi-course and waiter-served, featuring European and vegetarian specialties. Complimentary afternoon tea, coffee, and midnight snacks are also provided. Beers, house wines (by the glass), soft drinks (mineral water, juices, sodas, lemonade), tea, and coffee are available daily between 8 a.m. and midnight at no extra charge.

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

The vessel’s construction (hull and superstructure, ENI number 02337042) 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.

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

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.