MS De Amsterdam

MS De Amsterdam (formerly “Viking Schumann”, “MS Lale Andersen”, and “MS Clara Schumann”) currently operates on the Rhine River, with departures from Germany (Cologne, Mainz), the Netherlands (Rotterdam), and France (Strasbourg).

Ship History

During her Viking Cruises service, Viking Schumann sailed on the Elbe River (Germany and the Czech Republic), departing from Prague and Berlin on 10-day cruise tours. The vessel was named after the German concert pianist and composer Clara Schumann (1819–1896), wife of composer Robert Schumann (1810–1856).

MS Clara Schumann was operated by KD (Köln-Düsseldorfer) from 1991 to 2000. In 2000, Premicon AG (a funds and investment management company and KD’s owner) became the main shareholder of Viking River Cruises. Subsequently, MS Clara Schumann and her sistership Viking Fontane (now Junker Jorg) were transferred to Viking. Between 2010 and 2011, the vessel underwent a complete modernization, including the addition of deluxe French Balcony cabins. Following this refit and refurbishment, she was renamed “Viking Schumann.” On selected Elbe River itineraries, Viking offered discounted roundtrip airfare from the USA (on select cabins or departure dates).

MS De Amsterdam accommodates 112 passengers and is specially designed for cruising Europe’s smaller rivers. The vessel features an exceptionally shallow draft (1 m) and a flat-bottom hull equipped with pump jets to minimize the impact of low water levels.

Passenger facilities include a forward-located Restaurant (main dining room on the Lower Deck), Bar Lounge (on the Main Deck), lobby area with Reception Desk and Boutique Shop (Main Deck), and a Sun Deck offering shaded seating, 4-seat tables, deckchairs, sun loungers, and alfresco dining options such as brunch and afternoon tea. The vessel also has a stair lift (passenger elevator), laundry service, sauna room (Deck 1), and free Wi-Fi throughout.

The ship does not feature a gym, jacuzzi, spa, or swimming pool. Onboard languages include English, German, and Dutch.

Cabins

During the 2010–2011 refit (a USD 2 million investment), Viking River Cruises added eight 200 ft² deluxe cabins (now suites) with French Balconies, similar to her sistership Fontane. The remaining 48 cabins are smaller but all have river views. Each cabin features an en-suite bathroom (washbasin, WC, shower, bath products, hairdryer), phone, flat-screen TV, electronic safe (in the closet), and individually controlled air-conditioning.

Currently, MS De Amsterdam has 30 Main Deck cabins (11 m², with opening windows), 18 Upper Deck cabins (11 m², with opening windows), and 8 suites (Upper Deck, 15 m², each with a double bed and French Balcony).

River Cruise Itineraries

MS De Amsterdam currently operates the following Rhine River routes:

• Cologne to Rotterdam and the reverse route Rotterdam to Cologne
• Cologne to Mainz and the reverse route Mainz to Cologne
• Mainz to Strasbourg and the reverse route Strasbourg to Mainz

Viking Schumann’s former Elbe River itineraries included the following ports and excursions:

• “ELEGANT ELBE” – 10-day cruises from Berlin to Prague and reverse from Prague to Berlin, including a 1-night Berlin hotel stay (Day 1) and bus transfer to Potsdam and Magdeburg (Day 2, embarkation)
• Day 3 – Tour to Dessau, arrival in Wittenberg
• Day 4 – Tour in Wittenberg, arrival in Torgau
• Day 5 – Arrival in Meissen (morning) and Dresden (evening)
• Day 6 – Dresden tour (overnight dock stay)
• Day 7 – Saxon Switzerland, docking in Bad Schandau
• Day 8 – Arrival in Litomerice (Czech Republic), farewell formal dinner onboard
• Day 9 – Disembarkation in Melnik, bus transfer to Prague (city tour and 1-night hotel stay), with an optional 2-night hotel extension in Prague
• Departures from the Czech Republic included a 1-night Prague hotel package with an organized city tour (Old Town walk, Hradcany, Prague Castle, lunch), followed by a bus transfer to the Viking Schumann in Melnik (embarkation, welcome cocktail, and dinner onboard)
• After disembarkation in Magdeburg (Day 9), guests traveled by bus to Potsdam (Sanssouci Palace tour, New Chambers, free time) and then to Berlin for a 1-night hotel stay, with an optional 2-night extension available

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