MS Dutch Melody

The 1999-built (originally named River Melody) cruise ship MS Dutch Melody is a 140-passenger, four-deck riverboat operated by the Dutch Cruise Line (Netherlands). She was previously one of the largest vessels chartered by Grand Circle Cruise Line and is currently owned by the Valletta, Malta-based company River Melody AG.

The ship was renamed “Dutch Melody” in 2019, along with a change in registry and flag state from Malta (MMSI 256896000) to the Netherlands (MMSI 244183511).

Following an extensive refurbishment in 2019, Dutch Melody was chartered exclusively to the UK-based Saga Cruises (since 2020) and, from 2023, also to the Dutch Cruise Line.

Decks and Cabins

MS Dutch Melody features 70 cabins spread over three decks, all of which are outside staterooms measuring approximately 14 m2 (150 ft2). Each cabin includes two lower beds (some convertible to doubles), a wardrobe, electronic safe (in the closet), en-suite bathroom (with toilet, shower, single-sink vanity, and hairdryer), individually controlled air-conditioning, direct-dial phone, and a flat-screen TV (with satellite channels, ship information, and real-time bow camera views).

During the day, the twin beds fold into the wall, converting the space into a seating area. Serenade Deck cabins feature floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and a small step-out balcony. Deck 2 staterooms (on Sonata and Cantata Decks) have large picture windows, while Prelude Deck cabins (water-level) feature chest-high, non-opening porthole windows.

The ship has three main cabin categories:

• Riverview Cabins – Categories D (Prelude Deck), B4 and B (Sonata Deck), and C4 and C (Cantata Deck).
• French Balcony Cabins – Serenade Deck, Category A.
• Single Cabins – Located on all cabin decks: D (Prelude), B4/B (Sonata), C4/C (Cantata), and A (Serenade).

The vessel has four decks, three of which are with passenger accommodations.

Shipboard Facilities and Amenities

Onboard facilities include a spacious bar lounge, a forward panoramic salon with floor-to-ceiling windows, a lobby/reception hall, a dining room (open-seating restaurant with capacity for all 140 guests in a single sitting), and a small library.

Forward on Deck 2 are a gym (starboard fitness room) and a sauna (port side) with an indoor Jacuzzi/whirlpool.

The partially shaded Sun Deck features comfortable loungers for relaxation and river viewing.

Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access is available in the lobby, library, bar, and lounge areas.

All announcements are made in English. The ship features a modern elevator connecting the Serenade, Sonata, and Cantata Decks. The atmosphere onboard is relaxed, designed to make guests feel comfortable both at sea and ashore.

Breakfast and lunch are semi-buffet-style, allowing open seating, while dinner is a more formal, menu-based service offering a selection of dishes. The cuisine is primarily international with regional specialties. Guests enjoy complimentary soft drinks, beer, or wine with lunch and dinner, while coffee and tea are available throughout the day. A curated wine list is available for purchase, and late-night snacks are served in the lounge. A guest favorite is the signature chocolate fondant with cherries, a specialty dessert.

The dress code aboard Dutch Melody is casual, though some guests opt for resort-style attire in the evenings. Saga Cruise hosts socialize with passengers, ensuring smooth operations and organizing impromptu games and quizzes. When docked, guests can stroll along the river or stay onboard to enjoy live piano music and dancing. Local entertainers are often invited for onboard performances.

Saga River Cruises Itineraries

Saga’s Dutch Melody cruise tours depart from Amsterdam (Netherlands), Basel (Switzerland), and Frankfurt (Germany).

Highlighted itineraries include:

• 8-day “Dutch Golden Age: A Voyage of Discovery” – roundtrip from Amsterdam
• 8-day “Best of the Rhine” – Basel to Amsterdam
• 8-day “Where Rhine and Moselle Meet” – Amsterdam to Frankfurt
• 8-day “Wine Towns of the Main and Rhine” – Frankfurt to Amsterdam
• 8-day “Best of the Rhine” – Amsterdam to Basel
• 12-day “Celebrating 250 Years of Beethoven” – roundtrip from Amsterdam
• 12-day “From Amsterdam to the Swiss Peaks” – Amsterdam to Zurich-Basel
• 12-day “From the Swiss Peaks to Amsterdam” – Zurich-Basel to Amsterdam
• 15-day “Undiscovered Treasures of Holland” – roundtrip from Amsterdam
• 15-day “Grand Cruise of the Rhine, Moselle, and Main” – Arnhem to Amsterdam

All Saga river cruises include VIP door-to-door transfers and a fully escorted travel service.