MS Excellence Empress

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated MS Excellence Empress cruise ship is a newbuild riverboat owned by the German travel company Swiss Excellence River Cruise Gmbh Basel (subsidiary of Twerenbold Reisen) and operated by Excellence Flussreisen (travel brand) via Reiseburo Mittelthurgau AG (marketing and sales). The vessel was constructed in Serbia using the latest shipbuilding technologies.

The Switzerland-flagged ship (MMSI number 269057729, ENI 2338652) was built in Serbia and is registered in Basel. For its construction were used the finest materials and latest shipbuilding technologies. Of the same design (sisterships) are Excellence Princess (2014) and Excellence Countess (2019). These large riverboats (length 135 m) feature floor-ceiling windows throughout (decks 2 and 3), glass-covered Bar Lounge, spacious Dining Room Restaurant, separate specialty restaurant (Steakhouse-Sushi Bar).

Cabins

Excellence Empress staterooms (a total of 89) are all outside and on 3 decks (out of 4). All staterooms offer as standard amenities a wall-mounted HDTV (satellite reception, ship info channel, real-time bow camera views), phone, wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), minibar (refrigerator), double bed (convertible to twins), bedside tables (2-drawer) with reading lamps, writing desk (mirrored vanity table) with padded stool, bottled water, en-suite bathroom (single-sink vanity, under-sink storage, WC-toilet, glass shower, magnifying mirror, hairdryer, towels), individually controllable air-conditioning.

All Comfort cabins (on decks Middle-2 and Upper-3) are equally sized (16 m2 / 170 ft2) and with French Balcony (accessed via sliding glass door / floor-ceiling opening window). Main Deck cabins (sized 13 m2 / 140 ft2) are with two single beds (non-convertible to double) and non-opening windows (located near the ceiling). The 24x Junior Suites are French Balcony cabins sized 20 m2 (215 ft2). Suite perks include a DVD player and premium bathrobes, welcome aboard gifts (sparkling wine and fruits upon arrival).

The Excellence ship Empress has two handicap cabins (wheelchair-accessible rooms on Upper Deck) adapted for passengers with reduced mobility. Both disabled cabins (301-302) are conveniently located near the Lobby area (and the boat's Lift).

Shipboard facilities

The Excellence Lounge (boat's main bar lounge, forward on Deck 3) has comfortable seating and a small bow-located terrace (with limited seating). Here is also held the formal Captain's Cocktail Reception (welcome aboard event). The Bar Lounge also serves the cruise company's onboard enrichment program with live entertainment (crew show, cooking demos, local guest performances), daily quiz games, themed and dance nights (often with live music), language courses, lectures (folklore- or history-themed) about the visited region along the cruise itinerary route.

The Lobby Hall (Deck 3 midship) houses the Reception Desk (24-hour guest services and assistance), Tour Desk (Cruise Director, itinerary information, excursions booking), Gift Shop and the boats's both entrances (Eingang) - portside and starboard. At the stern on Deck 3, the Aft Lounge doubles as daily Library / Cocktail Bar and an evening Sushi Bar-Steakhouse (a la carte restaurant). Aft Lounge is served with beverages by its own Bar (Bordbar).

The large Sun Deck (Deck 4) features a Mini-Golf Course (Putting Green), a heated Swimming Pool (round-shaped), sunbathing areas (with loungers and deckchairs), shaded seating areas (canopy-covered). Forward are located the outdoor Sky Lounge (BBQ & Bar with 4-seat tables) and a small SkyLight (glass roof over the Bar Lounge on Deck 3 forward). All structures on Sun Deck (Wheelhouse, awnings, railings) are collapsible and lowered when the boat passes under low bridges. The ship also has a small wellness area with Sauna Room and Fitness (Gym Room).

Excellence Empress ship's dining includes a balanced breakfast buffet, Afternoon Tea service (complimentary pastries with coffee and tea in the afternoons), a nice variety of European dishes for lunch and dinner - including vegan and vegetarian items. The fore-located (on Deck 2) Panorama Restaurant features a Show Kitchen (with live cooking stations). The Restaurant offers a buffet breakfast (with warm and cold items), buffet-style lunch (salads, starters, desserts) with waiter-served main dishes and waiter-served dinner (5-course menu). Every day a themed buffet offers international cheese specialities, along with grilled gourmet food. With all main meals is offered a menu with premium wines (by the glass). In the Restaurant is also held the formal Gala Dinner event.

The attentive staff and qualified tour guides are always available to assist cruise tourists. Onboard language is German. The Excellence ship Empress has one Elevator (passenger lift interconnecting decks 1-2-3 / Main-Middle-Upper) and a stairlift that links decks Upper (3) and Sundeck (4).