MS VistaNeo

MS VistaNeo (fka “Avalon Luminary” and “Monarch Duchess”) operates Rhine River voyages departing from homeport Cologne/Köln, Germany. Her current deployment began after a 2024 charter agreement, during which the vessel was renamed from Monarch Duchess to VistaNeo.

The shipowner is MS Saar GmbH & Co. KG (Hamburg), while the current charterer is the German travel company 1AVista Reisen.

Previously, the vessel sailed on the Danube, offering departures from Amsterdam (fly-cruise), Vienna, Prague, Nuremberg, Budapest, Istanbul (fly-cruise), and Bucharest. Under Gate 1 Travel, Monarch Duchess also operated flight-inclusive cruisetours (“Black Sea River Cruise”) departing from Amsterdam, Vienna, and Istanbul.

On March 9, 2018, Avalon Waterways announced that its three 138-passenger sisterships (Felicity, Affinity, Luminary) would leave the fleet in 2019, ending their Avalon charter contracts. The vessels were subsequently chartered by Gate 1 Travel and renamed Monarch Countess (Felicity), Monarch Governess (Affinity), and Monarch Duchess (Luminary). Gate 1 Travel’s fleet also includes Monarch Princess (Avalon Creativity).

In 2024, the ship (ENI number 02332637) was renamed from Monarch Duchess to VistaNeo. Her flag state remained Germany (MMSI 211507510), as did her port of registry (Köln).

Cabins

Avalon Luminary has a total of 65 cabins, including 28 Avalon Suites, 30 French Balcony cabins, and 11 staterooms with non-opening windows, arranged across 5 categories.

Cabin Types, Sizes, Categories (highest to lowest):

• Amenities in all staterooms include 2 twin beds convertible to a queen, 3-door closets with shelves, private bathroom (glass-door shower, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers), sofa, coffee table, flat-screen TV, vanity/writing desk, private French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding door), individual climate control, phone, minibar, safe, deluxe pillow menu, and complimentary bottled water. Maximum cabin occupancy is 2 guests.
• Suites – 4x “Avalon Suites” (JR), located on Deck 3, sized 258 ft² / 24 m².
• Deluxe Staterooms (categories and quantities) – P (24 on Deck 3), A (18 on Deck 2), B (12 on Deck 2), E (11 on Deck 1) – each sized 172 ft² / 16 m².

Shipboard facilities

The ship offers two dining venues: the Panorama Restaurant (main dining room with buffet stations) and Sky Bistro (alfresco). Additional onboard facilities include the Bar Lounge (indoor observation lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows and Bow Terrace), Club Lounge (with 24-hour beverage station), Library/Internet Corner, Atrium Lobby (glass-walled and topped by a SkyLight), Hair Salon, and Gym/Fitness Center.

The Sun Deck features the Sky Lounge & Bistro, an outdoor whirlpool (jacuzzi), sunbathing area (loungers/recliners and deckchairs), shaded seating (retractable awnings, deckchairs, tables), and a deck games area with a Giant Chess Set.

One glass-walled elevator (lift) connects all cabin decks.

Free Wi-Fi and complimentary Internet access are available throughout the ship.

Gate 1 Travel river cruise packages include Wi-Fi Internet, room service, all Rhine cruise tours and excursions (led by certified local guides), motorcoach transfers, live evening entertainment (local performers), daily enrichment lectures, Afternoon Tea, Night Fare, an onboard “behind-the-scenes” ship tour, food and wine tastings, 24-hour premium coffee/tea/hot chocolate service, and replenished daily bottled water.

Avalon Waterways itineraries

Below is the list of Avalon Luminary itineraries previously operated for Avalon Waterways.

(22 nights cruising) “North Sea–Black Sea Cruise” – 24-day voyages from Amsterdam to Bucharest (Eastbound, code WA) and the reverse from Bucharest to Amsterdam (Westbound, code WOA). The Eastbound route is also offered as a 26-day cruise from Amsterdam to Istanbul (code WOAE), including a 2-night luxury hotel stay in Istanbul.

(13 nights cruising) “Grand Danube Cruise” – 18-day itineraries from Prague to Bucharest (Eastbound, code WNO) and the reverse from Bucharest to Prague (Westbound, code WON). Optional packages include Bucharest luxury hotel stays (Westbound code WONE, Eastbound code WNOE) and “Cruising-Only” itineraries from Nuremberg to Bucharest (code WONO).

(10 nights cruising) “Blue Danube to the Black Sea” – 14-day cruises from Bucharest to Vienna (Westbound, code WOV) and the reverse from Vienna to Bucharest (Eastbound, code WVO). Extended 16-day options include Istanbul–Vienna (Westbound, code WOVE) and Vienna–Istanbul (Eastbound, code WVOE), both featuring a 3-night Istanbul luxury hotel package. “Cruising-Only” options omit the Bucharest–Vienna hotel stays (code WOVO).

(7 nights cruising) “The Blue Danube Discovery” – 13-day voyages from Budapest to Prague (with Nuremberg disembarkation, Westbound, code WBN). The reverse route is marketed as “The Legendary Danube”: an 11-day itinerary from Prague to Budapest (Eastbound, code WNB, with Nuremberg embarkation).

(6 nights cruising) “Balkan Discovery” – 10-day itineraries from Budapest to Bucharest (Eastbound, code WBO) and the reverse from Bucharest to Budapest (Westbound, code WOB). Options include Bucharest luxury hotel add-ons (Westbound code WOBE, Eastbound code WBOE) and “Cruising-Only” packages (code WOBO, without Bucharest–Budapest hotel stays).

(12 nights cruising) “European Splendor” – 13-day itineraries from Amsterdam to Vienna (Eastbound, code WAV) and the reverse from Vienna to Amsterdam (Westbound, code WVA).