MS My Story

The 1971-built cruise ship MS My Story (originally named Holland Pearl) was constructed by the Dutch shipbuilder Bodewes Binnenvaart BV (Millingen am Rhein, Netherlands) for the Holland River Line.

The Holland-flagged vessel (ENI number 07001704) is currently owned and operated by Euro Shipping Voyages, a Bemmel (Netherlands)-based shipowner and river cruise travel company.

MS My Story mainly operates Danube River itineraries. Her fleetmates, also owned by Euro Shipping Voyages, include Royal Crown and Serenade 2. Her sistership is MS Bellriva.

In April 1976, the Holland River Line expanded its Cologne–Dusseldorf service by adding two more vessels, including MS Austria (later renamed MS My Story), to its 6-ship fleet.

In 1995, West KD Schiff-Invest AG (a subsidiary of West LB AG) acquired the ship. Following a major refurbishment and modernization, the vessel was sold in 1997 to Rhine Danube Line (Basel).

In 2000, Viking River Cruises briefly owned the ship (still named MS Austria).

In 2001, Bonaventura Cruising purchased the vessel and renamed her MS Bonaventura Pearl.

In 2003, the Danube River Line acquired and renamed her MS Danube Pearl.

The current owner, Euro Shipping Voyages, purchased the ship in 2007 and renamed her MS My Story.

Decks and Cabins

The ship has 87 staterooms (each approximately 9 m² / 95 ft²) equipped with two low beds and a private bathroom. One bed doubles as a daytime sofa, while the other can be folded away. Single cabins feature one lower and one upper (bunk) bed. Some cabins accommodate triple occupancy with a folding upper berth, and several are interconnected for families.

Standard cabin amenities include either a partially opening window (upper section slides down) or a non-opening porthole, private bathroom (washbasin, toilet, shower, hairdryer), flat-screen TV (with satellite channels, ship information, and live bow camera), intercom phone (for onboard calls only), wall mirror, coffee table with chair, wardrobe, electronic safe (in the closet), 220V power outlets, and individually controlled air conditioning.

The vessel has three decks, two of which house passenger cabins.

Shipboard Facilities and Amenities

MS My Story features a Panorama Restaurant (with stairlift access), a Lobby Hall with two entrances, a 24-hour Reception Desk, and a Tour Office. The Panorama Salon-Bar serves as the main lounge with a dance floor. Additional amenities include a Boutique Shop (souvenirs, logo items, clothing, jewelry, cosmetics), a Library (with books, DVDs, puzzles, and board games), and a Sun Deck with shaded seating (retractable awning, 4-seat tables), deckchairs, and loungers.

The Wheelhouse (Navigation Bridge) can be lowered, and the railings and awnings folded down, reducing the vessel’s height to approximately 7 m (23 ft) for passing under low bridges.

On the Promenade Deck are the Salon (Bar-Lounge), Restaurant-Galley, Lobby Bar, and a wraparound promenade (outdoor walking area). The Lower Deck houses a wellness area with a Finnish sauna (6-person, complimentary with 1-hour advance reservation), an adjacent shower room, and a solarium offering spa massages and tanning (available for a small fee per 30 minutes).

A grand staircase and a stairlift connect the Main and Promenade decks, while four staircases (two forward and two aft) link the Lower (Rheindeck) and Main (Loreleydeck) decks.

Additional services such as laundry, ironing, bicycle rental, Wi-Fi (WLAN), Internet access, and shore excursions are available at extra cost.

Smoking is permitted only in the designated area on the Sun Deck.

Onboard entertainment in the Salon includes live music performances, crew shows, card and board games, bingo, skat tournaments, music quizzes, napkin-folding lessons, and evening dance parties. Shore excursions are available in each port of call for an additional charge.

Note: You can explore 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.