MS Passau

MS Passau cruise ship is a riverboat (flussschiff) owned and operated by the German travel company "Donauschiffahrt Wurm + Kock" (translated as “Danube Shipping”), headquartered in Passau Germany. The ship is homeported in Passau and operates 1-day cruise trips on the Danube River.

The vessel was launched in 1986 by the shipbuilder Hitzler-Werft at its shipyard in Regensburg Germany. Her draft is 1.7 m and her total power output is 1025 hp. The ship's maximum passenger capacity is 700. The total number of indoor seats is 624, including 314 on the Entrance Deck and 310 on the Middle Deck. Each deck has a dance floor and a buffet counter (kitchen). The Entrance Deck also features a gift shop. The ship's Navigation Bridge (called “Wheelhouse” on riverboats) is located forward on the Middle Deck. The Sun Deck (Observation Deck) is fitted with bench seating.

As a day-trip riverboat, MS Passau has no passenger cabins. Other Donauschiffahrt ships homeported in Passau include Donau Kristallschiff, Gisela, Johanna, Regina Danubia, Sissi, Stadt Linz, and SUNliner-Cabrioschiff.

Donauschiffahrt Wurm + Kock

The shipowner “Donauschiffahrt Wurm + Kock” is a cruise shipping company specializing in 1-day boat tours on the Danube River between Regensburg and Vienna. With a fleet of 13 ships, Wurm + Kock is currently the Bavarian-Austrian Danube’s largest day-trip cruise operator. Nine ships are based in Passau Germany, two are homeported in Deggendorf Germany and Linz Austria, and three in Regensburg.

Donauschiffahrt’s Danube cruising experience includes buffet-style dining, à-la-carte snacks and drinks (including wine by the glass, soft drinks, coffee, tea), professional service, and panoramic views of riverfront cities and the Bavarian-Austrian countryside along the itinerary.

• The company’s DONAU-Card offers a 20% discount on shipping (ferry travel) only. These discounted fares do not include additional services (such as catering or kombi-beds).
• Kids ages 6-13 pay half the full adult fare (50% discount).
• Kids up to 5 years old travel for free.
• These offers apply to all itineraries and departures from Germany (Passau, Regensburg) and Austria (Linz).

Wurm + Kock’s Danube cruise itineraries from Passau

From Passau, Donauschiffahrt offers the following cruises:

• “Three Rivers Sightseeing Tour” (Passau city tour) passing St Stephan’s Cathedral, the Three Rivers Confluence (Danube, Inn, Ilz), Oberhaus Castle, and Maria Hilf Monastery. City information is provided via the ship’s loudspeakers. Duration: 45 minutes. Operated March–November. Price: EUR 8.90 pp.
• “Eventful Roundtrip with the Crystal Ship” — roundtrip from Passau to Kasten and Obernzell. Duration: 2 hours. Operated April–October. Price: EUR 14.80 pp.
• “Bavarian-Austrian Danube Valley” — Upper Danube Valley roundtrip from Passau to Engelhartszell Austria and Schloegen (river loop). Duration: 5 hours. Operated April–October. Prices: Passau–Engelhartszell (EUR 16.50 roundtrip / EUR 14.50 one-way) and Passau–Schloegen (EUR 18.50 roundtrip / EUR 16.50 one-way).
• “Day Trip from Passau to Linz” — approx. 5 hours. Operated April–October. Prices: EUR 26 (one-way), EUR 29 (ship roundtrip), EUR 34 (ship to Linz, return to Passau by bus), EUR 38 (ship to Linz, return to Passau by train).
• Holiday cruises from Passau (prices pp): “Sunday Buffet Cruise” (EUR 43 / gourmet buffet lunch, Regina Danubia), “Advent Buffet Cruise” (EUR 43 / live folk music), “Christmas Buffet Cruise” (EUR 48 / Regina Danubia), “Winter Cruise to Engelhartszell” (EUR 16.50 / 3-course menu).
• Dinner cruises from Passau (prices pp): “Italian Night” (EUR 44.50 / live music), “Summer Night Buffet Cruise” (EUR 40 / DJ music), “Spare Ribs Buffet Cruise” (EUR 28.50 / live music), “Candlelight Dinner Cruise” (EUR 44.50 / buffet, live music), “New Year’s Eve Cruise” (EUR 99.50 / buffet, live music).
• The firework cruise from Passau is themed “Danube Fire Enchantment” (EUR 34–61 / 3-course menu).

Riverboat trips on the Danube are an excellent way to enhance your vacation in some of Europe’s most popular cultural cities. Day river cruises are also frequently booked for special events (weddings, celebrations, private parties) and as themed excursions (including Christmas and New Year’s Eve).