MS Rhein Symphonie

MS Rhein Symphonie was built in 2006 in Kinderdijk (Holland) for Viking River Cruises under the name “Viking Helvetia.” Viking Helvetia operated Rhine River cruises in Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland, departing from the homeports of Amsterdam and Basel. In 2016, the riverboat was purchased by the Portuguese company Mystic Invest (a family-owned financial holding) and later operated under charter by its subsidiary Nicko Tours (a Stuttgart-based cruisetour operator).

MS Rhein Symphonie operates exclusively on the Rhine River, operating roundtrip itineraries from homeport Cologne. The sistership is Rhein Melodie (formerly Viking Sun).

The vessel (ENI number 4804700) is currently Switzerland-flagged (MMSI 269057048) and registered in Basel. Until 2023, it was Germany-flagged (MMSI 211539230).

Cabins

MS Rhein Symphonie has a total of 99 cabins accommodating 198 passengers. All Upper Deck cabins are French Balcony staterooms with floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening to a railing (false balcony). Middle Deck cabins feature one large wall-to-wall opening window (measuring 2 x 1.2 m). Both Upper and Middle Deck staterooms are sized 15 m² (160 ft²).

Main Deck cabins have the same size (15 m²) and include one non-opening half-height window (150 x 70 cm) located near the ceiling. Single cabins are smaller (12 m² / 130 ft²) and equipped with one non-opening half-height window and two lower beds: a sofabed (190 x 80 cm) and a foldaway/Pullman bed (170 x 80 cm).

All cabins are furnished with standard hotel beds (two twins convertible to a double, 2 x 1.6 m), bedside tables, under-bed storage for suitcases, dimmable lighting, wardrobe, mirrored dressing table (writing desk) with chair, small table with two armchairs, and an en-suite bathroom (glass-door shower, WC, washbasin, razor plug). Additional amenities include a hairdryer, flat-screen TV (satellite reception), electronic safe (in the closet), mini-fridge, phone (intercom/onboard use only), bowl of fresh fruit, complimentary bottled water (replenished daily), and individually controlled air conditioning.

Shipboard amenities

MS Rhein Symphonie features a fore-located Dining Room Restaurant (on the Middle Deck) with floor-to-ceiling windows, single-seating capacity, and open seating. The menu offers a mix of traditional dishes inspired by visited countries and international cuisine, complemented by fine wines and gourmet specialties. Both the Dining Room and the Lounge (Upper Deck) are directly accessible from the Lobby (Middle Deck) via the grand staircase.

The Middle Deck also houses the Lobby (ship entrances) with a seating area, 24-hour Coffee Corner (complimentary coffee, tea, fruit, sparkling water, pastries, cookies), Reception Desk (24-hour guest services), Tour Office (Cruise Director, excursion information and booking), public restrooms, and a Boutique Shop (selling gifts, souvenirs, magazines, and convenience goods). The aft-located Library Lounge offers comfortable seating (sofas and armchairs), floor-to-ceiling windows, a selection of books (mainly history and travel), magazines, playing cards, and board games (including chess and backgammon). Three staircases connect all decks. The ship has no lift (passenger elevator), swimming pool (or Jacuzzi), hair salon, or wellness facilities (fitness room, sauna, spa).

The Sun Deck is equipped with retractable awnings (shaded seating areas with 4-seat tables and chairs, full bar service), a sunbathing area (sunloungers and deckchairs), and a deck games area (Giant Chess Set). The wheelhouse, railings, and awnings on the Sun Deck are all retractable to allow passage under low bridges.

The forward Bar Lounge on the Upper Deck features floor-to-ceiling windows, comfortable seating (small round tables with armchairs), a dance floor, and a grand piano for live performances by the resident pianist. Onboard entertainment includes daily live music, cooking demonstrations, quiz games, bingo, crew shows, themed dance nights, movie screenings (drop-down screen), enrichment lectures and presentations related to the itinerary’s destinations, and food and wine tastings.

The cruise company offers optional shore excursions (not included in the cruise fare) at each visited port. Land programs include sightseeing tours, city walks, cycling tours, and bus trips to nearby attractions. All guided excursions include complimentary portable audio headsets.

MS Rhein Symphonie cruise fares include all onboard meals (breakfast buffet, waiter-served lunch and dinner, afternoon coffee with cake, midnight snacks), Welcome Cocktail Party, Welcome Dinner, Gala Dinner, onboard entertainment, ship tour, and port taxes. Cruise tour fares do not include flights, transfers, excursions, insurance, gratuities, beverages, or personal expenses.

The Germany-flagged riverboat Rhein Symphonie (ENI 04804700) was previously operated by Viking River Cruises (Viking Flusskreuzfahrten GmbH) under the name “Viking Helvetia” (MMSI 211539230). The vessel is powered by two Caterpillar marine diesel engines (model C18 ACERT) with a combined output of 2.3 MW.

This Viking river cruise ship was named after the Goddess Helvetia (Helvetica, officially Confœderatio Helvetica) – Switzerland’s female national personification. Her name derives from the Helvetii, a Gaulish tribe that inhabited the region before the Roman Empire.

Viking Helvetia is the second of Viking’s specially designed Rhine River boats, together with the sistership Viking Sun (now Rhein Melodie). Compared to older Viking ships, Helvetia and Sun feature a modern “Rhine design” with wall-to-wall windows and higher deck ceilings.

MS Viking Helvetia was launched in 2006 and christened by godmother Gudrun Landgrebe, a German actress awarded the “Hessian Film and Cinema Prize” in 2010. The christening ceremony was held in Cologne (Köln) on March 23.

The MS Viking Helvetia itinerary “RHINE GETAWAY” (also offered as “German Christmas Markets”) was a 7-day cruisetour between Amsterdam and Basel, operated in both directions. The voyage covered four countries (Holland, Germany, France, Switzerland) and included six complimentary shore excursions. Disembarkation in Holland included an optional 2-night Amsterdam hotel stay, while disembarkation in Switzerland (Basel) offered an optional 2-night Lucerne hotel package on Lake Lucerne in the Swiss Alps.

Highlighted port activities along the route included Kinderdijk (windmill network tour, tastings of handmade Dutch cheeses, jenever/juniper liquor, and sjoelen/table shuffleboard), Koblenz (Marksburg Castle and museum tour), Rüdesheim (Drosselgasse), Mannheim (bus tour to Heidelberg with re-embarkation in Speyer), Kehl (Strasbourg tour), and Breisach (Black Forest open-air museum, cuckoo-clock workshop, with an optional Colmar excursion). Viking Helvetia cruise fares included Internet (Wi-Fi), laundry, all excursions, land transfers, live evening entertainment, daily lectures, food and wine tastings, a 24-hour coffee corner, and replenished daily bottled water.

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