MS RheinGalaxie Eventschiff

MS RheinGalaxie Eventschiff is KD's newest and most modern "event ship" scheduled for inauguration in 2020 (May). The riverboat is currently under construction at Scheepswerf De Hoop Shipyard (in Lobith, Netherlands). This new "floating party" ship has the staggering for a riverboat max passenger capacity of 1000 (guests, in addition to the staff-crew). The ship is planned for private charters and cruises leaving from homeports Cologne (Koln) and Dusseldorf.

The vessel (ENI number 02338487) is currently Germany-flagged (MMSI 211371550) and registered in Koln.

The shipowner (KD Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt GmbH) is a subsidiary company of Koln-Dusseldorfer (aka KD Cruises, owned by parent company Viking Cruises). KD Line is an 1826-founded, Cologne-based company with a fleet of 14 cruise vessels deployed on the rivers Moselle, Rhine and Main. In 2000, Koln-Dusseldorfer was acquired by Viking Flusskreuzfahrten AG (Viking River Cruises) - world's largest river cruise ship company.

RheinGalaxie's best-known fleetmate is the 2004-built RheinEnergie Eventschiff (ENI 04803020). RheinEnergie is an event ship and KD's only catamaran. By usable onboard space (2000 m2 / 21530 ft2) RheinEnergie is currently Europe's largest river cruise ship. The boat operates mainly on regularly scheduled cruises between homeports Cologne and Bad Honningen, and (when privately chartered) between Mainz and Dusseldorf. RheinEnergie gained worldwide popularity on August 18, 2005, when in Cologne the ship was boarded by Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger). KD Line's current fleet includes the boats (homeports):

• (Cologne) MS RheinGalaxie, MS RheinEnergie, MS RheinFantasie, MS Asbach, MS Jan von Werth, MS Moselprinz, MS Loreley, RMS Goethe (1913-built, paddle steamer)
• (Dusseldorf) MS RheinPoesie, MS RheinKrone, MS RheinGalaxie
• (Bonn) MS Stolzenfels, (Mainz) MS Godesburg (Frankfurt) MS Palladium (Rudesheim) MS Boppard

The ship RheinGalaxie was specifically designed to hosts large-group events, including corporate meetings, business and academic conferences, company presentations and incentives, musical and theatrical performances, parties (themed, private, DJ, concerts, special occasions - anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, celebrations, etc), holiday fairs, art exhibitions, themed cruises (brunch, dinner, culinary, culture, etc). However, unlike the rest of KD Cruises fleet, RheinGalaxie is not used for regularly scheduled cruises but mainly for private charters.

The vessel was designed by the Dutch company Rene Van der Velden Design BV, which specializes mainly in luxury yachts. The ship's superstructure features clear lines and large open spaces (inside and outside). Interior spaces receive plenty of daylight via floor-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows. All staff-crew cabins are located on Lower Deck and have small, round-shaped Porthole windows. Also on Lower Deck (aft) are the ship's machinery rooms (engines, propulsion, fuel tanks, sewage treatment plant, AC Room) and storage rooms (food, beverages). The interior decor is marked by huge LED screens, light and dark woods, while subtle colours are used for the walls and furniture's upholsteries.

A distinctive ship design feature is the hull's rectilinear / pointed bow (like on classic Transatlantic liners) - in comparison to the traditional for European riverboats curved bows. The boat also has an innovative outside lighting system that makes it unmistakable during the nights too.

As signature facilities, the ship has 3 passenger-accessible decks, 2 Salons (Forward and Aft), large midship Lobby area (Atrium with grand staircase), Bar Lounge, Sundeck (outdoor deck / party area) with Star Rock (Gallery) and Skywalk (VIP viewing platform located above Sundeck), Open-air Star Rock Gallery (sized 85 m2 / 915 ft2) serves as an outdoor disco nightclub (with dance floor, raised stage for live performances, DJ booth).

Most KD Line vessels are Malta-flagged (registered in Valletta). KD's ship-charter service is offered the whole year-round, on 12 riverboats and to 40 different locations on 3 rivers (Moselle, Rhine, Main). Charter deals are for passenger (guest) capacity between 65 and 1600. Charter prices (per person) start from EUR 100 pp (Bronze Package, 5-hour ship rent) and go up to EUR 130 pp (Silver Package, 6-hour rent), EUR 160 pp (Gold Package, 6-hour rent) and up to EUR 200 pp (Platinum Package, 10-hour rent). Depending on the selected package, pricing is inclusive of buffet dining, snacks and beverages, Sparkling Wine / Cocktail Reception, live DJ programming (media, lights).