MS SUNliner Cabrioschiff

MS SUNliner Cabrioschiff is a riverboat (Flussschiff) owned and operated by the German travel company “Donauschiffahrt Wurm + Kock” (“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 2017 by Schiffswerft Bolle GmbH at its shipyard in Derben, Germany (on the Elbe River). With a draft of just 1 m (3 ft) and a total power output of 450 hp, the ship accommodates up to 250 passengers. The vessel has 150 interior seats located entirely on the Entrance Deck (single deck), which also houses the bar-restaurant (forward and midship) and the aft galley (kitchen). The Navigation Bridge (“Wheelhouse” on riverboats) is positioned forward and is not accessible to passengers.

As a day-trip riverboat, MS SUNliner Cabrioschiff has no passenger cabins. The ship was inaugurated in April 2017 with a christening ceremony held in Passau. Schiffswerft Bolle constructed the vessel using the patented AquaCabrio cruise ship design, though this version is larger. The same design was used for Prague Boats’ vessels MS Bohemia Rhapsody and MS Grand Bohemia.

As the “Cabrio” name suggests, the ship features a retractable glass dome (roof cover). When opened, the entire midship deck transforms into an open-air lounge. This is a unique feature on Danube riverboats. The glass-domed midship section provides a 180-degree view in any weather. The deck has wooden flooring and is decorated with palm trees. The vessel also features a separate hybrid engine and powerful solar-powered air conditioning.

Other Donauschiffahrt ships homeported in Passau include Donau Kristallschiff, Gisela, Johanna, Passau, Regina Danubia, Sissi, and Stadt Linz.

Donauschiffahrt Wurm + Kock

Donauschiffahrt Wurm + Kock specializes in 1-day Danube River tours between Regensburg and Vienna. With a fleet of 13 ships, it is the largest day-trip cruise company on the Bavarian-Austrian Danube. Nine ships are based in Passau, two in Deggendorf and Linz, and three in Regensburg.

The company’s Danube cruise experience includes buffet-style dining, à-la-carte snacks and drinks (including wines by the glass, soft drinks, coffee, tea), professional service, and scenic views of riverside landscapes along the itinerary.

The DONAU-Card offers a 20% discount on ferry transportation only. Discounts do not apply to additional services (such as catering or kombi-beds). Children ages 6–13 receive 50% off the adult fare, and children up to 5 years old travel free.

These offers apply to itineraries departing 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” — a 45-minute Passau city cruise passing St. Stephan’s Cathedral, the confluence of the Danube–Inn–Ilz rivers, Oberhaus Castle, and Maria Hilf Monastery. Operated March–November. Price: EUR 8.90 pp.
• “Eventful Roundtrip with the Crystal Ship” — roundtrip Passau–Kasten–Obernzell. Duration: 2 hours. Operated April–October. Price: EUR 14.80 pp.
• “Bavarian-Austrian Danube Valley” — Upper Danube Valley roundtrip Passau–Engelhartszell–Schlögen Loop. Duration: 5 hours. Operated April–October. Prices: Passau–Engelhartszell EUR 16.50 roundtrip / EUR 14.50 one-way; Passau–Schlögen 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 (roundtrip by ship), EUR 34 (ship to Linz + return by bus), EUR 38 (ship to Linz + return by train).
• Holiday cruises from Passau, including: “Sunday Buffet Cruise” (EUR 43), “Advent Buffet Cruise” (EUR 43, live folk music), “Christmas Buffet Cruise” (EUR 48), “Winter Cruise to Engelhartszell” (EUR 16.50, 3-course menu).
• Dinner cruises from Passau, including: “Italian Night” (EUR 44.50, live music), “Summer Night Buffet Cruise” (EUR 40, DJ), “Spare Ribs Buffet Cruise” (EUR 28.50, live music), “Candlelight Dinner Cruise” (EUR 44.50), “New Year’s Eve Cruise” (EUR 99.50).
• Fireworks cruise: “Danube Fire Enchantment” (EUR 34–61, 3-course menu).

Riverboat trips on the Danube are an excellent way to enrich a holiday in Europe’s cultural cities. Day cruises are also popular for special events (weddings, celebrations, private parties) and themed excursions such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve cruises.