MS Sofia

MS Sofia cruise ship operates itineraries on Danube River with roundtrip departures from Germany (homeport Passau). The riverboat is chartered by the German travel company Phoenix Reisen (established 1973). Phoenix Reisen is a travel agency with ocean ship chartering business (since 1988) and river cruise shipping operations (since 1993).

The 1983-built riverboat is chartered by Phoenix Reisen Flusskreuzfahrten from Union Group (shipowner) through its subsidiary company Dunav Tours (Bulgaria). The vessel was extensively drydock refurbished in 2013. MS Sofia's other Bulgaria-flagged Phoenix Reisen fleet mate is MS Ariana (2012-built).

Cabins

MS Sofia has a total of 101 cabins, of which 2-berth (93) and 3-berth (8). All MS Sofia staterooms are oceanview, tastefully decorated and comfortable. The accommodations feature two separate beds, that can be placed together. The large and friendly staterooms have individually controlled air conditioning, a bathroom (with shower and WC), separate washbasin in the stateroom, colour TV with the onboard program, telephone, radio, daily newspaper and hairdryer. Many of the cabins offer an extra bed, that during the day can be turned into a comfortable seating area. Depending on the location, they also have small windows (Europadeck) or large windows (Main deck, except cabins 256-259). The twin cabins onboard are about 11m2 (118ft2) in size.

Cabin categories include:

• Triple Outside (category A, Europe deck)
• Double Outside with bunk beds (category B, Europe deck, front)
• Twin outside (category C, Europe deck, aft)
• Twin fortune Outside (category DG, Europe deck)
• Twin Outside (category D, Europe deck)
• Twin Outside (category DZ, Europe deck, bookable with 2 or 3 persons)
• Double Outside with bunk beds (category E, Main deck)
• Twin Outside, visual impairment (category F, Main deck)
• Twin Outside (category G, Main deck, front, bookable with 2 or 3 persons)
• Twin Outside (category H, Main deck)
• Single Outside (category I, Europe deck)
• Single Outside (category J, Main deck).

Shipboard facilities

MS Sofia has 4 passenger decks, 190-seat Restaurant, 120-seat panoramic bar, internet corner, piano bar with reading corner, entrance hall with reception, kiosk, hairdresser and massage parlor, sauna, large sundeck with sunshades, deckchairs and garden furniture, small heated swimming pool, covered side promenades with seating and large chess game. Guests can play board and card games, as well as dance with live music in the evening. Entertainment options also include themed and quiz evenings, regional events like folklore performances, language courses and lectures. Laundry service is offered onboard, as well as wireless LAN (WLAN), for a fee. Onboard language is German, the currency is EUR. Girocard, VISA and MasterCard are accepted. Smoking is only permitted in the designated area on the ship's Sun Deck.

Guests aboard MS Sofia benefit from all-inclusive meals. Breakfast includes a rich buffet, lunch and dinner are multi-course, featuring European and vegetarian cuisine. Afternoon tea, coffee and midnight snacks are also offered. Beers, house wines, soft drinks (mineral water, juices, coke, lemonade), tea and coffee are included daily between 08:00-24:00. The traditional captain's reception and captain's dinner both feature festive menus and complete the culinary offer. Dishes for special diets (gluten-free, lactose-free, diabetics, etc.) are provided upon request.

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.