MS Swiss Sapphire

MS Swiss Sapphire joined the fleet of Tauck World Discovery in 2008. Currently, the vessel is operated by Scylla Cruises, representing the Switzerland-headquartered passenger shipping company SCYLLA AG. Swiss Sapphire boasts modern amenities and extras, just like her sister ships Swiss Emerald, Swiss Jewel, ms Esprit, and ms Treasures. 

The itineraries vary from ones on the Rhine to sailings along the Main and Danube. MS Swiss Sapphire never leaves Europe and covers many of the steady river routes, like Strasbourg to Prague, or Amsterdam to Brussels, with opportunities to explore idyllic villages, as well as metropolitan cities, with the group or on your own. On some itineraries, passengers can borrow bicycles to ride along the river and meet up with the boat at the next call port. Between tour-packed port days, there are lectures, shore tours, and cocktail parties.

Shipboard facilities

All cabins on Swiss Sapphire are outside facing and most feature French balconies. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, L'Occitane toiletries, cushy bathrobes. Wi-Fi is complimentary, available from bow to stern. A light Italian meal, an alternative dining option, is available nightly in ship's Lido Bar with 180-degree retractable glass wall. 

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.

In March-April 2017, Swiss Emerald riverboat was drydock refitted and refurbished. Its passenger capacity was reduced from 118 to 98 (17% reduction) and the staterooms number was decreased from 59 to 49. The ship's reconstruction created larger public areas and bigger passenger cabins. The most extensive changes were done on Ruby (middle) Deck, where the 30x cabins (sized 14 m2 / 150 ft2) were replaced by 20x cabins (sized 21 m2 / 225 ft2). The ship already had 14x suites (sized 28 m2 / 300 ft2). Following the 2018 drydock, nearly 70% of all staterooms are 21 m2. On Diamond (upper) Deck "The Bistro" restaurant was renamed "Arthur's" and upgraded with its own galley (kitchen) and dedicated chef.

The same deckplan changes were done to the fleet mates and sisterships Swiss Emerald (in 2017) and in 2018 - to MS Esprit and MS Treasures.