MS Viola

MS Viola is a former Red Cross hospital ship built in 1995 and previously named “MS Henry Dunant.” Purchased in 2019 by Phoenix Reisen, the riverboat now operates two itinerary routes through West Germany and the southern Netherlands along the Rhine and Maas rivers. Departures are offered from Germany, with Bonn serving as the homeport. Phoenix Reisen, a German cruisetour travel company, was established in 1973 and began passenger shipping operations in 1988 with the chartered MV Maxim Gorky (a Russian ocean liner built in 1969 and scrapped in 2009). In 1993, Phoenix Reisen expanded into European river cruising.

Today, Viola’s newest fleetmates within Phoenix Reisen’s river program are the newbuild riverboatsAdora (2019) and Alena (2018).

Cabins

MS Viola has a total of 60 cabins, all outside/riverview, tastefully decorated, elegantly furnished, spacious, and comfortable. Each stateroom is fitted with two separate lower beds that can be pushed together to form a double bed. Standard amenities include individually controlled air conditioning, en-suite bathroom (washbasin, shower, WC, hairdryer), flat-screen TV (satellite reception, ship information channel with daily activities), intercom phone, alarm clock radio, wardrobe, electronic safe (in the closet), Nespresso coffee machine, minibar (refrigerator), and lockable drawers. Twin cabins range from 12–17 m² (130–185 ft²). Some accommodations share a bathroom positioned between two adjoining cabins, consisting of a wheelchair-accessible cabin connected to a standard twin cabin for accompanying passengers.

This unique riverboat features 34 wheelchair-accessible cabins specifically designed for passengers with disabilities. These staterooms include wider entry and bathroom doors, height-adjustable beds with locking wheels, an emergency button, and en-suite bathrooms with lowered washbasins, roll-in showers, and toilets equipped with foldable grab rails on both sides. An extra-wide elevator (passenger lift) connects all decks up to the Sun Deck.

Main Deck cabins are wheelchair-accessible, offering 120 cm (47-inch) entry doors and large non-opening windows. Beds are electrically height-adjustable, equipped with locking wheels, and can be separated by a curtain. Lower Deck cabins are not wheelchair-accessible and feature smaller non-opening windows; their beds can also be separated by curtains upon request.

Pets are not allowed on MS Viola — including assistance dogs. Cabin categories include:

• Lower Deck — Twin Outside (category A), Twin Outside with Private Bathroom (category B), Single Outside (category E)
• Main Deck — Twin Outside Wheelchair-Accessible (category C), Twin Outside Wheelchair-Accessible with Private Bathroom (category D), Single Outside Wheelchair-Accessible (category F)

Shipboard facilities

MS Viola has four passenger decks (two with cabins), a Panorama Restaurant (Dining Room), Panorama Bar Lounge, Lobby area (foyer with Excursion Office and Reception Desk), Boutique Shop, Library, and a passenger elevator connecting all decks. The spacious Sun Deck is furnished with sun loungers, deckchairs, table seating, and a shaded area beneath a retractable roof over the bar lounge.

The Sun Deck also hosts outdoor recreational activities including card games, popular board games, and evening dancing accompanied by live music. Two collapsible structures — the Wheelhouse and the glass-walled, roof-covered bar lounge — are lowered and closed off to passengers when the ship passes under low bridges.

Entertainment options include themed evenings with live music and quiz games, itinerary-based events (lectures, presentations, folk performances), and language courses. Laundry service, WLAN/WiFi Internet, and onboard purchases are available at extra cost. The onboard language is German, and the onboard currency is EUR. Accepted forms of payment include cash and credit cards (Girocard, VISA, MasterCard). Smoking is permitted only outdoors at the designated Sun Deck area.

MS Viola cruise fares include all onboard meals. Breakfast is served buffet-style, while lunch and dinner are multi-course meals featuring European and vegetarian specialties. Afternoon tea/coffee and late-night snacks (cakes, biscuits) are complimentary. Beers, house wines, soft drinks (mineral water, juices, cola, lemonade), tea, and coffee are included in the fare and available daily from 8 am to midnight. The traditional Captain’s Reception and Captain’s Dinner feature special menus and premium beverages (cocktails, wines by the glass, soft drinks). Special dietary needs (gluten-free, lactose-free, dairy-free, diabetic, etc.) can be accommodated upon request.

River cruise itinerary

MS Viola operates a week-long (7-day) roundtrip itinerary from Bonn, running Monday through Sunday. The table below shows the sequence of ports and corresponding arrival/departure times.

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