MS nickoSPIRIT

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated MS nickoSPIRIT cruise ship is owned by Scylla AG (based in Baar, Switzerland) and operated under charter by the Stuttgart-based cruisetour company Nicko Tours (fully-owned subsidiary of Mystic Invest Portugal). The riverboat is also chartered to Select Voyages (Switzerland-based travel agency).

MS nickoSPIRIT cruises on Rhine and Main rivers, with roundtrip departures from homeports Frankfurt am Main and Koln/Cologne. Itineraries varry between 3-6-7-8-10-days (4-7-8-9-11-nights) and visit major river port cities in Germany, Holland (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Nijmegen) and Luxemburg (Remich).

The vessel is Switzerland-flagged (MMSI number 269057749).

Decks and Cabins

MS nickoSPIRIT ship has 4 passenger decks and a total of 85 staterooms for 170 passengers. All cabins are outside, equally-sized (14 m2 / 150 ft2) and equipped with 1 double bed (convertible to 2 twins/lower single beds), deluxe bedding (linens, pillows, duvets), bedside tables, wall-mounted reading lamps, large mirror, wardrobe, writing desk with armchair, en-suite bathroom (glass-wall shower, WC-toilet, mirrored washbasin/single-sink vanity), hairdryer, HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system), phone (intercom / onboard connections only), individually controlled air-conditioning.

Main Deck cabins are each with a non-opening window (quarter-height) located near the ceiling. All Middle and Upper deck cabins are French Balcony staterooms each with a floor-ceiling window (the upper half section is lowerable) opening to a railing (false balcony).

One Lift (passenger elevator) connects all cabin decks, Staircases connect all decks. A Stairlift connects Upper Deck (deck 3) to Sundeck (deck 4).

WiFi and Laundry services cost extra (available for a fee).

Shipboard facilities and amenities

MS nickoSPIRIT ship has 4 passenger-accessible decks, all interconnected via indoor stairs, and the cabin decks are interconnected with an Atrium Lift.

Main Deck (deck 1) houses most staff and crew cabins, the riverboat's machinery room (propulsion/engines/diesel generators), midship Wellness complex (Spa Treatment Room for massages, Relax Room with relaxation beds, Gym, Sauna Room, Jacuzzi /indoor whirlpool hot tub) and passenger cabins (all with non-opening windows).

Middle Deck (deck 2) houses the Restaurant (complimentary dining room with full-seating capacity and open-seating arrangments), adjacent Galley (kitchen and storage rooms), Lobby Hall (Reception Desk, Tours Desk/Cruise Director's Office). The Reception provides 24-hour guest services and assistance. Tour Office is where the ship's Cruise Director can be found, and also provides excursions information and booking services. The midship Atrium (lower level on deck 2) is with a transparent glass ceiling and a grand staircase. Sliding doors (portside and starboard) open to smoking-allowed areas. Middle Deck (deck 2) is the boarding deck with two ship entrances (for passenger embarkation-debarkation).

The Restaurant is with waiter service and open-seating arrangements. Breakfast and Lunch are buffet-style, Dinners are 3-course and waiter-served. The Dining Room is spacious and with floor-ceiling windows, mainly 2-seat and 4-seats tables. Amenities include luxury table linens, quality china, cutlery, glassware. Menu options include hot and cold appetizers, entrees, soups, salads, fresh-baked cookies and desserts. Passengers are allowed to tour the Galley and see the food preparation process.

On Upper Deck (deck 3) forward is Panorama Salon - the ship's Bar Lounge (indoor observation lounge) with floor-ceiling windows, comfortable seating, its own Bar, Library (reading corner), Tea & Coffee Corner (24-hour complimentary beverages and snacks). Entertainment options include watching movies, activities by the cruise company's onboard enrichment program (lectures and multimedia presentations on the current itinerary's shore excursions/tours, region's culture and history, port talks and discussions, themed activities (like food and wine tastings, guest artists' performances, etc).

From Panorama Lounge is accessed a glass-walled Terrace - Observation Deck (Winter Garden) with outdoor seating and wind-protected by a glass shield. In the glass-floored Atrium (upper level) is the Boutique Shop. Aft is the boat's second Restaurant (Steakhouse/Bistro & Bar) that provides specialty dining with al-la-carte priced menus. The aft Restaurant has floor-ceiling windows and a small seating capacity, so dinner reservations are required.

On Sun Deck (deck 4) are the Navigation Bridge (Wheelhouse), an adjacent Outdoor Lounge (with seating and bar service from Panorama Salon), a large outdoor relaxation area (enclosed by metal railings) with comfortable deckchairs, sun loungers, 4-seat tables, shaded sitting areas (4 retractable awnings), deck games area (Giant Chess Set).

The cruise company offers optional shore excursions (not included in cruisetour fares) in each of the visited ports. Land tours include sightseeing tours, city walks, cycling tours, bus travel to nearby tourist destinations. On all guided shore excursions are provided complimentary portable audio headsets.

MS nickoSPIRIT river cruise deals are inclusive of all onboard meals (breakfast buffet, waiter-served lunch and dinner, afternoon coffee with cake, midnight snacks), Welcome Cocktail party, Welcome Dinner, Gala Dinner, onboard entertainment, ship tour, port taxes. Cruisetour deals don't include flights, transfers, excursions, insurance, gratuities, beverages, personal expenses.

Vessel's construction (hull and superstructure, ENI number 02338870) was done at the Vahali Shipyard in Zasavica (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia). The 1923-founded Dutch shipbuilding company (Scheepswerf En Machinefabriek Vahali BV) owns and operates yards in Serbia (Belgrade, and Zasavica) and in Holland (Gendt). Vahali Shipyard Zasavica was officially opened in 2013. Following the construction in Serbia, the cruise ship was towed to Holland for final outfitting at Scheepswerf Vahali (Gendt).

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.