Tauck MS Esprit

The 2010-built MS Esprit cruise ship (fka VistaPrima) operates on the Dutch inland waterways and Danube, Main, Rhine, and Moselle rivers. Esprit’s sisterships are Swiss Emerald/VIVA Beyond, Swiss Sapphire, Swiss Jewel, and Treasures.

Currently, the shipowner Scylla charters MS Esprit exclusively to the USA-based cruise travel company Tauck.

The riverboat (ENI number 07001923) is currently Switzerland-flagged (MMSI 269057320) and registered in Basel.

Decks and Cabins

The 124-passenger MS Esprit has 62 outward-facing cabins, all featuring either French balconies or panoramic windows. A modern design and contemporary amenities create a comfortable and elegant onboard atmosphere.

All staterooms are fully equipped with a radio, TV, phone/intercom, minibar, safe, air conditioning, shower, WC, and hairdryer.

Shipboard facilities

The ship offers a stylish panoramic lounge and elegant bar with an outdoor terrace, a lobby with reception, tour desk, shop, and a Panorama Restaurant. An elevator connects all decks except the Emerald Deck. Across her four decks, MS Esprit provides a range of amenities, including an Internet room, sauna, steam room, gym, laundry service, and a spacious Sun Deck with seating areas, sun loungers, shaded spots, and a garden terrace with bar service. There is also an observation deck located at the bow.

The Switzerland-flagged riverboat Esprit (ENI number 07001923) underwent a drydock refit and refurbishment in March–April 2018. Its passenger capacity was reduced from 118 to 98 (a 17% decrease), and the number of staterooms was reduced from 59 to 49. The reconstruction created larger public areas and more spacious passenger cabins. The most extensive work took place on Ruby (middle) Deck, where 30 cabins (each 14 m² / 150 ft²) were replaced with 20 larger cabins (each 21 m² / 225 ft²). The ship already featured 14 suites (each 28 m² / 300 ft²). Following the 2018 refurbishment, nearly 70% of all staterooms now measure 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 deck plan modifications were later implemented on fleetmates and sisterships MS Treasures (in 2018), and in 2017 on Swiss Emerald/VIVA Beyond and Swiss Sapphire.

The vessel's construction (hull and superstructure) took place at Vahali Shipyard in Belgrade, Serbia. The Dutch shipbuilding company Scheepswerf en Machinefabriek Vahali BV (founded in 1923) owns and operates yards in Serbia (Belgrade and Zasavica) and in the Netherlands (Gendt). Vahali Shipyard Zasavica officially opened in 2013. After construction in Serbia, the riverboat was towed to the Netherlands for final outfitting at Scheepswerf Vahali (Gendt).

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