DCS Amethyst

MS DCS Amethyst cruise ship was built in 2004 in Rendsburg Germany. The riverboat is currently owned by Premicon AG (Cologne-based shipowner), operated under charter by DCS Touristik and cruises on Rhine, Main and Danube rivers the whole year-round. Departures are offered from the German homeports Passau and Nuremberg.

Cabins

All DCS Amethyst staterooms (89 total) are all outside and contemporary decorated. Each cabin offers as standard (complimentary) amenities double bed (convertible to two single beds upon request), bedside cabinets with wall-mounted reading lamps, mirrored vanity table (writing desk) with armchair, wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), HDTV (satellite reception, ship info channel with daily scheduled events, live bow camera views), radio, phone (intercom, connecting to the Reception and other cabins), 220 V power outlets, en-suite bathroom (washbasin, WC, glass shower, hairdryer, towels, shaver-only socket), individually controlled air-conditioning.

The larger-sized suites additionally have a sleeping area (double bed, more storage), a lounge area (2-seat couch and armchair), larger bathroom (bathrobes, slippers).

All staterooms on Upper Deck (aft) are French Balcony. The two suites are sized 22 m2 (235 ft2), while the rest cabins are sized 15 m2 (160 ft2). French Balconies on river cruise ships are slide-opening, floor-ceiling windows that open to a railing.

Cabin categories include:

• Single Outside (category M2, Main Deck)
• Twin Outside (category M1, Main Deck-midship)
• Twin Outside (category M3, Main Deck)
• Twin Outside (category M4A, Main Deck-aft)
• Twin Outside (category M4V, Main Deck-forward)
• Twin Outside, French balcony (category R1, Rhine/Middle Deck-midship)
• Twin Outside, French balcony (category R2, R3, Rhine/Middle Deck)
• Twin Outside, French balcony (category R4A, Rhine/Middle Deck-aft)
• Twin Outside, French balcony (category R4V, Rhine/Middle Deck-forward)
• Twin Outside, French balcony (category D1, D2, Danube/Upper Deck)
• Twin Suite, French balcony (category S, Danube/Upper Deck-midship)

Main Deck (deck 1) cabins are with non-opening windows. The ship also has 12 "family cabins" with connecting doors. Some cabins are triple-occupancy, with a third bed provided.

Shipboard facilities

Popular for its friendly staff and informal atmosphere, MS Amethyst is ideal for first-time cruisers as it offers an intimate and most relaxed travel experience. The riverboat has a stylish Salon-Bar Lounge (forward on Deck 3) with 270-degree scenery views (from floor-ceiling windows), dance floor and comfortables seating (bar stools, 4-seat tables with armchairs, 2-seat leather sofas). The ship also has 24-hour tea-coffee station providing complimentary beverages.

The Dining Room Restaurant (midship on Deck 3) is also with floor-ceiling windows, dining tables with capacity 4-6 seats and adjacent Galley (kitchen). The Restaurant is complimentary and offers buffet-style breakfast and waiter-served lunch (3-course menu) and dinner (4-course menu). Onboard food is prepared by the ship's Chef and with locally sourced products (freshly supplied from markets in the visited call ports along the current cruise itinerary route). On embarkation day passengers can reserve a dining table the entire cruise duration. The ship's menus include both international meals and traditional for the visited region dishes.

In the Salon-Bar are served morning coffee and afternoon tea with light snacks. Traditionally for DCS-Touristik, upon boarding the Amethyst ship all passengers are welcomed with mulled wine. The river cruising experience also includes the traditional formal events Welcome Dinner (on embarkation day) and the complimentary Farewell Cocktail Reception (in the evening before debarkation day). Another themed onboard event is the Gala Dinner with "Ice Parade" (once per voyage). Onboard entertainment (at the Bar Lounge) includes a pirate-themed evening, crew show, daily quizzes, cooking demonstrations, live musical performances by guest artists (boarding the ship in some ports).

The midship-forward located Atrium is on 2 levels (decks 2-3 / Middle-Upper) and with natural light from a SkyLight (round-shaped glass roof on Sun Deck). Atrium's lower level (deck2) houses the Lobby Hall with the Reception Desk (24-hour guest services, information, assistance, purser) and both ship entrances (portside and starboard). Atrium's upper level (deck 3) houses the Wiener Cafe with a separate Library (reading corner with books and popular board games).

Forward on Rhine/Middle Deck is the boat's wellness complex with natural light (from 4 large, round-shaped windows), Spa (Sauna Room), Beauty Salon (hairdresser/barber services) and Fitness (Gym Room). Two staircases connect all decks.

On Sun Deck (Deck 4) are the boat's Bridge (Wheelhouse), shaded seating area (canopy-covered, with 4-seat tables) and sunbathing area (fitted with loungers and deckchairs). The ship has no elevator (passenger lift), swimming pool, Jacuzzi (whirlpool hot tub) or deckgames area (which on most new European riverboats is fitted with outdoor group games like Shuffleboard, Giant Chess Set, Mini-Golf/Putting Green). All structures on Sundeck (Wheelhouse, awnings, railings, funnel) are collapsible and lowered when the ship passes under low bridges.

Onboard language is German, the currency is EUR. Onboard payments can be done via credit cards (Eurocard, Euro-Cheque card, MasterCard, VISA, American Express, Diner's Club). The ship has no Infirmary (resident physician / nurse) so in cases of emergency, passengers are transferred to land-based hospitals. Shore excursions are optional and cost extra (not included in the DCS-Touristik fares).

DCS-Touristik GmbH (1985-founded) is a Nagel Germany-based company that specializes in bus-and-cruise travel excursions. DCS-Touristik's cruisetour program includes river cruise travel, group bus tours (usually event-themed and city tours), wellness- and music-themed excursions. The company's charter fleet includes 8 boats deployed on the rivers Rhine-Main-Danube, also Nile (Egypt) and Volga (Russia).

The vessel (ENI number 9948007) is currently Switzerland-flagged (MMSI 269057627) and registered in Basel. When launched in 2004, it was originally named "MS Artistry".

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.