MS Excellence Queen

MS Excellence Queen cruise ship was launched in 2010 - together with its sistership Excellence Royal. The riverboat is owned by the German travel company Swiss Excellence River Cruise Gmbh Basel (subsidiary of Twerenbold Reisen) and operated by Excellence Flussreisen (travel brand) via Reiseburo Mittelthurgau AG (marketing and sales). The itineraries are on the European rivers Moselle, Rhine and Rhone.

For two years (2020-2022), the vessel (ENI number 2333623) was renamed (from EXCELLENCE QUEEN to YE 74 PIETER). Also in 2020, its flag state/registry was changed from the Netherlands (MMSI 244710458) to Switzerland (MMSI 269057365) and it is currently registered in Basel.

Cabins

Excellence Queen staterooms (a total of 71) are mostly French Balcony (excluding only the 14x Main Deck cabins). All staterooms offer as standard amenities a wall-mounted HDTV (satellite reception, ship info channel, real-time bow camera views), phone, wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), minibar (refrigerator), double bed (convertible to twins), bedside tables (2-drawer) with reading lamps, writing desk (mirrored vanity table) with padded stool, bottled water, en-suite bathroom (single-sink vanity, under-sink storage, WC-toilet, glass shower, magnifying mirror, hairdryer, towels), individually controllable air-conditioning.

Most cabins on decks 2-Middle and 3-Upper are equally sized (16 m2 / 170 ft2), and all fitted with a seating area (round-shaped table with two armchairs) and French Balcony (accessed via sliding glass door / floor-ceiling window opening to a railing). Mini-Suites are French Balcony cabins sized 17 m2 (180 ft2). Excellence Queen has one Excellence Suite (sized 30 m2 / 320 ft2) that has two French Balconies, double bed (non-convertible to twins) and spacious seating area with an angle sofa. Suite perks include a DVD player and premium bathrobes, welcome aboard gifts (sparkling wine and fruits upon arrival).

Main Deck cabins are sized 13 m2 (140 ft2), with two single beds (convertible to double) and two non-opening windows (located near the ceiling). The ship has two handicap cabins (wheelchair-accessible Middle Deck Suites) adapted for passengers with reduced mobility. Both disabled cabins (201-202) are conveniently located near the Elevator.

Shipboard facilities

The Excellence Lounge (boat's main bar lounge, located forward on Deck 3) has comfortable seating and a small Bow Terrace (without seating). Here is also held the formal Captain's Cocktail Reception (welcome aboard event). The Bar Lounge also serves the cruise company's onboard enrichment program with live entertainment (crew show, cooking demos, local guests and grand piano performances), daily quiz games, themed and dance nights (often with live music), language courses, lectures (folklore- or history-themed) about the visited region along the cruise itinerary route.

The Lobby Hall (Deck 3 midship) houses the Reception Desk (24-hour guest services and assistance), Tour Desk (Cruise Director, itinerary information, excursions booking), Gift Shop and the boats's both entrances (portside and starboard). At the stern on Deck 3, the Aft Lounge doubles as daily Library / Cocktail Bar / Bistro (a la carte restaurant). Aft Lounge is served with beverages by its own Bar (Bordbar).

The ship's wellness complex is located midship on Deck 1 and consists of Sauna Room, Fitness (Gym Room) and Spa (treatment room for massages).

Excellence Royal ship's dining includes a balanced breakfast buffet, Afternoon Tea service (complimentary pastries with coffee and tea in the afternoons), Sundeck BBQ, a nice variety of European dishes for lunch and dinner (including vegan and vegetarian items). The fore-located (on Deck 2) Panorama Restaurant features a Show Kitchen (open Galley with live cooking stations). The Restaurant offers a buffet breakfast (with warm and cold items), buffet-style lunch (salads, starters, desserts) with waiter-served main dishes and waiter-served dinner (5-course menu). Every day a themed buffet offers international cheese specialities, along with grilled gourmet food. With all main meals is offered a menu with premium wines (by the glass). In the Restaurant is also held the formal Gala Dinner event.

The large Sun Deck (Deck 4) features a Mini-Golf Course (Putting Green), a heated Jacuzzi (outdoor whirlpool hot tub), sunbathing areas (with loungers and deckchairs), shaded seating areas (canopy-covered). Forward is located the outdoor Sky Lounge furnished with premium garden furniture (2-seat sofas and 4-seat tables) and with beverage service provided by the Excellence Lounge's staff. All structures on Sun Deck (Wheelhouse, awnings, railings) are collapsible and lowered when the boat passes under low bridges.

The cruise ship Excellence Queen has one Elevator (passenger Lift interconnecting decks 1-2-3 / Main-Middle-Upper) and a stairlift that links decks Upper (3) and Sundeck (4).