Cruise

VESSEL REVIEW | Alisa – River cruise ship handed over to Germany’s Phoenix Reisen

Baird Maritime

German travel agency and cruise company Phoenix Reisen recently expanded its fleet with the acquisition of a new river cruise ship built by Vahali Shipyards of Croatia. Named Alisa, the vessel is owned by Netherlands-based Rijfers Nautical Management and is being operated under charter by Phoenix Reisen with technical management provided by Rijfers Nautical's sister company Rivertech.

The newbuild has a length of 135 metres, a beam of 11.4 metres, a draught of 1.6 metres, a crew complement of 50, and accommodations for a maximum of 190 guests in 96 cabins – with floor areas ranging from 12 to 17 square metres – on two decks. Many of the cabins are fitted with French balconies though all have amenities including en suite toilets with showers, minibars, coffee makers, and satellite TV. Access between decks is also possible via lift.

Photo: Phoenix Reisen

The interior spaces are noteworthy for using lightweight materials. Marianne Hendriks, managing director of Rivertech, said the incorporation of such materials helps keep the ship's displacement as low as possible to ensure reduced fuel consumption. LED lighting is used throughout the interiors as an additional energy-saving measure. Work on the interiors was done by Hoogendoorn and Vista Interior Projects.

Other facilities include a restaurant, a spacious sun deck with individual seats, and a retail shop. A shore connection is also available to shoulder some of the electrical power requirements while the ship is at berth.

Photo: Phoenix Reisen

Power is provided by four Scania DC13 EU Stage V engines that each produce 368 kW at 1,800 rpm and drive Veth thrusters. A fifth Scania DC13 is fitted at the bow and functions as a lateral manoeuvring thruster. The engines generate only minimal vibrations and noise and are also fitted with Discom exhaust aftertreatment systems to help reduce emissions. Electrical power for the onboard systems is drawn from three Scania 400kVa generators.

The wheelhouse can be raised or lowered to enable the ship to easily sail underneath bridges. The lifting mechanism for the wheelhouse was supplied by Alubouw de Mooy. The wheelhouse electronics were installed by Novio Nautic and include a complete Van Tiem Elektro package with two radars, a rudder indicator, a depth sounder, an AIS, and VHF radios. Scheepvaartwinkel Marine meanwhile supplied safety equipment including lifejackets, fire extinguishers, and O2 breathing equipment.

Alisa sails under the Swiss flag and has already begun spending the 2023 cruise season on the Rhine, Main, Danube, and Moselle Rivers with four- and seven-day itineraries.

Photo: Phoenix Reisen
Alisa
SPECIFICATIONS
Type of vessel:River cruise ship
Flag:Switzerland
Owner:Rijfers Nautical Management, Netherlands
Operator:Phoenix Reisen, Germany
Builder:Vahali Shipyards, Croatia
Length overall:135 metres
Beam:11.4 metres
Main engines:4 x Scania DC13, each 368 kW at 1,800 rpm
Propulsion:4 x Veth
Generators:3 x Scania, each 400 kVa
Side thruster:Scania DC13
Hydraulic equipment:Alubouw de Mooy wheelhouse lift
Electronics supplied by:Novio Nautic
Radars:2 x Van Tiem Elektro
Depth sounder:Van Tiem Elektro
Radios:Van Tiem Elektro VHF
AIS:Van Tiem Elektro
Other electronics:Van Tiem Elektro rudder indicator
Other equipment installed:Discom exhaust aftertreatment filters
Interior lighting:LED
Interior designers:Hoogendoorn; Vista Interior Projects
Safety equipment:Scheepvaartwinkel Marine
Firefighting equipment:Scheepvaartwinkel Marine extinguishers
Accommodation:96 x cabins; restaurant; sun deck; retail shop
Crew:50
Passengers:190
Operational areas:Rhine River; Main River; Danube River; Moselle River