MS Deutschland closes cruise season 2025 – next stop: world tour!

MS Deutschland closes cruise season 2025 – next stop: world tour!

The MS Deutschland successfully concluded the European cruise season with Phoenix Reisen on September 9, 2025. This season, which ran from late April to mid-September, took guests to a variety of destinations in the North Sea, Atlantic and Mediterranean. Featured ports included Rouen in France, Portsmouth in the United Kingdom, Flekkefjord in Norway, Tobermory in Scotland and Oulu in Finland. This varied route featured both popular and lesser-known destinations, allowing for a wide range of vacation experiences.

In August 2025, an important fleet meeting took place in Bremerhaven, where all four Phoenix Reisen cruise ships anchored together. This underlines the close cooperation between the shipping company's ships and the importance of the MS Deutschland in the entire fleet. After the conclusion of the European season, the MS Deutschland will now be operated as World Odyssey under a charter with Semester at Sea.

Transition to world travel

The first world trip as a World Odyssey begins in September 2025 from IJmuiden in the Netherlands to Bangkok in Thailand. Another trip is already planned for spring 2026, which will lead from Bangkok back to Bremerhaven. These transitions in the use of the ship illustrate the flexibility and adaptability of the MS Deutschland. In summer 2026, she will also return to Phoenix Reisen's European program, with departures from German ports such as Bremerhaven, Kiel and Cuxhaven.

The MS Deutschland was originally built in 1998 for the Peter Deilmann shipping company and has been operated seasonally since 2015. The charter agreement with Semester at Sea was renewed in 2018 to ensure the use of the swim in various markets. This model has proven to be beneficial, not only for the shipping company and passengers, but also for the local economies in European ports, which benefit from the influx of visitors.

Technical details and equipment

The MS Deutschland, currently flying the Bahamas flag, is owned by Absolute Nevada LLC, a Las Vegas-based shipping company. She was renamed for the Semester at Sea program and equipped with new French balconies following a major renovation in April 2016. The ship has a total of ten decks, eight of which are accessible to passengers. The ship's crew is predominantly European and Filipino, with German being the official language on board.

In terms of cabins, the MS Deutschland includes a total of 288 staterooms, divided into four main categories: Suite, Comfort, Classic and Standard. Passengers benefit from a wide range of leisure and dining options, including the Berlin Restaurant, the Four Seasons Restaurant and the Lido Restaurant, as well as numerous wellness and entertainment options. The combination of attractive routes and attractive on-board offerings makes the MS Deutschland an attractive choice for cruise lovers.

With a focus on improving route diversity and supporting local economies, the return of MS Deutschland to Germany in 2026 will further increase the attractiveness of Phoenix Reisen and open up new opportunities for travelers.

Further information can be found at Travel and Tour World and Cruise Mapper.