The selection of river cruise ships is vast. We traveled aboard the MS Belvedere by nicko cruises to take a closer look at what she has to offer. With her glass front and a wellness area located directly in the bow, the ship offers features that are hard to find on other vessels.
But does the interior live up to the promise of the exterior? How spacious are the cabins, and how is the food on board? Here is our experience report.
The Ship: Facts and Figures about the Belvedere
The Belvedere from nicko cruises represents a type of ship specifically tailored to the conditions of the Danube, the Rhine, and the Main-Danube Canal. The ship was commissioned in 2004/2005. With a length of 126.70 meters, the ship makes optimal use of the standard length of inland locks. Many locks in the Europa Canal have a width of 12 meters. The width of the Belvedere is 11.40 meters, so it just barely fits into the lock chamber. The draft is about 1.50 to 1.60 meters. This is an advantage given the increasingly frequent low-water periods on the rivers, but not an absolute guarantee during extreme water levels.
The MS Belvedere is designed for a capacity of 176 passengers. The crew strength is stated as approximately 40 members. The onboard language is German.
In recent years, public areas and cabins have undergone a step-by-step renovation.
The Deck Plan: Where does life happen?
The MS Belvedere has four decks: the Sun Deck and three passenger decks below (Upper Deck, Middle Deck, Main Deck).
The uppermost deck / Sun Deck serves as the primary outdoor recreation area. It extends over almost the entire length of the ship. Unfortunately, it was closed during our trip with the ship. We passed under so many low bridges that staying there was not possible. Otherwise, passengers find deck chairs, seating groups, and sun sails there. Outdoor fitness equipment is available. The captain’s bridge is located in the forward area and is retractable to allow for low bridge passages.
Upper Deck
The Upper Deck is the heart of the ship. This is where the highest quality cabins and the most important public rooms are located. Located at the very front, the Panorama Salon offers an almost unobstructed view of the river course through huge windows. It functions as a lounge, bar, lecture hall, and as a meeting point for passengers. The restaurant is also located on the Upper Deck of the ship. Additionally, the highest category cabins and the Junior Suites are located there in the stern.
Middle Deck
The Middle Deck combines living functions with service and wellness areas. The foyer and reception are located here centrally in an atrium. In the bow of the ship, there is a wellness area. The Belvedere has a sauna, a relaxation area, and a whirlpool. Additionally, a large part of the cabins are located on the Middle Deck.
Main Deck
The lowest passenger deck is partially below the waterline. Only cabins are located here. Due to the waterline, floor-to-ceiling windows cannot be installed here. Instead, these cabins have smaller windows in the upper third of the wall, which cannot be opened for safety reasons. The engine rooms are located in the rear area of this deck.
Boarding and First Impression
When we arrived at the Belvedere’s mooring in Nuremberg, there was only a flag on the quay wall telling us that this was the berth. The ship approached shortly before the embarkation time and docked.
We left our luggage next to the gangway and boarded the ship. My first impression: the atrium with the lobby and reception were bright, friendly, and generous. A large curved staircase leads from there one deck higher. Here we waited in the salon for the check-in to begin.
While we waited in the cozy armchairs, we looked at the fellow travelers for the next few days. A quite mixed audience, also in terms of age. I noticed that couples, pairs of friends, and small groups who knew each other sat together. There was talking and I felt the anticipation for the trip.
The Cabins: Living Comfort on the River
After a while, it was said “check-in is starting.” Little by little, the passengers left the room and went to the reception. There you handed in your ID (for one night) and received your room card. Anyone who wanted to was accompanied to the room; those who were sure they could find the cabin alone could, of course, go there independently.
What kind of cabins are there on the Belvedere from nicko cruises?
The cabins of the MS Belvedere are all outside cabins. They differ in location, size, and window.
Main Deck Cabins
- Location: Deck 1 (bottom)
- Size: Approx. 14.5 m²
- Window: Small view window or porthole (cannot be opened)
- Equipment: Identical to the higher categories (air conditioning, TV, safe, hairdryer).
Middle and Upper Deck Cabins
- Location: Deck 2 and 3
- Size: Approx. 14.5 m²
- French Balcony: This is the decisive feature. It is a floor-to-ceiling glazed sliding door that can be opened widely. A railing (the actual “French balcony”) prevents stepping out, but you can stand at the open window and enjoy the fresh air as well as the unobstructed view.
Junior Suites
- Location: Upper Deck (Deck 3)
- Size: Approx. 22 m²
- French Balcony.
- Special features: These cabins offer more space. An important detail is the diagonal positioning of the beds (cannot be placed separately), which allows a direct view through the panorama window. Additionally, they have a small seating area and more storage space.
All cabins feature:
- Individually adjustable air conditioning,
- beds (two single beds pushed together to form a double bed, can be separated on request),
- satellite TV,
- telephone,
- radio,
- bathroom (shower/WC, hairdryer, shower gel, and hand soap),
- very small safe
- Wi-Fi reception (subject to a fee).
Our Cabin
We spent the nights of our river cruise on the Belvedere from nicko cruises in a cabin on the Middle Deck. As soon as I entered the cabin, I knew – I could feel comfortable here.
The bathroom, with toilet, sink, and shower, had sufficient shelf and storage space for our needs. The water for the morning shower was wonderfully hot and the towels were always fluffy and soft. Simply perfect for us.
It always amazes me how much storage space is available in the cabins of river cruise ships. Closets with clothes rails and many shelf areas, open shelves, space in the nightstands, and our suitcases easily fit under the beds. It’s a bit of a pity that there was only a power outlet next to one bed. Luckily, we always travel with a power strip with a long cable, so we could run the power for the second cell phone (and thus the second alarm clock) from another outlet to the nightstand.
The beds were just right for our sleeping needs. We slept very well.
Particularly beautiful, of course, is the large panorama window. It is a nice feeling to be able to watch the sunrise in the morning and to be able to stand at the open window every now and then and watch the activity on the river.
We definitely felt very comfortable!
Culinary Arts on Board: Enjoyment according to Johann Lafer
Meals are taken at fixed times in the large Panorama Restaurant. Already at check-in, you are assigned a seat at a table. You then keep this until the end of the journey. Of course, you don’t sit alone at a table, but with 4-6 other people. I find the large panorama windows particularly beautiful. Here you can look out wonderfully during meals and discover life on the river.
It takes a bit of getting used to for me that I already have to make my meal choice for the day at breakfast. The capacity of the kitchen is limited and in order to be able to prepare as well as possible (and to waste as little food as possible), the wishes of each guest are requested.
Breakfast is offered in buffet form. The selection of food was large: sweet, savory, fruit, muesli – there should be something for everyone. Coffee, tea, water, and juice are included with breakfast.
For lunch, you have a choice: light lunch or a menu in the restaurant. This choice must be made in the morning. We always opted for the light lunch. Here, for example, soup, salad, sandwiches, and a dessert are available on a small buffet. Eating takes place in the salon. At the same time, a multi-course menu is served in the restaurant.
In the afternoon, there is coffee and cake.
In the evening, a multi-course menu is served to all guests in the restaurant. In addition to changing appetizers, soups, and desserts, every guest has the opportunity to choose from 4 different main courses. On the last evening, a gala dinner takes place. For this, nicko cruises worked with a well-known chef (Johann Lafer), who developed it.
Our experiences at dinner
We enjoy eating and are always happy when the food not only tastes good but also “looks like something” visually on the plate. In our opinion, the kitchen crew of the Belvedere from nicko cruises clearly succeeded in this.
During our time on the river cruise ship, we were served varied multi-course menus. The clear highlight was the gala dinner on the last evening. This was developed in collaboration with star chef Johann Lafer. On this evening, I deliberately decided on the vegetarian version of the menu and did not regret it. Even though the meat dishes on the neighboring plates looked very tasty (and were), my choice totally convinced me in terms of taste.
The beverage package from nicko cruises: Is it worth it?
I don’t find it easy to answer this question across the board. It depends on so many factors whether you can decide for yourself that the price is worth it.
But let’s look at the topic of drinks a bit more closely.
For breakfast, coffee, tea, juices, and water are included as part of the full board. Also for the afternoon cake, tea and coffee are served free of charge. A note from us: the water from the tap is not a good alternative. It is suitable for brushing teeth but nothing more. This water is stored in large tanks on the ship and is not recommended as drinking water.
Drinks for which there is a charge are served at lunch and dinner. The current prices can be found in the drink menus on the ship or can be checked in advance on the internet.
Anyone who decides against the beverage package signs a slip with every order and pays their entire bill at the end of the trip.
The beverage package can only be booked for the entire trip. For two guests in a cabin, both must book a beverage package. We opted for the package. For us, the following advantages were obvious:
- no later billing and therefore no “surprise”
- before each excursion, we could pick up 0.5l of water per person at the reception
- water was ready for us in the cabin
- at meals and in the bar, almost all drinks are included in the package price. I could also have a cocktail and didn’t refrain because of the price.
For us, it was simply a convenience and we enjoyed having something different to drink. But it must be stated clearly: “drinking back” the price is possible, but anyone who, for example, “only” drinks water and occasionally a wine/beer will find it difficult to achieve that.
Our tip: look at the drink menu, roughly estimate how much you “drink away,” and then decide.
Wellness at the Bow: Sauna with a view
While many older ships have minimized the wellness area in favor of cabins, the MS Belvedere from nicko cruises affords a generous spa area in the bow of the Middle Deck.
There is a sauna, a whirlpool, and of course a relaxation area. Since the spatial capacities are limited, hourly time slots are offered for use. Then you can even choose whether you want to use the spa area alone or with other guests.
One morning at 8:30 AM, we booked the spa for our exclusive use. Use is, by the way, free of charge; towels and bathrobes are provided.
The sauna was already well heated and we could really enjoy the time out. We found it particularly beautiful that the ship was traveling on the Main-Danube Canal at that time. Through the large portholes in the sauna and at the whirlpool, we could see the landscape passing by. I think it is something special to enjoy in the warmth and see the morning mist on the shore.
Life on Board & Entertainment
The social center of the ship is the Panorama Lounge. The bar provides the guests with drinks and this is where you meet for a nice conversation.
An onboard musician plays at certain times. Depending on the mood of the passengers and with the “right” song, people might join in singing or even dancing. The onboard musician definitely spread a good atmosphere on our trip.
Every now and then, a small program is offered. For example, the nicko cruises program is presented, Bingo is played together, or a raffle is held.
However, there is also enough time to read in peace or to play one of the many board games from the ship’s library.
Important note: Accessibility
Anyone who wants to travel with the Belvedere from nicko cruises should know that the ship is not barrier-free.
The ship does not have an elevator. The connection between the decks is exclusively via stairs.
The corridors and the doors of the cabins are narrow and, for example, to get into the bathroom, you have to overcome a quite high threshold.
An additional obstacle is access to the ship. Depending on the mooring, the path can be steep or lead over another ship. The crew is happy to help with transporting a walker, for example, or offers a helping hand. Passengers must be able to handle everything else on their own.
The trip with the Belvedere from nicko cruises took place as part of a press trip.
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