DCS Touristik operates six- to 12-night cruises on the Rhine and up to 15-night cruises on the Danube with its two ships, according to the 2020 European River Cruise Market Report by Cruise Industry News.

A single night Sail Away party voyage is also available on the Danube.

Headquartered in Nagel, Germany, DCS offers a four-star product. The company started more than 20 years ago with bus and rail tours. Traditionally, most passengers have been German, but for certain cruises – tulip tours, Christmas Market cruises – the ships are an international blend, a company spokesperson said.

The same is true of other passenger demographics. Families with children sail in summer and spring – taking advantage of long German holiday breaks. Retirees look for off-season and late-booking sales, especially early spring.

DCS crews the 2004-built Amethyst, which can accommodate 178 passengers. Her standard cabins are 15 square meters and suites are 22 square meters.

They also crew the 1971-built DCS Alemannia, which has been renovated twice in recent years, once in winter 2015 and again in winter 2017. She can accommodate 184 passengers. Standard cabins are 12 square meters and suites are 24 square meters.

Both ships are taken offline in early January for refurbishment and returned to service in March each year, the company spokesperson said.

The Amethyst and Alemannia are on long-term charter agreements from their owners. DCS books space on other ships, including Travelmarvel’s Jewel, Diamond, and Sapphire, during peak seasons, like the Tulip festivals and for rivers DCS-branded ships don’t sail. There’s been a recent uptick in interest for cruises on the Volga, for example.

About the 2020 European Cruise River Market Report 

The new European Cruise Market Report provides a comprehensive look at the river cruise business with capacity metrics by river and brand, company profiles and much more. 100+ pages of insights. Learn more.