The Deutschland sailed from the German port of Bremerhaven on Friday to kick off its final cruise for Phoenix Reisen.

Set to leave the company’s fleet after the sailing, the 1998-built ship is offering an eight-night itinerary to the English Channel and the North Sea.

The cruise sails roundtrip from Bremerhaven and features visits to five destinations across France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Ports set to be visited include Portsmouth, Fowey, Saint-Malo, Antwerp and IJmuiden, as well as scenic cruising along the Scheldt River.

The sailing marks the end of a four-month cruise season that started in May and included a series of itineraries to Northern Europe, Iceland, the Baltic, the British Isles and the Atlantic.

Highlights of the deployment included a 22-night cruise to the Portuguese archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira.

Sailing from Cuxhaven in late May, the voyage featured overnight visits to Horta and Funchal, in addition to stops in Praia da Vitória, Velas, Ponta Delgada, among others.

With Phoenix Reisen deciding not to renew the ship’s charter agreement beyond 2026, the Deutschland will not return to the company’s fleet in 2027.

Originally built for Peter Deilmann, the 520-passenger vessel has been sailing seasonally for Phoenix Reisen since 2015.

In addition to the German brand, the ship also sails for Semester at Sea, spending winter seasons as the World Odyssey.

As part of the company’s educational cruising concept, the ship offers world cruises with university students and lifelong learners.

Two 100-plus-night itineraries are scheduled for 2026-27, with a third one set to depart from the Netherlands in late 2027.

Plans for the vessel during the summer of 2027 are unclear. Phoenix Reisen will operate three ships after the Deutschland’s departure.

The company’s fleet includes the Artania, the Amera and the Amadea, which offer itineraries in Europe during summers, as well as winter cruises to other parts of the world.