This post is provided as a public service for those with mobility impairments. Should you be interested in these accessible river cruises, contact Accessible Travel Netherlands by emailing [email protected]. For more information, visit: www.accessibletravelnl.com

MS Viola started sailing in May 2019. The ship has four decks, which have all been designed with a modern and luxury look, and all facilities are wheelchair accessible.

Departing weekly from April until November 2020, from Bonn in Germany, MS Viola offers plenty of sailings for those looking for an accessible river cruise experience.

MS Viola. Photo courtesy of Accessible Travel Netherlands

MS Viola enables guests to discover a range of beautiful historic towns in Germany and the Netherlands. In 2020, the MS Viola will also have sailings to Antwerp in Belgium and to Strasbourg in France.

The following itineraries are available for 2020:

• Germany River Cruise (6 nights, 7 days) – Bonn, Köningswinter, Koblenz, Boppard, Rüdesheim, Lahnstein, Remagen, Bonn
• Holland River Cruise (6 nights, 7 days) – Bonn, Nijmegen, Gorinchem, Rotterdam, Arnhem, Düsseldorf, Bonn
• Holland and Belgium River Cruise (8 nights, 9 days) – Bonn, Nijmegen, Willemstad, Antwerp, Middelburg, Dordrecht, Wijk bij Duurstede, Arnhem, Düsseldorf, Bonn
• On the Rhine from Bonn to Strassbourg in France (8 nights, 9 days) – Bonn, Andernach, Rüdesheim, Strasbourg, Speyer, Mainz, Boppard, Königswinter, Bonn

When booking a river cruise on MS Viola, you’ll find a range of services included. First off, the lovely European breakfast buffet, a lunch menu and dinner buffet. Additionally, you’ll be served coffee or tea in the afternoon and as well as snacks in the evening. During the night of the Captains Dinner, you will enjoy a more extensive dinner menu. Nightly entertainment is included and the activities vary from live entertainment to dancing and games.

With regards to the facilities, the cruise ship has 34 spacious Accessible cabins and 27 Standard cabins. The royal accessible cabins on the ship are equipped with two electric high-low beds and accessible sanitary supplies. Shower gel, wash gel and hand soap, towels and bedsheets are available in the room. Ensuite bathrooms can be booked for private use or for shared use with the passengers in the cabin next to it. This bathroom is fully accessible. The cabins that share the bathroom both have an entrance to the bathroom. When it is in use, the bathroom door to the other cabin will be locked automatically.

The ship consists of the Lower deck, the Main deck, the Panorama deck and the Sun deck. The Standard rooms are located on the Lower deck and the accessible rooms on the Main deck. The Panorama deck is where the spacious salon, bar, and dining room are situated, as well as the reception and adapted toilets. This deck provides views of the surroundings, thanks to the high wide windows. Apart from the basic facilities, MS Viola also has a hairdresser, bar and reading lounge on the Panorama deck.

The large Sundeck can be reached by a spacious elevator. On the Sundeck, sun lovers can find a terrace, where they can enjoy a cup of coffee and the changing views. The spaces are easily accessible with a wheelchair, as there are no steps or stairs towards these rooms.

The entrance of the ship is wide and has a ramp that’s put down at each dock. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are allowed on the ship and can be used at all times. Additional mobility equipment is available on the ship, including electric hoists and shower chairs.

Aboard the ship, there will be one doctor and two nurses. Kidney dialysis is possible along the route in Germany at certified institutions. It’s also possible to make use of nightly dialysis.

The main language spoken on the ship is German, but English speaking staff is available to translate necessary information for guests. Additionally, when booking with Accessible Travel Netherlands guests will receive translated documents in English.

If you are planning to explore the towns while docked, you will be able to enjoy shore excursions with a local English speaking tour guides. Guided tours are also offered on the ship, but these are only with German guides. Accessible Travel Netherlands will highlight the opportunity to book these shore excursions during the booking process. Guests will be able to share the excursions with other English speaking customers.  The same accounts for the transfers to and from the dock in Bonn.

Accessible Travel Netherlands also offers pre- and post stays and excursions in Bonn or other cities in Germany, The Netherlands or Belgium.

2020 Departure Dates For MS Viola:

• Holland River Cruise
  • May 12-18; June 22-28; July 6-12; July 20-26; September 15-21; October 19-25
• Germany River Cruise 
  • May 19-25; June 29-July 5; July 13-19; July 27-August 2; September 8-14
• Holland and Belgium River Cruise
  • April 6-14; April 24-May 2; June 4-12; August 12-20; August 30-September 7; October 1-9
• On the Rhine from Bonn to Strassbourg in France
  • April 15-23; May 3-11; May 26-June 3; August 3-11; August 23-29; September 22-30; October 10-18