River cruises – What's important before your voyage
The most important information in advance for all river cruise ships
You probably have a few questions about life on board. Below you will find the most important information in advance:
The ship is equipped with air conditioning throughout. The temperature in the restaurant, lounge, and public areas is controlled centrally. You can adjust the temperature and fan speed of the air conditioning in your cabin to suit your personal preferences.
Our digital VOX audio system is available for our shore excursions, allowing you to listen in comfort. You can hear every word spoken by your local tour guide clearly through your personal receiver. Use of the device is included in the excursion price.
To make your trip even more comfortable, you have the option of choosing from various beverage packages in advance, which are subject to a fee. Additional bookings on board are only possible on the day of arrival until dinner time!
On board the MS Rousse Prestige and MS La Marguerite, a basic beverage package is already included in the price of the trip.
Our river cruise ships vary in terms of their facilities and size. Depending on the category, all cabins are outside cabins with windows (which cannot be opened), French balconies, or even private balconies. You can decide which cabin is right for you based on your needs and preferences. Take a look at our detailed information in the respective ship profile and deck plan.
Please note that certain typical noises and smells, such as those from the propulsion system or ventilation, cannot always be avoided on a ship. Cabins in the rear of the ship may experience louder engine noise when the ship is in motion. Cabins in the front of the ship are particularly affected by the noise of the bow thruster, especially during docking maneuvers or when passing through locks.
The atmosphere on board all ships is relaxed and informal. We therefore recommend comfortable, sporty clothing and sturdy shoes for daytime activities on board and shore excursions, as well as a warm jacket or sweater, as it can often be windy on deck. Rain gear, a hat, and sunglasses are also recommended. We would like to give the “gala dinner” a slightly more festive setting and ask that you dress accordingly.
During the trip, your Plantours cruise director will be happy to answer any questions and accommodate any requests you may have. The cruise director's office hours are listed in the daily program, which is provided the evening before. On board the MS La Marguerite, you will be looked after by the German- or English-speaking cruise director.
Please always refer to your daily program, which will be provided the evening before, for all important information about your daily schedule. There you will find information about all arrival and departure times, as well as the planned departure times for excursions and meal times.
The reception desk has a small selection of toiletries, such as shaving kits, toothbrushes, shampoo, etc., available for purchase. Please note that only a limited quantity is kept in stock for emergencies.
You will receive a 3% early bird discount on the price of river cruises, valid for all trips with a departure date in 2026. The offer is only valid for new bookings made between the publication of the catalog and November 30, 2025. The discount does not apply to additional services such as beverage packages, shore excursions, insurance, etc..
There is a wide range of entertainment on board, including dance evenings, live music, lectures, and theme nights.
Relaxation and exercise are simply part of a successful trip. On board the MS Lady Diletta and MS Lady Cristina, a small, modern fitness room is at your disposal. On the MS Lady Cristina, a sauna and whirlpool on the sun deck also invite you to relax. The MS Rousse Prestige also offers soothing treatments: pamper yourself at the hairdresser's or treat yourself to a relaxing massage. A special highlight of the MS Rousse Prestige is the whirlpool on the sun deck with its magnificent view. The MS La Marguerite also offers numerous opportunities for relaxation: in addition to the whirlpool on the sun deck, there is a hairdresser, a massage salon, and a fitness room – ensuring you feel good throughout your trip.
The travel conditions of plantours & Partner GmbH apply to all cruises listed on the website.
Click here for the travel conditions >
Tips are voluntary, but if you wish, you have the opportunity to show your appreciation to the crew. The amount is, of course, up to each guest. On board MS La Marguerite, tips for the crew and service staff are included in your tour price. For drivers and local tour guides on land (during excursions and pre- and post-program activities), we recommend a total amount of $50 per passenger.
For safety reasons, physically disabled guests may only travel with an adult, non-disabled companion. Electric wheelchairs or walkers are unfortunately not permitted, but mechanical aids are allowed with prior notification. Depending on the berth, the gangway may be steep and difficult to navigate – guests must manage access independently. Some ships are moored side by side, which can make boarding difficult. There are no barrier-free cabins on board; elevators or stair lifts are available on most ships. Guests must also be able to get on and off independently for excursions. Please contact us for further information.
You will find a hairdryer in every cabin on board our river cruise ships.
If you require medical attention, please report to the reception desk or the ship's tour guide. They will recommend a doctor or ambulance service on shore. Please request a receipt for fees and medication, as most of the costs will be reimbursed by your own insurance company/health insurance provider or international travel health insurance.
Our crew is not permitted to dispense medication to guests. Please remember to carry a sufficient supply of medication that you need on a regular basis, as well as medication for common ailments, such as headache tablets, in your hand luggage. We cannot accept any liability for medication carried in your suitcase. Depending on your booked trip, we recommend that you take out international health insurance that includes medical repatriation. Oxygen equipment can be taken on board many ships on request. However, please note that there may be temporary power fluctuations on board. Carrying oxygen bottles on buses is strictly prohibited.
We recommend that you take out HanseMerkur travel cancellation, baggage, curtailment and international travel health insurance with cover for repatriation and rescue costs. Further information can be found on the respective travel pages.
We offer free Wi-Fi on board the MS Lady Diletta, MS Lady Cristina, and MS Sans Souci. The MS Rousse Prestige, MS Elegant Lady, and MS La Marguerite have Wi-Fi access available for a fee; registration takes place at the reception desk. Continuous reception cannot always be guaranteed.
For your personal comfort, we offer a laundry service on board for a fee. Further information is available on boar
To ensure that your relaxation begins at home, we recommend booking the luggage service through our partner TEFRA Travel Logistics. Whether you are traveling by car, train, or bus, you will no longer have to carry heavy suitcases. Depending on the departure and destination ports of your river cruise, your luggage will be transported directly from your front door to the ship and back home again.
Further information can be found on the travel pages.
The restaurant on your ship offers excellent food and drinks with plenty of space for everyone to enjoy meals together. If you have any food intolerances or special dietary requirements, please let us know before your trip.
All cabins on MS Lady Diletta and MS La Marguerite, as well as the suites on MS Lady Cristina, are equipped with a minibar containing a selection of beverages. Bottled water (still and sparkling) is available in all cabins for a fee. Your consumption from the minibar and water will be charged to your onboard account.
Your travel documents will include detailed embarkation instructions with the exact berth at the embarkation point. Despite officially confirmed berths, ships occasionally have to change berths at short notice. If you are traveling independently, please also check local information boards. Please be sure to note the exact embarkation times. Even if the ship arrives at the port earlier, you will not be able to board until the specified embarkation time.
It often happens that several ships use a berth at the same time, in which case they are moored next to each other. Unfortunately, this can result in obstructed views and noise and odor pollution.
The languages spoken on board our plantours river cruise ships are German and English. On MS La Marguerite, the languages spoken on board are English and French.
The currency on board MS Lady Diletta, MS Lady Cristina, MS Sans Souci, MS Rousse Prestige, and MS Elegant Lady is the euro. On MS La Marguerite, the currency on board is the US dollar. We recommend that you bring small bills in US dollars with you on your trip for tips on shore.
The following credit cards are accepted: Visa and MasterCard (applies to all six ships). Or you can pay conveniently with your German Giro or V Pay card (electronic cash), except on La Marguerite. To make your stay on board as pleasant as possible, all payments on board are cashless. When making purchases on board, simply quote your cabin number. At the end of the trip, you pay your final bill at reception.
Have you already received your personal logbook from Plantours Cruises? In this logbook, you can record all sea or river voyages you take on Plantours Cruises ships. Every day of travel counts – after just 60 days, we will give you a shore excursion voucher worth €75 per person in tips. After 120 days of travel, our regular guests receive a travel voucher worth €250, and after 180 days, €500.
It is very important to us that your cruise is satisfactory. We are confident that we can resolve any issues as long as you inform us immediately. In order to continuously improve our service, we kindly ask you to complete the online questionnaire no later than 24 hours after disembarkation. At the end of the trip, a travel voucher worth €100 will be raffled off among the questionnaires submitted. (There will be no raffle on board MS La Marguerite).
To round off your trip with experiences on land, we offer a range of optional shore excursions. You will receive a detailed shore excursion program for your booked trip approximately one month before departure. We recommend booking well in advance of departure to ensure participation, as only remaining places will be sold on board. Please note that payment for your booked shore excursions is made on board.
An exception applies to MS La Marguerite, as the shore excursions and sightseeing tours included in the program are included in the price of the trip. Cancellations of booked shore excursions are free of charge until the day of arrival, after which a 100% cancellation fee will be charged. If an excursion has to be canceled by us due to weather conditions or technical reasons, we will of course not charge you for it.
Smoking on board is only permitted on the outer decks. Smoking and the use of fire, incense sticks, candles, tea lights, etc. are prohibited in the cabins. Ashtrays are available on the sun decks. Smoking is not permitted on the balconies of the suites on board MS Lady Diletta. Please also note that smoking is strictly prohibited in locks.
Please note that when passing under low bridges, access to the spacious and partially covered sun deck may be restricted at times. On certain sections of the river (e.g., Rhine, Moselle, Main, Neckar, Elbe), some very low bridges must be passed under. The ship's crew will take appropriate precautions, dismantle the railing and windbreak, and lower the wheelhouse hydraulically to ensure safe passage. For your own safety, you are not permitted to enter the area at this time. As a general rule, you use the sun deck at your own risk. Please also remember that there is an increased risk of slipping when it rains.
There are various satellite programs to choose from. Please note that, depending on the region, reception may be limited while the ship is underway. Under bridges and in locks as well as on the lower Danube, reception is sometimes not possible. The cabins on MS La Marguerite do not have televisions.
German citizens require a valid passport or identity card (as of June 2025). Please contact us if you require information regarding other nationalities.
For travel on the Mekong, German citizens require a passport that is valid for 6 months after the end of the trip and has at least 4 free pages (as of June 2025). In addition, you will need a visa for Cambodia, which can be issued on board for citizens of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The visa fees and processing costs are approximately USD 50 per person, which must be paid via the on-board account. German citizens do not currently require a visa for Vietnam. Consular fees and regulations are subject to change at short notice. This information applies to German citizens. All other nationalities should contact the relevant embassy.
The minimum number of participants for each voyage on the
MS Lady Diletta: 120 persons
MS Lady Cristina: 125 persons
MS Sans Souci: 60 persons
MS Rousse Prestige: 100 persons
MS Elegant Lady: 100 persons
MS La Marguerite: 75 persons
We reserve the right to make changes to the program.
Due to unforeseeable high or low water levels, adverse weather conditions, availability or changes to moorings, or delays or closures at locks and bridges, it may be necessary to change the itinerary. In extreme cases, our local agency or the shipping company will use another available means of transport for impassable river sections, or certain program items may not be included. Please note that moorings can often be used by several ships at the same time, in which case the ships will be moored next to or behind each other. Unfortunately, this may result in obstructed views and noise pollution. Likewise, typical ship noises may occur during the voyage.
Subject to changes and errors.
Status Juni 2025
