Deutschland Starts Farewell Season for Phoenix Reisen

Deutschland Starts Farewell Season for Phoenix Reisen

The Deutschland recently sailed from Bremerhaven to kick off its farewell season for German cruise operator Phoenix Reisen.

After undergoing a drydock at the same port in April, the 1998-built vessel started the deployment on May 12, 2026.

The final season includes a series of eight cruises departing from three homeports: Bremerhaven, Cuxhaven and Kiel.

Visiting destinations in Northern Europe, Iceland, the Baltic, and the British Isles, the 520-passenger ship will operate eight- to 22-night cruises.

For the first cruise of the season, the Deutschland offers a 16-night voyage to the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The itinerary is highlighted by visits to 13 destinations, including Belfast, Edinburgh, Douglas, Dover and Portland.

Before ending its summer season for the German brand in early September, the ship also offers a three-week cruise to the Portuguese archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira.

The voyage features calls to Ponta Delgada and Funchal, as well as stops in lesser-visited destinations such as Praia da Vitória and Velas.

Sailing round trip from Cuxhaven, the cruise is also set to visit other destinations in Northern Europe, including Glengariff and Honfleur.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, Phoenix Reisen decided not to renew the charter contract of the Deutschland.

Sailing seasonally for the brand since 2015, the vessel will not return to the company’s fleet for the 2027 summer season.

In addition to the ship, the German brand operates the Artania, the Amera and the Amadea on a year-round basis.

After completing its farewell deployment for Phoenix Reisen, the Deutschland is set to be renamed World Odyssey before embarking on another season for Semester at Sea.

As part of the company’s educational cruising platform, the vessel offers two world cruises during the 2026-27 winter season. Further plans for the future of the 22,400-ton ship are still to be announced.

Another Cruise Ship Sold; Albatros to Leave Phoenix Reisen

The Albatros will leave the Phoenix Reisen fleet, according to a press release, with the German tour operator citing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ship will now start a new life as a hotel vessel under for the Pick Albatros Group in the Middle East, which operates a number of hotels and resorts. 

That will leave Phoenix Reisen with three year-round ships, plus a seasonal summer charter with the Deutschland. 

"And yet, despite all the anticipation, we also have to keep an eye on the profitability of our company. So it was with a heavy heart that we decided to hand over the MS Albatros from the Phoenix fleet to new hands," the company said, in a translated statement.

Having been built in 1973, the 830-guest Albatros was the oldest ship in the Phoenix Reisen fleet, originally launching as the Royal Viking Sea.

A number of ships have been sold or retired this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including 18 Carnival Corp. vessels; the entire Cruise & Maritime Voyages fleet; the entire Pullmantur fleet and numerous other vessels.