Passenger vessel types at a glance

From the compact saloon vessel for 100 guests to the three-deck passenger ship for 500 people: the choice of vessel type decisively determines area of operation and economics. This overview helps you narrow down the right type for your venture.

Compact saloon vessels (up to approx. 100 passengers)

Compact vessels under about 25 metres in length are agile, cope with tight berths and are ideal for small rivers, canals and confined waterways. They have lower operating and mooring costs and are a good entry point for charter operation and smaller round trips.

Mid-size two-deck vessels (100–250 passengers)

The most versatile category: two-deck vessels with a saloon and sun deck are equally suited to scheduled service, charter trips, events and day tourism. They offer enough capacity for economical operation while remaining flexible on many rivers.

Large three-deck passenger ships (from approx. 250 passengers)

Large three-deck vessels excel at major events, gala dinners and busy day-tourism routes on the Rhine, Danube and Neckar. They achieve the highest revenue per trip, but also place higher demands on berths, bridge clearances and operational organisation.

Which type suits your area of operation?

What matters is the interplay of operating area, approval and business case. A large vessel is of little use if the navigation zone or bridge height on your route limits operation. Conversely, a compact saloon vessel will not cover major events. So alongside size and seating, always check draught, fixed-point height and the approved passenger number.

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