GALVESTON, TX (April 3, 2017) - On Monday, April 3, 2017 the MS Amadea of Phoenix Reisen Cruise Lines will call at the Port of Galveston. The four star plus rated ship, owned and operated by Phoenix Reisen Cruise Line arrives with approximately 600 passengers and 200 crew members on board. This is the first U.S. stop on this year’s worldwide itinerary. 

A port call is a visit from a ship that doesn’t homeport in a city, but calls on a port as part of its cruise itinerary.

“We are excited to welcome the MS Amadea and its passengers and crew to Galveston Island. The Port and its partners continue to work together on making Galveston a port of call,” stated Chairman Benjamin Holland. “Ship calls provide an opportunity to showcase the island’s many sites and attractions. I’m confident that these international travelers will enjoy all that the island has to offer.”

MS Amadea, former MS Asuka, was built in Yokohama in 1991 and had its maiden voyage in December 1991 for NYK cruises in Japan. In March 2006, the ship was sold to Phoenix Reisen Cruise Line based in Germany.  The first time the ship travelled to US waters was in 2008. Since then the ship has continued to visit the US on an annual basis.

In Germany the ship is known as “Das Traumschiff”. "The Dream Ship" is a German television series by ZDF. The series, about a cruise ship that travels to places around the world, debuted in 1981 and has become one of the most-watched television shows in Germany. It has aired for more than 35 years. It was primarily filmed and set aboard the MS Deutschland cruise ship as it sailed to tourist destinations around the world. In 2015 the MS Amadea became the featured ship, the 5^th vessel to become the “Dream Ship”. Due to her popularity, the cruise liner has up to 80% in repeat passengers and is regularly fully booked year round.

The MS Amadea offers a wide range of facilities, yet still enjoys a home-away-from-home atmosphere. It is a luxurious and charming vessel containing 2 royal suites, 40 suites, and 254 cabins, 106 of which have a private balcony. The slogan for the passengers, “Welcome Home,” is ever present and is the motto of the crew.

The vessel is scheduled to arrive in Galveston the morning of April 3. The Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau will be on onsite to welcome passengers and distribute information. Several shore excursions are being offered to cruise passengers including a visit to Moody Gardens and tours of Space Center Houston. Passengers are also offered the opportunity to discover the many shopping and entertainment possibilities of the Historic Downtown Strand Seaport District.  

The Port of Galveston is the region’s gateway to the Gulf for cruise ships and international trade. Located at the entrance to Galveston Bay, the Port leases and maintains facilities on both Galveston Island and Pelican Island. The Galveston Island operations are a diversified mix of cargo including roll on-roll-off cargo, dry bulk, export grain, refrigerated fruit, general cargo, and project cargo. In addition, the Port handles over 1.7 million cruise passengers annually. The Port’s Pelican Island facilities comprise a combination of undeveloped property, an active ship and rig repair facility, and liquid bulk operations. The Port is a self-supporting enterprise utility with operating revenues of approximately $34 million. It does not rely on tax dollars for operations.

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