Spirit of the Rhine

Saga Cruises ship guide

Editorial score

4.0/ 5

6 of 6 metrics scored

Page updated October 2026

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Spirit of the Rhine on the Rhine near Mainz, 2026 · Photo: Kryp, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

About Spirit of the Rhine

Spirit of the Rhine is a Saga Cruises cruise ship, in service since 2021. She carries 172 guests with a crew of 40. She sails Rhine itineraries. We rate her 4.0 out of 5.

Spirit of the Rhine is Saga's first purpose-built river ship, built at the Vahali shipyard in Serbia and launched into service in 2021. The 135-meter boat carries 172 guests on four passenger decks, with a lift between the middle and upper decks, and was designed to bring the style of Saga's ocean ships to the rivers. She was named in Arnhem, Netherlands, in March 2022 with broadcaster Dame Jenni Murray as godmother. She sails all-inclusive Rhine and Dutch waterways cruises, including itineraries linking Amsterdam, Cologne and the Rhine Gorge.

Ship facts

Guests: 172; Crew 40 · 1:4.3
Entered service: 2021
Length: 135 m; Shorter than 73% of 575 ships
Decks: 4

Ratings

How she ranks

Cabins: 5/5+0.3, fleet average 4.7
Dining: 4/5, fleet average 4.0
Entertainment: 3/5, fleet average 3.0
Service: 5/5, fleet average 5.0
Pools & decks: 4/5−0.3, fleet average 4.3
Value: 3/5, fleet average 3.0

Editorial scores, 1 to 5 per metric; the overall is their average, not an average of reader reviews. Ticks mark the Saga Cruises fleet average across 6 rated ships in service.

More from Saga Cruises

Whole fleet

The ships in the fleet closest to her in size.

Spirit of the Danube in Cologne, March 2023

4.0 ★Spirit of the Danube2022 · 172 guests · DanubeSpirit of the Danube is Saga's second purpose-built river ship, constructed at the Vahali shipyard in Serbia and sailing since 2022. Like her sisters she is 135 meters long and…4.0 ★Spirit of the Moselle2025 · 172 guests · RhineSpirit of the Moselle is Saga's third purpose-built river ship, a sister to Spirit of the Rhine and Spirit of the Danube that began sailing in summer 2025. She is 135 meters long…

3.8 ★Douro Serenity2017 · 114 guests · DouroDouro Serenity is a smaller river ship that Saga offers on the Douro in Portugal alongside its own purpose-built fleet. She entered service in 2017, is 80 meters long and carries…

Official deck plans

Deck plans: Deck plan (on ship page)

Photos

1 photo

Spirit of the Rhine on the Rhine near Mainz, 2026Photo: Kryp, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Where she sails

RhineAmsterdam to Basel through Germany's castles and vineyards

Quick answers

Which cruise line operates Spirit of the Rhine?

Spirit of the Rhine is operated by Saga Cruises.

How big is Spirit of the Rhine?

Spirit of the Rhine measures 135 metres in length, with 4 decks.

How many passengers does Spirit of the Rhine carry?

Spirit of the Rhine carries 172 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 40 (about 4.3 guests per crew member).

When did Spirit of the Rhine enter service?

Spirit of the Rhine entered service in 2021.

Where does Spirit of the Rhine sail?

Spirit of the Rhine sails Rhine itineraries.

Where can I find the deck plans for Spirit of the Rhine?

Saga Cruises publishes the deck plans for Spirit of the Rhine; this page links to Deck plan (on ship page).

How is Spirit of the Rhine rated?

Cruise Frog rates Spirit of the Rhine 4.0 out of 5 overall, the average of 6 editorial scores. She scores best on cabins (5/5) and lowest on value (3/5).

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