MS Deutschland

Built in 1998 by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft in Kiel, MS Deutschland bears IMO number 9141807 and also sails under the name World Odyssey. From 2016 to 2026, Phoenix Reisen chartered her during the summer, while Semester at Sea used the ship for academic voyages in the winter months. This charter ended after the final Phoenix cruise in September 2026.

Cruising area and voyage length

During her Phoenix summer voyages, the itineraries covered Europe and reached as far as Greenland. The final Phoenix voyage departed from Bremerhaven on August 28, 2026, and lasted eight nights. It called at Portsmouth, Fowey, Saint-Malo, Antwerp and IJmuiden, with three days at sea between port calls. As World Odyssey, the ship serves Semester at Sea study voyages, with destinations varying according to the academic program.

The ship and life on board

The ocean-going ship is 175 meters long and 23 meters wide, with a gross tonnage of 22,496 GT. It has ten decks. Her speed is 18 knots, and her crew numbers 290. The two-story Kaisersaal is one of the ship’s distinctive features. During her service with Phoenix, the onboard dining options included the Berlin, Vier Jahreszeiten and Lido restaurants.

History and identity

Deutschland and World Odyssey are names for the same ship: IMO 9141807 identifies her in both roles. After the original Deilmann operation ended, her registration changed in 2015 to the Bahamas, with Nassau as her port of registry. Phoenix Reisen chartered the ship for summer seasons from 2016 through 2026. Her service with Phoenix ended with the final voyage in early September 2026; Semester at Sea had previously used her for academic voyages under the name World Odyssey.

A contemporary BILD report dated June 7, 2011, described MS Deutschland’s shipyard stay in Bremerhaven at the time: after 18 days, the ship returned to service on June 6. The report described a partially renewed interior, teak decks, flat-screen televisions and an infotainment system in the cabins.