The route between Stralsund and Berlin shows just how well the MS PRINCESS is suited to these waterways. Several low bridges pose a challenge for many river cruise ships. The MS PRINCESS can pass beneath them thanks to its hydraulically lowering wheelhouse. Guests can watch this special moment from on board as the wheelhouse is lowered before the ship passes under a bridge.
Following its 2024 refurbishment, the MS PRINCESS welcomes guests into bright, modern surroundings. The restaurant feels especially inviting, with its new tables and chairs. Modern furnishings and light colours also give the lounge and cabins a welcoming feel. With a maximum of 98 guests on board, the ship feels pleasantly intimate, even at mealtimes in the restaurant.
A highlight for many: the Niederfinow Boat Lift
A lift for ships? Yes, they exist. Germany has four ship lifts, and the route between Stralsund and Berlin passes through one of them. The old Niederfinow Boat Lift, built in 1934, is located on the Havel-Oder Waterway. It is the oldest working ship lift in Germany. Right next to it, the modern Niederfinow Boat Lift, made of reinforced concrete, handles larger vessels such as the MS PRINCESS. It is an impressive structure on a truly enormous scale.
Many guests choose to stay on board that day and experience the passage up close. Others, including our group, take the scheduled bike tour and watch the MS PRINCESS pass through the lift from the shore. Both options have their appeal. We also found it fascinating to take a closer look at the new lift. Visitors can even book a guided tour.
How does the Niederfinow Boat Lift work?
The boat lift works like an elevator on water. A ship enters a water-filled trough, which carries it about 36 metres up or down. The trough and its water weigh almost 10,000 tonnes. A system of 220 heavy concrete counterweights balances this weight, so comparatively little electricity is needed to set the trough in motion.
A special day on the Szczecin Lagoon
Ask guests and staff what stands out most from their trip on the MS PRINCESS, and you will often hear: “The day we crossed the Szczecin Lagoon!” It is a welcome change from the other days of the trip, as no bike tour is scheduled. The day begins with plenty of time for breakfast and a first look at the scenery drifting by. Those who get up a little earlier might even spot white-tailed eagles over the lagoon before breakfast. A truly special experience!
The day is all about nature and taking things at a slower pace. The sun deck is a lovely place to settle in with a good book. And if the story does not quite hold your attention, there is always the wide-open view to enjoy. When the weather allows, a barbecue is served on the sun deck. It all adds up to a wonderful day, without a single bike ride.
The right balance between cycling and time on board
A trip on the MS PRINCESS brings together the best of bike & boat. Relaxed hours on board alternate with cycling tours through beautiful landscapes. I travelled from Stralsund to Berlin and particularly enjoyed how the ship took us to the starting point of each day’s ride during or after breakfast. That meant we also got to spend time on the water every day. Whenever I had a little free time, I often settled in the lounge or on the sun deck with a coffee and a book.
One moment that has stayed with me was the early-morning crossing from Szczecin to Mescherin on the fifth day. A light mist still hung over the green pastures. We passed cattle grazing in the fields and wide-open meadows, and travelled beneath a low bridge. The cycling tour that followed took us through the cross-border protected area known as the Internationalpark Unteres Odertal in light rain, before we finally reached Schwedt, our destination for the day.
Did you know...?
The Lower Oder Valley is Germany’s only floodplain national park. Regular flooding by the Oder shapes the landscape. In winter, the flooded polder meadows offer important resting places for many migratory birds.
From beaches to city skylines
The landscape gradually changes as you travel from Stralsund to Berlin. On Rügen and Usedom, the Baltic Sea is never far away. Szczecin brings a more urban feel before the route returns to the quiet landscapes along the Oder and Havel. Berlin awaits at the end. Those starting in Berlin experience the landscapes in reverse order. The route first follows the Havel and Oder to Szczecin. Then the Baltic islands of Usedom and Rügen, with their beaches and seaside resorts, take centre stage again before the journey ends in Stralsund.
This change of scenery is what makes the trip so varied. You experience the route both by bike and from the ship, sometimes surrounded by nature and sometimes close to city life. Our colleague Victoria Meiring put it well in her travel report: “We particularly enjoyed the combination of cruising and cycling.” After my own trip, I can understand why. And it seems I’m not the only one. Many of our colleagues also travelled on the MS PRINCESS this year and came back full of enthusiasm.
A trip to remember
When I look back on the trip, I think not only of the places we visited and the sights we saw. I also remember the little moments: sitting on deck with a coffee in the morning, watching the landscape drift by and then setting off by bike again. On some days, the boat lift was the highlight. On others, it was simply the peace and quiet on the water.
That variety is what makes the trip special for us and our guests. The MS PRINCESS is well suited to this route, thanks to its manageable size and ability to navigate these unusual waterways. After my week on board, I can understand why it is so popular with our guests. I came home with many lovely memories and would recommend the trip without hesitation.
More photos from our colleagues
Our conclusion
Whether you travel from Stralsund to Berlin or the other way around, a trip on the MS PRINCESS combines varied cycling routes with memorable experiences on the water. It is a true classic in our Bike & Boat programme. Find details of both itineraries here:
