I had to send a review after reading the horrendous review sent by the previous reviewer of October 2016. This boat is leased to Vantage by Nicko Cruises out of Stuttgart. We will be doing our 3rd river boat trip with Nicko in 2017, and all I can say about our trip in September of 2016, with Nicko was fabulous. We were suppose to take this trip with Nicko but because of the low water level out trip was cancelled. We were offered our total money spent for the trip back or a substitute trip from Stralsund to Potsdam. About half of the passengers who booked the trip decided to go on the substitute trip --us included. We have always been very hesitant to go with anyone but the Germans because their government requires them to refund your money or offer you a similar trip, which the American Government doesn't require of their travel/boat companies.
Thomas our cruise director on the Frederic Chopin went totally out of his way for us as there were only six Americans on board that decided to go on this substitute trip. We had great meals and only went on the tours that we were interested in. On Nicko you pay extra for the tours or can buy a tour package when paying your deposit for the trip, which covers some of them. Otherwise, you pay on board for extra tours or those you want to go on. We had Thomas as our Tour Director on their sister boat the Katharina Von Bora on another trip when this boat was owned by Peter Deilmann. We were very happy to see him again and knew we would again have a great time with him in charge.
The Frederic Chopin is a beautiful boat decorated in a very classic style compared to the new boats that are quite modern in appearance throughout the ship. The rooms are smaller but beautifully decorated. Everyone who works on the boat speaks English and there is never a problem understanding anyone you may have to speak with.