Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)
FTI Berlin
★★★
Berlitz’s Ratings
Ship: 290 out of 500
Accommodation: 120 out of 200
Food: 267 out of 400
Service: 247 out of 400
Entertainment: 62 out of 100
Cruise: 262 out of 400
Overall Score: 1248 out of 2000
FTI Berlin Statistics
Size: Small Ship
Tonnage: 9,570
Lifestyle: Standard
Cruise Line: FTI Cruises
Former Names: FTI Berlin, Spirit of Adventure, Berlin, Princess Mahsuri
IMO Number: 7904889
Builder: Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft (Germany)
Original Cost: n/a
Entered Service: Jun 1980/May 2012
Registry: The Bahamas
Length (ft/m): 457.0/139.3
Beam (ft/m): 57.5/17.52
Draft (ft/m): 15.7/4.8
Propulsion/Propellers: diesel (7,060kW)/2
Passenger Decks: 7
Total Crew: 168
Passengers (lower beds): 412
Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds): 23.2
Passenger/Crew Ratio (lower beds): 2.4
Cabins (total): 206
Size Range (sq ft/m): 92.5-191.6/8.6-17.8
Cabins (for one person): 0
Cabins (with private balcony): 0
Cabins (wheelchair accessible): 2
Wheelchair accessibility: None
Cabin Current: 220 volts
Elevators: 1
Casino (gaming tables): No
Slot Machines: No
Swimming Pools: 2
Hot Tubs (on deck): 0
Self-Service Launderette: Yes
Dedicated Cinema/Seats: No
Library: Yes
Onboard currency: Euros
A small, comfortable ship for ‘destination-a-day’ cruising
Overview. This ship is best suited to German-speaking couples and solo travelers seeking a vacation in a ship that is unpretentious and provides a reasonable standard.
The Ship. Berlin, a somewhat angular ship, has an all-white ice-strengthened hull and a profile made more balanced by a thin blue line. It starred for many years in the long-running German TV show Traumschiff (Dream Ship). FTI Cruises bought the ship from Saga Cruises (who operated her for several years) in 2011.
The interiors are crisp, contemporary and well appointed, with tasteful European decor and furnishings. The Library occupies an expansive space; Internet access is provided at four computer stations.
The swimming pool, located aft, is just a ‘dip’ pool. The surrounding open-deck and sunbathing space is cramped, because it’s in the same area as the outdoor seating for the Verandah Restaurant. There is only one elevator and it doesn’t go to the two topmost decks or to the Spa Aquarius on the lowermost deck. The passenger accommodation hallways are rather narrow.
Accommodation. There are four types: Superior Suite, Junior Suite, standard outside-view, and standard interior cabins, in 12 price categories. Most of the cabins are small, but comfortable enough for short cruises. There are no balcony cabins. While most cabins have fixed twin beds, more than 60 cabins do have a double bed. The bathrooms have showers but no tubs, and storage space for toiletries is really limited. All cabins have a refrigerator and TV/DVD player. Cabins nearest the engine room suffer from more noise.
The largest accommodation is in two Owner’s Suites (Rhapsody and Sonata); both have a double bed, lounge area, more closet and drawer space, larger bathroom, binoculars, and shoe horn/clothes brush.
Dining. The 280-seat Restaurant has large, ocean-view picture windows and dark wood accents. There are tables for four or six, and dining is in one seating.
Casual breakfasts, lunches and dinners can be taken in the Verandah Restaurant, a self-serve buffet-style venue with both indoor and outdoor seating areas. A variety of well-prepared and -presented items is the norm, with of cold cuts, cheeses, bread, and pastry items.
Entertainment. The 250-seat Main Lounge is a single-level venue designed for cabaret performances, but used mainly for concerts, lectures, and guest speakers. The Yacht Club Lounge/Bar is the evening/late-night gathering place.
Spa/Fitness. Spa Aquarius is the indoor health spa; it includes a shallow swimming pool, small fitness area, massage room, sauna, and relaxation room. A beauty salon is adjacent to the Library.