Cruise Wonderland >> Virtual Ship Tours >> Astor |
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Entered Service |
1987 January 14th (as Astor <II> for
Safmarine) 1997 April 21st (as Astor for Transocean Tours) |
Astor is a small cruise ship constructed in Germany in the mid-1980s. In her early years, she was owned and operated by various companies. From 1996 onwards she has been under long-term charter and operation by the German Transocean Tours (which later became Transocean Kreuzfahrten since late 2009). The ship has a contemporary and nicely balanced profile with a large square funnel, whereas the interior decoration has a perfect mix between traditional and modern style. There is good amount of public rooms and open deck. The high passenger space ratio creates a spacious and relaxing onboard environment. Her worldwide itineraries are well-packaged and destination-intensive. Providing European-style hotel service, Astor is suitable to German-speaking mature passengers who love cruising on a traditional but less formal cruise ship, with comfortable and pleasant surroundings, nice food, and good value of money. On 1st June 2010, Astor re-entered service for the new Transocean Kreuzfahrten after a major refurbishment in Lloyd Werft, Bremerhaven. Major changes include addition of 11 inner suites and 3 balcony suites (2 Senator Suites and 1 Astor Suite), as well as renewal of many cabin facilities. Astor has a close sister, the former Astoria (entered service in 1981) of Transocean Tours. They were built by the same shipyard, and have very similar design and facilities, despite the fact that Astor is slightly larger and 12 meters longer than Astoria. The two vessels were together under the banner of Transocean between 2002 and 2009. |
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Builder | Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, Kiel (Germany) | ||
Original Cost | US$65 million | ||
Registry | Nassau, The Bahamas | ||
Gross Tonnage | 21000 tons | ||
Length x Beam x Draft | 176.3 x 22.6 x 6.1 (m), 578.1 x 74.1 x 20.0 (ft) | ||
Speed | 16.5 knots | ||
Passenger Decks | 7 | ||
Number of Cabins (Inside / Oceanview / Balcony) |
289 (91, 195, 3) | ||
Passengers (Standard Occupancy / Full Occupancy) |
578 / 618 | ||
Total Crew | 278, International | ||
Navigation Officers | Russian | ||
IMO Number, Call Sign | 8506373, C6JR3 | ||
Sister Ships | Quest for Adventure (Spirit of Adventure) | ||
History |
1987-1987: Astor <II> (Safmarine) 1987-1988: Astor (Marlan Corporation) 1988-1990: Fedor Dostoevskiy (Transocean Tours) 1990-1995: Fedor Dostoevskiy (Neckermann Seereisen) 1995-1996: Astor (Aquamarin Cruises) 1996-2009: Astor (Transocean Tours) 2009- : Astor (Transocean Kreuzfahrten) |
(Unless otherwise specified, information about Astor in this virtual ship tour was correct at the time of publishing after the author visited the ship in February 2011. Cruise Wonderland would like to express our gratitude to Transocean Kreuzfahrten in organizing the ship tour for us.)
Click on different decks to
view the details:
Deck 3 /
Deck 4 /
Deck 5 / Deck 6 /
Deck 7 /
Deck 8 /
Deck 9
Deck 3
(Caribic Deck)
Deck 3 is the lowest passenger deck. There are the Wellness
Centre, the Hospital, as well as the tender stations.
Wellness Oase (Sauna /
Massage / Pool / Friseursalon / Kosmetiksalon):
The Oasis Wellness Centre is composed of the sauna, an indoor
swimming pool, treatment rooms, hair salon and beauty salon. Services such as
massage, wellness therapies, facials and hairdressing are provided.
Hospital:
Medical consultation by German doctors is provided at the
Hospital, located aft of Deck 3.
Tender-Boote:
Passengers embark the tender boats through the tender stations on
Deck 3.
Deck 4
(Baltic Deck)
Deck 4 is a cabin deck which houses inside and outside
cabins.
Bügelzimmer:
The Ironing Room is situated amidships of Deck 4, where irons and
ironing boards are provided. There are no washing machines but laundry services
(Wäscherei) are available onboard. A tailor (Schneider) on the ship also
provides service to the crew and passengers.
Innenkabinen:
There are 80 Inside Cabins on Deck 4 and Deck 5, which can be
divided into 3 categories: 2 four-bed cabins (Category 1) and 78 two-bed cabins
(Categories 3 and 4). The four-bed cabins are ideal for families, and each has a
lower bed, one upper bed and two sofa beds. All cabins are equipped with writing
desk and chairs, flat-screen TV, radio, telephone, safe, minibar, air
conditioning, shower bath and water closet, bathrobes, towels and hair dryer.
Außenkabinen:
167 Outside Cabins are divided into 5 categories: 4 four-bed
cabins (Category 2) and 163 two-bed cabins (Categories 5 to 8). They are located
on Deck 4, Deck 5 and Deck 7 respectively. Each cabin has all the facilities and
items same as those in an inside cabin.
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Innenkabine |
Außenkabine |
Baltic Deck Hallway |
Deck 5
(Atlantic Deck)
Deck 5 is another cabin deck with inside cabins, outside
cabins, inside suites and outsides. The Reception, the Concierge and the Shore
Excursions Office are also on this deck.
Rezeption / Concierge /
Ausflugbüro:
Positioned amidships of Deck 5, the Reception is open 24 hours
daily for answering guests' inquiries, whilst the Concierge provides various
services for guests, such as limousine booking, tickets for local museums,
travel tips or restaurant recommendations. The Shore Excursions Office is next
to the Reception and handles tour bookings at every ports of call.
Innensuiten:
The 11 Inside Suites (Category 9) are on Deck 5 and Deck 7, and
each has a size of 26m2
with living area. They were introduced on the ship after the refurbishment in
2010. Other than all the features in lower-category cabins, suite guests also
have the "suite service package", which includes preferred check-in and
check-out at all German ports, prepaid postcards, fresh flowers, slippers, as
well as petit fours and canapés on arrival.
Außensuiten:
28 Outside Suites (Categories 10 and 11) are situated amidships
of Deck 5 and forward of Deck 7. They have same sizes as inside suites and have
magnificent sea views through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
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Rezeption & Ausflugbüro |
Concierge |
Atlantic Deck Forward Elevators |
Deck 6
(Promenaden Deck)
The Promenade Deck is composed of public rooms, including the
main restaurant, entertainment lounge, a club, shops, library and card room.
Astor Lounge:
The Astor Lounge is the principal showlounge on the ship which is
situated forward of the deck. This single-level venue is a theatre or a dance
stage at night, which features fascinating entertainment programmes, such as
concerts, performed by ship's orchestra, ensemble, experienced singers and
dancers. In the daytime there are usually lectures given by guest speakers on
different fields of study.
Bibliothek:
Positioned at the port side and near the forward staircase, the
Library is a quiet room with a rich collection of books.
Karten-Spielzimmer:
The Card and Games Room at the starboard side, opposite to the
Library, is a place for playing various card and board games.
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Astor Lounge |
Bibliothek |
Karten-Spielzimmer |
Galerie:
The Gallery is the hallway connecting the forward and aft end
of Deck 6. It surrounds
the Captain's Club and a number of shops. The port side is designated as
non-smoking area and the starboard side as smoking area.
Boutique
/ Parfümerie / Juwelier:
Fashion items and logo merchandise can be
purchased in the Boutique, whereas Perfumery and Jeweller sell perfumes,
cosmetics and jewellery respectively.
Promenaden Deck Forward Staircase | Galerie | Galerie |
Boutique | Parfümerie |
Juwelier |
Foto:
Photographs of
passengers and scenery at ports of call are displayed
in the Gallery and sold in the Photo Shop, which is at
the starboard side forward of the Gallery. Video production services are
also available.
Internet:
The Internet Centre is situated at the port
side forward of the Gallery. It provides Internet access for passengers.
Bord-Reisebüro:
Booking for next
cruise on
Astor can be made
in the
Onboard Travel Agency located at the port side aft of
the Gallery, and early-bird discounts can be received.
Foto |
Internet |
Bord-Reisebüro |
Captain's Club:
The midship Captain's Club is a lounge
decorated in nautical theme. With the classical furniture and live piano
music, the lounge is a comfortable place for evening
gatherings. There are often small-scale performances as well.
Waldorf Restaurant:
The main restaurant is located aft of Deck 6. À la carte dining
is offered here in open seating for breakfasts and lunches, and in traditional
seating for dinners. All the restaurants and bars on Astor are
non-smoking.
Admiral's Salon &
Commodore's Salon:
Both salons on the two sides of the aft staircase are part of the
Waldorf Restaurant. They can be reserved by groups for private parties. At
dinner time they are specialty restaurants (the Admiral's Salon offers Romantic
Dinner, while the Commodore's Salon becomes Ristorante Toscana for Mediterranean
cuisine) without surcharge but prior reservation is needed.
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Captain's Club |
Captain's Club |
Waldorf Restaurant |
Deck 7
(Boots Deck)
The Boat Deck houses the buffet restaurant, the outdoor pool,
the Promenade and a conference centre. Accommodations on this deck include the
Premium Suites (Senator Suites and Astor Suite, both added in 2010 after the
ship's refurbishment), inside and outside suites, and outside cabins.
Promenade:
The non-wrap-around teakwood Promenade lies under the lifeboats.
It is an ideal place for sunbathing at both port and starboard sides.
Konferenz Zentrum:
The Conference Centre is located near the suite area. It is a
suitable venue for holding conferences or organizing small-scale activities.
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Promenade |
Konferenz Zentrum |
Boots Deck Forward Elevators |
Übersee Club:
The completely modernized Overseas Club is a self-service buffet
restaurant positioned aft of Deck 7. It offers breakfast, lunch, afternoon
tea and dinner every day in a casual, open-seating style with flexible dining
time.
Pool:
Surrounded by a small Lido Bar and numerous deck chairs for sun
lovers, the outdoor Swimming Pool is located behind the buffet restaurant. Bavarian brunches (Bayrischer Frühschoppen)
with complimentary beer and sausages, as well as evening barbecue parties, are
often offered in this area.
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Übersee Club |
Pool |
Pool Deck |
Senator-Suiten:
The 2 Senator Suites are on the forward end of Deck 7, one at the
port side and another at the starboard side. Each of them is 48m2,
having separate living and sleeping area and a balcony. In the bathroom there is
the bathtub as well as underfloor heating. Guests in the Senator Suites receive
the "Premium Suite service package" which include all the privileges in "suite
service package", plus exclusive concierge service, priority in table
reservation in the restaurant, personal invitation to Captain's reception,
high-quality cosmetics in bathroom, selection of chocolates, coffee machine and
personalized stationery in the suite.
Astor-Suite:
The largest room on the ship is the Astor Suite which is in
between the two Senator Suites. This 59m2
exclusive suite also has separate living and sleeping area, and the "Premium
Suite service package". From the private terrace with large glass windows,
guests can enjoy the forward sea view which is the same sight as the Captain.
Deck 8
(Brücken Deck)
The Bridge Deck consists of the Fitness Centre and a bar, and
the wheelhouse at the forward end.
Fitness-Center:
The oceanview Fitness Centre at the starboard side aft provides
fitness facilities and aerobic equipment for passengers.
Hanse Bar:
Named after the Hanseatic League, the aft-looking Hanse Bar has
direct access to the outdoor deck through the large, sliding glass doors. With
comfortable and elegant lounge seating, the maritime-themed bar is especially
popular with passengers during happy hours for drinks and late night snacks.
Sonnen-Terrasse:
The Sun Terrace overlooks the Pool one level below, and has
excellent amount of open space for relaxing, sunbathing or having a drink from
the Hanse Bar.
Brücken Deck |
Brücken Deck |
Fitness-Center |
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Hanse Bar |
Sonnen-Terrasse |
Sonnen-Terrasse |
Deck 9
(Sonnen Deck)
The Sun Deck is the highest deck on Astor with outdoor
sporting area.
Sportbereich:
The midship Sports Deck is a multifunctional court (enclosed in
nettings) for a number of sport activities, such as tennis, volleyball,
basketball, football and table tennis.
Spielbereich:
Located under the funnel, the aft Play Area is for playing
shuffleboards and large international chess game.
Jogging Kurs:
The Jogging Track surrounds the top deck and is a good place for
endurance training in the mornings.
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Spielbereich |
Spielbereich |
Spielbereich |