In the previous two parts of our series we introduced 10 boats built to order specifically for Prague and Czech-built boats for Prague. In today's instalment of our series about boats in Prague on the Vltava, we will focus on the top 10, that is on the 10 best and most interesting boats.
1. Vysehrad steamer
The large Vysehrad paddle steamer is truly unique. It is the oldest historic steamer in Prague on the Vltava that is still in operation today. It was launched as early as 1938 and although it has gone through 3 major refurbishments during its lifetime, it has lost none of its historic charm and elegance. That is precisely why it could also be declared a cultural monument in 2013 and is therefore protected as such.
Despite preserving its original genius loci, sailing on the Vysehrad steamer is comfortable. The steamer has an air-conditioned main saloon in the summer, and a heated one in the winter. Its deck, designed for 350 people, has 200 seats inside the boat and 150 on the observation deck. The steamer also has a lower lounge, an open sunny deck, a restaurant, a cafe, a wine bar and a bar. Vysehrad is still the largest boat in Prague and you can most often meet it on special cruises or hire it for private purposes.
2. Vltava steamer
The large Vltava paddle steamer is the second of the last two historic steamers in Prague on the Vltava. It was built in 1940 and since then has of course also undergone several necessary repairs. The most recent refurbishment in 2009 helped to restore the distinctive charm of historic saloon steamers. The Vltava steamer was also able to be declared a cultural monument in 2013.
On board you will find a restaurant, a cafe, a wine bar, a bar, a lounge and a sunny observation deck. It can accommodate up to 250 people, of whom 100 will be seated inside and 150 on the open deck. The Vltava steamer today most often sails on special cruises such as the cruise to Slapy, trip to Melnik or one of the special cruises to the zoo. Even though it is a cultural monument, the steamer can also be hired for private cruises.
3. Grand Bohemia boat
The Grand Bohemia motor boat has been shining among the boats in Prague on the Vltava since May 2014, when it arrived from the German Bolle shipyard in Derben. There it was made tailor-made for sightseeing cruises.
The boat's concept is entirely unique, as its single deck is covered by a sliding glass roof, which can be closed or, conversely, opened in a matter of moments. Thanks to this versatility, the boat adapts to any character of event, the whims of the weather or the customer's wishes. Powerful air conditioning ensures not only thermal comfort but also excellent visibility through the glass roof, even in rain. The boat's operation is moreover quiet and eco-friendly.
Thanks to its unique setting, Grand Bohemia is a popular venue for company and private events, conferences or various gatherings. The capacity of Grand Bohemia is 160 people.
4. Bohemia Rhapsody boat
The newest and most modern boat you can currently see on the Vltava in the heart of Prague is the motor Bohemia Rhapsody. It was also built to order by the German Bolle shipyard in Derben and was ceremonially christened in Prague in May 2015.
Bohemia Rhapsody is the younger and larger sister of the Grand Bohemia boat. The boat is ideal for use in a big city as it sails completely silently and with minimal emissions. Bohemia Rhapsody is also a single-deck boat with a sliding glass roof. Powerful air conditioning maintains excellent visibility through the closed roof even in rain and keeps the boat at a pleasant temperature. The total capacity is 220 places.
This boat is an attractive venue for company events, parties and various private events combined with stylish catering.
5. Luznice boat
The Luznice motor boat dates from 1984, but among the boats on the Vltava we can today rank it boldly among the most luxurious. It was built at the German Yachtwerft Berlin-Köpenick shipyard.
In 2011 it underwent a major refurbishment and modernisation, thanks to which you will find a beautiful interior on board. The boat's interior is panelled with mahogany and is stylishly fitted out. The large and small saloons are both air-conditioned and heated. Luznice has a capacity of 164 people, of whom 58 inside and 86 on the sunny deck. The boat's luxurious concept fully matches the gourmet cruises that it sails. In particular, this is the Sweet Prague cruise, designed as a cruise with a high-standard all-inclusive menu. Luznice also often sails private cruises connected with company and other events.
6. Odra boat
Odra is a Polish-made boat that came out of the Stocznia shipyard in Gdansk with a year of manufacture of 1868. In Prague on the Vltava we rank it among the large motor boats. At the time of its launch it took over from paddle steamers on the regular boat lines to Slapy and a little later also to Prague Zoo, where it sails to this day. You can of course also see it on sightseeing cruises through Prague.
Odra is a two-deck boat with two semi-recessed saloons and a bar on both the upper and lower decks. The boat's main saloon is air-conditioned and heated. The boat offers a full gastronomy service. The boat's capacity is up to 288 people, of whom 80 places are inside and 208 on the upper sunny deck. Among the boats it will certainly catch your eye with its livery inspired by cruises to the zoo.
7. Sumava boat
The Sumava restaurant boat is one of the largest motor boats in Prague. It set sail from the dock in 1951 and in 1996 underwent a complete renovation and modernisation. Thanks to that, it is today fully sound-equipped, air-conditioned and heated and can sail year-round.
Sumava has the largest boat saloon and an impressive capacity of 190 people inside the boat and 200 people on the sunny deck. The boat is a popular venue for larger private events such as company parties, training sessions and conferences, but it also sails on sightseeing cruises. On board you will find a full gastronomy service including buffet stations and the option to grill on the upper deck, from which there are beautiful views.
8. Jazz Boat Kotva
Jazz Boat is one of Prague's jazz scenes that combines the experience of live jazz performance, a boat cruise and a gourmet dinner. Jazz Boat is set in the stylish setting of the Kotva boat from 1982. The boat has undergone several renovations and modernisations, thanks to which it offers a comfortable interior, excellent sound equipment and year-round comfort.
On board it is possible to grill on a lava grill, use a full gastronomy service including buffet stations. The open deck seats up to 100 people and inside 85. The boat is also rented for various private and company events.
9. Praha boat
The Praha motor boat, like the Luznice, came from the German Yachtwerft Berlin-Köpenick shipyard. It delivered the boat to Prague to order in 1983 as the first BIFA III type motor propeller boat. At the time it represented a new generation of passenger motor boats which already had air conditioning and an observation deck.
As the mayor's boat it was used for special occasions and its luxurious fittings reflected this. It was put into regular service only after the change of regime in 1991. Since then it has been modernised several times, most recently in 2015, when it received a new eco-friendly Caterpillar 3056 DITA engine with an output of 138 kW. The capacity of the Praha boat is 188 people, of whom 93 inside the boat and 95 on the sunny deck.
10. Visla boat
The Visla boat used to be literally the flagship of Prazska paroplavebni spolecnost. It first set sail from the Polish Stocznia shipyard in Gdansk in 1965, and in Prague joined, together with the Odra boat, the two largest motor boats in passenger boat transport. Thanks to its large capacity it replaced the steamers on the regular line cruises to Slapy and Troja.
The Visla boat has two semi-recessed saloons, an open sunny deck, a dance floor and a bar. Over the course of its operation it has gone through a number of refurbishments and modifications, including an engine replacement and an extension of the superstructure in 2000. Today there are 200 places on board, of which 60 are covered seats inside the boat and 90 on the sunny deck. Visla is used predominantly for round-trip sightseeing cruises through Prague.
