Our Company's Story

In his famous book "Walks Around The Mark Brandenburg" Theodor Fontane once described the Berlin surroundings, the Mark Brandenburg and the Lake Area of Mecklenburg. According to this, the owner of the "Stechlin", the "Havellaendische Personenschiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH" -founded in 1990- is presenting this area to his passengers on different cruises with his own ship.

The founding companions had recognized after the 'Breakdown Of The Wall', that only private yacht-owners have the opportunity to discover the farther surroundings of the city by boat. So it was obvious to them to ena ble access to this idyllic and wide spread areas of lakes and rivers to everybody. The companions decided to buy a former cargo-vessel in Zehdenick on the 'Oder-Spree-Kanal' that was in charge on the GDR-waterways until then.

The ship had been converted into a passenger carrier (42.55m length, 5.12m width) with 10 cabins for 2 or 3 persons, deck-saloon, a Bistro with pantry and a sun-deck. There is space enough for 50 persons on a day-trip; for an overnight-trip the re are 22 sleeping-facilities available onboard. Each cabin is equipped with hot and cold water; and heating for all the rooms allows comfortable travels out of season.

Our skipper, Mr Armin Kettenbach and the crew have gained many experiences over the years in passenger-carrying.

The "Havellaendische Personenschiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH" is presenting their customers a gentle environmental-saving tourism. The "Stechlin" moves on a low-noise-emitting top-speed of 10kmph through the 'Mark's si lence along the river 'Havel'. By this fact none of the frequent waterbirds get disturbed, the dashing of the waves is minimal and sensible areas like reed-banks the vessel doesn't touch at all.

In this nature proszenium you will see that it is an experience - not only as a form of recreation- to become acquainted with nearly untouched nature from a ships-point-of-view, forest and fields passing by.

The offered destinations are Hamburg, Szczecin(Stettin), Brandenburg, Havelberg, Eisenhuettenstadt, Waren(Mueritz) and Fuerstenwalde cruising the rivers Havel, Elbe, Spree und Oder. A combined travel by train and ship is possible on all trips.

During the journey you can enjoy the crews service: comfortable nights in your cabin, excellent cuisine in the Bistro, diverse literature available onboard, fresh air and time to think orto socialise with friends and other guests. This is what is missed i n these hectic times. If it is also a high value to you, dial-up and get informed. Your wishes and remarks will be taken seriously.