Stern und Kreisschiffahrt

What Stern und Kreisschiffahrt does

Stern und Kreisschiffahrt GmbH is a Berlin-based passenger shipping company and the largest operator of passenger boats on Berlin's waterways, with roots dating to 1888 and the current legal entity formed in 1992 via the merger of the White Fleet Berlin, BVG and the prior Stern und Kreisschiffahrt of Teltowkanal AG. The company operates 20+ ships across roughly 90 marina and pier locations spanning the Spree, Havel and surrounding lakes, serving approximately 1 million passengers per year with about 300 employees under managing directors Andreas Behrens and Sandra Schumacher from its Treptow headquarters (Puschkinallee 15, 12435 Berlin).

Its service portfolio combines scheduled sightseeing tours (1-hour harbor tours through full-day 'Rund um Berlin' excursions, priced from €12.50 to €59.50 per person), themed event cruises (Schlager, 80s/90s, ABBA, Rammstein, Halloween, Christmas, New Year's at €42–€149 per person), and exclusive ship charter for corporate events and private occasions with mandatory catering. Fleet technology is differentiated by several electric-convertible-roof vessels (MS Poseidon, MS Nofretete, MS Pergamon, MS Kreis), the BVG-operated MS Wannsee (largest Berlin ferry, 300 passenger spaces, ice-reinforced), specialized environmental vessels (MS Elsa waste disposal, Zone 4 operations), and the 2024 SunCat 120 solar-powered catamaran (78 sqm of solar modules, aentron batteries, up to 14 hours emission-free, 180 passengers) operated for SolarCircleLine GmbH.

The business model is B2C-tilted with enterprise overlays: direct-to-consumer sales through online shop, on-site box offices, on-board sales, call center and sales office, plus dedicated charter sales and a BVG public-transit contract for Ferry F10 on the Wannsee-Kladow route. Group structure includes a wholly-owned catering subsidiary (STERN UND KREIS Gastronomie und Service GmbH) and a jointly controlled solar-passenger subsidiary (SolarCircleLine GmbH). Marketing is conducted through the company's website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, CleverReach email newsletter, press relations, and Google Maps/local SEO, with payments processed via InterCard, Concardis, Klarna/SOFORT and 1&1 iPayment.

Name

Stern und Kreisschiffahrt

Legal name

STERN+KREIS Schiffahrt GmbH

Website

https://sternundkreis.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1888

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Stern und Kreisschiffahrt is Berlin's largest passenger shipping company, operating 20+ ships across roughly 90 piers on the Spree and Havel to serve tourists, event attendees, corporate charter clients and BVG public-transit commuters with sightseeing tours, themed cruises and ferry services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Passenger Boat Tours and Waterway Transportation

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Inland Water Passenger Transportation (483212)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Charters & Yacht Experiences (Crewed, Bareboat, Day Charters) (THAJAJAB), Crewed Yacht Charters (Luxury Crewed) (THAEAEAA)

Keywords

• Passenger shipping services
• Sightseeing boat tours
• Event cruise charters
• Waterway ferry services
• Harbor cruise experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Scheduled Boat Tours (Linientouren): Regular sightseeing tours on Spree and Havel rivers covering Berlin's landmarks, historical sites, and scenic waterways. Tours range from 1 hour to 8+ hours with various routes.
2. Event Cruises (Eventfahrten): Themed party cruises featuring music genres (Schlager, 80s/90s, ABBA, etc.), seasonal events (Halloween, Christmas, New Year's), and special entertainment. Often include catering services.
3. Ship Charter: Private charter of ships for exclusive events including seminars, conferences, corporate events, anniversaries, weddings. Mandatory catering agreement required for charter bookings.
4. Catering Services: On-board gastronomic services including menu cards, pre-ordered main courses, cakes and tortes for groups. Catering partner Optimahl Catering GmbH referenced.
5. Gift Vouchers: Gift vouchers for all scheduled tours and services, valid for redemption at time of booking.
6. Ferry Services (BVG Contract): Operating Ferry F10 on behalf of BVG for the Wannsee-Kladow route, part of European cycle route.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Stern und Kreisschiffahrt operates scheduled sightseeing boat tours, themed event cruises, private ship charters, and contracted ferry services on Berlin's Spree and Havel waterways. With a fleet of more than 20 ships serving roughly 90 marina/stop locations, the company carries approximately 1 million passengers per year across 1-hour harbor tours to 8-hour full-day excursions, combined with themed party cruises (Schlager, 80s/90s, ABBA, seasonal events), exclusive charter bookings for corporate events and weddings, and the BVG-contracted Wannsee-Kladow ferry F10.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Scheduled Sightseeing Boat Tours Regular sightseeing tours on Berlin's Spree and Havel rivers covering city landmarks, historical sites, and scenic waterways, ranging from 1-hour harbor tours (S9) starting at €12.50 per person to full-day 8h 45min excursions (Rund um Berlin S5) starting at €59.50 per person, with intermediate tiers including Historical City Tour (C4), Bridge Tour (C1), Evening City Tour (C2), City Tour (C8), Green Spree (C12), World Heritage Cruise, H4, Lehnitzsee, H8, and 7-Lakes Tour. Targets tourists and day visitors to Berlin.
• Themed Event Cruises Themed party cruises on Berlin's waterways featuring music genres (Schlager, 80s/90s, ABBA, Rammstein, Depeche Mode, Michael Jackson, Tokio Hotel) and seasonal events (Halloween, Christmas, New Year's Eve), often with on-board catering. Pricing starts at €42.00 per person for regular parties and €49.00–€149.00 per person for special events. Targeted at entertainment seekers, group celebrations, and tourists looking for unique experiences.
• Ship Charter for Private and Corporate Events Exclusive private charter of ships for corporate events (seminars, conferences, corporate parties, team building, anniversaries) and private celebrations (weddings, milestone birthdays). Mandatory catering agreement required; external catering incurs a corkage fee of €18.00 gross/person (full) or €9.00 gross/person (food only); personnel costs €40.00 net/hour plus VAT. Targeted at corporate event planners, HR teams, wedding planners, and individuals seeking exclusive venues.
• BVG Ferry Service F10 (Wannsee-Kladow) Public ferry service on the Wannsee-Kladow route operated on behalf of BVG (Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe) using MS Wannsee, the largest ferry on Berlin's waters with 300 measured passenger spaces, 60 bicycle parking spaces, and 5 wheelchair spaces. The vessel is ice-reinforced with one-man radar control for fog driving and dual hydraulic exit platforms. Integrated with BVG timetable and ticketing and part of the European cycle route. Targeted at commuters and cyclists using the public transit and cycle networks.
• SunCat 120 Solar Catamaran Emission-Free Tours Emission-free solar-powered catamaran tour operated by Stern und Kreisschiffahrt for SolarCircleLine GmbH. The 36.5-meter vessel built by Kiebitzberg shipyard (Saxony-Anhalt) features 78 square meters of solar modules powering German-made aentron batteries, gliding nearly silently through Berlin's waterways for up to 14 hours while transporting up to 180 passengers. Targeted at sustainability-focused tourists and Berlin visitors seeking environmentally friendly sightseeing experiences.
• Gift Vouchers Gift vouchers redeemable against all scheduled tours and services across the Stern und Kreisschiffahrt portfolio, valid for redemption at time of booking. Targeted at gift-givers, corporate gifting, and tourists planning future Berlin visits.
• On-Board Catering Services On-board gastronomic services during cruises and events, including pre-ordered main courses, cakes, and tortes for groups, plus a catering partner (Optimahl Catering GmbH) for charter bookings. Mandatory catering agreement required for all charter bookings. Targeted at group bookers, charter customers, and event attendees.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BVG (Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStern und Kreisschiffahrt operates Ferry F10 (MS Wannsee) on behalf of BVG for the Wannsee-Kladow public transportation route. The ferry is the largest on Berlin's waters with 300 passenger spaces and is part of the European cycle route.
• SolarCircleLine GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStern und Kreisschiffahrt operates the SunCat 120 solar catamaran for SolarCircleLine GmbH. The 36.5-meter emission-free vessel was built by Kiebitzberg shipyard and features 78 sqm of solar panels powering German-made batteries.
• Optimahl Catering GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCatering service provider referenced in data processing documentation for on-board dining services during cruises and events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Thames Clippers (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers): London river passenger transport and sightseeing service combining commuter routes and leisure cruises on the Thames — directly comparable hybrid scheduled-transport-plus-leisure model in a major European capital.
• Bateaux Parisiens: Operates Seine sightseeing cruises, dinner cruises, and private charters in Paris — highly comparable urban river sightseeing and event business model serving tourists in a major European capital.
• Bateaux Mouches: Historic Parisian sightseeing cruise operator on the Seine offering scheduled tours, dining cruises, and private event charters — direct functional analogue to Stern und Kreisschiffahrt's mixed tour/event/charter portfolio.
• Reederei Riedel: Berlin-based passenger shipping operator running scheduled tours and event cruises on the Spree and Havel waterways — direct competitor for sightseeing passengers, charters, and event programming in the same Berlin market.
• Berliner Wassertaxi: Berlin water taxi and small-group cruise operator serving Berlin's waterways — direct local competitor for shorter-duration passenger experiences and on-demand water transport.

Broad incumbents

• City Cruises: Large-scale US operator of harbor sightseeing cruises, dining cruises, and private charters across NYC, Chicago, Boston, and other cities — comparable urban waterway leisure offering at greater scale and broader geographic footprint.
• A-ROSA: German river cruise line operating multi-day itineraries on the Rhine, Danube, and other European waterways — comparable passenger shipping operator in Germany with overlapping leisure customer base.
• Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt: Historic German passenger shipping company operating scheduled day cruises, event cruises, and charters on the Rhine — directly comparable German operator with diversified tour, charter, and event programming.
• Viking Cruises: Global river cruise leader operating in Germany and across Europe — adjacent passenger shipping peer serving overlapping German and European leisure travel demand, though focused on multi-day itineraries rather than day cruises.

Regional players

• 1AVista Reisen: German operator of river and canal cruises on inland waterways including Berlin-region routes — overlapping German passenger shipping market but primarily focused on multi-day canal cruise experiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SternundKreis
• Facebookfacebook.com/sternundkreis
• Instagraminstagram.com/sternundkreis
• Xx.com/sternundkreis
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stern-und-kreis-gastronomie-und-service-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stern und Kreisschiffahrt