Nicko Cruises was established in 1992 by Ekkehard Beller under the name nicko tours, initially offering river cruises — notably voyages on the Volga River in Russia. Over the years, the company evolved, and after restructuring and new ownership by Portuguese entrepreneur Mário Ferreira in 2015, it was rebranded as Nicko Cruises. By 2018, as the company expanded beyond inland waterways, it formally changed its name to Nicko Cruises Schiffsreisen GmbH to reflect the addition of ocean and coastal itineraries alongside river cruises.
Today, Nicko Cruises caters to a wide variety of travellers by combining river cruises, ocean voyages and expedition-style sailing — all under the principle of "slow cruising.” Their fleet includes around 21 modern river ships plus a classic ocean-going vessel, VASCO DA GAMA. Onboard accommodations are comparable to 4- to 5-star hotels on land, with attention to comfort, culinary variety, and thoughtful itineraries. Their cruises emphasize relaxed pacing, immersive experiences and time for exploration, rather than haste — appealing to travellers who prefer more intimate voyages over massive "megaships.” The variety allows for short river trips, lengthy ocean voyages, coastal sails, and even expedition-style journeys on select vessels. Nicko Cruises refreshed its brand identity — adopting the motto "time to discover” to highlight the philosophy of gentle, immersive travel; at the same time it launched a redesigned logo. In its 2025 programme, the company continues to operate a diverse fleet, including its ocean ship Vasco da Gama — which remains active, offering cruises globally.
Looking ahead, there is an addition of ship Bellejour to the Danube fleet, new Rhine, Moselle and Saar routes aboard Katharina Von Bora, and a revived Spanish cruise option on the Guadalquivir River via La Belle De Cadix. Moreover, the company continues to place emphasis on sustainability: its vessels employ modern, environmentally friendly technologies — from low-emission fuels to advanced wastewater treatment — and the fleet works under strict ecological standards.