About the MS Diana

Ms Diana, one of the three similar boats operated by the Gota Canal Co, is not a big boat, and is the youngest of the three, built in 1931. It is 31.66m long and has 28 cabins on three decks. They are small cabins, all wood with brass trimmings. Most of them have bunk beds. Think slightly smaller than railway sleeper compartments and that will give an idea of their size. Ours is a little larger and has two narrow single beds (which are very comfortable). Each cabin has a wash basin but no en suite. On each deck are loos and a couple of showers. The idea is " to experience travel as it would have been enjoyed " in the early days of the canal, and by the likes of Hans Christian Anderson. I suspect that it is a similar experience to travelling on the Orient Express, but at a very leisurely pace and with added access to fresh air! On the middle deck is the dining room, and a small lounge area, in one corner of which is the ship's library, with a selection of books about Sweden and the canal, mainly in Swedish but some in German and English. A short flight of steep carpeted stairs goes down from there to the bottom deck, where our cabin is! one of eleven. There are also a few small cabins on the Middle deck. There is a walkway around the middle deck and, at the bow end, an almost vertical set of steps up to what is called the shelter deck. ( best to come down backwards,) It is open, and there are plenty of comfortable wicker chairs and tables up there . Because it is covered by a strong awning, it is a lovely place to be whatever the weather., rain or blazing sun, and there are blankets on every chair for"snuggling into" if required. The supposedly poshest cabins, about twelve of them are also on this deck, but have bunks. The captain's bridge is at the stern end.