The ship is the official replacement for the motor ship Kempten, which was decommissioned in 1988 . By dispensing with surrounding galleries, spacious salons were created. The three- deck motor ship Graf Zeppelin is therefore particularly suitable for charter and event trips, especially trips to the Bregenz Festival and the gala trips at the turn of the year. The new design on Lake Constance is intended to arouse associations with cruise ships. The home port of Graf Zeppelin was initially Constance. From 1999 Friedrichshafen became the ship's new home port. The entire propulsion system is located in the stern of a German Lake Constance ship for the first time. In 2007 it was retrofitted with a bulbous bow and at the stern the ship was lengthened by 2.80 meters to a total of 59.05 meters, which reduced fuel consumption by 25%. The subsequently attached to the hull sides bilge keels reduced the rolling movements. The Graf Zeppelin is approved for 700 people and is now increasingly used for scheduled traffic on the Obersee.
