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CroisiEurope

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CroisiEurope
IndustryTourism
FounderGérard Schmitter
Headquarters
Strasbourg
,
France
Area served
Europe, Asia
Productsriver cruises cruise line
Number of employees
1350 (2015)
Websitewww.croisieuroperivercruises.com

CroisiEurope (Alsace Croisières until 1997) is an international river cruise company. It operates a fleet of river cruising vessels along the rivers of Europe, Russia, East Asia, Myanmar, Africa, South America and the United States.

The company also offers cruises on seas such as the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Black Sea.

CroisiEurope has offices and sales offices in Strasbourg, Lyon, Paris, Nice, Lausanne and the United States.[1]

History

[edit]

Gérard Schmitter [2][3][4] founded the company in 1976. In 1982, he chartered his first boat, the Alsace, and 1984 saw his first cabin boats.[5]

In 1986, the first "Prestige" category boat, the Kellerman, came into being.[6] In 1990, the company became the owner of its own fleet. In 1991, a new office in Paris was opened, and 1993 saw the launch of the first Danube cruises, followed in 1995 and 1997 by the first Rhône and Saône cruises.[7] Initially called Alsace Croisières, the company became CroisiEurope in keeping with its expansion outside France.[8]

In 1998, it launched its first cruises on the Seine.[9] In 1999, the founder, Gérard Schmitter, handed the reins of the company over to his four children - Patrick, Philippe, Christian and Anne-Marie.[10]

In 2000, the North/South European axis was developed; in 2001 the company opened an office in Lyon.[11] 2002 saw the launch of the first cruises on the Douro in Portugal.[12] The Brussels branch was opened in 2002, followed by one in Nice in 2003, the same year as the launch of the MS Fernao da Magalhaes in Porto,[13] and the MS Leonardo da Vinci in Venice.[14] In 2004, CroisiEurope embarked on the conquest of the Danube.[15]

The company celebrated its 30th birthday in 2006, and in 2007 it became an official agent for CroisiMer.[16] A new branch opened in Lausanne in 2008.[17] In 2009, the MS Vivaldi was launched on the Danube. In 2010, the company created the CroisiYacht [18] brand and launched cruises on the Volga.

In 2011, CroisiEurope celebrated its 35th anniversary and offered new cruises on the Gironde and the Garonne departing from Bordeaux.[19] 2012 will see the construction of a new boat that will sail on the Rhine.[20]

In July and August 2012, CroisiEurope will launch new cruises in the Cyclades and on the Mekong, from August 2012.

In 2013, CroisiEurope introduced Jeanine[21] to the Canals of France. Completely rebuilt from the bottom up, the ship has the capacity for 24 guests and features staterooms similar to a larger ship.[22] Jeanine has been so successful that another three sister-ships are currently under construction.[23]

After being a leader in the European river cruising market for decades,[24] CroisiEurope began offering its services to the North American market in 2013. The company hired a New York-based public relations firm and in 2014 hired a director of sales for marketing in the United States.[25]

In March 2014, CroisiEurope acquired the river cruise company Compagnie Fluviale du Mékong, or CFM, which operates on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia.[26] As part of the acquisitions, CroisiEurope gained four new colonial-style ships. The vessels offer cruising along the Mekong River, between Cambodia and Vietnam, from August to April.

Also in March 2014, CroisiEurope christened the MS Lafayette,[27] which sails along the Rhine in Strasbourg, France. The ship was named after the French general whose support played a substantial role in securing American independence.[28] It features more spacious cabins and offers exclusive excursions to Mainau Island, Mainz, the Black Forest and the Titisee, Strasbourg and Aix-la-Chapelle or Aachen.[29] Two hotel barges, MS Anne-Marie[30] and MS Madeleine,[31] were also christened.[32]

The third generation arrives in 2015 : Déborah, Lucas, Kim and soon Jordan, Christian's son.

That same year the company launched 3 brand new ships, built in Saint-Nazaire by Neopolia. Those ships have five anchors and among them, there are the first waterwheels of the company, the "MS Loire Princesse" Tech that allows it to cruise on the low waters of the Loire.

In 2016, another waterwheel was christened by CroisiEurope, the "MS Elbe Princesse".

For 2017, loads of new ships are planned, like the "RV Princesse Apsara" that will sail on the Mekong.

Fleet

[edit]

CroisiEurope currently has a fleet of 43[33] Prestige category boats that cruise all of Europe's rivers. Accommodation capacity varies from 100 to 180 passengers depending on the ship's design.[34]

The CroisiEurope fleet is partially renovated each year, being mostly made up of recently built vessels that are less than five years old.[35]

French is the primary language spoken on the ships, although most staff members also speak English and other European languages. Ship announcements are made in French and in English.[36]

The four-star vessels provide French cuisine food cooked by French chefs and accompanied with French and German wines.[37]

Like most Europe river lines, CroisiEurope provides wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner year-round and offers unlimited drinks—including house spirits—during the high season from April to October.[38]

RHINE AND DANUBE

Ship name Year Built/Refit Length Guests Staterooms Image
Beethoven 2004 360 ft (110 m) 180 90
Douce France 1997 360 ft (110 m) 160 79
Gerard Schmitter 2012 361 ft (110 m) 176 88
L’Europe 2006 361 ft (110 m) 180 90
La Boheme 2006 360 ft (110 m) 162 80
Lafayette 2014 360 ft (110 m) 86 43
Leonard De Vinci 2003 360 ft (110 m) 144 72
Modigliani 2001 360 ft (110 m) 160 78
Mona Lisa 2000 269 ft (82 m) 100 50
Monet 2007 360 ft (110 m) 154 78
Symphonie 2010 361 ft (110 m) 162 79
Victor Hugo 2000 269 ft (82 m) 100 50
Vivaldi 2009 361 ft (110 m) 176 88

SEINE AND PARIS

Ship name Year Built/Refit Length Guests Staterooms Image
Botticelli 2004 360 ft (110 m) 154 76
France 2001 360 ft (110 m) 159 78
Renoir 2001 360 ft (110 m) 156 78
Seine Princess 2002 360 ft (110 m) 138 67

RHONE AND SAONE

Ship name Year Built/Refit Length Guests Staterooms Image
Camargue 2006 361 ft (110 m) 146 73
Mistral 1999 361 ft (110 m) 158 78
L'Europe 2004 360 ft (110 m) 180 90

GARONNA AND DORDOGNE

Ship name Year Built/Refit Length Guests Staterooms Image
Cyrano de Bergerac 2013 361 ft (110 m) 174 87
Princesse d’Aquitaine 2001 360 ft (110 m) 138 69

LOIRE

Ship name Year Built/Refit Length Guests Staterooms Image
Loire Princesse 2014 295 ft (90 m) 96 48

DOURO

Ship name Year Built/Refit Length Guests Staterooms Image
Fenrnao de Magalhaes 2003 246 ft (75 m) 142 71
Gil Eanes 2015 262 ft (80 m) 142 71
Infante don Henrique 2003 246 ft (75 m) 142 71
Vasco de Gama 2003 246 ft (75 m) 142 71

GUADALQUIVIR AND GUADIANA

Ship name Year Built/Refit Length Guests Staterooms Image
La Belle de Cadix 2010 361 ft (110 m) 176 88

Po

Ship name Year Built/Refit Length Guests Staterooms Image
Michelangelo 2000 158 ft (48 m) 158 78

CANALS OF FRANCE

Ship name Year Built/Refit Length Guests Staterooms Image
Anne-Marie 2014 128 ft (39 m) 24 12
Jeanine 2013 130 ft (40 m) 24 12
Madeleine 2013 130 ft (40 m) 24 12
Raymonde 2013 130 ft (40 m) 24 12

COASTAL CRUISES

Ship name Year Built/Refit Length Guests Staterooms Image
La Belle de L’Adriatique 2007 360 ft (110 m) 200 100
GALATEIA 2009 75 ft (23 m) 8 4

MEKONG

Ship name Year Built/Refit Length Guests Staterooms Image
Indochine 2008 167 ft (51 m) 48 24
Toum Tiou II 2011 124 ft (38 m) 28 14
Indochine II 2017 213 ft (65 m) 62 31

ELBE

Ship name Year Built/Refit Length Guests Staterooms Image
Elbe Princesse 2016 312 ft (95 m) 80 40
Elbe Princesse II 2017 331 ft (101 m) 95 45

[39][40][41][42][43][44][45]

Destinations

[edit]

In France, CroisiEurope sails on the Seine, the Rhône, the Saône, the Gironde, the Meuse, and the Rhine; in Italy, on the Po; in Spain, on the Guadalquivir; in Portugal, on the Guadiana and the Douro; in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, on the Rhine; in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, and Romania, on the Danube; and in Germany, on the Havel and the Oder.

CroisiEurope also has a coastal ship, the MS Belle de l'Adriatique, which operates in March, April, May, June, September, and October in the Dalmatian Islands in Croatia, in July and August in the Cyclades in Greece, and from November to February in the Canary Islands.

Furthermore, three other cruise ships are chartered by the company on the Volga between Moscow and Saint Petersburg (and return), and another on the Mekong, from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) to Angkor and return.

Many of the stops are classified as World Heritage Sites.

References

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  1. ^ "Study by the French Trade and Employment Ministry into the flourishing cruise market in France - 2010 (in French)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-01-27. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  2. ^ "www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/2012/03/01/97002-20120301FILWWW00519-deces-du-fondateur-de-croisieurope.php (in French)". Le Figaro. March 2012.
  3. ^ "alsace.france3.fr/info/strasbourg--disparition-de-gerard-schmitter-72734208.html (in French)". France 3 Alsace.
  4. ^ http://www.leparisien.hxwin.info/strasbourg-67000/deces-du-fondateur-de-croisieurope-leader-europeen-des-croisieres-fluviales-01-03-2012-1885132.php[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ The Editor. "Death of Gérard Schmitter, founder of CroisiEurope". www.tourmag.com. Destination Management Companies. Retrieved 28 October 2014. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  6. ^ The Editor. "Death of Gérard Schmitter, founder of CroisiEurope". www.tourmag.com. Destination Management Companies. Retrieved 28 October 2014. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  7. ^ Page, Helen (12 April 2010). "Europe River Cruises with CroisiEurope". Travelsignposts.com. Travelsignposts Pty Ltd. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Alsace Cruises". societe.com. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  9. ^ Foundation Alsace. "Family Schmitter". www.fondaction-alsace.com. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  10. ^ "www.amcham-alsacelorraine.org/about-alsace/60-profiles". Archived from the original on 2013-04-05. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  11. ^ Foundation Alsace. "Family Schmitter". www.fondaction-alsace.com. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  12. ^ Foundation Alsace. "Family Schmitter". www.fondaction-alsace.com. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  13. ^ Euro River Cruises. "MS Fernao de Magalhaes". www.eurorivercruises.com. Euro River Cruises. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  14. ^ Euro River Cruises. "MS Leonard de Vinci". www.eurorivercruises.com. Euro River Cruises. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  15. ^ "River cruise pioneer Gerard Schmitter dies". www.cruiseco.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  16. ^ CroisiMer. "CroisiMer". www.simplonpc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  17. ^ "Alsace Cruises". societe.com. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  18. ^ Michèle SANI. "www.tourmag.com/CroisiEurope-toute-une-famille-sur-le-pont_a37629.html (in French)". TourMaG.com, 1er portail des professionnels du tourisme francophone.
  19. ^ Rabiller, Pascal (4 July 2014). "Bordeaux: the rising tide of river cruises". objectifaquitaine.latribune.fr. LA Tribune. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  20. ^ CroisiEurope 2011 Press File
  21. ^ Grizzle, Ralph. "JEANINE Ship Review". River Cruise Advisor. Avid Travel Media.
  22. ^ Grizzle, Ralph (16 October 2013). "Introducing CroisiEurope Reviews On Our Sister Site, River Cruise Advisor". www.avidcruiser.com. Avid Travel Media. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  23. ^ Grizzle, Ralph. "CroisiEurope River Cruises". www.rivercruiseadvisor.com. Avid Travel Media.
  24. ^ Grizzle, Ralph. "CroisiEurope River Cruises". www.rivercruiseadvisor.com. Avid Travel Media.
  25. ^ Grizzle, Ralph. "Day 1 - CroisiEurope's Botticelli: Boarding In Paris". www.avidcruiser.com. Avid Travel Media. Archived from the original on 2014-06-25.
  26. ^ Masek, Theresa Norton (March 6, 2014). "CroisiEurope Buys Mekong River Cruise Company". TravelPulse.
  27. ^ Saunders, Aaron (28 February 2014). "CroisiEurope to welcome MS Lafayette to the Rhine". www.rivercruiseadvisor.com. Avid Travel Media. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  28. ^ Coolidge, Carrie (13 March 2014). "CroisiEurope To Launch Newest Member of its Rhine River Fleet, the MS Lafayette". www.pursuitist.com. Luxury.
  29. ^ Coolidge, Carrie (13 March 2014). "CroisiEurope To Launch Newest Member of its Rhine River Fleet, the MS Lafayette". www.pursuitist.com. Luxury.
  30. ^ "MS Anne-Marie". www.francecruises.com. France Cruises, Inc.
  31. ^ "MS Madeleine". www.francecruises.com. France Cruises.
  32. ^ "CroisiEurope Christens the MS Lafayette in Strasbourg, France". www.travelagentcentral.com. Newswire. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  33. ^ "CroisiEurope". www.cruisecritic.com. The Independent Traveler, Inc.
  34. ^ "CroisiEurope". www.cruiseaway.com.au. Cruise Away.
  35. ^ "CroisiEurope". www.francecruises.com.
  36. ^ "www.cruisecritic.com". CroisiEurope. The Independent Traveler.
  37. ^ "CroisiEurope". www.cruiseaway.com.au. Cruise Away.
  38. ^ "www.cruisecritic.com". CroisiEurope. The Independent Traveler.
  39. ^ "Gil Eanes Review". www.cruisecritic.com. The Independent Traveler.
  40. ^ "Toum Tiou II". www.riuscruises.com. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2014-11-20.
  41. ^ "Symphonie". www.wlcvacations.com. Luxury.
  42. ^ "Toum Tiou Cruise". www.cruisesmekongriver.net. Viet Prestige Travel.
  43. ^ "MS Vivaldi". www.eurorivercruises.com. Euro River Cruises.
  44. ^ "CroisiEurope". www.choosingcruising.co.uk. Choosing Cruising. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2014-11-20.
  45. ^ "Mekong River Cruise with RV Indochine II". Tweet World Travel. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
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