CroisiEurope

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, Mekong, Birmania, Africa, South America and United States.

CroisiEurope

Industry	Tourism
Founder	Gérard Schmitter
Headquarters	Strasbourg , France
Area served	Europe, Asia
Products	river cruises cruise line
Number of employees	1350 (2015)
Website	www.croisieuroperivercruises.com

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 United States.[1]

History

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 5 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

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

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

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.
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%5B%5D
5. The Editor. "Death of Gérard Schmitter, founder of CroisiEurope". www.tourmag.com. Destination Management Companies. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
6. The Editor. "Death of Gérard Schmitter, founder of CroisiEurope". www.tourmag.com. Destination Management Companies. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
7. Page, Helen. "Europe River Cruises with CroisiEurope". Travelsignposts.com. Travelsignposts Pty Ltd. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
8. "Alsace Cruises". societe.com. societe.com. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
9. Foundation Alsace. "Family Schmitter". www.fondaction-alsace.com. 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. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
12. Foundation Alsace. "Family Schmitter". www.fondaction-alsace.com. 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. 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. "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. "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. "CroisiEurope to welcome MS Lafayette to the Rhine". www.rivercruiseadvisor.com. Avid Travel Media. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
28. Coolidge, Carrie. "CroisiEurope To Launch Newest Member of its Rhine River Fleet, the MS Lafayette". www.pursuitist.com. Luxury.
29. Coolidge, Carrie. "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.

External links

• (in English) Croisieurope Website