Operating a fleet that includes paddlewheelers capable of playing one meter of water, CroisieEurope is exploring relatively unusual waterways, according to the 2020 European River Cruise Market Report by Cruise Industry News.
The fleet of 35 river vessels in Europe rangw from 100 to 180 passengers, including a paddlewheeler on the Loire and two paddlewheelers on the Elbe, said to Michael DaCosta, general manager for North America. In addition, are six 22-passenger canal barges in France, as well as five ships in the Mekong and one lake cruiser in Africa, which will soon be joined by a second.
“We own and operate the vessels,” said DaCosta. “In addition we have some charters in Russia, India, China and on the Amazon.”
This year, CroisiEurope launched two river vessels, the newbuild Amalia Rodrigues, its sixth vessel on the Douro in Portugal, and the renovated Victor Hugo, which sails on the Danube, Rhine, Elbe and Tisza.
For 2020, new programs include a seven-day cruise from Venice to Mantua along the Canal Bianco straight across Northern Italy.
Founded by Gerard Schmitter in France in 1976, CroisiEurope is currently seeing the third generation of the Schmitter family at the helm.
While programs are offered in Europe year-round, the main river cruising season runs from April to October, explained DaCosta, adding that Christmas cruises are featured on the Rhine and Danube, although special cruises are offered on most of the rivers around Christmas and New Year’s. Other programs include, for example, a river cruise coinciding with the carnival in Venice in February.
Last year, CroisiEurope carried more than 200,000 passengers, of which approximately 130,000 sailed on rivers in Europe. The company posted revenues of some 186 million euros.
With a river cruise boom in Europe, DaCosta said: “We have basically stopped adding more ships on the Rhine and the Danube, but we have introduced new ships on the Rhone and Douro this year. In addition, we are going to more new rivers and tributaries to the big rivers. We are one of very few companies on the Elbe and the only company on the Loire. We are also going off the Danube on the Tisza into Hungary’s wine region. And we do the Sava river in Croatia. These are rivers that are not that much explored by other ships.”
Setting CroisiEurope apart, according to DaCosta, is the company’s value pricing. “We are all inclusive, all meals, beverages and tours, and we offer a variety of cruises, including three and four days for people who do not have much time to travel, and destinations that no one else is offering. Our guests can come back for many years and never cruise on the same river again.
“The big thing for us is to be welcoming to as many people as possible, including families with children.”
About the 2020 European Cruise River Market Report
The new European Cruise Market Report provides a comprehensive look at the river cruise business with capacity metrics by river and brand, company profiles and much more. 100+ pages of insights. Learn more.
