LARGEST RIVER CRUISE OPERATOR IN EUROPE
Press File
~March 2015 Edition~
www.croisieurope.co.uk
C ontents
3
The history of CroisiEurope
4
CroisiEurope official statistics
5
River cruising - a different approach
6
Strengths of CroisiEurope and CroisiMer
7
What’s new for 2015/2016
8
Plans and projects
10 Theme cruises
11 Coastal cruising from CroisiEurope
12 CroisiVoyages, the other cruising destinations of CroisiEurope
13 CroisiEurope’s "Eco-Attitude"
14 The CroisiEurope Fleet
16Contacts
Philippe, Anne-Marie, Patrick, Jeanine, Gérard and Christian Schmitter
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T he history of CroisiEurope
For 39 years, CroisiEurope has pioneered river cruising on the most beautiful waterways in Europe. Over 200,000 passengers
have trusted CroisiEurope for their cruise holiday on board one of the 43 ships that makeup its fleet. This independent, family
business is the current market leader in river cruises in France and Europe. CroisiEurope employs almost 1,000 people for sales
of over €146 million. It is with enthusiasm and pride that the flag of CroisiEurope flies at the prow of our ships, cruising to the
far corners of Europe and the world.
Recognized within France and internationally, CroisiEurope has chosen to remain anchored in its home port of Strasbourg,
where the company began and maintains its headquarters. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Strasbourg is a fantastic tourist
destination and conference venue. This historic, forward-thinking city is the perfect home for developing our considerable
potential beyond the frontiers of France.
I mportant dates for CroisiEurope
1976:Creation of the business by Gérard Schmitter.
1982:The first ship.
1984:The first ship with cabins.
1986:The first ship in the «Prestige» category, the «Kellermann».
1990:The company becomes its own shipbuilder.
1991:Creation of the Paris office.
1993:First cruises on the Danube.
1995:First cruises on the Rhône and the Saône.
1997:Alsace Croisieres became CroisiEurope and asserted its new European dimension.
1998:First cruises on the Seine.
1999:The succession is well and truly guaranteed.
2000:Development of the European North/South axis.
2001:Opening of the Lyon office.
2002:First cruises on the Douro in Portugal.
2002:Inauguration of the Strasbourg river station and opening river station and opening of an agency in
Nice and another in Brussels.
2003:Launch of 2 new boats the «MS Fernao da Magalhaes» and the «MS Leonardo da Vinci».
2004:The conquest of the East on the Danube.
2005:Development of the North/South axis and creation of the Madrid office.
2006:CroisiEurope turned 30 and opened an office in London.
2007:Launching of CroisiMer.
2008:Opening of a new agency in Lausanne.
2009:Launching of a new river-cruiser on the Danube river - meet the “MS Vivaldi”.
2010:Development of cruises on the Volga River.
2011:Development of cruises on the Gironde and the Garonne. Departures from Bordeaux on a new boat
«MS Princesse d’Aquitaine”. New gastronomic cruise on the upper Rhine River.
2012:Development of cruises on the Mekong.
Opening of a UK call center.
2013: Inauguration of a 2nd ship “MS Cyrano de Bergerac” in Bordeaux. Development of cruises on the canals of
Alsace and Burgundy with the inauguration of the hotel barge MS Jeanine. Introduction of a 4th vessel on
the River Seine.
Opening of a US call center.
2014:Development of the fleet of barges with the inauguration of three canal-barges which will cruise
on the canals in Alsace, Provence, Champagne and the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris.
Inauguration of a new ship “MS Lafayette” on the Rhine which will offer combined cruises from Amsterdam to Basel.
Development of coastal cruises in Cyprus and the Holy Land and river cruises on the Irrawaddy in Myanmar.
CroisiEurope buys out the Mekong River Cruise Company.
2015:New ship on the Loire which is inspired by an ancient technique - the paddle wheel: “MS Loire Princesse”; new ships on the Douro: “MS Gil Eanes” and on the Rhone: “MS Camargue”.
2016:New canal barges in Central France from Briare to Nevers and in Southwestern France from Toulouse to Agen.
Development of the fleet on the Mekong with a new ship planned for November 2016.
From spring 2016 a new ship using advanced paddle wheel technology will be launch on the Elbe : “MS Elbe Princesse”
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C roisiEurope official statistics
Year on year, the number of passengers and the turnover of the company are ever increasing. 2014 was positive and the results
are proof of this. Thus the turnover was 146 million euro with around 200,000 passengers.
Foreign markets
CROISIEUROPE has implemented a strategy to constantly improve our ships’ design and provide state-of-the-art services
adapted to our clients’ diverse cultures and expectations. And it’s paying off!
International passengers (i.e. non-French) now represent some 55% of turnover and this figure is increasing on an annual basis.
This willingness to go further than France’s borders is proving profitable, as the numbers of Germans, British, Belgians, Swiss,
Scandinavians, Americans, Spanish, Italians, Portuguese, Australians & New Zealanders, Japanese, Russians and some other
nationalities traveling on holiday with CROISIEUROPE are increasing year after year.
Passenger numbers per river
RIVERS
NUMBER OF PASSENGERS IN 2014
The Rhine and its tributaries
46,000
The Elbe
8,500
The Danube
45,000
The Seine
26,000
The Rhône and the Saône
20,000
The Gironde, the Dordogne and the Garonne
13,500
The Douro
12,000
The Guadalquivir
6,500
The Po
6,000
The Volga and the Mekong
7,000
Passenger numbers on the Sea
On board the MS Belle de l’Adriatique: 7,500 passengers
Passenger numbers on French Canals
On board the 4 canal barges: 2,000
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R iver cruising - a different approach
The leisurely pace of river cruising allows travellers searching for an enjoyable travel holiday to experience the tranquility and
pleasure of getting close to the culture of a region or a country. The landscapes change constantly as the cruise progresses, on
these wonderful “floating hotels”, offering the wonderful scenery of the countryside, small villages and towns. Travel is now a
pleasure, not a chore.
The vessels are built with the guest in mind and are small enough to be able to moor in the heart of the town but large enough
to provide every amenity of a fine hotel. The cruise passengers can participate in one of the many excursions or just set off
on their own to explore the historic town centers. The capacity on board of just 24 to 200 passengers, allows for a warm and
convivial ambience on board, which makes it easier for passengers and crew to meet and get to know one another.
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S trengths of CroisiEurope
Unbeatable value for money
CroisiEurope’s biggest asset is its ability to offer great cruises at an attractive price. This advantage is only possible because the
company has complete control of all operational matters in the fleet, from beginning to end; from the design & building of
the ship, to creating the cruise itineraries, the sales and marketing management, fleet maintenance, purchasing and training.
Overall, there are more than 1,000 skilled employees who take care of the day-to-day operation of the company. This control
gives CroisiEurope the ability to manage its costs as fully as possible.
The second reason why CroisiEurope provides best value in river cruising is a function of its marketing philosophy. From the
very beginning, CroisiEurope’s mission was to offer excellent products and services, at the best possible price. That is why
CroisiEurope steals you away for so much less, but still includes it all.
A team flexible and adaptable
We have a team that is flexible and adaptable. In this time of globalisation, CroisiEurope has another major advantage: a large
number of our crew and staff speak the major European languages, which allows many different nationalities to discover the
high quality of product and the charm of the French company. As a result of this willingness to develop open relationships, the
heart and soul of CroisiEurope more than ever is European and international.
Safety and comfort
The entire fleet designed and constructed by our in-house engineering staff and all vessels are certified compliant with
VERITAS standards, a real guarantee of safety and quality. We continue to upgrade the standard of our boats continues to
keep pace with the growing demands of customers. The majority of the fleet is less than 5 years old. All the boats are inspected
from top to bottom each year and they are regularly renovated.
A real family spirit
An independent, family business, CroisiEurope cultivates the real values of a family and brings that spirit to the ambience on its
boats. Conviviality, attentive service and professionalism are the watchword on board and, appreciative of this, the customers
mark their approval by remaining loyal to us.
Competent, efficient crews
More than 700 people currently work on the 30 boats that ply the most beautiful rivers and coasts of Europe and deliver a high
quality product day in and day out. Captains, pursers, entertainers, hotel, kitchen and restaurant staff give their best effortes
to offer a quality service.
An exclusive cuisine, “made in France”
Having full responsibility for all the meals served on board its vessels, CroisiEurope’s catering department manages and plans
the cuisine and the specific menus, in the tradition of French gastronomy. Working alongside such great Michelin-starred
chefs as Paul Bocuse & Marc Haeberlin, the company offers gastronomic cruises rich in tastes and in flavours. Moreover, Alain
Bohn who is the company’s head Chefs was recently nominated as a member to Maîtres Cuisiniers de France. This French
association, created 50 years ago, includes more than 250 chefs worldwide, who aim to maintain, develop and spread the
renown of the French gastronomy.
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What’s new for 2015/2016
Leading the way in river cruising, CroisiEurope will be offering new cruises and amenities to meet the expectations of its
demanding customers.
1) NEW SHIPS FOR 2015
THE MS LOIRE PRINCESSE - FIRST RIVER SHIP TO CRUISE ON THE LOIRE
Europe’s largest river cruise operator, CroisiEurope, continues to innovate with the introduction of a new vessel concept for
cruising on the Loire. Market leader CroisiEurope was inspired by an ancient technique - the paddle wheel - and is re-working
it using today’s technology to create a new and unique type of craft. This will be the first time that a cruise vessel with cabins
has ever cruised along the Loire.
From April 2015, the MS Loire Princesse will start cruising along the beautiful Loire visiting areas rich in cultural heritage,
many of which are listed by UNESCO: Nantes, Saint-Nazaire, Ancenis, Angers, the Castles of the Loire, Saumur, Bouchemaine
and Nantes. The Pays de la Loire region will be of particular interest to those looking for a new and unique destination rich in
culture and historical significance.
THE MS GIL EANES ON THE DOURO RIVER
In April 2015, the MS Gil Eanes will join three other CroisiEurope ships - the MS Infante D. Henrique, the MS Fernao De
Magalhaes and the MS Vasco Da Gama - on the popular Douro.
Between April and October, this three-deck ship will sail eight-day- cruises round-trip from Porto visiting Regua, Vega de
Teron, Ferradosa, Pinhao and Salamanca.
THE MS CAMARGUE ON THE RHONE RIVER
From spring 2015, the MS Camargue will join the CroisiEurope fleet on the Rhone alongside the MS Mistral and MS Van Gogh.
This new premium-rated two-deck ship will be of a similar design to the MS Lafayette which launched earlier this year, and will
be spacious, contemporary and elegant.
April and October 2015, the MS Camargue will sail six- and eight-day cruises round-trip from Lyon visiting Macon, Vienne,
Arles, Avignon, Viviers and Tournon.
Avignon
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P lans and projects
With 43 ships sailing on World’s most beautiful waterways, the company is developing new projects for 2016, while continuing
to serve its core market. We will offer new cruises and diversify their range in order to offer more variety to our loyal customers.
The company is building more internal infrastructure to handle the anticipated increase in reservations, indicating a bright
future in terms of development.
1) NEW MULTIRIVER CRUISES:
Discover more of Europe with CroisiEurope’s unique multiriver cruises
The Romantic Rhine and the Moselle meet poetic reflections of the Seine river
9-DAY CRUISE • REF. SPH_PP
STRASBOURG • MAINZ • COBLENZ • COCHEM • TRIER • Luxembourg • PARIS • VERNON • ROUEN • HONFLEUR
Cruise the valleys of the Seine and Rhone in only one cruise
10-DAY CRUISE • REF. LMS_PP
LYON • AVIGNON • ARLES • MARTIGUES • TAIN L’HERMITAGE • VIENNE • LYON • PARIS • LES ANDELYS • ROUEN •
HONFLEUR • PARIS
The best port of calls along the Seine, the Loire and the Gironde with day trips to Mont Saint-Michel and Cognac
16-DAY CRUISE • REF. PNB_PP
PARIS • VERNON • ROUEN • HONFLEUR • Mont Saint Michel • NANTES • ST NAZAIRE • ANGERS • NANTES • COGNAC
• BORDEAUX • PAUILLAC • BLAYE • SAINT-EMILION • CADILLAC • BORDEAUX
From Hamburg to Copenhagen - Visit the amazing legacies of three countries on land and by sea: Germany, Poland and Denmark
14-DAY CRUISE • REF. HBC_PP
HAMBURG • BLECKEDE • TANGERMUNDE • MAGDEBURG • POTSDAM • BERLIN • EBERSWALDE • ODERBERG •
SZCZECIN • WOLGAST • Usedom Island • Rugen Island • GREIFSWALD • STRALSUND • SASSNITZ • COPENHAGEN
Traverse Europe from Amsterdam to Vienna
15-DAY CRUISE • REF. AMV_PP
AMSTERDAM • NIJMEGEN • COLOGNE • RUDESHEIM • SPEYER OR MANNHEIM • STRASBOURG • MAINZ •
FRANKFURT • MILTENBERG • WERTHEIM • WURZBURG • ROTHENBURG • NUREMBERG • REGENSBURG • PASSAU
• VIENNA
Explore the heart of Europe cruising from Amsterdam to Budapest
19-DAY CRUISE • REF. ABU_PP
18-DAY CRUISE • opposite direction • REF. BUA_PP
AMSTERDAM • NIJMEGEN • COLOGNE • RUDESHEIM • SPEYER OR MANNHEIM • STRASBOURG • MAINZ •
FRANKFURT • MILTENBERG • WERTHEIM • WURZBURG • ROTHENBURG • NURNBERG • REGENSBURG • PASSAU •
MELK • VIENNA • ESZTERGOM • BUDAPEST
Across Europe: The best of the Rhine and the Rhone
10-DAY CRUISE • REF. ACA_PP
AMSTERDAM • WESEL • DUSSELDORF • COLOGNE • COBLENZ • MAINZ • WORMS • STRASBOURG • BESANCON •
CHALON-SUR-SAONE • LYON • TOURNON • ARLES • AVIGNON
Discovering Southern Europe Spain and Portugal: Sevilla • Lisbon • Porto
13-DAY CRUISE • REF. SLP_PP
SEVILLE • EL PUERTO DE SANTA MARIA • CADIZ • ALCOUTIM • VILA REAL DE SAN ANTONIO (PORTUGAL) • LISBON
• COIMBRA • PORTO • REGUA • VEGA DE TERON • BARCA D’ALVA • FERRADOSA • PORTO
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2) NEW CANAL BARGES
For couples, families or groups of friends, travelling by canal barge is an ideal way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life,
and the French waterways offer some of the most splendid views and flavours in the continent.
CroisiEurope, continues its expansion with the addition of two new wonderful itineraries along the canals of France for the
2016/2017 season: a unique journey along the Canal de Garonne in Southern France from Agen to Toulouse and; an
unprecedented route on the canal lateral à la Loire in Central France from Briare to Nevers.
These cruises will take place on beautiful new custom-designed canal barges - the Déborah and the Danièle - accommodating
24 guests, each of which is equipped for maximum comfort of its guests.
Burgundy, St-Jean-de-Losne
3) NEW SHIPS
ON THE ELBE
From spring 2016, it will be possible to cruise year round from Berlin to the heart of Prague along the Elbe and Moldau - Vltava
- rivers with the launch of CroisiEurope’s MS Elbe Princesse.
This innovative ship follows in the footsteps of sister ship, the MS Loire Princesse, and has been designed using advanced
paddle wheel technology which will allow it to navigate year round in the lowest waters of the Elbe - something that vessels
with regular propulsion are unable to do. Thanks to its size, this new ship will be able to berth in the heart of towns near
historical centres which is a key selling point.
ON THE MEKONG
Europe’s largest river cruise operator, CroisiEurope, continues to extend its fleet with the introduction of a new vessel for
cruising on the Mekong: “RV Princesse Apsara”. This new premium-rated three-deck ship will be launched in October 2016
and will be spacious, contemporary and elegant.
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© Fabrice Rambert - © Letabatha.net - © SDI
T heme cruises
CroisiEurope, river and costal cruising group, is offering a number of cruises with Music, Family, Rambling and Golf themes.
• Musical Cruises - In order to respond to the taste of our music-loving cruise customers, and to offer pleasurable and
different cruise experiences, CROISIEUROPE has created the CroisiMusique brand. We will be offering a full range of musical
programmes and itineraries that offer talented performers, high-quality guest speakers with our most popular destinations.
Everything has been arranged to offer unforgettable and exclusive music-themed cruises. In addition, we’ll be offering private
concerts held both on board the ships and in emblematic music halls. In this way, we can combine the best of tourism and
culture. These musical cruises are coordinated by two very talented musicologists.
• Family Cruises - CroisiEurope has developed an attractive concept which will appeal to young and old alike who will find
everything they need for the perfect vacation. A universally appreciated format, where everyone can do what they wish when
they wish!
In July and August, the boats based in Portugal, Spain, Italy and Croatia offer an attractive new package on selected departures
dates: free cruising for youngsters up to the age of 16 on river destinations and 30% off up to the age of 16 on sea cruises,
with the boats being transformed into a floating family-focused hotel- clubs promising a fun, good-humoured atmosphere.
• Hiking Cruises - For many years already, CroisiEurope has offered cruises that combine the pleasures of cruising with those
of hiking. Enjoy the hiking trails, walking at one's own pace and accompanied by professional guides. This is the perfect answer
for those who worry they won’t get enough exercise during a week of cruising!
• Golf Cruises - CroisiEurope is creating CROISIGOLF to combine the joys of cruising with the pleasures of the fairway! The
8-day packages are available from March to November on the MS Belle de Cadix, between Spain and Portugal.
Four high-quality golf courses have been specially selected that will please golfers at all levels: Hato Verde Gold Club in Seville,
Sancti Petri Golf Club in Cadiz, Costa Ballena Golf Club in Puerto de Santa Maria and zaudin Golf Club in Seville. For nongolfers, we are proposing a series of excursions to learn about Spanish and Portuguese traditions and customs.
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C oastal cruising from CroisiEurope
CroisiMer, new maritime horizons
Pioneering cruise programs in 2007 in Croatia, CroisiMer offers cruises on the Adriatic Sea from April to November. New
for 2015, starting in November 2015 until April 2016, the company is breaking new ground with a cruise in the Ionian and
Tyrrhenian Seas to discover the beauty of the South of Italy from Naples visiting Pompeii or Herculaneum, The Aeolian Islands,
Taormina and Mount Etna, Calabria, the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento, Capri and Anacapri.
With a capacity of 200 passengers in 100 sea view cabins, this is a small ship that offers large ship amenities. For those in the
know, small ship cruises are the best way to experience cruising with more personalized service, no long lines for dining or on
disembarking. A radically innovative design, the MS “La Belle de l’Adriatique” is a truly unique vessel in its class.
The MS "La Belle de l'Adriatique" is the company's first marine boat and its creation heralds great prospects of development
for CroisiEurope, the owner of CroisiMer.
She has a unique construction and is equipped with the latest technology
At 110 metres long. 12.80 metres wide, weighing 3,500 tons, drawing 2.5 metres of water, the MS "La Belle de l'Adriatique"
has 5 decks, the latest generation of stabilizers and a capacity of 200 passengers and 50 crew members.
The ship is equipped with all modern convenience, which give the customers the chance to have a wonderful time on board:
a large restaurant offering wide open sea views, a very spacious lounge bar, at the stern of the ship, the “Pianorama Bar” with
a wide terrace where there are wonderful views of the sunset. The sun deck is equipped with a fitness area, including two
Jacuzzis, exercise machines, sun.-loungers and a bar where drinks and light refreshments are served.
This new generation of vessel is designed along the lines of a large yacht. Fully adapted to navigate at sea, its design is certified
to VERITAS standards, a genuine guarantee of quality and safety. The "La Belle de l'Adriatique" is entirely different from the
other vessels which sail the Adriatic coastline because it is able to hug the coastline and berth in the smallest of ports, thanks
to its size.
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C roisiVoyages, the other cruising destinations
of CroisiEurope
In order to expand the range of cruises on offer and to satisfy the dreams of their clients to travel to distant shores, CroisiEurope
created the brand CroisiVoyages by CroisiEurope in 2000.
A label that is characterised by cruises to faraway and exotic destinations with mythical names and through picturesque
landscapes, extending well beyond the European borders: the Volga, along the Yangtze Kiang, the Mekong and the Irrawaddy.
A CroisiEurope-endorsed organisation
The organisation is endorsed by CroisiEurope and has a cruise director on board to guarantee the high quality standards for
which the company is known. The proposed programme is in line with the expectations of a loyal clientele and enables many
exchanges between passengers.
Distant destinations
A long-distance journey along the Mekong River
From Angkor to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) or in the opposite direction, with the following stops:
SIEM REAP - ANGKOR - TONLE SAP - KAMPONG CHHNANG - KAMPONG TRALACH
KOH CHEN - PHNOM PENH - CHAU DOC - SA DEC - CAl BE - MY THO - HO CHI MINH CITY.
In Russia, on the Volga
The cruises along the Volga were introduced nearly ten years ago. Since 2010, CroisiEurope has been the main tour operator
in France for this destination which is hugely popular and well liked. A range of itineraries is proposed on the Volga: from
Astrakhan to Moscow (or reverse) and from Saint-Petersburg to Moscow. In the land of Peter the Great, there is a great and
contrasting range of discoveries to make.
In Myanmar
Discover a mysterious and enigmatic land with a cruise offered by CroisiEurope along the Irrawaddy, affectionately called the
“Mother River” by the Burmese. Originating in the Himalayan Mountains, it’s a main navigational route that has seen its banks
shaped by Royal cities and religious buildings."
Bagan
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© 123RF.com
C roisiEurope’s "Eco-Attitude"
CroisiEurope, river and costal cruising group, has made a series of environmental pledges. The steps, most of which apply to
the company’s entire fleet, go far beyond legal requirements and represent a major stride forward to the company, bolstering
its "eco-attitude".
Among the measures taken to protect the environment, CrosiEurope has:
• Installed water savers on all the boats, resulting in a 35% saving in drinking water and a 35% reduction in waste.
• Equipped all vessels with systems enabling them to dispose of waste water in the urban sewerage network and/or water
treatment stations at stopover points.
• Used paint with non-polluting components on the undersides of all its boats.
• Equipped boats with engines that meet the latest and most stringent European standards in terms of pollution control.
• Installed on-board technology allowing low diesel consumption navigation.
• Installed systems that are compatible with on-land electric mains.
CroisiEurope is committed to environmental responsibility and is a pioneer in this field. The family-owned business has also
initiated a partnership with UNESCO in order to further the sustainable development of river ports in Africa. Forthcoming
projects include:
• Electrically-propelled boats
• Better control of water consumption on board
• Reduction of waste by opting for re-useable packaging
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Press contact
Kate Selley
[email protected]
Direct Line: +44 (0) 1306 713221 - Mobile: +44 (0) 7903 682296
~
Travel agents information and bookings:
Tel +44 (0) 208 3 281 281 - [email protected]
Group Sales: Tel +44 (0) 208 328 0649
www.croisieurope.co.uk
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