CroisiEurope is a French, family-owned and operated cruise company that has established itself as a leader in European river cruises. With over 45 years of experience, it is renowned for offering intimate-sized cruises on rivers, canals, and seas, providing a unique blend of French hospitality, authentic culinary experiences, and value-for-money itineraries. CroisiEurope appeals to a wide demographic, predominantly mature travelers (45-80 age group), who seek immersive cultural experiences, comfortable and unpretentious environments, and an almost all-inclusive package, especially popular among European guests.
Fleet and Design:
CroisiEurope boasts a large and diverse fleet of over 50 ships, making it one of the largest river cruise operators in Europe. Their vessels are intimate, typically accommodating between 16 and 200 passengers. The fleet includes:
- River Cruise Ships: The majority of their fleet consists of custom-built river ships, designed with 2 or 3 decks. These are continually modernized and feature elegant, bright interiors. Their size and cutting-edge technology (including innovative paddlewheel designs for shallower rivers like the Loire and Elbe) allow them to access unique waterways and moor in the heart of cities, close to attractions.
- Canal Barges (Peniches): A smaller collection of very intimate barges (e.g., Deborah, Daniele) operating on the canals of France, offering a highly tranquil and specialized "slow tourism" experience for a very limited number of guests (e.g., 24 passengers).
- Ocean/Coastal Ships: A small but growing segment, with vessels like MS La Belle de l'Adriatique (up to 197 guests) and MS La Belle des Océans (up to 128 guests), designed for coastal and sea cruises to explore destinations like the Mediterranean and Canary Islands.
- Exotic River Ships/Lake Cruise Vessels: Including specialized ships like RV Indochine II on the Mekong (Vietnam/Cambodia) and African Dream on Lake Kariba (Southern Africa), enabling unique distant cruises.
All cabins are designed for comfort, featuring private facilities, air-conditioning, satellite TV, telephone, minibar, safe box, and hairdryer. Many river ships feature large sliding windows for panoramic views.
Destinations (2025-2026):
CroisiEurope offers an extensive portfolio of over 180 itineraries, sailing on more than 30 waterways worldwide, with a particular strength in European rivers. Their itineraries often focus on one port of call per day to allow for deeper exploration.
- European River Cruises: This is their core business, covering almost all major and many lesser-known rivers:
- France: Extensive cruises on the Seine (Paris to Honfleur), Rhône and Saône (Lyon, Provence, Camargue), Loire (paddlewheel ship), Garonne & Dordogne (Bordeaux region), Rhine-Marne Canal, and various other canals (barge cruises).
- Danube: From the Black Forest to the Black Sea, covering Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, etc.
- Rhine & Moselle: Exploring castles, vineyards, and picturesque towns in Germany, France, and Luxembourg. Including popular "Rhine in Flames" cruises.
- Douro: Cruising through Portugal's wine region from Porto to Spain (Salamanca).
- Elbe & Vltava: Exploring Germany and the Czech Republic (Prague, Dresden) on specialized paddlewheel ships.
- Guadalquivir & Guadiana: Discovering Andalusia in Spain.
- Venice & Po: Cruises exploring Venice and the surrounding Po River region in Italy.
- Other European Rivers: Such as the Havel, Oder, and more.
- Coastal & Sea Cruises (Ocean Ships):
- Mediterranean: Southern Italy, Sicily, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, Greek Isles, and Adriatic Sea.
- Canary Islands: Winter cruises exploring the archipelago.
- Exotic & Distant Cruises:
- Mekong River (Vietnam & Cambodia): Immersive cultural journeys including Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, and Ho Chi Minh City.
- Lake Kariba / Chobe River (Southern Africa): Unique wildlife and safari cruises, often combined with land tours to Victoria Falls and national parks.
- Nile River (Egypt): Cruises exploring the land of the Pharaohs, including Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan.
- Ganges River (India): Offering cultural insights into India.
Onboard Experience & Inclusions:
CroisiEurope prides itself on its "all-inclusive" formula, which aims to provide transparent pricing and a hassle-free vacation. The atmosphere is generally relaxed, convivial, and designed to foster a sense of discovery.
"All-Inclusive" Package (Comprehensive Inclusions):
- All Meals:
- Breakfast: Buffet style in the onboard restaurant.
- Lunch & Dinner: Three-course meals served in the onboard restaurant, often featuring fine French gastronomy and regional specialties.
- Afternoon Tea and Snacks: Available.
- Drinks Included:
- With Meals: Water, wine, beer, fruit juice, coffee are included during lunch and dinner.
- At the Bar: A wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from the onboard bar throughout the day (Champagne and certain premium "Grands Crus" from a special wine/bar list are typically extra).
- Shore Excursions: Many cruises include all or the majority of shore excursions mentioned in the program. This is a significant value point. It's always advisable to check the specific itinerary for what's included and what's optional. Optional excursions can usually be booked onboard (often at a higher price than pre-booking).
- Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is generally available on all riverboats in Europe and Asia, including the barges.
- Port Taxes: All port taxes are typically included in the fare.
- Entertainment: Onboard entertainment includes live music, dances, games, and sometimes cultural performances related to the region. An onboard entertainer often leads activities and may escort some excursions.
- Service: Attentive and friendly service from a multilingual crew (English is widely spoken).
- Onboard Facilities: Access to the ship's public areas, which typically include a panoramic lounge, sun deck, souvenir shop, and a library.
Additional Costs/Exclusions:
- Champagne and "Grands Crus" Wines: From special lists.
- Personal Expenses: Purchases from the onboard shop, massages/spa treatments (where available).
- Optional Excursions: Those not specifically listed as included in the itinerary.
- Gratuities: While the "all-inclusive" package covers most operational costs, staff gratuities are typically not included and are left to the passenger's discretion (suggested average is often £5-£10 per person per day, placed in an envelope at reception).
- Flights & Transfers: Unless explicitly booked as a "fly-cruise" package (which CroisiEurope has increasingly offered from the UK).
- Travel Insurance: Not included.
CroisiEurope offers a distinctive and accessible river and small-ship cruise experience, appealing to those who appreciate a relaxed, culturally rich itinerary with the convenience and value of an extensive "all-inclusive" approach, particularly for exploring the heart of Europe.
Exported from Firebase on 2025-08-02T14:17:19.898Z
