Five essential things to know before you board a CroisiEurope cruise ship

Founded in France, CroisiEurope has more than 50 vessels in the fleet worldwide

No other river cruise line can match the huge choice offered by CroisiEurope on the waterways of mainland Europe and beyond. So why isn’t the company better known?

Well, CroisiEurope is French. It was founded by Gérard Schmitter as Alsace Cruises in 1976 with one ship that he rented out. Now there are more than 50 vessels in the fleet worldwide, including two small ocean-going vessels. And the late Gérard’s family still run the company.

While most of its guests are French speaking, CroisiEurope has been making efforts to expand its appeal in the UK. A new call centre was opened in Yorkshire two years ago and packages including flights can now be booked, which the company reports has resulted in an increase in both group and individual enquiries from the UK.

CroisiEurope offers occasional family cruises with special prices, along with a three-generational package - Stephane Pfleger

CroisiEurope’s wide-ranging selection not only covers all the main navigable rivers in Europe but there’s a great choice of duration too, with short breaks a speciality.

Another Croisi attribute is value. Many ships in the fleet can be deemed as comfortable rather than luxurious, and if you consider that the company does everything in-house, this means prices can be very attractive. Forgo a few amenities and fancy interiors and a cruise with unpretentious Croisi can cost half that of the more glamorous brands.

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1. Where does CroisiEurope cruise?

Just about everywhere. You’ll find CroisiEurope ships not only on all the major waterways on the Continent but on lesser-known rivers and tributaries. It’s certainly the most comprehensive coverage by any cruise line.

Starting with the main rivers, there are regular departures throughout the seasons on the Rhine and Danube, where 14 ships are based.

Unlike many other lines, many of Croisi’s itineraries are round trips from a single destination. There’s plenty of flexibility too, with cruise durations on these rivers from two to 26 nights, including lots of three and four-night trips. The main departure points are Strasbourg, Budapest and Vienna.

The main departure point for a CroisiEurope ship is Budapest along with Strasbourg and Vienna - mauritius images GmbH/Alamy Stock Photo

Gliding down the tributaries of these great rivers is another speciality, with some cruises taking in the likes of the Neckar (off the Rhine), Havel (which feeds into the Elbe) and Saar (a branch of the Moselle).

Staying with the main waterways, there are several ships on Portugal’s Douro and France’s Rhône/Saône and Seine. In France, the smaller rivers are again explored, with a ship based in Bordeaux for Garonne/Gironde voyages, plus Croisi is one of the very few lines to venture up the Loire.

Six 22-passenger barges sail around the Dutch, Belgian and French canals. Cruising the Venetian Lagoon/Po is another option, plus there’s an unusual journey in southern Spain along the Guadalquivir with a short sea crossing to the Guadiana.

Croisi also has ships on the Mekong, Ganges, Nile and Zambezi - Michelle Louise Lawson

Further afield, Croisi has ships on the Mekong, Ganges, Nile and Zambezi, plus from 2027, a brand new vessel on the Amazon.

Croisi’s two small ocean-going ships accommodate 197 and 130 passengers and conduct voyages around the Mediterranean and, in winter, the Canary Islands.

The company’s fleet is divided into two categories: premium and standard. The former tend to be the newer ships and are a little more plush with larger cabins, more of them with French balconies.

2. Who does CroisiEurope appeal to?

Anyone who fancies a river cruise and is comfortable in a multi-national (especially French) environment. On-board announcements are in French and English, while the cuisine is French with local influences.

Croisi’s prices will be attractive to many, especially as many luxury-brand river cruises can look expensive. All-inclusive drinks add to the value factor.

As one of the few operators of shorter trips, it’s a great opportunity for first timers to find out if they like river cruising or take a ship journey as part of a wider itinerary. For more regular cruisers, the chance to explore lesser-known rivers and venture beyond the popular routes has much appeal.

CroisiEurope’s Zimbabwean Dream is one of two specially made small ships - Michelle Louise Lawson

CroisiEurope also finds favour among those for whom the journey, scenery and local culture are the most important factors and who are not bothered about having an open balcony or the latest designer furnishings.

A wide range of round-trip journeys is handy if you are arranging your own flights. There are also several themed cruises each year, such as gastronomy, hiking, viewing the Rhine in Flames display and Christmas markets. Unusually for a river line, there are occasional family cruises with special prices, along with a three-generational package.

At sea, if you want a more focused, port-intensive Mediterranean cruise, take a look at the itineraries for Croisi’s two ocean-going vessels.

For those who insist on maximum sustainability, CroisiEurope is on the ball, with initiatives including the use of efficient gas-to-liquid fuel and electric buses for Paris excursions.

3. CroisiEurope’s fleet

On each river, most of CroisiEurope’s ships will be similar, so here are examples from the fleet.

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Modigliana (159 passengers)

Typical of the standard ships in central Europe, this two-deck vessel was built in 2001 and renovated in 2011. A single restaurant and lounge-bar, both with large windows, serve all passengers, while the sun deck has a good-sized shade. There’s one suite and an accessible cabin. No French balconies are fitted; instead, upper-deck cabins have a panoramic window. If you prefer a sliding door to the outside, try the premium-class Lafayette or its sisters.

Sails: The Rhine and Danube

Amalia Rodrigues (112 passengers)

The newest of Croisi’s ships in Portugal, this smart, premium vessel has French balconies on most cabins, while two of the four suites have patios. The lounge-bar has a forward-facing terrace and there’s a small pool on the sun deck. Want to save money? There are three standard-rated, three-deck ships which take 136 guests and also have a pool.

Sails: The Douro

Camargue (104 passengers)

One of a pair of premium ships in southern France, it’s a sleek vessel with all upper-deck cabins benefitting from French balconies, while those below have good-sized windows. Cabin décor is cheerfully bright, the plush public rooms more subtle. Camargue shares river space with two standard vessels that take more guests, don’t have balconies and are a little more dated.

Sails: The Rhône/Saône

Renoir (105 passengers)

Croisi’s only premium ship in northern France – the company also has two standard vessels here – is filled with natural light through the floor-to-ceiling glazing and French balconies on the upper deck. Renoir was built in 1999 but refurbished in 2018, and consequently, furnishings and fabrics are very modern.

Sails: The Seine

Elbe Princesse (77 passengers)

Slightly smaller than its premium sister on this Saxony river, guests enjoy a chicly modern interior with eye-catching design features, especially in the lounge-bar, which also has an outside space. French balconies feature on the upper-deck cabins; the lower-deck accommodation has large windows. The paddle-wheel design, bespoke to this river, will intrigue many guests.

Sails: The Elbe

CroisiEurope has several ships on Portugal’s Douro and the Rhône/Saône and Seine in France

Daniele (22 passengers)

One of six similar premium canal barges operating on the more narrow waterways of France and Belgium/the Netherlands. The chunky outline is typical barge, though the décor and furnishings are modern and user-friendly. Cabins are cosy and compact, all with decent-sized windows. There are two outdoor decks, one with a big spa tub and tables and chairs, while the upper one has sun loungers.

Sails: Burgundy

Other European river ships

The Guadalquivir is served by a three-deck premium ship; the Po/Venetian Lagoon by a two-deck standard ship; the Loire by a two-deck premium paddle-wheel ship, which has open balconies on some cabins; and the Gironde/Garonne by one three-deck premium ship.

Lan Diep (45 passengers)

An intimate ship of classic colonial Far East design, this is one of Croisi’s five vessels in Cambodia-Vietnam. With a standard rating, it has lots of dark wood that contrasts with light-hued furnishings. There’s enough space for a little shop and library.

Sails: The Mekong

African Dream (16 passengers)

One of two ships specially made for Croisi’s intimate Southern African safari-cruises. Six cabins have French balconies; the other two have a small terrace. There’s a small upper-deck pool, while the lounge has binoculars for wildlife-watching.

Sails: Lake Kariba

La Belle de L’Adriatique is the larger of Croisi’s two ocean ships, carrying 197 passengers - Miran Brautovic

La Belle de L’Adriatique (197 passengers)

The larger of Croisi’s two ocean ships is a four-deck older vessel, rated premium, that has been comprehensively renovated. Upper deck cabins have big windows; those on the lower decks have portholes. There’s one restaurant, a lounge-bar with a grand piano, another bar with a terrace and two hot tubs on the sun deck. The ship’s size means it can visit small ports.

Sails: The Mediterranean, especially the Adriatic and Italy’s west coast

La Belle des Océans (130 passengers)

Built in 1990 and regularly updated, this premium ship offers a refined, club-style ambience. Well-appointed suites and cabins are spacious – a few have private balconies. Across seven decks, guests will find both an outdoor grill and inside restaurant, two lounges (one with a grand piano), an al fresco bar, a wellness-gym room, a small spa and a pool.

Sails: Spain, Italy, Corsica, Morocco, Canary Islands

4. Loyalty scheme

The line has introduced a new loyalty scheme whereby guests accumulate points as they travel and then progress through the five levels of CroisiClub. The club also offers special events and offers to members.

5. Accessibility for people with disabilities

On many ships, there are one or more adapted cabins, while lifts on three-deck ships allow access to the dining room and lounge (but not usually the sun deck). However, CroisiEurope is realistic and although it welcomes guests with limited mobility, it encourages them to carefully assess their ability to undertake such a cruise and whether a qualified companion may be required.

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