Transcend Cruises, the first global charter-only river cruise company, and Den Breejen Shipyard have announced the contract signing of the construction agreement for the initial Transcend new-build river cruise ship, with its delivery scheduled for fourth quarter, 2025, followed by a second new-build in 2026, subject to additional financing.
Transcend covers the affinity market, tour operators, travel advisors, and meeting and incentive planners with highly functional and elevated new options on the rivers of Europe, providing innovative alternatives to land-based conferences and events. The unique design has been developed together with the leading luxury cruise and yacht design firm, Tillberg Design of Sweden to deliver a tailor-made luxurious guest experience.
“These sectors of the industry are hungry for something new, viable and cost effective that delivers a level of service they would expect from a five-star hotel on land. This is truly a gamechanger for these market segments,” said Hans Rood, CEO of Transcend Cruises.
Transcend Cruises’ 135-meter ships will offer revolutionary spaces and services designed exclusively for the group market and redefine the luxury group experience. Up to 120 guests will be accommodated in 60 identical spacious staterooms that convert in pairs to suites, allowing the charterer to flex the offering for between 30 to 120 attendees. As a B2B focused platform, Transcend Cruises ships will also be outfitted with a wide range of technologies that empower charter clients to amplify their brands for their guests, through experiential elements such as cutting-edge digital signage, custom lighting, sound, and imagery.
“Transcend Cruises brought us, a leader in European river cruise shipbuilding, a unique, detailed vision,” said Peter Burger, CEO of Den Breejen Shipyard. “Our partnership is a deep expression of both companies’ successes, and we look forward to launching these truly innovative vessels.”
Transcend ships are built to deliver responsible travel experiences. Sustainability is a key pillar of the company’s culture and strategy, embedded in elements of the ship build, onboard experiences, product inclusions and eco-inspired design such as stage-five, low-emission engines; an electric thruster system for emissions-free last mile maneuvering; food waste minimization technology; and staffing and sourcing locally.
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Transcend Cruises is a new, global B2B charter-only river cruising company. Filling a void in the market, the company introduces a business model uniquely customized for group travel. Through a purpose-built fleet of wellness-enabling luxury river cruise ships, and an innovative service model designed for multi-day tours, meetings and events, the company custom crafts experiences for each client. The company’s ships deliver the space configuration, accommodations flexibility, and exceptional support to solve the challenges experienced by meeting, incentive corporate group and event buyers.
Founded in 1947 and since then based in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Netherlands, Den Breejen Shipyard has become a major player in the inland shipping sector, both for new construction and for repair and refit. The specialization in the construction of river cruise ships has, over the past 25 years, increased brand awareness in shipbuilding. The increased market share in this specific sector has also led to an expansion of its regular clientele. Den Breejen designs, develops and builds fully custom-built ships and realizes projects to the satisfaction of their clients and within the set delivery time.
Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS)
Tillberg Design of Sweden has, for over more than five decades, planned and designed interiors for approximately 250 projects including many of the world’s largest and most prestigious cruise ships. Luxury hotels, restaurants and high-end jewelry boutiques complete the quickly expanding reference list. With 100 architects and designers working in teams from offices in Sweden, Poland and Miami, their everyday passion is to create and design unique interiors for each of their clients. They are the world’s leading company
New York Jewish Travel Guide
