Transcend Cruises, the charter-only river cruise company, has commenced construction on its first purpose-built vessel for the B2B group market commemorating with a steel cutting ceremony that took place on December 5, 2024. The yet-to-be named ship will set sail on the Rhine for the 2026 season.
With this steel strike, Transcend began a rapid construction program that will take place at Den Breejen Shipyard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, the Netherlands, with the hull currently under construction in Orsova, Romania. The ceremony was attended by key company and partner representatives including Hans Rood, CEO of Transcend Cruises; Wouter Henstra, CCO of Den Breejen Shipyard; and Helena Sawelin, partner and design/sustainability director of Tillberg Design of Sweden.
Transcend Cruises’ 443-foot ships will offer customized spaces and services designed for the group market. The vessels will offer five venues that can accommodate all 120 guests, including The Forum, a two-story amphitheater for group programs such as leadership talks, destination expert-led presentations, concerts and performances. Additionally, the Studio is built specifically for the client, located on Deck One next to their office space and three staff cabins. The venue can accommodate meetings of any size and format with 1,500 square feet of open, configurable space as well as full A/V capabilities.
Up to 120 guests will be accommodated in identical, oversized staterooms that convert in pairs to suites, allowing the charterer to flex the offering for 30–120 attendees.
The Transcend ships will have the latest sustainable hardware available on the European rivers as Transcend has employed a circular approach to materials being used in the exterior and interior construction and design. Transcend’s ships will also utilize hybrid propulsion with stage-five, low-emissions engines.
“With the steel cutting, we are thrilled to be entering this exciting construction phase,” said Rood. “We’ve benefited from serving the charter market with our MS Advance over the past 18 months, proving that our concept is right on target for our new-builds from all sectors of the group market including MICE, tour operators, private events, direct corporations, affinity groups and from leisure and corporate agencies.”
Transcend is currently accepting charter bookings for 2026 and beyond although space is becoming limited in the launch year.
For more information, visit www.transcend.cruises.
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