Transcend Cruises, the charter-only river cruise company, announced the names of its first purpose-built river vessels for the B2B group market entering into service in 2026: Transcend connect, launching in April, and Transcend evolve, which will enter service in Q2 2025. The company made the announcement at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami. Transcend Cruises’ nearly 445-foot ships, built by Den Breejen Shipyard and designed by Tillberg Design of Sweden, will offer customized spaces and services created exclusively for the group market.
The vessels will offer five separate venues that can accommodate all 120 guests, including The Forum, a signature two-story amphitheater ideal for group programs such as expert-led presentations, concerts, demonstrations or virtual performances. 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 1,300 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 between 30 to 120 attendees.
Conventional ship names typically reflect the brands operating them and are focused on the retail customer experience. Since its inception, Transcend has put the focus specifically on the group market and the charter client. Unlike consumer cruise brands, with Transcend, the primary brand that a client sees on their sailing is the one that is most important to them: their own. The client’s brand can transform the experience, being showcased across the numerous digital screens located on the interior and exterior of the ship, the ambient lighting, the onboard documents and the itinerary itself.
Transcend is currently accepting charter bookings for 2026 and beyond, although space is becoming limited in the launch year.
For more information, visit www.transcendcruises.com.
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