A sleek, dark blue ship with interiors by luxury yacht firm Tillberg Design of Sweden is about to start sailing on Europe’s rivers. Gorgeous, but you can’t just book a single cabin, you have to commit to the whole ship.
The Transcend Connect is only the first of 12 ships planned by Transcend Cruises, that sees an untapped demand for group charters on Europe’s rivers.
“We named it Transcend because it goes beyond anything currently available,” said Matthew Shollar, Transcend ‘s founder and Chief Visionary Officer said at a preview event in Toronto. Operating as a cruise charter company since 2023, the line is launching its first purpose-built ship this summer after final construction at the Den Breejen Shipyard in the Netherlands.
The focus is on businesses that do incentives, meetings, conferences and events as well as specialty travel, multigenerational families, themed cruises and alumni groups. “We design if for you. It’s your group and your ship and we’ll design around any of your needs,’ said Kimberly Daley, Transcend’s Chief Operating Officer. “There are no fixed formats and the itineraries, activities and dining times can be customized on any of Europe’s major rivers. If you want to stay in one place the entirety of the trip it can be a floating hotel and conference center.”
The ships have 60 cabins on the main and upper deck that are all 210 square feet with French balconies. In addition to cabins being configured in either a double or twin bed set-up, the interconnecting staterooms can be converted into 30 two-room suites with a separate bedroom and living areas. All cabins include a walk-in closet, interactive infotainment system, mood lighting, free Wi-Fi and USB charging.
Menus, seating and service options are tailored to the groups that are onboard, Daley explained. Family-style or a la carte dining will be available in the main restaurant and other alternative dining venues around the ship, including the main lounge, aft lounge, library cafe and sun deck. The food and beverage options will be focused around European food and wine reflecting the areas where the ship is sailing.
A second ship, Transcend Create is due to arrive in October, 2027 and two more are scheduled for 2028. Transcend has ultimate plans for a fleet of up to 12 river ships.
“Many of you are already in the charter business. You just don’t know it yet,” Shollar told the travel agents at the Toronto event. “We want to encourage all of you to test us and see what we can do for you.”
Wallace Immen, The Cruisington Times
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