STRASBOURG — CroisiEurope celebrated its 50th anniversary with a high-profile gala in Strasbourg, France, bringing together 1,200 guests for an evening that highlighted the company’s growth and future ambitions.
On March 21 in the Port of Strasbourg, eight illuminated ships lined up to create a spectacular backdrop for the celebration. The Alsace-based company mobilized its full team for the occasion, including some 250 crew members. Three generations of the Schmitter family were present, from Patrick, the eldest in charge of ship construction, to Lucas, who represents the next generation and leads commercial development.
“Fifty years is an important milestone in the life of a company, especially when it is family-owned,” said Christian Schmitter, CEO and son of Gérard Schmitter, who founded CroisiEurope in 1976.
The company pulled out all the stops with a brigade of 50 chefs delivering a high-end culinary experience showcasing the richness and diversity of French gastronomy. Festivities continued on the Rhine with a large-scale aquatic performance by Aquatique Show, tracing CroisiEurope’s journey over five decades, from its European roots to destinations as far afield as southern Africa, Egypt and Cambodia.
STRONG PERFORMANCE AND FUTURE PLANS
The family-run company has steadily expanded over the years, with 2025 standing out as a particularly strong year. CroisiEurope reported a 97% occupancy rate, nearly 1.8 million meals served and more than 205,000 passengers welcomed across a fleet of about 50 ships.
“It was a benchmark year for us,” said Lucas Schmitter, noting a 95% customer satisfaction rate.
Building on that success, the company is already looking ahead with an ambitious slate of initiatives for 2026.
In addition to anniversary-themed sailings – including a Jacques Brel tribute cruise on the Amstel in May featuring Arnaud Askoy, and a writers’ cruise on the Rhône in the fall with Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt – CroisiEurope is expanding its portfolio of themed itineraries.
New offerings will include hiking cruises on the Saône and Rhine, wine-focused sailings through Bordeaux and Rhône vineyards, and a celestial-themed cruise aboard La Belle de Cadix timed with the total solar eclipse on Aug. 12 off the Andalusian coast.
FOCUS ON SHOULDER SEASON GROWTH
At the same time, the company is targeting new growth opportunities by shifting its seasonal strategy.
CroisiEurope plans to place greater emphasis on shoulder season travel, particularly in March and November, to help drive additional demand.
“We will close the month of March 2026 with more than 4,000 additional passengers compared to March 2025,” said Lucas Schmitter, who also confirmed a new November 2026 program featuring dedicated offers and adjusted pricing.
“Today, all our partners – travel advisors as well as coach operators – are also looking to grow their business outside the traditional season. I believe this new program will be very well received,” he added.
SMALL SHIPS, GREATER FLEXIBILITY
This approach aligns with the company’s long-standing focus on smaller, more adaptable ships.
Since its founding, CroisiEurope has emphasized intimate, small-capacity vessels, from barges to coastal ships, allowing for greater flexibility across itineraries.
“This is a point we emphasize: this boutique ship format offers great flexibility in the face of climate-related challenges and fluctuating water levels. Our ships can sail where larger vessels are often forced to stop during periods of high or low water,” said Lucas Schmitter.
NEW CHAPTER ON THE SEINE
The milestone event also coincided with the recent launch of MS R.E. Waydelich, a new paddlewheel ship on the Seine. The five-anchor vessel features 42 cabins across two decks and offers a distinctly different way to experience the region.
Originally built in Saint-Nazaire in 2016, the ship – equipped with an innovative paddlewheel system – previously sailed on the Elbe and Vltava as RV Elbe Princesse 2 before being repositioned to the Seine in early 2026.
Its official naming ceremony took place March 15 at Quai de Grenelle in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower providing a striking backdrop.
As the only paddlewheel ship offering true Seine itineraries, MS R.E. Waydelich introduces a new approach, with six- to eight-day sailings that focus less on distance and more on depth of experience. The itineraries explore the Paris basin in detail, from Île de la Cité to La Roche-Guyon, including Versailles.
Thanks to its low air draft, the ship can sail directly through the heart of Paris – a key differentiator in the market.
“Our competitors have designed ships that are too large, too tall and too wide, remaining outside the capital and offering their clients a ‘Paris by Night’ riverboat experience. Our passengers, on the other hand, enjoy the same journey from the comfort of their cabin,” said Lucas Schmitter.
A SYMBOLIC MILESTONE
Beyond its technical capabilities, the ship’s debut also carries symbolic weight in this milestone year.
Christian Schmitter reflected on the challenges his father faced when first bringing CroisiEurope to Paris.
“When we launched our first ship on the Seine with the Douce France in 1998, we thought we would be welcomed with open arms. But that was not the case. Coming from outside Paris, we had to fight, mobilize all our networks and obtain all the necessary authorizations to operate this cruise,” he said.
“For my father, it was one of the defining moments of his life: being able to say he had succeeded in sailing a ship on the Seine, in front of the Eiffel Tower, marked a turning point in the company’s history.”
Lead image caption: The MS R.E. Waydelich is the only paddlewheel ship offering authentic cruises on the Seine (all ship images courtesy CroisiEurope; all Strasbourg 50th anniversary event images courtesy Jean Rauzier)