CroisiEurope

Story

CroisiEurope begins its story in 1976 near Strasbourg, on the edge of Lake Plobsheim, under the original name Alsace Croisières (Alsace Cruises). Gérard Schmitter, the son of a potter from Betschdorf and an inventive technician, leaves everything behind to pursue a passion for creating leisure experiences. After opening a restaurant in his hometown, he introduces the innovative idea of renting boats by the day to attract tourists from Strasbourg, achieving immediate success.

Gérard Schmitter purchases and renovates the Alsace 1, extends cruises along the Rhine to Rüdesheim, and introduces overnight stays on board by building cabin-equipped vessels. During the 1980s, CroisiEurope expands its fleet with the Hansi, Petite France, Kléber, and the prestigious Kellermann, launching river cruises in France.

In 1990, CroisiEurope becomes a shipowner and commissions its first purpose-built vessel, the MS Liberté. This elegant ship establishes the design of a fleet that now includes 55 vessels worldwide. As new ships are built in Namur, St-Nazaire, and Ho Chi Minh City, CroisiEurope expands across the Rhône, Saône, Danube, and Seine while maintaining complete control of the fleet, from construction and logistics to onboard services and marketing.

In 1997, the company adopts the commercial name CroisiEurope, reflecting its growing European presence. In 1999, Gérard Schmitter passes leadership to his four children, who expand operations across Italy, Portugal, Andalusia, and the Elbe around Berlin.

CroisiEurope enters maritime cruising with the launch of a unique river-sea vessel on the Guadalquivir in 2005, followed by the four-deck MS La Belle de l'Adriatique in 2007, exploring the Adriatic and Croatia. The maritime fleet grows further with La Belle des Océans in 2019.

The company also expands beyond Europe, introducing cultural voyages along Russia's Volga and Neva Rivers, Myanmar's Irrawaddy River, and Vietnam and Cambodia's Mekong River, followed by expeditions on the Amazon, in Peru, and throughout Southern Africa, including Chobe National Park and Lake Kariba. Every destination reflects the same commitment to authenticity and meaningful local experiences away from mass tourism.

Following Gérard Schmitter's passing in 2012, his children and grandchildren continue building on a legacy of innovation, passion, and professionalism. Today, CroisiEurope stands as Europe's largest river cruise shipowner, offering one of the broadest destination portfolios in the market. Advanced ship technology provides exclusive access to select waterways and allows docking in the heart of many cities, giving you exceptional opportunities to discover the world's cultural, historical, artistic, and architectural treasures aboard a floating hotel where you unpack only once.

Mission

CroisiEurope helps you discover the world's most beautiful historical, artistic, and architectural treasures through spectacular and authentic river and sea itineraries. You travel aboard elegant, human-scale ships where you unpack only once and enjoy exceptional comfort, French gastronomy, warm hospitality, and an all-inclusive onboard experience. By managing every aspect of the fleet—from ship design and construction to operations, hospitality, maintenance, and marketing—CroisiEurope delivers outstanding value while maintaining high standards of quality, innovation, environmental responsibility, and respect for local cultures.

Vision

CroisiEurope strives to make every cruise unique, every experience unforgettable, and every memory everlasting. You sail the world's most beautiful rivers and seas in the best possible conditions while discovering authentic destinations beyond mass tourism. Through continuous innovation, responsible operations, and a commitment to preserving nature and local heritage, CroisiEurope aims to inspire you to "dream the world" and experience its richness aboard magnificent ships in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

CroisiEurope recognizes nature as its most valuable asset and places environmental responsibility at the heart of every journey. You travel with a company that pioneers sustainable practices, going beyond legal obligations and continually expanding green initiatives to help protect the environment.

After successful testing on the Seine River with partner AS Energy, CroisiEurope uses GTL (Gas-to-Liquid) fuel, which burns more uniformly and produces lower emissions. Across the fleet, you also benefit from a wide range of environmental initiatives, including:

• Water-saving devices installed on all vessels to reduce drinking water consumption and wastewater production.
• Onboard water fountains that filter municipal water into high-quality drinking water, reducing the use of several tons of plastic each year through activated carbon filtration, UV treatment, and optional carbonation for sparkling water.
• Wastewater disposal systems on every ship, emptied at wastewater treatment plants or urban sewer systems during port calls. Some vessels also feature onboard treatment plants, while the entire fleet includes onboard water treatment systems to help protect rivers in the event of accidental wastewater discharge.
• A wastewater collection tank at the CroisiEurope river terminal connected directly to the city's sewer system.
• Engine retrofits across the fleet that comply with inland waterway emission requirements, particularly under the CDNI. Latest-generation vessels use engines that meet current standards and help minimize environmental impact.
• Green Award certification for part of the CroisiEurope fleet, recognizing high standards of safety and environmental performance.
• Real-time energy consumption monitoring and electronic navigation systems that allow captains to adjust engine power according to navigation conditions, optimizing fuel consumption and reducing emissions. Latest-generation engines also incorporate technologies that improve energy efficiency.
• Soundproofed engine room ventilation systems that help reduce noise pollution.
• Shore power connections (Power Lock system) whenever ports provide electrical outlets, with most vessels fitted with low-energy electrical systems.
• Winter mooring in river ports with electrical connections that supply onboard power, helping reduce noise and emissions.
• Electric buses for tours in Paris, providing quieter and less-polluting transportation.
• Environmental awareness initiatives that encourage guests to reuse bath towels through written and verbal communication.
• Partnership with Imprim'Vert to promote environmentally responsible printing, using vegetable-based inks and unbleached paper for company documentation.
• Support for the metropolitan charter "Tous unis pour plus de biodiversité" (All United for Greater Biodiversity), promoting eco-friendly management of green spaces at the river terminal.
• Digitized travel journals and feedback forms that reduce paper consumption while creating a smoother guest experience.
• Waste sorting and compaction onboard before recycling.
• Food and organic waste collection by specialized companies for biogas production.
• Used engine oil collection and processing by onshore specialists.
• Cleaning products selected to minimize environmental impact.
• Exterior paints free from pollutants.
• Biodegradable cardboard straws, cups, and utensils replacing plastic alternatives.
• CroisiEurope is a member of E2F (Entreprises Fluviales de France), an association that brings together industry stakeholders and coordinates joint initiatives to address the major challenges of the future.
• CroisiEurope complies with the requirements of the CDNI for navigation on the Rhine (Convention on the Collection, Deposit and Reception of Waste in Rhine Navigation) and has decided to apply the same standards across all rivers.
• CroisiEurope also implements the unified charter of commitments for cruise lines operating in Mediterranean waters, with the vessel La Belle des Océans achieving 81% compliance.

Actions on the quays

• Abandonment of the use of phytosanitary products for the maintenance of green spaces.
• Reduction of mowing
• Reduction of light pollution
• Increase of the canopy (presence of trees)
• Planting of local species (trees and shrubs)
• Planting of rural hedges
• Protection of wildlife
• The fight against the feeding of wild animals
• Creation of a waterhole