With the completion of the first river cruise ship, Connect, and the upcoming construction of the second vessel, Evolve, Transcend Cruises has signed a construction agreement with Den Breejen Shipyard for two additional new ships.

Transcend Cruises, the world’s first exclusively charter luxury river cruise company, has entered into a landmark agreement to expand its fleet, which will grow to four vessels by 2028.

Transcend’s first vessel, Connect, entered service in July 2026. Meanwhile, on 16 March in Orșova, a ceremony was held to celebrate the steel-cutting milestone for Create and the simultaneous keel-laying ceremony for Evolve, which will join the fleet in May 2027. Representing Transcend Cruises at the event were Gregg Marston, Chief Executive Officer, Hans Rood, Chief Development Officer, and Shawn Horwitz, Chairman of the Board of Directors. Den Breejen Shipyard was represented by Wouter Henstra, Commercial Director, and Tom van den Berg, Broker for Rensen-Driessen.

The two new vessels, Create and Engage, are currently in the hull construction phase. At the shipyard in Orșova, Romania, the hulls will later be transported to the Den Breejen Shipyard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, the Netherlands, for final assembly.

Hans Rood, Chief Development Officer of Transcend Cruises, said he was particularly enthusiastic about this milestone, as this is the first river cruise ship built exclusively for the group travel market. Following this important achievement, the presentation of the second vessel and the steel-cutting ceremony for the third ship will take place, with the fourth vessel to follow shortly afterwards. According to Hans Rood, this demonstrates the strong demand from the group travel market and the exceptional bookings received for cruises aboard the first vessel, Connect.

The delivery of Create is scheduled for October 2027, while Engage is expected to join the fleet in the first quarter of 2028. The design of these new vessels follows the concept introduced with the first two ships, Connect and Evolve.

All Transcend Cruises vessels are 135 metres long and redefine the luxury river cruise experience for groups. They feature specially designed spaces and services, including 60 identical cabins. These cabins can be fully converted into true two-room suites, each equipped with a living area, bedroom and two bathrooms. The cabins can be combined in pairs, allowing charterers to tailor the onboard experience to different group sizes, accommodating between 30 and 120 guests.

Following the same concept, Transcend has designed and divided the vessel into five dedicated spaces capable of accommodating all 120 guests. One example is the “Forum”, an exclusive two-level amphitheatre designed for group programmes ranging from leadership conferences and expert-led presentations to concerts and live performances. Another is the “Studio”, located on the first deck and ready to host meetings of any size and format.

All spaces are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies to enhance clients’ brands, including advanced digital signage, customised lighting, audio and video systems, while offering highly flexible environments for both social and professional experiences such as dinners, presentations and group working sessions.

The vessels also feature 240 square metres dedicated to fitness, spa and guest wellness, as well as a customised food and beverage programme inspired by European culinary and wine excellence, with three restaurants on board. In particular, one of Transcend’s core principles is to deliver responsible travel experiences, from the elements involved in the shipbuilding process to onboard experiences, included products and eco-inspired design.

Transcend therefore offers companies, associations and groups a fully customisable floating service that combines mobility, luxury and operational flexibility. Alongside flexible space configurations and convertible accommodation, it represents an innovative service model, transporting up to 60% fewer guests than European river cruise companies focused on the retail market, while offering one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in the industry.

Lucia Angeli