Croisieurope Celebrates 50th Anniversary & One Of Its Most Successful Years To Date

Tuesday, Apr 21, 2026 0

This May, French cruise operator CroisiEurope is celebrating its 50^th anniversary along with an incredibly successful 2025, during which it carried over 205,000 passengers, served 1.8 million meals and reached 97% occupancy across its fleet of 50 river and ocean ships and hotel barges.

Founded on 1^st May 1976 by Gérard Schmitter in Strasbourg as Alsace Croisières, CroisiEurope has grown from a local river lunch-cruise operator into a leading European river cruise line. The family-owned company, rebranded to CroisiEurope in 1997, has built its reputation on innovation, becoming a major shipowner that builds, owns and operates a fleet of over 50 ships offering affordable, diverse itineraries across Europe and worldwide.

Historical milestones include:

1976: Gérard Schmitter founds Alsace Croisières, offering restaurant

cruises on the Rhine near Strasbourg.

1982: The company acquires its first boat, L’Alsace 1, offering cruises from

Strasbourg to Rüdesheim.

1990: A major turning point occurs when the company begins acting as a

shipowner, commissioning its first bespoke boat, the MS Liberté.

1993: Launch of first cruises on the Danube.

1995: Launch of first cruises on the Rhône and Saône.

1997: Renamed CroisiEurope, marking its expansion beyond regional French

waterways.

1998: Launch of first cruises on the Seine and the Volga.

1999: Gérard Schmitter hands the company over to his children.

2000: Launch of first cruises in Venice, its lagoon and on the Po.

2002: Launch of first cruises on the Douro.

2004: Launch of first cruises on the Danube.

2005: Launch of first cruises on the Guadalquivir.

2007: Enters the coastal cruising market with MV La Belle de l’Adriatique.

2011: Launch of first cruises on the Gironde and Garonne.

2012: Launch of first cruises on the Mekong.

2013: Introduces first hotel barge cruises on the French canals.

2015: Introduces first paddlewheel ship on the Loire.

2017: Launch of first cruises on the Elbe and Vltava.

2019: Introduces its second ocean ship, La Belle des Oceans.

2020: Launch of unique safari cruises on Lake Kariba in Southern Africa.

2027: CroisiEurope to launch a brand new ship and itineraries on the Amazon.

CroisiEurope celebrated its 50^th anniversary last month with a high-profile gala in Strasbourg which was hosted by three generations of the Schmitter family. The event featured eight illuminated ships, 250 crew members and 50 chefs who delivered a high end culinary experience showcasing the richness and diversity of French gastronomy. Guests were also treated to an aquatic show on the Rhine which traced CroisiEurope’s journey over five decades, from its European roots to destinations as far afield as Southern Africa and Cambodia.

To commemorate the 50^th anniversary, CroisiEurope has launched a paddlewheel ship on the Seine along with a range of themed cruises including, wine, food and hiking.