Las Vegas, October 08, 2024 – Following Transcend Cruises' announcement of their initial construction contract with Den Breejen Shipyard in Holland, the company's leadership and their design partner, leading luxury cruise and yacht architects, Tillberg Design of Sweden, have detailed the first purpose-built ship's spaces and elements designed exclusively for the group market. The first Transcend ship will set sail in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Transcend will provide both meeting and incentive planners and the affinity market with highly functional and elevated options never before offered on the rivers of Europe, providing innovative alternatives to land based conferences and events.  

“Today's group, meeting, incentive travel, and affinity program organizers demand innovation and flexibility to suit their client's needs, all while delivering a level of service they would expect from a five-star hotel on land. Transcend is truly a gamechanger for these market segments,” said Hans Rood, Transcend's CEO.

Transcend Cruises' 135-meter ships will offer revolutionary, adaptable spaces and services designed exclusively for the group market and will redefine the luxury group experience. The vessels boast five separate venues that accommodate all guests for group programs, including a two-story Forum theater for events from lectures to concerts, as well as highly flexible settings for social and professional experiences including meetings, dining, presentations and breakouts. All the venues feature cutting-edge technologies that surpass many hotels and resorts.

“This is a very exciting project for Tillberg Design of Sweden,” said Stefan Nilsson, CEO of the integrated ship and yacht design firm. “Transcend's holistic, client solution-driven design draws from our work in the private yacht sector, adapting it for the commercial group market.”

“We have had an interactive collaboration with Tillberg Design over the last several years. This has prepared us to bring our blend of new ships and a charter-focused business structure that erases current barriers, enabling our MICE and group clients to fully leverage the benefits of exclusive use, luxury river voyages for the first time,” said Transcend's Founder and Chief Visionary Officer, Matthew Shollar.

As a B2B focused platform, Transcend Cruises ships will also be outfitted with a wide range of technologies that empower charter clients to amplify their brands for their guests, through experiential elements such as cutting-edge digital signage, custom lighting, sound, and imagery. Through Transcend's extensive ship-wide branding technology, the client's brand and program are “the star of the show.”

The ship will also offer an unparalleled package of support spaces and technology to enable the organizer's program team to produce the perfect experience.  Cabins for the group's staff, sleeping up to six, are available in addition to the guest staterooms. The ship will offer a client-dedicated, fully- equipped office with printing capabilities.  A second, digitally branded reception desk in the lobby puts the group's staff front and center with their guests. Ample storage space is also available for all the materials that a group requires to bring aboard.

Innovation abounds in accommodations as well as public areas. Up to 120 guests will be accommodated in 60 identical, oversized staterooms that convert in pairs to two-room, two bath suites, allowing the charterer to flex the offering for between 30 to 120 attendees.  Transcend will have up to 60 percent fewer guests than retail-focused European river cruise lines and the highest crew-to-guest ratio on the rivers. 

Transcend Cruises ships also boast a 2,600-square-foot indoor/outdoor fitness, spa and guest wellness facility -- the largest and most comprehensive of any river cruising vessel. Transcend's customized food and beverage program is rooted in European culinary and wine excellence with three chef-driven dining venues and multiple beverage experience spaces. Most notably, Transcend ships are built to deliver responsible travel experiences. Sustainability is a key pillar of the Transcend's culture and strategy.  Sustainable elements are embedded in the ship's construction, onboard experiences, product inclusions and eco-inspired design. Transcend will employ food waste minimization technology and local product sourcing to lessen transport impact and benefit local communities. The company will also proactively manage deployments and dockings to mitigate overtourism, and reduce fuel consumption, utilizing peak shaving battery on hotel and shore loads to boost shore power.

“The global corporate meetings and incentive market, and the luxury travel events sectors have been clamoring for our solution,” said Kimberly Daley, Transcend Cruises' Chief Revenue Officer. “Last year, we launched the Transcend Advance with charters across audience segments including private groups, leisure tour operators, hotel stays, multi-day event venues and corporate meeting and incentives. After this successful preview, we are pleased to introduce our first purpose-built vessel to the group market.  Through this ship, we can more effectively assist corporate and private event planners just in time for the peak MICE, leisure and specialty group travel demand period in a way never done before.”

Bookings for full charters are now open, with sailings commencing in the fourth quarter of 2025 on the Rhine River. Sales are also being accepted for the Danube with Transcend's second ship's sailings starting May 1, 2026.    

More information is available via the company's just launched new website.

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About Transcend Cruises

Transcend Cruises is a new, global B2B charter-only river cruising company. The company introduces a business model uniquely customized for private buyout group travel, filling a void in the market.  Through a purpose-built fleet of wellness-enabling luxury river cruise ships, and an innovative service model designed for multi-day tours, meetings and events, the company custom crafts experiences for each client. The company's ships deliver the space configuration, accommodations flexibility, and exceptional support to solve the challenges experienced by meeting, incentive corporate group and event buyers.

About Den Breejen Shipyard

Based in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Holland, and founded in 1947, Den Breejen Shipyard is a world-renowned specialist in custom-built passenger river vessels.

About Tillberg Design of Sweden

Founded in 1964, Tillberg Design of Sweden, has more than 50 years of experience bringing together interior design, signage and branding to create luxury yacht dreamscapes.    

Media Contact

Chuck Mardiks / Mardiks PR

chuck@mardikspr.com

P: 646.283.5273