Transcend Cruises has begun construction on its first custom-built riverboat, which it expects to put into service in 2026.
The charter-only river cruise line held a steel-cutting ceremony last week, signalling the start of a project that will see the vessel cruising the Rhine River. A name for the new ship has yet to be announced.
Up to 120 guests will be accommodated in identical, oversized staterooms that convert in pairs to suites, allowing the charterer to flex the offering for between 30 and 120 attendees.
“With the steel cutting, we are thrilled to be entering this exciting construction phase,” said Hans Rood, CEO.
“We’ve benefited from serving the charter market with our MS Advance over the past 18 months, proving that our concept is right on target for our new builds from all sectors of the group market including MICE, tour operators, private events, direct corporations, affinity groups and from leisure and corporate agencies. We have strong booking demand from markets around the world including the Americas and Europe, as well as Asia, Middle East, Oceania and beyond.”
The vessel’s hull will be constructed at the Orsova Shipyard in Romania, and completion is expected next summer. Then, it will travel to the Den Breejen Shipyard in the Netherlands for outfitting and commissioning.
Transcend Cruises’ 135-meter ships are designed for the luxury group market, offering customizable spaces and services. The vessels feature five venues, including "The Forum," a two-story amphitheatre, and "The Studio," a 1,500-square-foot configurable space with A/V capabilities tailored for meetings and located near dedicated client offices and staff cabins.
Transcend says its ships prioritize sustainability with circular material use, hybrid propulsion systems, and low-emissions engines.
Over the past 18 months, Transcend has been testing its B2B charter model with Advance, a ship chartered from Riverside Luxury Cruises. The Advance—formerly known as the Crystal Mahler—has been catering to a wide range of group markets, including meetings, incentives, events, tours, and affinity groups.
Transcend is currently accepting charter bookings for 2026 and beyond, although space is becoming limited in the launch year.
