In 2023, Transcend Cruises launched a first-of-its-kind, charter-only river cruise line and, according to co-founder Matthew Shollar, the groups who sailed during the past year have been impressed with the concept.
Shollar, who also holds the title of chief visionary officer for Transcend Cruises, says the line sailed more than 20 charters in its first year. The cruises on the Rhine and Moselle rivers and waterways in Belgium and the Netherlands were well-received by a range of cruisers, including those who joined the Christmas Markets voyage I sailed in December on Germany’s Rhine River.
“Our onboard team performed above and beyond, gaining feedback scores that are truly exceptional from very demanding corporate and leisure-group program buyers and operators,” Shollar said.
I can attest that the food, service and programming were at the highest levels, representing what any cruiser would expect on a luxury all-inclusive sailing. And, as we had just 20 passengers onboard for our holiday charter, we were treated to an energetic and attentive crew.
Transcend Cruises is in the process of building its own fleet of ships that will offer fully flexible programs and spaces onboard, with meetings rooms; food and drink venues; and 60 staterooms for up to 120 passengers that can be converted into 30 two-bathroom suites for 60 guests.
Starting Up Operations and Refining the Programming
While the vessels are being built — at least 10 newbuilds are slated to launch between 2025 and 2028 — Transcend began business by chartering the former Crystal Mahler, renamed Riverside Mahler as part of Riverside Luxury Cruises.
The 110-passenger luxury ship, which commenced charters in August 2023, is temporarily called Transcend Advance and will continue operations through 2024, allowing the company to start building brand awareness while also refining the programming.
“By bringing Transcend Advance online, we have been able to start our operations; source and train our onboard team; and integrate findings from client programs into current and future program elements and offerings,” Shollar said. “Plus, we can introduce the opportunity to the many charter clients who are now able to benefit from our truly unique value proposition.”
Transcend Cruises is expecting to gain momentum this year with the steel-cutting of its first newbuild, which will debut mid-2025.
Transcend is working on a fleet of newbuilds.
Credit: 2024 Transcend Cruises“We are serving a large base of disparate types of groups,” Shollar said. “Everything from short corporate off-sites, destination personal events and historical touring affinity groups to family buyouts — and, of course, incentive groups. [We are] creating programs that our clients can't replicate anywhere else."
Shollar says the line is eager to build more relationships within the travel advisor community, which is a target group the company will further reach out to this year.
“Any advisor or agency that regularly sells groups can and should be in the Transcend charter space,” he said. “It offers much stronger client customization and exclusive-use benefits, no blackout dates, competitive FIT pricing and discounting, fully unique itineraries created by you for your client and non-capped earning potential.”
According to Transcend Cruises’ ethos, European river cruising is especially suited for customized sailings. This means personalized itineraries, dining, tours, voyage length and more — which clients will love and advisors will benefit from.
