The first purpose-built river ship for the corporate group, meetings and incentive markets is set to embark on its first sailing this August, according to executives of Transcend Cruises, speaking at an event in New York. The first ship is called Connect, with the next one — Evolve — to follow in May 2027. The following two — Create and Engage — are scheduled to be delivered in late 2027 and early 2028, respectively.
Matthew Shollar, chief visionary officer, said he has been working in and around the cruise business for 25 years and found that everything was consumer focused — with no B2B-targeted product — until Transcend.
Asked about the corporate travel market, Shollar told BTE: “There are brokers in the corporate area that we work with. However, travel managers and TMCs should feel free to contact us directly.”
Every Transcend sailing will be a full-ship charter, and, according to Kimberley Daley, COO, group travel planners “shouldn’t be scared of the word charter.” She said Transcend sets a net price, and then clients can fully customize the excursions.
On the ship, she said, “we are the brand behind the business,” explaining that the focus of every sailing is on the brand. For example, there are large screens on each side of the ship’s exterior that can display whatever message or graphic the client would like to present.
“This is the first river cruise experience designed only for groups,” said Daley, adding, “there’s no fixed format.” She said the company does provide sample itineraries, but the actual itinerary is up to the client — even using a ship as a floating hotel in port. And the length of the cruise is also flexible — down to a single night.
There are plans for 12 ships eventually. Each vessel has 60 identical staterooms that are fully convertible to two-room suites, each providing a full living room, bedroom and two baths. Consequently, capacity can range from 30 to 120 attendees. Transcend carries up to 60% fewer guests than retail-focused European river cruise lines, with one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in the industry, according to the company.
The vessels boast five separate venues capable of accommodating all 120 guests, including the Forum, a two-story amphitheater for group programs ranging from leadership talks and destination expert-led presentations to concerts and performances. The Studio on the first deck can accommodate meetings of any size and format. All the venues, according to Transcend, feature “cutting-edge” technologies that rival any shoreside hotel, as well as highly flexible settings for social and professional experiences including dining, presentations and breakouts. As a B2B-focused platform, according to the company, the ships are outfitted with a wide range of “brand-amplification” technologies for clients, including digital signage; and custom lighting, sound and imagery.
The ships offer a 2,600-square-foot indoor/outdoor fitness, spa and guest wellness facility. The food and beverage program, according to the company, is “rooted in European culinary and wine excellence” with three “chef-driven” dining venues and multiple “beverage experience” spaces.
