Croisi Europe
The Croisi Europe line brand ("Alsace Croisieres" until 1997) is a French river cruise company, which is family owned and run, and based in Strasbourg. The line specializes in river cruising and also Mediterranean coastal cruises. Mr. Gerard Schmitter founded CroisiEurope in 1976, chartering ms Alsace - his first riverboat - in 1982.
Croisi Europe is one of the leaders on the European river cruising market. The line's riverboats ply most of the of Europe's main waterways - both rivers and canals. Croisi Europe's ships also sail in Asia (Vietnam and Cambodia region). The company also charters boats that cruise on Volga River in Russia, on Irrawaddy River in Burma, and on Chobe and Zambezi rivers in South Africa.
Two of the line's ships are ocean-going and offer Mediterranean small ship cruise deals on coastal itineraries in southern Europe. Throughout the 1990s and the 1st decade of the 21st century, Croisi underwent rapid expansion and as its fleet grew, the line expanded operations outside the French borders. Gerard Schmitter handed management of the party over to his children in 1999.
Croisi Europe currently owns a fleet of prestige category boats cruising all of Europe’s rivers. The cruise experience on board their ships features:
Accommodations vary from 100 to 180 guests depending on the design of the ship. The facilities offer comfort, safety, and cutting-edge technology.
The fleet of is partially renovated each year and carefully maintained, being mostly made up of less than 5-year-old ships. All boats have Veritas certifications. The itinerary options are varied with many of the stops classified as World Heritage Sites.
French is the primary language spoken on board (although most of the staff also speak English and other European languages). The announcements are made in English and in French.
What distinguishes Croisi from other river lines are the moderately-priced fares. Like most European river cruise lines, CroisiEurope deals include soft drinks, beer and wine year-round with lunch and dinner and offers unlimited drinks during the high season April through October, including house spirits. However, the biggest difference is that the guests of the line have to pay extra for shore excursions, though many other lines include these within their fares.
Cruise cabins sizes are comparable to other European river ships, though the decor is more functional than deluxe.
In addition to the main dining room, onboard public spaces include indoor lounge spaces for relaxing. The lounge bar is the main spot for evening entertainment, ranging from traditional regional programmes and music from resident musician to crew shows. The reception area or mezzanine features a small shop. A number of deck chairs for use on sunny days are found on the outdoor-carpeted top deck.
In 2006, Croisi Europe celebrated the company's 30th birthday, and in 2007 opened CroisiMer, a subsidiary company, to manage La Belle de l'Adriatique - its one ocean-going cruise ship. In 2010 Croisi created CroisiYacht brand to manage chartered sailings on Russia's Volga River. In 2014, Croisi Europe bought "Compagnie Fluviale du Mékong" (Mekong River Cruise Company), adding 4 ships on Mekong River.
All inclusive on board:
All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at the bar
Refined French cuisine - Gala dinner and evening - Welcome cocktail
Free Wi-Fi onboard
Headsets are included for excursions
Official welcome from the captain and crew
Onboard activities
Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
All port fees included
Additional expenses:
Airfare and transfers to/from the departure and arrival ports
Personal expenses (e.g., souvenirs, extra drinks beyond those included)
Tips for crew and guides (recommended) from €9 per day per guest
Medical insurance (optional, at your own discretion)
Excursions and activities not included in the program
Additional onboard services (spa, massage, laundry, etc.)
PAYMENT AND BOOKING CONDITIONS:
A deposit 30 % is due within 4 days after confirmation if you pay credit card, bank transfer, or personal check. If you pay by credit card, you must sign an authorization form. If paying by wire transfer, the transfer must be received within 8 days after confirmation. Final payment is due at least 90 days prior to departure. Vouchers will be sent by email at 30 days prior to departure and only when full payment has been made. You are considered confirmed when we receive your deposit of 30 % of the price of the cruise, or, if you are confirmed within 90 days before departure, you are confirmed when we receive your full payment. Failure to pay the balance by the 90-day deadline is a default that entitles us to cancel your agreement and retain your deposit if you do not pay within eight days after notice of nonpayment.
CANCELLATION:
1) TRAVELLER’S RIGHT OF CANCELLATION
The traveller may cancel the contract at any time prior to the start of the trip or stay, subject to the payment of appropriate cancellation fees or, where applicable, standard cancellation fees charged by the organiser or retailer, in accordance with Article L. 211-14 I of the French Tourism Code.
2) CANCELLATION COSTS
In the event of cancellation by the customer, and in accordance with Article L 211-14 of the French Tourism Code, the sums paid will be reimbursed minus the cancellation fees per person specified below, depending on the date of cancellation in relation to the departure date, and the non-refundable costs of insurance, reservation fees and visa fees, as well as all other insurance and cancellation fees required by our suppliers. If one of the passengers in a double room or cabin cancels his/her reservation, the remaining passenger will have to pay the double room or cabin supplement for individual use. All cancellations must be sent to the seller by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt..
Cost of cancelling CroisiEurope river cruises:
• More than 90 days before date of departure: 150 €, not including VAT, in administration fees will be charged per person (fees for themed-weekend and Christmas-market cruises are listed after)
• From 90 to 60 days: 20 % of total amount of cruise package
• From 59 to 30 days: 50 % of total amount of cruise package
• From 29 to 19 days: 60 % of total amount of cruise package
• From 18 to 9 days: 75 % of total amount of cruise package
• 8 days or less before departure: 100 % of total amount of cruise package
For CroisiEurope themed-weekend and Christmas-market river cruises, a cancellation fee of 50 €, not including VAT, will be charged per person at more than 90 days before departure. The fee schedule listed above remains unchanged for these cruises.
Cost of cancelling CroisiEurope seafaring cruises:
• More than 90 days before date of departure: 300 €, not including VAT, in administration fees will be charged per person
• From 90 to 60 days: 40 % of total amount of cruise package
• From 59 to 30 days: 60 % of total amount of cruise package
• From 29 to 9 days: 75 % of total amount of cruise package
• 8 days or less before departure: 100 % of total amount of cruise package
Cancellation terms and conditions above, the cancellation fees for CroisiEurope “New Year’s Eve” river and seafaring cruises are as follows:
• More than 90 days before date of departure: 300 €, not including
VAT, in administration fees will be charged per person
• From 90 to 60 days: 40 % of total amount of cruise package
• From 59 to 30 days: 60 % of total amount of cruise package
• From 29 to 20 days: 75 % of total amount of cruise package
• 19 days or less before departure: 100 % of total amount of cruise package
Cancellation fees for the cruises on the Mekong, Ganges, Nile and in Southern Africa:
• More than 90 days before date of departure: 300 €, not including VAT, in administration fees will be charged per person
• From 90 to 61 days: 35 % of total amount of cruise package
• From 60 to 31 days: 50 % of total amount of cruise package
• From 30 to 20 days: 70 % of total amount of cruise package
• From 19 to 9 days: 80 % of total amount of cruise package
• 8 days or less before departure: 100 % of total amount of cruise package
By accepting these general terms and conditions of sale, the traveller expressly acknowledges that he/she has been previously informed and agrees to the cancellation fees in the manner set out above.
IMPORTANT: All packages including air transport are subject to the general and specific cancellation conditions of the designated airline companies. In the event of cancellation by one or more passengers, the following cancellation conditions shall be applied:
• River, maritime and coastal services: pursuant to the general terms and conditions of CroisiEurope.
• Air transport: terms and conditions of the designated airline company, available on the web sites of the respective airlines or from our booking departments on request.
In addition, the amount of cancellation fees relating to land-based services (hotel, for example) will correspond to the amount of actual fees invoiced by the partner to CroisiEurope.
