By
Rebecca Gibson |
CroisiEurope and the Schmitter family inaugurated their new paddlewheel ship, Elbe Princesse, in Tegel, Berlin on 14 April.
Around 100 guests watched as the newbuild was christened by godparents Anke Rehlinger, minister of economic affairs in Saarland, Germany, and Jean-Claude Tribolet who represented Philippe Etienne, the French ambassador. After the ceremony, the Schmitter family gave guests a personal tour of the ship and hosted an onboard cocktail party.
Elbe Princesse, which left the STX France yard in Saint-Nazaire on 10 February, is CroisiEurope’s 43rd river vessel and its second paddlewheel riverboat. Unlike classic propulsion vessels, the 95m paddlewheeler will be able to cruise the shallow waters of the Elbe and draw alongside docks in the centre of cities.
The vessel is able to accommodate 80 passengers in 40 cabins, which are equipped with wifi, HVAC systems, flat-screen TVs, a radio, minibar, safe and a hairdryer. She also features a panoramic restaurant, a large bar and lounge with a dance floor, and a spacious sun deck with a pool and chaises lounges.
Elbe Princess will embark on her inaugural cruise on 19 April when she will take guests between Berlin and Prague, Czech Republic on the Elbe and Vltava rivers. She will continue to sail between the two cities year-round, calling at destinations such as Potsdam, Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Meissen and Dresden in Germany, as well as Litomerice, Czech Republic.