The French capital has witnessed a milestone for river cruise company CroisiEurope with the launch of its new ship, the MS RE WAYDELICH LJ , followed by its maiden voyage on the Seine in March 2026. Although it is the company's third paddlewheel ship, this modern vessel, the result of a complete refurbishment, will be CroisiEurope 's first paddlewheel ship to sail the Seine, combining contemporary elegance with the intimacy characteristic of the French company.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 76 – March 2026
The MS RE WAYDELICH LJ is a two-deck, five-anchor ship with a capacity for 81 passengers, designed to offer a welcoming, elegant, and panoramic environment. Following its renovation and interior redesign, the ship features a modern and refined décor, with warm materials, comfortable furnishings, and large windows that allow guests to constantly enjoy the surroundings.
Its river-view cabins, located between the main deck and the upper deck, are designed to offer a comfortable and bright stay, featuring large windows that allow guests to enjoy the scenery from the privacy of their own room. These cabins, approximately 14 m², can be configured with double or single beds and feature décor characterized by soft tones, contemporary furnishings, and a functional layout that optimizes space. The large glass surfaces provide a feeling of spaciousness and a direct connection to the outdoors. Single cabins are also available, ideal for travelers who wish to enjoy the cruise in complete privacy, as well as a cabin adapted for people with reduced mobility, designed with more space and accessibility.
The MS RE Waydelich LJ will sail on the Seine with various programs on itineraries combining sailing between Paris and Normandy
All cabins on the ship are equipped with a private bathroom with shower and toilet, TV, internal telephone, safe, hair dryer, adjustable air conditioning, Wi-Fi connection, 220V electricity as well as towels and bath products.
Furthermore, the common areas include a panoramic lounge with a bar located on the upper deck, which serves as the ship's main social hub. This bright space, surrounded by large windows, allows guests to enjoy views of the river while participating in the scheduled onboard activities. During the voyage, the lounge hosts a variety of events, from relaxing and conversing over drinks to cultural presentations, lectures about the destinations visited, entertainment, and dance evenings, among others.
At the rear of the lounge is an outdoor terrace, ideal for relaxing with a drink while the boat cruises peacefully along the river.
The restaurant, located on the main deck, is where all meals on the cruise are served. Its design incorporates panoramic windows that allow guests to admire the river scenery while enjoying the onboard cuisine. The ambiance is elegant yet relaxed, in keeping with the intimate style of river cruises. The cuisine, highly praised by CroisiEurope passengers, draws its inspiration primarily from European and regional culinary traditions, with menus prepared onboard that pay special attention to seasonal produce. During the Seine itinerary, this gastronomic offering typically includes French cuisine and local specialties from the regions along the river, paired with carefully selected wines.
The sundeck is the ship's main outdoor space. It's furnished with sun loungers and armchairs, making it the perfect place to relax, soak up the sun, or admire the scenery as the ship glides smoothly along the river. From this upper deck, you'll enjoy some of the best views of the surrounding area, especially while cruising along scenic stretches or passing through historic towns.
The MS RE WAYDELICH LJ is also a prime example of sustainable navigation. Its paddlewheel propulsion system not only pays homage to the tradition of European river cruises on shallow waterways, but also allows for smoother, more efficient navigation, reducing energy consumption and the impact on the river. The ship's design minimizes disturbance to aquatic ecosystems and optimizes water displacement, resulting in a smaller environmental footprint. Furthermore, CroisiEurope has implemented waste and water management systems, as well as measures to reduce single-use plastics, aligning itself with the latest responsible industry practices. These features make the MS RE WAYDELICH LJ a choice that combines luxury, tradition, and sustainability on every river voyage.
The inaugural cruise. Six days of history and culture.
The 5-night inaugural cruise offered a privileged perspective of Paris and the surrounding region, combining history, gastronomy, and iconic landscapes along the banks of the Seine.
The trip offered experiences such as discovering Paris on foot, exploring the Île de la Cité, admiring the exteriors of Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle, followed by a ride in a vintage Citroën 2CV from the Eiffel Tower to the Champs-Élysées. It also included a visit to La Roche-Guyon and its castle, followed by a cruise to Rouen, with views of its quays and cathedral, culminating in a lively evening of dancing on board. Other highlights included a visit to the Joan of Arc Historical Society and a cruise through picturesque Norman villages, as well as visits to Mantes-la-Jolie and Poissy, with a stop at the majestic Palace of Versailles, before returning to Paris along the Seine for an elegant gala dinner. A journey filled with cultural experiences and unique panoramic views of the river and the Parisian region.
Following its renovation and interior redesign, the ship features a modern and refined decor
Following its maiden voyage, the MS RE WAYDELICH LJ will sail the Seine with various programs on itineraries that combine sailing between Paris and Normandy with cultural stops in historic cities and charming towns. These routes allow passengers to explore some of the most iconic stretches of the Seine Valley, a historic corridor that for centuries has connected the French capital with the Normandy coast and has been the setting for important cultural, artistic, and political events in French history.
The eight-day "History of France: Paris to Normandy" cruise begins and ends in Paris, with stops in Melun, Mantes-la-Jolie, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, and La Roche-Guyon, sailing through some of the river's most iconic landscapes. During the trip, excursions are organized to emblematic sites of French heritage, such as the Château de Fontainebleau, the Palace of Versailles, the Musée Seine dedicated to river navigation, and the Château de Taillis in Normandy. Guided tours of Rouen—known as the "city of a hundred bell towers"—and excursions to Giverny to visit Claude Monet's house and gardens, one of the places most closely associated with the Impressionist movement, are also included. This program also offers the option of adding a combined air and land package from Madrid on certain dates.
Meanwhile, the six-day "Little Gems on the Banks of the Seine" itinerary offers a shorter route focused on the river valley and towns with a strong historical and artistic character. The program includes stops in Melun, Saint-Mammès, Corbeil-Essonnes, and La Roche-Guyon, as well as Paris, allowing travelers to discover smaller towns with lesser-known but equally representative heritage. Optional excursions include a visit to the Château de Fontainebleau, strolls through the medieval village of Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne—which inspired the painter Alfred Sisley—a visit to the castle and studio of the artist Rosa Bonheur, and tours of the Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris. The trip concludes with an excursion to Giverny to visit Monet's house and gardens, as well as several scenic cruises that offer views of the Seine's meanders and the landscapes that inspired numerous Impressionist painters.
The MS RE WAYDELICH LJ proved itself during its maiden voyage on the Seine to be a vacation option perfectly suited for both adults and families. Intimate and comfortable spaces, refined cuisine, cultural activities, and proximity to the river provide a complete experience for all travelers. Furthermore, the personalized attention of the crew and the ship's welcoming atmosphere ensure that every passenger enjoys a memorable and unique journey. And let's not forget the all-inclusive experience characteristic of the company's cruises, which further enhances guest comfort.
The inauguration ceremony and successful inaugural voyage mark the beginning of a new era for CroisiEurope, adding to its itineraries on the world's rivers the opportunity to discover Paris and its surroundings from a unique, elegant, and environmentally responsible perspective aboard the MS RE WAYDELICH LJ.
Opening ceremony – CroisiEurope celebrates its 50th anniversary
On March 15, the new MS RE WAYDELICH LJ celebrated its grand opening in the Port de Grenelle, Paris, with a program that combined a press conference, where specialized media, partners, and representatives of CroisiEurope were able to learn firsthand about the ship's features and the itineraries for its inaugural season, with an official ceremony. This included the traditional ribbon-cutting and speeches by company executives, accompanied by members of the press, partners, and special guests. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a cocktail lunch on board and toured the ship's decks, exploring its spaces and admiring the river views.
This inauguration coincides with the 50th anniversary of the company, founded by Gérard Schmitter.
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