CroisiEurope held the official inauguration ceremony for the MS RE WAYDELICH LJ, its first paddlewheel cruiser to sail the Seine, last Sunday at the Port de Grenelle in Paris. The event brought together trade media, partners, industry guests, and company representatives for a presentation, an onboard tour, and an inaugural toast.
The ceremony unfolded in a distinctly commemorative atmosphere. The day included a press conference, during which CroisiEurope presented the features of the new ship and the itineraries for its inaugural season on the Seine, followed by the official inauguration ceremony, with the traditional ribbon-cutting, official speeches, and a cocktail reception on board. After the ceremony, attendees toured the ship's decks and were able to experience firsthand its panoramic spaces, its restaurant, and its common areas with views of the river and the French capital.
The new five-anchor vessel has two decks, 42 cabins, and capacity for 81 passengers, with a concept that combines the charm of traditional paddlewheel sailing with a contemporary, intimate, and refined experience. CroisiEurope describes the ship as a tribute to an inspiring artistic figure, referring to Raymond-Émile Waydelich, the Alsatian artist after whom it is named.
On board, the MS RE WAYDELICH LJ offers bright outside cabins, a panoramic restaurant, a lounge with a bar and terrace, as well as a sun deck designed to enjoy the scenery of the Seine.
Although this is CroisiEurope's third paddlewheel cruiser, it is the first of its kind that the company has dedicated to the Seine, offering itineraries such as "The History of France from Paris to Normandy," an eight-day cruise with stops in locations like Melun, Mantes-la-Jolie, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, and La Roche-Guyon, and "Little Gems on the Banks of the Seine," a shorter itinerary focused on towns and landscapes linked to art, history, and Impressionism. Both routes include excursions to iconic sites such as Versailles, Fontainebleau, and Giverny, solidifying a strong emphasis on cultural immersion.
The Paris ceremony also served to showcase the blend of tradition and modernity that CroisiEurope aims to embody: a ship with historical inspiration, yet redesigned to meet the expectations of today's traveler, offering comfort, proximity to the destination, and a more exclusive experience. In this respect, the launch of the MS RE WAYDELICH LJ reinforces the company's position as one of Europe's leading specialists in river cruises and expands its presence on one of France's most iconic routes.
As CroisiEurope conveyed during the inauguration, the entry into service of the MS RE WAYDELICH LJ represents a new chapter for the company on the Seine and a way to continue bringing travelers closer to the history, art and landscapes of France through an intimate, elegant and distinctive product.
Following the inaugural ceremony, the ship embarked on its first cruise with a five-night itinerary offering a unique perspective of Paris and Normandy. The cruise combined scenic sailing, heritage, and gastronomy, with experiences such as tours of the Île de la Cité, views of Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle, a Citroën 2CV tour of the French capital, and stops in locations including La Roche-Guyon, Rouen, Mantes-la-Jolie, and Poissy. A visit to the Palace of Versailles was also included before the ship's return to Paris for a farewell gala dinner.
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