CroisiEurope’s brand new Loire Princesse came another step closer to reality last week, as her keel was laid at Drydock B at STX France in Saint-Nazaire.

Measuring 295 feet in length, the Loire Princesse will enter service in 2015 along the stunning Loire River, where she will sail six-to-eight day voyages that visit numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Saint-Nazaire, Ancenis, Angers, the Chateaux of the Loire Valley, Saumur, Bouchemaine, and Nantes, France.

The ship’s two central blocks, weighing between 110 and 120 tons apiece, were transferred to the shipyard from MECASOUD where they were built. Loire Princesse’s keel was laid last week, and the vessel’s bow and stern blocks are still under construction. The ship’s distinctive paddle wheels – one mounted on each side of the vessel – will be added during October, before Loire Princesse is transferred to the fitting-out dock at STX France.

Once she has been transferred to the fitting-out dock, installation of Loire Princesse’s 48 staterooms can begin.

CroisiEurope tapped Sterling Design International to head up its newest and most unique vessel yet. CroisiEurope was established in 1976, and with the launch of the line’s new Raymonde barge this past spring, their total fleet count stands at nearly 40 individual vessels ranging from barges, river cruise ships and hybrid-ocean-river cruisers. They offer sailings throughout Europe including the Mediterranean coastline, as well as along the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Learn more about CroisiEurope by viewing our company overview here on River Cruise Advisor