First-hand perspective from River Cruise Advisor‘s Ralph Grizzle
Quick Take: Who CroisiEurope Is (and Isn’t) For
CroisiEurope is best for travelers who prioritize itineraries, access and regional immersion over ship décor and North American-style polish – especially repeat river cruisers ready to explore beyond the Rhine and Danube.
It is less ideal for travelers seeking ultra-luxury finishes, expansive cabins, multiple dining venues or a highly curated onboard experience.
River Cruise Advisor Opinion
CroisiEurope is one of the most misunderstood river cruise companies in Europe – largely because it does not market itself the way North American river cruise lines do. CroisiEurope approaches river cruising from the standpoint of engineering, access and geography, not hotel-style luxury.
I’ve had some of the best travel experiences of my life while on CroisiEurope’s luxury hotel barges. Yes, the cabins are on the smallish side, but that’s a necessity on a vessel that traverses France’s beautiful canals. Each year since 2015, with the exception of a couple of Covid years, I host 20 others on one of CroisiEurope’s six barges, typically somewhere in France, although last year, CroisiEurope forayed into Belgium, a trip that I also enjoyed, though I would not rate it as good as the canals in France. What made those trips so special was not just the camaraderie of like-minded travelers but CroisiEurope’s excellent crew, and cuisine that others have told me rivals the Michelin-starred meals they had before boarding.
Canal & Barge Cruising: A Core Strength
Clearly, CroisiEurope is one of the most capable, and overlooked, operators of French canal and barge cruising, a fundamentally different experience from river cruising. Since 2015, I’ve hosted small groups aboard CroisiEurope’s hotel barges in Burgundy, the Oise, Provence and more, gaining a deeper appreciation for how well the company executes canal itineraries.
What stands out consistently on the barges`:
- Intimate onboard atmosphere (We make lots of new friends!)
- Near-Michelin star food
- Strong local partnerships
- Experienced crews on small vessels
For travelers seeking immersion, and for hosts managing small groups, this model works exceptionally well. In many regions, canal cruising is not just an alternative, but the best way to experience France.
On the barges, life unfolds slowly: bicycles on deck, village markets, long lunches, walks along the towpaths` and conversations unbound by schedules.
- Barging in Burgundy with CroisiEurope
- Cruising the Oise: A Different Side of France
- Journey Through The Camargue, By Barge
- 10 Reasons To Barge the French Canals
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What Makes CroisiEurope Different
Ships Designed for Rivers – Not the Other Way Around
CroisiEurope’s defining strength is its willingness to build ships to fit rivers, rather than limit itineraries to rivers that already accommodate standard vessels. In Paris several years ago, I learned why CroisiEurope’s Boticelli was able to cruise through the city and under the low bridges for a spectacular evening cruise through the La Ville Lumière. The ship had been purposefully built to navigate such conditions. CroisiEurope’s ships can get into the center of tiny (and charming) Honfleur. Many ships can’t. And CroisiEurope’s ships also perform well in low water conditions. Nowhere is that more apparent than on the Loire.
In the spring of 2015, I sailed aboard Loire Princesse, a paddle-wheel ship designed specifically to navigate the Loire – one of Europe’s most beautiful yet shallow and unpredictable rivers. Until its launch, no hotel ship had successfully operated there.
This was not innovation for novelty’s sake. The ship opened access to châteaux, villages and landscapes previously off-limits to river cruising. Locals lined the riverbanks to watch – not because the ship was luxurious, but because it simply wasn’t supposed to be there.
It remains one of the most distinctive river cruises I’ve taken.
- Loire Princesse: An Innovative Ship With a Soul
- Loire Princesse – Summing Up A Great Trip
- Video Journey Along The Loire
The French Advantage
Founded in 1976 near Strasbourg as Alsace Croisières by Gérard Schmitter, CroisiEurope evolved from a single excursion boat into a fully ship-owning river cruise company by 1990, rebranding in 1997 as it expanded across Europe. Still family-owned and now led by the founder’s children, the company operates roughly 50 river ships and hotel barges, making it one of the most geographically diverse fleets in European river cruising.
See: River Cruising’s Unlikeliest Pioneer: In Strasbourg, Where River Cruising Changed Course
Being French-flagged is more than a point of pride – it’s an asset logistically as well. While most lines flag their ships in maritime hubs like Switzerland for administrative ease, CroisiEurope’s domestic roots give them a direct line to French regulators and regional partners. This translates to unmatched access to restricted canals and niche rivers.
Onboard Experience
Cabins & Ships
- Functional, well-maintained cabins
- Often smaller than premium North American lines, especially on the barges
- Emphasis on practicality over design-forward luxury on most ships in CroisiEurope’s fleet but not so on its newer ships
Dining
- Fixed dining times are common
- Cuisine is regionally focused, especially strong on French itineraries
- Less choice than luxury lines, but generally well executed
Atmosphere
- International guest mix (often European-majority)
- Quiet, conversational and destination-focused
- Limited onboard entertainment; the destination is the main event
Service Style: What to Expect
CroisiEurope delivers a European service style:
- Efficient, professional and sometimes reserved
- Less overtly solicitous than North American lines
- Appreciated by experienced travelers; occasionally misread by first-timers
What’s Included – and What’s Not
Typically Included
- Cruise accommodations
- All meals onboard
- Wine, beer and soft drinks (often beyond meals)
- Many shore excursions
- Wi-Fi
Often Not Included
- Gratuities
- Transfers (unless specified)
- Some optional excursions
Strengths
- Unmatched itinerary breadth, especially in France
- Purpose-built ships for niche waterways
- Canal and barge expertise (Burgundy, Oise, Alsace, Provence)
- Strong regional cuisine
- Family ownership with operational independence
- Excellent value for destination-driven travelers
Trade-Offs
- Smaller cabins than premium competitors
- Fewer dining and entertainment options
- Less polished onboard aesthetic
- European service style may feel understated to some travelers
Best For
CroisiEurope is best for travelers who:
- Care more about where they go than how glossy the ship feels
- Have already cruised marquee rivers and want something different
- Are curious about canal or barge cruising
- Value regional immersion over onboard indulgence
Not Ideal For
- First-time cruisers seeking a highly curated experience
- Travelers expecting luxury-hotel finishes
- Guests who prefer extensive onboard programming
Bottom Line
CroisiEurope succeeds precisely because it doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. With nearly five decades of experience, continued family leadership, and a willingness to design ships around rivers rather than marketing expectations, it remains one of the most authentic and destination-driven river cruise companies in Europe.
For travelers open to canal cruising – or small groups looking to experience regions like Burgundy, the Oise or Provence in depth – CroisiEurope’s barges are often not just a value option, but the most rewarding one.
Still undecided? Check out our post, Is CroisiEurope Right For You?
Yes, River Cruise Advisor, Send Me Your River Cruise Recommendations
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CroisiEurope In The News
Slow Water: Seven Days On CroisiEurope’s Daniele
Seven days, 52 miles, three waterways — and a crew that made this Besançon-to-Dijon barge journey one of the finest we’ve experienced in more than a decade of hosting trips in France.
Barging & Biking Through Burgundy At Exactly The Right Speed
On a canal barge in Burgundy, slow is not a limitation — it is the whole point. With 54 locks between Besançon and Dijon, the barge sets its own pace, and the towpaths invite you to match it on foot or by bike. Ralph Grizzle explores what it means to move through France at exactly…
Notes From Daniele: Dispatches From Our Barge On The Canal du Rhône au Rhin
Our first excursion came early morning. But I’d been to the Saline Royale before — it’s worth every minute — so this morning I decided to stay on board as Daniele made her way along the Doubs. While the others were on tour, I enjoyed slow travel along the river and canal with just the…
Besançon: Where Our Barge Through Burgundy Begins
Along the Promenade de l’Helvétie, on the banks of the Doubs, a bronze statue commemorates a man most river cruisers have never heard of: Claude Dorothée Marquis de Jouffroy d’Abbans. In 1776, just upriver from here, at Baume-les-Dames where the Cusancin joins the Doubs, de Jouffroy ran the world’s first experiments with a steam-powered boat.…
Paris: A Soft Landing Before Burgundy
In Paris for five days before heading to Besançon and Burgundy, I found Montmartre to be the ideal soft landing — long walks, café life, a good first meal and the quiet pleasure of easing back into Europe.
Connect with CroisiEurope for itineraries and more information.
My husband and I have been on two Croisi trips and are going on our third trip this fall on the Po in Italy. The tours are really great and the tour people assigned are top notch speaking English, German and French on board the ships we were on. The food is five star which keeps us coming back. There is unlimited wine being served at dinner with bottles of red, white and rose on the table. The bar is open after breakfast and included with no charges except for some Champagne and brandies. We have never gotten a liquor bill at the end of our trip. The prices are reasonable for what you get for your money spent. I highly recommend Croisi. - Karen Boblett