{"id":23168,"date":"2016-04-17T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-17T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/?p=23168"},"modified":"2022-05-23T08:21:37","modified_gmt":"2022-05-23T12:21:37","slug":"live-havel-elbe-princesse-sets-sail-berlin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/2016\/04\/live-havel-elbe-princesse-sets-sail-berlin\/","title":{"rendered":"Live From the Havel: Elbe Princesse Sets Sail From Berlin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why CroisiEurope\u2019s Newest Ship Is Worth The Trip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"CroisiEurope's<\/a>
CroisiEurope’s Elbe Princesse, docked near Potsdam, Germany on April 15, 2016. Photo \u00a9 2016 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

CroisiEurope<\/strong>\u2019s brand-new Elbe Princesse<\/em><\/strong> rumbled to life for the first time during our short preview cruise today, as we sailed down the River Havel <\/strong>from Berlin<\/strong> to Potsdam<\/strong>. It\u2019s a short journey of approximately 30 kilometres, but just long enough for us to enjoy some scenic cruising and see how the ship handles when she\u2019s in motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paddlewheels and Pump Jets<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"One<\/a>
One of Elbe Princesse’s two paddlewheels by day… Photo \u00a9 2016 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"...and<\/a>
…and by night. Photo \u00a9 2016 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

By now, you probably know that Elbe Princesse is the second CroisiEurope vessel to feature paddlewheel propulsion, following in the footsteps of the line\u2019s Loire Princesse<\/strong>, which debuted in April of 2015 on the Loire River. But, like me, you may not have known that the ship doesn\u2019t necessarily have to fire up the paddlewheels to get moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elbe Princesse is also equipped with a propulsion system called pump jets<\/strong>, which are pretty much exactly as they sound: jets powered by sea water sucked in through an intake, then expelled rapidly through the other end. This system allows the ship to move with more precision than the paddlewheels allow (though, when fired up, the wheels really get things moving along).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"At<\/a>
At night, colored lighting mounted to the inside of the wheel well cycles through a variety of vibrant colors. Photo \u00a9 2016 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The ship has been well-designed, placing accommodations all the way forward and the ship\u2019s public rooms directly over the engines. This was a good decision on two fronts: when in motion, there is some engine noise and vibration bleed-through that is noticeable in the ship\u2019s Lounge and Dining Room, but nothing that would cause undue discomfort. When the paddles are in motion, there\u2019s also a rather pleasant bounce<\/em> to the stern as the paddlewheels bite into the water and drive the ship forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo<\/a>
Photo \u00a9 2016 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

At full speed, the ship vibrates and bounces more than traditional river cruise ships. Glasses and flowers rock gently back and forth on tables. It\u2019s novel rather than irritating, but it\u2019s something you should be prepared for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A New Baby In 11 Months<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"You'd<\/a>
You’d never know by stepping onboard that Elbe Princesse took just 11 months to construct. Photo \u00a9 2016 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

CroisiEurope planned and built Elbe Princesse in just 11 months, drawing on the company\u2019s experiences on the Loire with the trendsetting Loire Princesse. How quickly the ship came together is remarkable: the design phase commenced just one year ago, in April 2015. The first steel was cut in June of last year, and the ship\u2019s two construction blocks were moved into drydock in October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Float-out was done in November, and by January of this year, the ship\u2019s two giant paddlewheels were installed. Sea trials were conducted in February, and the final fitting-out work was completed shortly thereafter. It took five days to transfer the ship from the Loire Estuary to its home in Berlin; a process that only took place this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Family Cruise Experience<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"CroisiEurope's<\/a>
CroisiEurope’s friendly crews make guests of all nationalities feel at home. Photo \u00a9 2016 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This is my first CroisiEurope experience. My colleague, Ralph Grizzle<\/strong>, has done several sailings with the line now<\/a>, and has always come back with positive experiences. I can understand why: though CroisiEurope is not a luxury product by any means (nor does it intend to be), it delivers a remarkably comfortable, friendly, European river cruise experience that feels a bit like you have close friends in France who just happened to invite you on a river cruise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is, of course, international; if you\u2019re expecting things to be American in style onboard, you\u2019ll be disappointed: this is a French and European experience through-and-through. But, in many ways, that\u2019s advantageous. CroisiEurope has been doing this for 40 years now, and they\u2019ve learned a thing or two along the way. The company has also stuck close to its roots: after being founded by the late Gerard Schmitter<\/strong> in 1976, the Schmitter family still largely runs the company, with the third generation of Schmitters poised to lead the company into the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The Lounge aboard the Elbe Princesse. Photo \u00a9 2016 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Several family members mingled with the small group of journalists and travel professionals onboard, and they exhibit a kindness that clearly passes down to the ship\u2019s crew. They\u2019re also smart: they know the industry as well as any person I\u2019ve met. Respectably, they have good things to say about competitors like Viking River Cruises and AmaWaterways. But they feel they can always improve and innovate, and the Elbe Princesse is an example of that innovation \u2013  on both technical and itinerary sides of the spectrum \u2013 at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did We Mention It\u2019s Sold Out?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Reception<\/a>
Reception Lobby, facing port. Photo \u00a9 2016 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Now, for the kicker: Elbe Princesse\u2019s entire 2016 season is already sold out, according to CroisiEurope officials. Next year is booking up rapidly, too. That in itself is remarkable because the line is eager to court guests from both Canada and the United States, yet has such a strong passenger base within Europe that the latest departures and itineraries are booked solid by some of the line\u2019s most loyal repeat guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"When<\/a>
When weather cooperates, the Sun Deck is the place to be. Photo \u00a9 2016 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Still, English speaking guests are always welcome aboard CroisiEurope\u2019s ships, and the line really goes out of its way to court those guests and make them feel at home with the ship\u2019s European passengers. While guests can certainly mingle, CroisiEurope makes special effort to seat English-speaking guests together at the same tables for lunch and dinner; a nice touch that\u2019s made those of us onboard who speak few (if any) other languages feel right at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elbe Princesse Sails On<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

With sailings for 2016 sold out, English-speaking guests that find the idea of sailing the Elbe from Berlin to Prague intriguing are wise to look at departures in 2017. On April 19, Elbe Princesse sets out on her very first revenue voyage. For a ship that only took 11 months to construct, it appears CroisiEurope\u2019s return-on-investment will be a good one, indeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo<\/a>
Photo \u00a9 2016 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Our Voyage Report <\/em><\/strong>from onboard CroisiEurope\u2019s Elbe Princesse <\/strong>will continue with our guide to A Day in Berlin. Be sure to follow along with our adventures on Twitter <\/em>@deckchairblog<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Why CroisiEurope\u2019s Newest Ship Is Worth The Trip CroisiEurope\u2019s brand-new Elbe Princesse rumbled to life for the first time during our short preview cruise today, as we sailed down the River Havel from Berlin to Potsdam. It\u2019s a short journey of approximately 30 kilometres, but just long enough for us to enjoy some scenic cruising […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":23778,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"full-width-content","footnotes":""},"categories":[171,504],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23168"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23168"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23168\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}