New Luxury Vessel About to Transform River Cruises
Sweden's Tillberg Design intends to make the current, rather utilitarian river cruise ships, a thing of the past as it unveils a gorgeous new vessel that takes design cues from luxury superyachts.
Whilst the world of luxury cruising on the high seas has recently undergone a transformation with boutique super-luxe offerings from Aman, Orient Express and Four Seasons, a radical upgrade is about to hit European waterways too.
River cruise ships are typically low, flat, and boxy, as that shape allows them to pass under bridges and access narrow passages. And since most such ships are rather dowdy, the Swedish company believes that Connect - the name of their first new luxury vessel - will transform the options for those interested in such cruises. With its sleek, stylish design, it is also likely to reduce the average of passengers.
It looks fabulous from the outside, but step inside and the elegant interior is a world apart from the current ships operating on the waterways of Europe. The material palette is more akin to that of a superyacht or high-end hotel rather than a traditional cruise ship, with natural timbers, textured stones, warm metals, and soft fabrics. The decor is not overly fussy or formal, but rather relaxed and refined. Large windows also allow the rivers themselves to become part of the onboard environment.
Click to enlarge | Images credit: Tillberg Design of Sweden
“Rather than creating the feeling of being inside a ship, we wanted guests to feel as though they were moving through a contemporary boutique hotel or private yacht that just happens to travel along Europe’s rivers,” says the company.
Designed for Transcend Cruises, the newcomer is geared toward private charters and high-end group travel. It is outfitted with 60 generous staterooms, with guest accommodation spread across two decks. The staterooms can also be combined to create 30 larger suites. The 120 guests will be cared for by 54 crew members, resulting in what the operator says is one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios on any river cruise ship.
Connect is currently in the final stages of outfitting in the Netherlands, with the launch of cruises on the Rhine expected sometime later this year. Prices have not yet been announced.
