Transcend Cruises, a charter-only river cruise shipowner focused on the group travel market, has confirmed the signing of an order for two additional vessels as part of its fleet expansion program.
The agreement was concluded with the Dutch shipbuilder Den Breejen Shipyard, located in Hardinxveld-Giessendam in the Netherlands.
The new order will increase the planned fleet to four ships by 2028. The company’s first vessel, Transcend Connect, is expected to begin operations in July, while the second ship, Transcend Evolve, is scheduled to enter service in 2027.
Earlier plans had envisaged the debut of both ships in 2026, but the delivery schedule has since been adjusted.
The two newly announced vessels will be named Transcend Create and Transcend Engage. According to the current construction timeline, Create is planned for delivery in October 2027, followed by Engage in early 2028. The vessels will follow the same design concept used across the company’s fleet and will accommodate approximately 120 passengers.
Transcend’s riverboats are being developed specifically for the business-to-business charter market, with flexible interior layouts designed for meetings, events, and group travel experiences. The vessels feature large event venues and 60 configurable staterooms that can be combined into 30 two-room suites, allowing operators to host groups ranging from smaller gatherings to the full passenger capacity.
Company representatives indicated that the forthcoming launch of their first newbuild boat marked a significant milestone for the brand. The ship entering service in the near term would represent the first vessel designed exclusively for the group travel market within the river cruise industry.
Transcend has outlined longer-term plans to further expand its fleet, with the possibility of operating up to 12 boats in the future.
Charter agreements for the upcoming boats have already begun to take shape, with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions reported to have secured charter arrangements for two Transcend ships.