MS Re Waydelich Lj

The 2018-built Re Waydelich Lj cruise ship (fka Elbe Princesse II) was introduced as CroisiEurope’s third paddlewheel-powered riverboat. In 2026, the paddlewheel riverboat was renamed "MS R.E. Waydelich L.J.." and deployed on the Seine River in France. The ship's new name honors Raymond-Emile Waydelich (1938-2024), an Alsatian artist known for his paintings and sculptures.

Construction of the 90-passenger vessel began with a steel-cutting ceremony held in Saint-Nazaire (STX France) on December 8th (2016), following a four-month design phase.

The new vessel was commissioned to expand the company's capacity on routes between Berlin and Prague on the Elbe and Vltava rivers, following the introduction of the paddlewheel ships Loire Princesse (2015) and Elbe Princesse (2016). Each vessel features a shallow draft hull, designed to meet the navigational requirements of these rivers. Two stern paddlewheels power the ship.

Elbe Princesse 2 was delivered in February 2018, starting operations exclusively on the Elbe River. The itineraries were between Berlin and Prague, with ports of call including Potsdam, Lutherstadt Wittenberg, the gardens at Sanssouci Palace, Meissen, and Litomerice.

Elbe Princesse II was designated a “Green Ship,” being designed with a strong focus on environmental sustainability.

MS R.E. Waydelich L.J. was renamed in 2026, the year when CroisiEurope celebrated its 50th Anniversary. The ship was officially named on March 15th (2026) at Quai de Grenelle in downtown Paris.

The shipowner, CroisiEurope, is a family-owned company based in Strasbourg, France. Founded in 1976, this premium brand manages every aspect of its cruise operations - from vessel design and construction to shipboard cuisine and hotel services. CroisiEurope is one of Europe’s largest river cruise companies.

Cabins

The ship features 45 outward-facing staterooms, all with French balconies on the Upper Deck.

Each cabin includes a private bathroom (with WC, sink, and shower cabin), HDTV, radio, phone (internal calls only), dressing table, hairdryer, personal safe, and individually controlled air conditioning.

Shipboard facilities

Onboard amenities include a panoramic lounge with a dance floor and bar, a restaurant with patio terrace, a sun deck with loungers and deckchairs, a gift shop, library, and complimentary Wi-Fi and bicycles.

CroisiEurope's gourmet dining program, combined with themed excursions featuring local food and wine tastings, allows cruise tourists to experience regional cuisine and fine French wines along the itinerary route.

CroisiEurope river cruise packages include soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (wine and beer served with lunch and dinner year-round). During Europe's high season (April through October), the company offers all-inclusive deals with unlimited drinks. However, unlike most river cruise lines, CroisiEurope charges an additional fee for shore excursions.

Note: You can view CruiseMapper’s complete list of river cruise ships and riverboats in the “itinerary” section of our River Cruises hub, where all companies and their fleets are listed.