MV Werften has celebrated the cutting of the first piece of steel in Wismar, marking the ceremonial start of construction of Crystal River Cruises’ two additional Rhine Class luxury river yachts.

Both Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel are scheduled to sail in spring 2018.

The first plates of the luxury river ships were flame cut in the presence of the Genting Group executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern economics minister Harry Glawe, and numerous other guests.

The structurally identical Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will be built completely at MV Werften’s Wismar site, and measure approximately 135 metres long and 11 metres wide.

Specifically designed for the growing European luxury river cruise market, the ships will cruise the Rhine, the Danube, the Main and the Moselle, exploring the iconic destinations of Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Hungary.

Europe’s only all-balcony, all-suite river ships will accommodate up to 106 guests, and offer luxurious services and amenities, including a 1.55 guest to crew ratio, Crystal’s acclaimed butler service for every suite, plush king-sized beds that face toward the Panoramic Balcony-Windows, walk-in closets and wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs.

“Today is another crowning achievement in the growth of the Crystal brand, as we take another step closer in further delivering the growing demand for a true luxury experience on Europe’s rivers,” said Edie Rodriguez, Crystal chairman.

“I, along with my leaders at our wonderful parent company and our expert partners at MV Werften, are excited about bringing Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel to life.”

MV Werften’s order book includes a total of nine ships for the next five years.

In addition to four river cruise vessels, three expedition megayachts for Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises and two cruise ships of the Global Class for Star Cruises – the largest in the world regarding passenger capacity – will be built at the group’s three shipyards.