A new
generation
I
n the year 2000 as the world braced itself for the great technology collapse of the millennia, a new shipping company was emerging. Operating as a provider of luxury river cruises along the Rhine, Danube, Rhône and Saone the firm was part of a number of businesses before finally in 2009 A-Rosa Flussschiff GmbH acquired 100 per cent of the company’s shares and the right to the A-Rosa brand. Since that time, A-Rosa has enjoyed plenty of success, although 2013 proved challenging. “It has been an extremely tough year in which the booking situation never really improved. However we have were able to utilise this time working on preparations for the next 12 months,” says Markus Zoepke, chief operating officer. In April 2014 the business christened its 11th vessel, the A-ROSA FLORA. Based on its predecessor, the vessel is of very similar design but through utilising the experience gathered, the business opted to increase the number of suites on board. As well as 70 cabins, the vessel has four balcony suites with a 29 square metre
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footprint, seven junior suites with a 21 square metre footprint and two family cabins. The adaptations to the new vessel form part of the strategic business plan as the company evolves to a modern day standing. “We are driven towards attracting a greater variety of generations on board, from young children to parents to grandparents. We see this as a really positive combination to have,” highlights Markus. The business currently has five vessels in operation on the Rhine, with two of its vessels, including the A-ROSA FLORA able to operate on the Rhine, Main and Danube. It also has two vessels in full time operation in France and four operating on the Danube. In 2012 the business branched into the US market, establishing a partner David Morris International. The period that has followed has been a relatively successful one and as such the relationship continues as Markus explains: “Business last year wasn’t bad, but it was less than our expectations. However this has picked up significantly over the past months, and we are hoping now to extend that collaboration. The business in general is intensifying its strategy in the international market, where we have defined a complete fleet of international ships. We have crew from the US, UK and Australia working aboard our vessels, as well as Spanish and French speaking crew. It is a very international team.” Continuing in its quest to draw clientele in from foreign shores the company has also established representatives working in London. “We are trying to secure reps in all the markets that we aim to penetrate. At the moment we are in discussions with a partner in Ireland,” announces Markus, continuing: “We find it important that we have personnel in individual locations so that