PHOTO: Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel Steel Cutting. (Courtesy of Crystal)

After launching with the dramatically redesigned Crystal Mozart, Crystal River Cruises has cut the steel for two entirely new riverboats set to launch in spring 2018: Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel.

Joining the Mozart will first be the Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler this summer 2017 with the former sailing the Rhine River and the latter the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers.

READ MORE: What's Next For Crystal Cruises?

Raising the so-called Rhine-class vessel total to four will be the Debussy and Ravel, which began initial construction on Jan. 9, 2017 at MV Werften’s Wismar site. Overseeing the first flame-cut steel plates were Genting Group Executive Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Economics Minister Harry Glawe and others.

“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’s Chairman, CEO and President. “I, along with my leaders at our wonderful parent company and our expert partners at MV Werften, are excited in bringing Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel to life.”

The new river yacht pair will be identical, measuring in at around 135 meters long and 11 meters wide and accommodating 106 guests each. They will also tout a 1.55 guest to crew ratio, butler service, balcony-window-facing king-sized beds, walk-in closets and flat-panel HD televisions among their luxurious amenities. Other features will extend to several dining venues and even a pool.

READ MORE: Genting To Invest $110 Million in New Shipbuilding Firm MV Werften

Adding to the list of traversed European rivers will be the two along the Rhine, Danube, Main and Moselle Rivers sailing to the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Hungary.

“MV WERFTEN is successfully continuing the path it has forged and actively pursuing its self-imposed targets,” stated Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Economics Minister Harry Glawe. “Every steel cut for a new ship is a positive signal for the entire maritime industry.”

With Crystal parent company Genting Hong Kong as owner of the MV Werften conglomerate of shipyards, it has a substantial list of vessels on order during the next five years alone including the four aforementioned Crystal riverboats, three Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises ships and two Global-class ships for Star Cruises. Crystal Cruises also expects its first new Exclusive-class vessel to come online in 2022.

Follow @LeppertPulse

Follow @PopularCruising