Crystal River Cruises took a step toward expanding fleet on Friday, as the keel was laid for the company’s first two new build vessels, Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler. During a ceremony at MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, building of the “Rhine Class” luxury river yachts officially commenced.

In summer 2017, the two vessels are set to embark on their maiden voyages along Europe’s mightiest rivers: the Rhine, Main and Danube.

In the presence of Tan Sri Lim, Chairman of Crystal parent company Genting Hong Kong; Edie Rodriguez, Crystal’s CEO and president; and Erwin Sellering, Prime Minister of the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, plus numerous guests, the first sections of the ships were ceremoniously lowered into position on keel blocks.

“This keel laying marks an important milestone for us. These river yachts are not only the first brand new vessels under the Crystal River Cruises brand, but also the first constructed in our very own shipyard,” said Genting Chairman Tan Sri Lim, in a statement.