New Riviera Travel booking data reveals growing demand for river cruising, with bookings up 14% year-on-year and six in ten river cruise guests new to the brand, as the company prepares to launch MS Riviera Resplendence on 4 July.
Demand for river cruising continues to grow, according to new booking data from Riviera Travel, with bookings increasing by 14% year-on-year.
The data also reveals that six in ten river cruise guests are new to Riviera Travel, highlighting the continued appeal of river cruising among travellers looking for a relaxed and immersive way to explore Europe.
The figures come as Riviera Travel prepares to launch MS Riviera Resplendence, its newest premium river cruise ship, which will embark on her maiden voyage along the Rhine on 4 July.
Designed as Riviera Travel’s most sophisticated river ship to date, the 135-metre vessel features elegant contemporary interiors, some of the company’s largest-ever suites, private in-room dining and a host of environmentally conscious innovations.
Matt Luscombe, CEO of Riviera Travel, said:
“All of our river cruise ships are designed to create a feeling of timeless elegance, but Riviera Resplendence really takes that to the next level. It combines classic style with modern design in a way that feels both elegant and practical, offering the best of both worlds. Guests will enjoy the sense of a timeless river cruise experience alongside contemporary features, amenities and thoughtful touches that I’m sure they’re going to love when they step on board.”
“We’re really excited about the continued growth of the river cruise sector and the success we’re having as a company within it. We continue to grow strongly in the UK and maintain our market share leadership. We can’t take that success and customer loyalty for granted, so we’re continually innovating and investing in our fleet. This new ship is the best vessel we have yet and is the first of a series of new ships we’ll be launching over the next few years.”
First look at MS Riviera Resplendence
Carrying 178 guests across 89 cabins and suites, cared for by a crew of 44, MS Riviera Resplendence has been designed to combine contemporary style with the comfort and service of a boutique hotel.
The ship features three restaurants, a spa and wellness area, splash pool and spacious sun deck, alongside split-level lounge and dining spaces that create a bright and airy atmosphere throughout. More than 80% of cabins and suites feature floor-to-ceiling French balconies, maximising views of Europe’s waterways.
Among the standout accommodation options are the ship’s 32-square-metre Grand Suites, some of the largest on Riviera Travel’s river fleet. Located on the Diamond Deck, they feature separate living and sleeping areas, private balconies and the option of in-suite dining. Superior Suites offer a generous 24 square metres of space, while standard cabins feature boutique-inspired touches including Nespresso machines and climate control.
Designed with the future in mind
Alongside its luxury design, MS Riviera Resplendence introduces several environmental innovations aimed at reducing the impact of river cruising.
Rainer Büttner, Group Chief Operating Officer at Scylla, said:
“Beyond her luxury design, the Resplendence boasts significant environmental milestones. We have installed more solar panels on this ship than on any other vessel we have built to date. Furthermore, she is fully equipped to run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), an exceptionally eco-friendly alternative fuel.”
“Thanks to these advancements, the ship meets the highest modern environmental standards, allowing us to seamlessly enter ports with incredibly strict green regulations, such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam. We have built a vessel that fully satisfies both the luxury expectations of guests and the rigorous environmental demands of the future.”
MS Riviera Resplendence is also on track to qualify for Gold Standard status under the Green Award programme, recognising high standards of environmental performance across the inland shipping sector.
The launch forms part of Riviera Travel’s continued investment in river cruising. Following the introduction of Riviera Rose and Riviera Radiance in 2025, the company will welcome Riviera Reflection in 2027 and Riviera Rhapsody in 2028, alongside Riviera Alba, its first dedicated Mekong river cruise ship.
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