FORT LAUDERDALE — Riviera Travel has unveiled plans for the first-ever cruise ship dedicated entirely to solo travellers.
Starting in June 2027, MS George Eliot will exclusively sail solo departures on the Danube, Rhine and Moselle rivers.
Stuart Milan, President, North America for Riviera Travel, says the first-of-its-kind program “is a prime example of the way we’ve continued adapting our business to meet the changing needs of travellers.”
Milan went on to say: “Our solo river cruises are among our most popular itineraries. With growing demand for even more solo departures, we knew it was time to dedicate an entire ship to this thriving segment of the market.”
Riviera Travel introduced solo land tours in 2017 and followed with a limited selection of dedicated solo river cruises in 2018. Since then, demand for solo sailings has grown significantly and Riviera has invested heavily in the solo market.
Riviera Travel currently offers more than 20 dedicated solo departures each year, the majority taking place during the spring and fall, with every traveller sailing in a private cabin with no additional single supplement.
Beginning in June 2027, MS George Eliot will sail the following seven-night itineraries …
. The Blue Danube for Solo Travelers
. Rhine Cruise to Switzerland for Solo Travelers
. Rhine & Moselle for Solo Travelers
. Rhine, Strasbourg & Heidelberg for Solo Travelers
Onboard MS George Eliot each passenger (capacity 68 solo travellers) will sail in their own double cabin, 83% of which feature a French balcony. Originally designed to carry 140 guests, the ship will sail with an unprecedented crew to guest ratio of one crew member for every two guests.
MS George Eliot has communal spaces in the lounge, bar and sundeck. Thereʻs a welcome dinner and cocktail reception, and daily entertainment. The all-inclusive pricing structure covers excursions, meals, and an all-day drink package, plus thereʻs no single supplement.
Reservations are now open for 2027 solo sailings onboard Riviera Travel’s MS George Eliot.
RIVIERA & TRAVEL ADVISORS
Many travel advisors no doubt remember Riviera Travel in its former incarnation, Riviera River Cruises.
A spokesperson tells Travelweek that Riviera Travel rebranded at the beginning of this year, “bringing the river cruise line segment of the business under the same umbrella as the company’s other entities, aligning the company’s North American market positioning with its global brand name to create a unified identity in the market.”
In January 2020 Riviera made waves when it announced a very trade-friendly new policy, taking bookings for European river cruise bookings only from travel advisors and not direct.
Asked if this policy is still in place, Travelweek was told: “Riviera Travel continues to work with travel advisors, offering guests the option to book directly on the Riviera Travel website or through their preferred advisor.”
More information about Riviera Travel is at RivieraTravel.com.
MS George Eliot lounge
