FORT LAUDERDALE — Riviera Travel River Cruises is giving travel advisors and their clients more flexibility when disruptions affect their trips, while reporting strong North American growth heading into 2027.

The company has launched its new Riviera Vacation Guarantee, which offers clients three options if significant itinerary changes are required before departure: continue with the revised itinerary and receive a goodwill gesture, reschedule the same vacation for the following year at the original price or cancel for a full refund processed within seven days.

“Travel advisors put their trust in us every time they recommend our brand to a client and we take that responsibility seriously,” said Stuart Milan, president of North America, Riviera Travel River Cruises. “Our new Vacation Guarantee is about giving travel advisors and their clients the confidence that in an unexpected event, they’ll receive proactive communication, clear choices and the fast, personal support they deserve.”

SALE RUMOURS

The update comes amid reports of a possible acquisition of Riviera Travel. According to The Times, the company’s private equity backers Silverfleet Capital are looking at options, which could include a sale. 

Riviera Travel is based in the UK and began its push into the North American market in 2018, with its North American headquarters in Fort Lauderdale. The company has been around since 1984 and has 13 ships sailing the Danube, Douro, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhone, Seine and Dutch waterways, as well as the Mekong.

Riviera made headlines in North America in January 2020 when it announced it was going agents-only.

HOW THE NEW GUARANTEE WORKS

Under the new guarantee, Riviera will personally contact advisors about significant changes and provide ongoing support. If the company determines it cannot deliver the expected vacation experience because of major disruptions, it will cancel the departure rather than proceed with an experience that falls short of its standards.

The company monitors 52 river gauges daily to track water levels and identify potential itinerary impacts. Travellers receive updates 14 and seven days before departure, followed by personal communication no later than 72 hours before departure if changes are anticipated.

Low water levels are nothing new for Europe’s rivers, however this year was particularly challenging due to record summer temperatures, prolonged heatwaves and severe drought. 

NORTH AMERICAN BOOKINGS SURGE

As of September 2026, Riviera’s North American bookings were up 92% year over year, putting the company on track to exceed 100% annual growth for the second consecutive year.

Rhine and Moselle bookings have increased 200% year over year, while bookings for the Mekong River itinerary, introduced last year, are up 300%. Solo bookings have more than doubled, with demand for solo departures up 80% compared with 2025. Group bookings are the company’s fastest-growing segment, supported in part by its eighth guest sails free promotion.

SOLO CRUISING & EXPANSION

Riviera is preparing to transform the George Eliot into what it describes as the world’s first dedicated solo cruise ship. Other plans for 2027 include expanding in Southeast Asia with its Vietnam, Cambodia and Mekong River Cruise itinerary.

Travel advisor engagement is also growing. More than 3,000 advisors had registered for Riviera Explorer training as of September, completing more than 55,000 training modules, with over 600 graduates since the programme launched.

The company has also announced its 2028 sales program and new Riviera Moment collection, featuring immersive river cruise experiences tailored to North American travellers.

For more information, go to www.rivieratravel.com.

Lead image caption: Riviera Travel River Cruises’ Jane Austen