COSTA MESA — Trafalgar has officially entered the river cruise market, marking a major milestone for the brand with the launch of its first sailings on the Rhine and Danube.

First announced in May 2025, the company’s new river cruise offering debuted with Trafalgar Verity on the Rhine and Trafalgar Reverie on the Danube, extending Trafalgar’s guided travel expertise from land into Europe’s waterways.

Simon Jones, Captain Laurentiu Zamfir, Kate Godmother & Damien O’Connor at the launch ceremony of Trafalgar Reverie

The launch was celebrated with a three-day inaugural sailing aboard Trafalgar Verity in Amsterdam from April 10–12, hosting more than 100 travel advisors, media and company representatives. Programming included cultural experiences, onboard storytelling, wellness activities and signature elements such as Be My Guest and ‘MAKE TRAVEL MATTER’ Experiences during which guests visited a historic Dutch windmill and enjoyed a hosted lunch in the fishing village of Monnickendam.

“Introducing river cruising is a dream in the making for Trafalgar, shaped by the trust our travel advisor partners have placed in us over the years and their support every step of the way,” said Melissa DaSilva, Deputy CEO and Chief Sales Officer, TTC Tour Brands. “We’re bringing our decades of experience crafting guided journeys to Europe’s rivers, creating even more opportunities for advisors to connect their clients with the meaningful, locally driven experiences that define our brand. 

“This is just the beginning, with future expansion already underway.”

The experience drew positive feedback from attending travel advisors.

“Being here and experiencing this firsthand, you can really see how naturally this extends the Trafalgar brand,” said Nicole Mazza, Chief Marketing Officer, TRAVELSAVERS. “From the personalized service to the intimate, thoughtfully designed spaces, it feels both elevated and incredibly welcoming. This is something advisors can feel confident recommending to their clients.”

SECOND SHIP DEBUTS

On April 11, Trafalgar Reverie launched its inaugural sailing along the Danube, with a sold-out departure.

The ‘Best of the Danube’ itinerary runs from Passau to Budapest, with stops in key cultural destinations including Vienna and Bratislava. Highlights include a ‘MAKE TRAVEL MATTER’ Experience in Bratislava and a Be My Guest dinner at Weingut Nikolaihof.

The naming ceremony featured TTC Tour Brands CEO Simon Jones, Vice President of Trafalgar River Cruise Damien O’Connor and the ship’s Godmother, past guest Kate McIntosh.

Trafalgar Reverie, French Balcony Room

SMALL SHIPS, IMMERSIVE ITINERARIES

Both Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie accommodate 128 guests and feature three decks, designed to deliver a more intimate, experience-led journey.

On the Rhine, Trafalgar Verity sails between Basel and Amsterdam on a 10-day Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam itinerary, with stops including Strasbourg and Cologne, as well as scenic cruising through the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine Gorge.

On the Danube, Trafalgar Reverie’s Best of the Danube itinerary explores Central Europe’s cultural capitals and the scenic Danube Valley.

Pricing starts from $5,199 per person for the Rhine itinerary and $4,049 per person for the Danube.

A third ship, Trafalgar Harmonie, is scheduled to debut on the Seine in 2027, with further expansion planned through to 2030.

For more information, go to agents.ttc.com.

Lead image caption (from l-r): Damien O’Connor; Captain Alexander van Der Graaf; Cassie Estrella-Roca, Melissa DaSilva at the launch ceremony for Trafalgar Verity