Latest news with #rivercruise
Travel Weekly
2 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
'Elevated Cruising' on the Avalon Artistry II in Bordeaux
When I first noticed Avalon Waterways' tagline, "Cruising Elevated," I didn't really give it a second thought. But after spending four days on the just-revamped Avalon Artistry II for the line's first cruise in France's Bordeaux region, it was clear this was more than just a marketing slogan. "It isn't just about being at a higher standard," said Avalon president Pam Hoffee. "It's about being different. And there are lots of different ways that Avalon is different." From a fleetwide refresh of its Panorama Suite ships to its impeccable service, it was easy for me to see on this Bordeaux sailing how the Avalon experience is, indeed, elevated. Opening the sliding windows in the Panorama Suites essentially turn the whole cabin into a balcony. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Avalon Waterways The ships Avalon has been working to set itself apart in the highly competitive world of river cruising for years. The first big distinction came more than a decade ago with the introduction of its Suite Ships, the only ones in the industry with floor-to-ceiling windows that slide to open a full 7 feet -- essentially turning the whole cabin into a balcony. That means extra space, regardless of the weather. It also enables the beds to face the view. The Artistry II is one of the original Panorama Suite ships, launched in 2013. But after the refresh, which upgraded its contemporary furniture and decor in all public spaces, including the Sky Deck, it could have passed as a new ship. The ships have also gotten new bikes, including four e-bikes, in a better variety of sizes. The Sky Deck aboard the Artistry II received new furniture as part of the ship's refresh, including comfortable couches. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Avalon Waterways Things to do Just before the pandemic, Avalon unveiled one of its most aggressive initiatives, the Active & Discovery excursions. They are just what the name implies, a wider selection of included activities that go beyond the must-see monuments or churches. Think hiking, biking, canoeing and cooking lessons. Itineraries that are designated Active & Discovery have a guaranteed choice of three included activities a day (active, discovery or traditional). But the varied activities also extend across most itineraries. In Bordeaux, for instance, one morning we did a 4-mile walk through the vineyards of Margaux, where our guide -- who also works in the fields -- told firsthand stories about life in the wine country. Another day, while some passengers took a traditional walking tour of Bordeaux and others visited the city's interactive wine museum, I took a day tour to the Atlantic coast, where we sampled the goods at an oyster farm before spending the afternoon at the beach town of Port Arcachon. We also spent two full nights in Bordeaux, allowing ample time for evening exploration -- another focus of Avalon. Other European itineraries include overnights in Vienna; Budapest; Amsterdam; Avignon, France; and Rudesheim, Germany. The Panorama Lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows for expansive views. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Avalon Waterways What's on the menu? When I first started covering river cruises, I remember an industry veteran telling me that Avalon had a great product but that its food and wine was not quite up to par with its luxury competitors. What a difference a few years make. Avalon has not just embraced, but I would argue, has perfected, farm-to-table dining, with local wines and food that match where you are. "Our chefs actually go out and get the bread that is served at breakfast and lunch," Hoffee said. "So, yes, they're baking some of the bread onboard. But people want to taste local products." And in Europe, Avalon only pours European wines -- and ones that go with the destination. In Bordeaux, for instance, we sampled different wines from the region every day. There were also fresh, homemade soups each day. Dinners included options such as beef bourguignon, mussels, smoked pork with cabbage, even ham on a French baguette. And next year, Avalon will open a Sky Grill on the top deck for dinners under the stars. While Hoffee said Avalon is a latecomer to Bordeaux, it's working again to set itself apart by partnering with My Bordeaux Tours for its excursions. "We chose them because we liked that they were a small, women-owned business, and they just had great ideas and they had ideas that we thought would be things that our guests love," she said. "And so we're going to chateaus that not everybody goes to. ... We're going to little, small, family-owned wineries and really having an immersive experience."
Travel Weekly
3 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
No slowing down for river cruising: 2026 looks even better than 2025
River cruise lines say that despite economic uncertainty in the U.S., 2025 bookings remain strong and 2026 is already outpacing this year. Their success, the companies say, is a result of not just demand but smart marketing and adjusting to trends. Viking, which dominates the river industry and captures the market majority, saw $897.1 million in total revenue for the first quarter of 2025, a nearly 25% jump year over year. The line said it has effectively sold out its river capacity for this year, at 95%, and reported 28% of capacity already sold for 2026. With a fleet of about 80 river cruise ships, Viking is off to a "remarkable start" for the year, said chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen during the company's Q1 earnings call on May 20. As the largest river cruise company, and the only public one, Viking's earnings may not be representative of the entire sector. But several smaller, privately held lines said they are also thriving in 2025 and are expecting even better results next year. Tauck said 2026 bookings are pacing nearly 30% ahead of 2025 bookings, Riviera Travel said 2026 river cruise bookings are 42% higher than 2025 bookings were at this time last year, and CroisiEurope said 35% of 2026 capacity is sold out. Also, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways and Amadeus River Cruises all said that 2026 bookings were outpacing 2025, which is on track to be their strongest year ever. And while some lines, including Viking, have reported that much of their 2025 capacity was already booked before this year's economic turbulence, Cleveland Research found that bookings for river and luxury ocean cruises had picked up steam in late April and early May. Travel advisor Lisa Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald Travel, an agency that specializes in river and ocean cruising, said river cruise success is due in part to the lines adjusting to uncertainty in the U.S. economy, which is causing her clients not to pull back on bookings but is leading them to more thoughtful spending. Lisa Fitzgerald "The economy isn't stopping travelers from going on vacation, it's simply changing how they spend," Fitzgerald said. "River cruise lines are tuned into this and are adjusting with thoughtful promotions to attract both repeat guests and first-timers." She also credited lines for reacting to trends and "not standing still" by adding new itineraries and enhancing experiences, both on and off the ship. For example, she said, clients have inquired about shoulder season departures as they watch "where every dollar goes." Observing this trend and seeing a boom in demand, Avalon Waterways added more Christmas market sailings and harvest-time cruises for the offseason, said president Pam Hoffee. Avalon is on pace for a record-breaking 2025, and 2026 is "off to an exceptionally strong start," with bookings trending ahead of this time last year, according to Hoffee. AmaWaterways says 2026 sales are pacing double digits ahead of 2025. Pictured, the new AmaSintra in Portugal. Photo Credit: AmaWaterways Riviera is generating success by focusing on niche markets, such as amplifying its efforts to attract solo cruisers by waiving single supplement fees. This segment has grown "significantly," said Stuart Milan, Riviera's North America president, even outpacing traditional bookings. Amadeus is on track for this year to be its strongest yet, a spokesperson said, and early signs point to 2026 "being a banner year" and outpacing 2025. Amadeus' gains are in part tied to intentional efforts by the line to bring in industry veterans, invest in the travel advisor channel and amp up its marketing efforts, the spokesperson said. AmaWaterways chief sales officer Alex Pinelo said at the 2025 ASTA Travel Advisor Conference in Salt Lake City that the market is "at an all-time high." Last year marked the brand's best year on record, he added, and by the second week of 2025, the company's sales had already passed 2024 year over year. Looking ahead, 2026 sales are pacing "double digits" ahead of 2025, he said, and future demand will be met with 10 new ships being added to its fleet by 2027. Pinelo touted traveler desire to visit rivers outside of Europe -- like the Nile in Egypt, the Mekong in Vietnam and, most recently, the Magdalena in Colombia -- as one of the ways AmaWaterways has found success. Cleveland Research said these three rivers "are key itineraries to watch." Tauck reported "enjoying a very, very strong year across our entire river cruising portfolio," a spokesperson said. Tauck said it is "virtually sold out" for this year, with 2026 bookings pacing nearly 30% ahead of 2025 bookings year over year. CroisiEurope said it has seen similar numbers to Viking, with 90% of its 2025 capacity sold out and 35% of 2026 capacity booked.
Travel Weekly
4 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Rudi Schreiner is relinquishing the CEO role at AmaWaterways
After 23 years at the helm of AmaWaterways, co-founder and CEO Rudi Schreiner will give up that title and move to chairman of the board on July 1. Current president Kathleen Powell will assume the CEO title. Co-founder Kristin Karst will remain as brand ambassador and will continue reporting to the board. Powell was hired as president in February, when Karst was named brand ambassador. Schreiner, 73, said he had been looking at succession for the past several years. "I've had a fantastic time in the river cruise business for 33 years," he said. "It's time to find younger blood." Before Schreiner, Karst and the late Jimmy Murphy founded AmaWaterways in 2002, Schreiner already had 20 years experience as a tour operator, founding and running two companies that ran student tours in Europe and then joining Love Holidays, which focused on tours to Eastern Europe. That company had a heavy presence in former Yugoslavia, and he was hired to start new products after the civil war broke out there. He launched everything from Norwegian coastal cruises to ice breakers to the North Pole. But the product that really took off was a river cruise line, which operated under the name UniWorld. UniWorld had been chartering ships from Viking River Cruises, and Viking lured him away to open an office for them in the U.S. He did so and stayed with the company for two years before launching his own line with Karst and Murphy. It was originally called Amadeus Waterways (a different line than Amadeus River Cruises) but was challenged by the reservation system with the same name, so it was shortened to Ama. Schreiner said he'll still be involved to some extent as AmaWaterways' chairman. "I'll still be there advising at board meetings, but overall I feel very, very good about stepping aside a little bit. Maybe I'll travel a little less. I have two grandkids and want to spend more time with them."
TTG
4 days ago
- Business
- TTG
Tui River Cruises vows to 'always' invite independents onboard to see new products
Tui River Cruises will always 'create space' for agents to see its new products, the line's chief has said after the brand revealed the first details of new ship Tui Aria's debut winter season. Katy Berzins, head of Tui River Cruises, told TTG trade bookings were 'really important' to the line, which has four dedicated account managers supporting agents selling river cruise. Over the past 12 months, the line has seen sales via independent agents increase by 30%, with 217 new agents starting to sell its cruises. Earlier this year, the line welcomed a group of independent agents onboard newly refurbished Tui Al Horeya on the Nile following the conclusion of its Make It On Tui River Cruises incentive. 'Trade business is massively important to us,' said Berzins. 'Some of the agent campaigns that we've done have been really well received. It's all about getting more agents to see the product. We're always going to create the space for them to see the product, and that will continue with Tui Bahareya and Tui Aria. 'If third-party agents weren't important, we would not be doing it [offering fam trips]. The trade is great at converting knowledge into sales.' Tui Aria, the largest ship in the line's fleet by capacity, will sail on the Rhine during its debut 2026 winter season, offering two itineraries – Mistletoe and Rhine and North Rhine Noel. It launches next spring. The 190-passenger ship will also operate sailings including Rhine Explorer, Rhine Explorer 2 and Southern Rhine Delights. It will be Tui's fourth to sail Europe's rivers, joining other adult-only vessels Isla, Maya and Skyla. The line is also introducing new Danube sailings onboard Isla so guests can celebrate New Year and visit Belgrade festive markets. To give customers more choice, Tui Isla will operate a four-night Danube cruise visiting Vienna, Linz and Bratislava. All 33 of its 2026/27 winter departures will go on sale on 3 July 2025. Berzins added: 'Every year, it seems to be getting stronger from an occupancy side of things. There's some really strong demand. Shorter duration cruises are doing really well – three- or four-night cruises – across our Rhine and Danube programmes. It has taken us a couple of years to get to this point.' While Tui River Cruises has only been operational for four years, Berzins insists the company has always known there would be 'space in a growing market for us'. 'Bridging the gap' Speaking after Traflagar and National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions announced they would start operating river sailings, Berzins added: 'We're really confident in our own positioning. We've got the end-to-end service. That's a huge USP for us. "We've got Tui aircraft and the retail estate. We're very comfortable in the mid-premium space. We want to change perceptions. It all about aligning expectations with the right product.' Berzins said Tui River Cruises was trying to 'bridge the gap' between the river and ocean cruise sectors by offering silent discos onboard and varied dining times. But she added: 'The draw is the destination and how we explore it. A lot of river cruise marketing does not explain that very well. We will give customers the tools to explore the destinations how they want.'
Travel Weekly
4 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Celebrity will sail the Danube and Rhine in its first season of river cruising
Celebrity River Cruises will cruise the Rhine and Danube in its first season in 2027. The brand, an offshoot of ocean line Celebrity Cruises, announced plans earlier this year to expand into river cruising with an initial order of 10 ships. The design of the ships will be inspired by the Edge-class ocean ships and operate with an all-inclusive model. Alcoholic drinks, WiFi and one excursion per port will be included in the fare, a Celebrity spokesperson confirmed to Travel Weekly. The river cruise line said it will unveil itinerary details and open bookings this summer. The Rhine and Danube are Europe's two most popular waterways for river cruises. The Rhine alone carries about a quarter of river cruise passengers each year, making it the most popular, followed by the Danube, according to Cleveland Research Company. Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty said during the company's Q4 earnings call in late January that expansion into river cruising "is not a hobby for us." "We are taking this extremely seriously, and we want to make sure we can live up to delivering the best vacation experiences in the world and make sure we're doing so in a responsible way," Liberty said. Liberty indicated that about half of Royal Caribbean Group's guests have experienced or intend to take a river cruise. Travel advisors have said that Celebrity's loyal customer base and brand recognition could lure a younger crowd. Celebrity is just one well-known brand wading into river cruising. Lindblad Expeditions has partnered with Transcend Cruises to sail the Rhine, and tour operator Trafalgar will offer Danube and Rhine itineraries.
