Riviera Travel Unveils Largest-Ever River Cruise Programme for 2026

Riviera Travel has just announced its largest-ever river cruise programme for 2026, with a staggering 428 sailings across 13 river ships, visiting an array of destinations in Europe and beyond. The season will also feature 31 dedicated solo traveller departures, catering to the growing demand for solo travel experiences.

Bookings will be available through a pre-sale event starting on 18th September 2024, before opening to the general public on 25th September 2024. This early launch, the earliest in the company’s history, responds to overwhelming interest, with Riviera reporting that bookings for 2025 are already 51% higher than the same period for 2024.

New Itineraries and Themed Cruises

The 2026 programme includes well-loved European river cruises along the Rhone, Seine, Rhine, Danube, and Douro rivers, alongside five brand-new themed itineraries. Additionally, a new Mekong river cruise has been introduced, as well as a Medieval Germany itinerary specifically for solo travellers.

New themed cruises include:

Gardens & Natural Beauty of the Rhine

This eight-day cruise showcases the stunning scenery of the Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg Castle gardens, the vineyards of Rüdesheim, and much more. Departures run from May to October 2026, with prices starting at £2249 per person.

Gastronomy of the Danube

This culinary-themed journey offers tastings of local delicacies in Linz, wine tours in Austria and Hungary, and guided explorations of Vienna and Budapest. Departing from April to October 2026, prices begin at £2149 per person.

Gastronomy of the Rhine & Moselle

Guests will enjoy wine tastings in Bernkastel and Rüdesheim, along with visits to the Lindt Chocolate Museum and Cologne’s historic sites. Prices start from £2299 per person, with departures from April to August 2026.

Gastronomy of the Seine

This itinerary explores the historical D-Day beaches, Claude Monet’s gardens, and Paris’s Latin Quarter, with visits to cider houses and crêperies along the way. Prices from £1999 per person, with sailings from April to October 2026.

Music & Art of the Blue Danube

This eight-day cultural journey features guided tours in Vienna, Salzburg, and Budapest, with visits to the Vienna Boys Choir and the Museum of Fine Arts. Departing from April to October 2026, prices start at £1999 per person.

In addition to the themed cruises, a new Vietnam, Cambodia & Hidden Treasures of the Mekong tour has been introduced, featuring 16-day upstream or 15-day downstream itineraries. Highlights include visits to Ho Chi Minh City’s Cu Chi tunnels, Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace, and the iconic temples of Angkor Wat. Prices start from £4599 per person, with departures from January to November 2026.

The solo traveller community is also catered for with the eight-day Medieval Germany for Solo Travellers river cruise. Visiting towns like Mainz, Würzburg, and Bamberg, this itinerary is priced from £3249 per person, with an August 2026 departure.

Limited-Time Offers and Perks

For a limited time, all 2026 departures are available at 2025 prices, with this price freeze in place until 15th December 2024. Moreover, guests can enjoy a complimentary all-inclusive drinks package on all European river cruises, covering everything from wines and cocktails to soft drinks, teas, and coffees, available daily from 10am to midnight.

A Word from Riviera Travel

Will Sarson, Riviera’s product director, said: “The 2026 programme is our biggest ever, as we keep pace with the current phenomenal demand for our river cruises. They include a wealth of exciting exploration opportunities at unbeatable value.

“We’re excited to offer all departures currently on offer at the same price as our 2025 sailings. And our free all-inclusive drinks package includes our widest ever range of options, giving guests the perfect excuse to raise a glass or two to mark their getaway.

“Our new themed cruises provide a great opportunity to marry an interest or hobby with tailored holidays that inform and inspire, while our new Mekong option has a range of remarkable tours, not least to the Cu Chi tunnels in Ho Chi Minh. We’re also delighted to add to our solo departures with a dedicated Medieval Germany sailing, which explores some of the country’s most fascinating towns and villages.”

For more details and bookings, visit rivieratravel.co.uk or call 01283 523431. Don’t miss the chance to explore the world’s rivers like never before with Riviera Travel in 2026!

*Terms and conditions apply. All offers and prices subject to availability.