Riviera Travel River Cruises is looking confidently ahead to 2021 by launching its biggest-ever program of river cruises in Europe next year, with the season boasting a new, five-star ship, a record number of sailings, a brand new cruise itinerary, new-look dining amenities, new VIP benefits and more solo-only cruises.
Riviera Travel River Cruises has announced it will offer a record 350 sailings across Europe in 2021 on an unprecedented 20 different itineraries and 14 luxury river ships, including the new, five-star MS Geoffrey Chaucer, named after the 14th Century poet. The 169-guest ship – offering a panoramic lounge, two restaurants, gym, plunge pool (heated in winter) – will reaffirm Riviera Travel’s fleet as one of the youngest in Europe.
Riviera Travel has also unveiled a brand new itinerary for 2021. The eight-day ‘Amsterdam, Cologne and the Best of Holland and Flanders’ river cruise from Amsterdam to Cologne will feature the canals, windmills, palaces and cultural highlights of Holland, the cobbled, medieval streetscapes of Belgium and the Gothic marvels of Cologne in Germany.
The new itinerary will complement Riviera Travel’s 19 other itineraries across Europe including journeys along the Rhine, Moselle, Danube, Seine, Rhone and Douro rivers as well as Yuletide Market cruises and new Christmas and New Year itineraries scheduled to commence for the first time this December.
Renowned as a solo-friendly company, Riviera Travel River Cruises will offer 10 sailings across Europe in 2021 exclusively for solo travellers, with all cabins reserved for solo-use, free of single supplements. Fares for solo-only cruises in 2021 start at A$1859 for a five-day sailing. In addition, Riviera Travel will again reserve a selection of supplement-free cabins for solo travellers on all 350 departures in 2021.
Expanded dining options will be introduced across Riviera Travel’s fleet next year. Chefs in the main restaurants will prepare ‘Local Flavours’ dishes every evening inspired by the regions the cruises visit, such as traditional Hungarian soup, French cassoulet or indulgent Dutch desserts. Expert sommeliers also will curate a choice of wines showcasing grapes from local vineyards. The fleet’s stern bistro restaurants will also be re-envisioned. On cruises through France, guests will find classic French charcuterie, regional cheeses and traditional boulangerie in the newly named ‘La Brasserie’ restaurant while on Rhine and Danube cruises, classic European dishes will accompany wonderful al fresco views from the newly branded ‘Riverview Kitchen’ restaurant. Meals in these casual, bistro-style restaurants are included in fares.
Also new for 2021 is ‘Riviera Plus’, a program for premium passengers in deluxe and superior suites and all upper-deck cabins. Benefits include use of a smart handset with maps, translator, currency converter, unlimited calls, text messages and internet service while on board or ashore. L’Occitane en Provence luxury toiletries, a bottle of chilled Prosecco on arrival, a platter of fresh seasonal fruits during the cruise and an aperitif each evening.
Riviera Travel International Sales Manager, Shelley Davey, said the company was robustly excited about its new 2021 program and confident Australians would return to European rivers in record numbers post C-19. “We have cemented our reputation in Australia as an affordable, five-star river cruise operator that does things differently and we are certain more Australians will join our biggest-ever season in 2021, especially after being denied the pleasures of European cruising this year due to C-19,” Ms Davey said. “Our simple, easy-to-understand fares are affordable and we don’t lift fares to automatically include gratuities and drinks, so the choice is up to guests, which Australians love.
“Riviera Travel is also 100 per cent committed to Australian travel agents with all our Australian bookings here coming through our Australian GSA, Cruise Traveller,” Ms Davey said.
Fares in 2021 for an eight-day cruise start at A$2459 per person, twin-share, or also for solo guests, subject to cabin availability. Fares include shore tours as well as free Wi-Fi. Drink packages in 2021 are available from A$199 per person for an eight-day cruise.
A new 2021 brochure for the Australian market priced in Australian dollars, will be available from this June.
In Australia, Call Cruise Traveller on 1300 561 001, see a travel agent or visit www.rivieratravel.com.au
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