Riviera Travel has launched its 2028 European river cruise programme, led by the introduction of The Riviera Moment, a new collection of curated experiences exclusive to Riviera.
All details correct at time of publication (9 September 2026)
The Riviera Moment offers private events, exclusive venues, and unique cultural encounters across some of Europe’s most popular river cruise destinations.
As part of a three-year rollout plan, The Riviera Moment will initially feature on 25% of Riviera Travel’s 2028 departures across four core itineraries, giving agents a distinctive new proposition to promote alongside the operator’s wider river cruise collection.
To support early conversion, Riviera is offering a limited-time free deck upgrade on all 2028 European river cruise departures booked before 9 October 2026, giving agents a clear booking incentive alongside the new experience-led proposition.
Vicky Billing, Director of Trade, Partnerships, and Loyalty UK & Ireland at Riviera Travel, said:
“River cruising remains one of Riviera Travel’s core strengths, and the launch of our 2028 programme gives agents fresh opportunities to inspire customers earlier and with more confidence. The Riviera Moment has been created to add a new layer of distinction to selected departures, combining extraordinary places, money can’t buy hosted experiences and a true taste of the destination.
For agents, it creates a clear, experience-led talking point that helps differentiate Riviera’s river cruise product in a competitive market, while our early booking offer gives customers another strong reason to secure their preferred 2028 sailing.”
Katherine Greaves, Head of Product Cruises at Riviera Travel, said:
“Guests are increasingly looking for experiences that help them connect more deeply with the destinations they visit. While iconic landmarks remain important, we’re seeing growing demand for experiences that offer something more personal, exclusive, and memorable.”
“The Riviera Moment was created in response to that demand. These experiences give our guests access to places, performances, and cultural encounters that would be difficult to arrange independently, creating moments that become genuine highlights of a holiday.”
The Riviera Moment will launch on selected departures across four core itineraries:
The Riviera Moment – House of Strauss on The Blue Danube – Cruise lead-In Price: £2,049
On selected departures of The Blue Danube, guests will experience The Riviera Moment at the House of Strauss, set within Vienna’s beautifully restored Casino Zögernitz, the last surviving original concert hall where every member of the Strauss dynasty performed.
The experience includes private access reserved solely for Riviera guests, a welcome drinks reception in the Octagon Hall with Strauss Edition sparkling rosé, time to explore the interactive museum and an exclusive classical concert in the historic Strauss Hall.
The Riviera Moment – Kloster Eberbach on Rhine Cruise to Switzerland – Cruise lead-In Price: £2,399
On selected Rhine Cruise to Switzerland departures, guests will visit Kloster Eberbach, one of Europe’s most celebrated wine estates, set among the vineyards of the Rheingau. Founded by Cistercian monks in the 12th century, the abbey has been at the heart of winemaking for nearly 900 years.
The Riviera Moment experience includes a sparkling wine reception, guided exploration of the estate with tastings of wines produced there, and a private musical performance beneath the soaring arches of the Romanesque Basilica, reserved exclusively for Riviera guests.
The Riviera Moment – Giverny Museum of Impressionism on The Seine, Paris & Normandy – Cruise lead-In Price: £2,199
On selected departures of The Seine, Paris & Normandy, guests will experience The Riviera Moment with private access to the Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny, set in the landscape that inspired some of the world’s best-loved paintings and just moments from Monet’s famous house and gardens.
The experience includes a private hosted talk on the artists, ideas and landscapes that shaped Impressionism, time to explore the exhibition, gardens and grounds, and drinks with local canapés at a restaurant reserved exclusively for Riviera guests in the heart of Giverny.
The Riviera Moment – Villa Caroube on Burgundy, the River Rhône & Provence – Cruise lead-In Price: £2,149
On selected Burgundy, the River Rhône & Provence departures, guests will experience The Riviera Moment at Villa Caroube, a contemporary private retreat nestled among the vineyards of the Northern Rhône. Perched on Hermitage Hill above Tain-l’Hermitage, the villa offers sweeping views across one of France’s most celebrated wine regions.
Riviera guests will enjoy exclusive access, a sparkling St Péray welcome, hosted tastings of selected Rhône wines, regional cheeses and sweet specialities, and a live musical performance as evening unfolds among the vines.
Alongside the launch of The Riviera Moment, Riviera Travel has also introduced The Christmas & New Year: From the Rhine to the Danube, a new 14-night festive river cruise launching in 2027, giving agents another seasonal product to promote to customers looking to be away for the full Christmas and New Year period.
The itinerary combines the final days of Europe’s Christmas markets with the quieter charm of winter cruising through Germany and Austria. Sailing the Rhine, Main, Main-Danube Canal and Danube.
The cruise includes visits to Koblenz and Rüdesheim, Christmas Day celebrations with a Gala dinner and festive music, Boxing Day in Miltenberg and Wertheim, and New Year’s Eve celebrations on board in Regensburg, complete with live music, midnight drinks and canapés.
The launch reinforces Riviera Travel’s commitment to giving agents more choice, stronger product differentiation, and compelling reasons to encourage early 2028 river cruise bookings.
Agents can book Riviera Travel’s 2028 European river cruise programme now, with the free deck upgrade offer available on eligible bookings made by 9 October 2026.
For full details, itineraries and departure dates, visit RivieraTravel.co.uk
Free Deck Upgrade Offer – Terms & Conditions
Between 2 September 2026 and 9 October 2026, book a middle deck cabin on any 2028 departure European River Cruise and receive a free upgrade to an upper deck cabin. Offer is available on European river cruises departing in 2028 only. Free upgrade only applies to standard cabins. Offer must be redeemed via our contact centre by quoting ‘Free upgrade’ when booking.
The offer is subject to availability on individual departures and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Riviera Travel reserves the right to withdraw or amend this offer at any time. This offer is not combinable with any other promotion. Sole occupancy cabins are eligible for the offer but only if there is an available Sole occupancy cabin with the equivalent supplement on both decks.
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