Becoming a Riviera River Cruises Specialist

U.K.-based Riviera River Cruises began nearly 40 years ago as a land operator taking British travelers to the French Riviera. Today the award-winning company offers a portfolio of 20 luxury European river cruises and has been reaching out to the U.S. market these past five years. Riviera River Cruises reports that 97 percent of its guests typically indicate a desire to travel with them again. Find out what makes this cruise line so popular, then consider training to be a Riviera River Cruises Specialist at TravelAgentAcademy.com!

Riviera River Cruises has 13 luxury ships that ply Europe's major rivers - the Danube, Douro, Dutch Waterway, Main, Moselle, Rhine, Rhône, Saône and Seine - past landscapes dotted with castles and charming medieval towns. Itineraries provide daylight cruising when possible (especially on two-week journeys) so that guests don't miss the mesmerizing experience of watching these iconic sights go by.

Among its many itineraries (with over 300 departures annually), some of the best-sellers are "The Blue Danube," "Rhine Cruise to Switzerland" and "Budapest to the Black Sea."

All 13 ships have been constructed by prestigious European shipbuilders within the past eight years, the smaller ones containing 63 cabins (for example, MS Douro Elegance) and the larger ones offering 88 suites (such as MS Oscar Wilde). Details typically include a marble-floored lobby bathed in natural sunlight, fully air-conditioned decks and a panoramic observation lounge and bar; and most ships offer a hair salon together with wellness and fitness facilities.

English is the only language officially spoken on cruises, and most guests from the U.S. and Canada seeking to mingle should feel very much at home on these intimate sailings, which also attract many passengers from Britain and Australia. The overall ambiance is casual elegance.

Riviera River Cruises keeps its guest capacities low, between 121 and 169 passengers, depending on the ship. And with a 4:1 passenger-to-crew ratio, your clients will enjoy a truly luxurious experience, from attentive onboard service to carefully crafted excursions.

Drawing upon nearly 40 years of experience as a tour operator, the company puts together immersive excursions that include all of the must-see sights balanced with free time. Local experts lead the tours, and the ships' concierge can make dinner reservations and offer guidance to guests eager to explore on their own.

On Riviera River Cruises, dinners are four-course affairs, with all courses prepared entirely from scratch by professional chefs. Plans have been in the works to offer a choice of "Local Flavours" options inspired by the cuisines and techniques of the areas visited, from hearty Hungarian soups to French cassoulets to indulgent Dutch pastries.

Fares include accommodations, dining and excursions covering must-see sights in every port, as well as port charges and taxes. Alcoholic beverages, tips and other discretionary expenses are not included. Instead, guests are encouraged to tip as they see fit, and prior to the cruise, they can choose to purchase drink packages, which cover unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner.

Although week-long itineraries are the norm, Riviera River Cruises recognizes that U.S. clients often prefer longer stays, and so it offers two 14-night/15-day itineraries: "Cruise the Heart of Europe" and "Budapest to the Black Sea." Solo travelers will be pleased to learn that the company typically has up to five cabins (lower deck) per departure where no single supplement applies. And keep an eye out for entire departures dedicated to solo travelers. In 2020, 15 such voyages were planned. As travel resumes, they are starting to be made available again.

Riviera River Cruises views its working relationship with travel advisors as essential to all it does and looks forward to forging strong bonds with those in the U.S. To this end, it has created a dedicated agent portal and a training course at TravelAgentAcademy.com.

Chances are you have clients who would be a perfect match for a luxurious journey through picturesque Europe at a fair price. And chances are very good that they will join the 97 percent of guests who would sail again with Riviera River Cruises. Go to TravelAgentAcademy.com and enroll in the Riviera River Cruises Specialist program to learn more!