Riviera Travel has announced the addition of a new ship, Riviera Resplendence, to their fleet set to launch in 2026.
- The upcoming vessel will be a sister ship to Riviera Radiance, marking a significant expansion of the company’s offerings.
- An expanded 2026 river cruise programme features 428 sailings by 13 ships, including dedicated solo departures.
- A pre-sale event is scheduled for September, with general bookings opening later in the month at 2025 prices.
- Riviera offers a £50 booking incentive for agents and a free all-inclusive drinks package on 2026 European cruises.
Riviera Travel is expanding its fleet with the introduction of a new river cruise ship named Riviera Resplendence, scheduled to start sailing in 2026. This 178-passenger vessel will be the sister ship to Riviera Radiance, which is set to begin operations the following year. The new addition underscores Riviera’s commitment to enhancing their river cruise offerings, aiming to cater to the burgeoning demand for sophisticated cruising experiences.
The announcement comes as Riviera also reveals an extensive 2026 river cruise schedule that includes 428 sailings across 13 ships. This programme will incorporate various European and international destinations, alongside 31 departures specifically designed for solo travellers. Such an extensive itinerary responds to increasing customer interest in versatile and unique travel experiences.
Starting September 18, Riviera will host a pre-sale event, allowing eager travellers to begin booking trips for the 2026 season. General bookings will become available from September 25, which is notably the earliest the company has offered a new booking year for sale. This decision reflects the ‘overwhelming’ demand experienced by Riviera, with revenue statistics showing a 51% increase for the 2025 season compared to the same period in 2024.
In a bid to entice bookings, Riviera has decided to maintain 2026 departures priced at 2025 rates until mid-December. Further incentives for travel agents include a £50 bonus per booking on all European river cruise reservations made from September 18 to October 31. Adding to the appeal, travellers will enjoy a complimentary all-inclusive drinks package on 2026 European cruises.
Additionally, the 2026 cruise programme will introduce five themed itineraries and an extra Mekong river cruise, along with a new solo departure focusing on Medieval Germany. Product Director Will Sarson expressed enthusiasm for the expansion, highlighting the continued push to meet exceptional demand while ensuring distinctive, quality experiences on each cruise.
The new ship and programme expansions indicate Riviera’s strategic approach to staying ahead in the competitive river cruise market. They’ve emphasised the importance of maintaining familiar attractions of the Riviera brand while introducing modern facilities and services, reinforcing their reputation for delivering top-tier cruising experiences.
Riviera Travel’s latest ship and extensive offerings for 2026 underline their proactive approach to meeting growing cruise demand.
