Riviera hails trade support for first solo river cruise sailings

Agents have responded positively to Riviera Travel’s first river cruise programme aimed at single travellers, according to the operator.

The ability to remove common barriers such as single supplements has been welcomed.  

Peak departures are showing high demand following the operator’s original announcement that the ship MS George Eliot would become the world’s first fully solo-exclusive river cruise ship from mid-2027.

The initiative forms a key part of a long-term strategy by the company to lead the solo travel sector.

Riviera Travel claims to be the only operator offering a full season of solo-specific sailings, including shoulder season departures.

“This includes sailings in traditionally under-served periods, allowing agents to broaden booking conversations beyond peak months while still offering a fully solo-exclusive experience,” the operator said.

MS George Eliot has been specifically configured for single travellers, offering a more spacious and sociable onboard environment, with every passenger having a double cabin as standard and no single supplement across all departures. 

The ship will run a range of itineraries across the Rhine, Moselle and Danube rivers. 

The solo-exclusive programme builds on Riviera’s continued investment in the segment, with internal data showing:

·      34% growth in solo bookings year on year

·      51% growth in solo bookings through trade partners

·      72% of the 2027 solo capacity for the MS George Eliot has been sold via the trade

UK & Ireland trade, partnerships and loyalty director Vicky Billing said: "Since announcing the MS George Eliot as a fully solo-exclusive ship, we’ve seen consistently strong feedback from agents with clear demand from their customers looking for a dedicated solo experience on the rivers.

"With peak departures already selling quickly and a full season of sailings available, including shoulder season dates, this gives our agent partners a really strong opportunity to drive early bookings and offer something that genuinely stands out in the market."