River Cruises News
Scenic launches incentive to mark new ‘Angela Rippon’s River Cruises’ series
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has launched a new trade incentive to win a river cruise on the Danube. The incentive coincides with the airing of the first episode of the new four-part ‘Angela Rippon’s River Cruises’ documentary, filmed onboard Scenic and starting at 8pm on May 9, on Channel 5 and via streaming.
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Scenic Group announces three new luxury river ships
Scenic Group has revealed it will launch three new luxury river ships in 2027 and early 2028. One Emerald Star-Ship will join the Emerald Cruises & Tours fleet, while Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours will welcome two ultra-luxury Scenic Space-Ships. The new vessels will operate across Europe and Asia, with bookings now open
Viking Takes Delivery of Newest River Ship in Europe
Viking® (www.viking.com) (NYSE: VIK) announced it has taken delivery of the Viking Eldir, the company’s newest Viking Longship®. The Viking Eldir was built at Meyer’s Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock-Warnemünde, Germany. The 190-guest Viking Eldir joins the company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art sister ships and will sail Viking’s popular itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.
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Discover Europe’s Newest Hotel Barge Destination: Inland Brittany Aboard Nymphea
European Waterways is opening up a part of France most travellers never see: inland Brittany. Aboard the hotel barge Nymphea, guests cruise deep into the region’s quiet interior, following the historic Canal de Nantes à Brest between Josselin and Redon. This is slow travel at its most rewarding — narrow waterways, lock-by-lock cruising and front-row access to medieval towns, market villages and unspoilt countryside shaped by Celtic history.
Viking Announces New Mississippi and Ohio River Voyages for 2027
Viking® (www.viking.com) today announced that new itineraries on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers for 2027 are now open for booking. Sailing on board the Viking Mississippi, guests can choose the new 15-day Bayous, Blues & Bluegrass itinerary, which operates between New Orleans and Louisville, with ports of call along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. A shorter option—the 8-day Mississippi & Ohio River Explorer itinerary—offers a journey between Memphis and Louisville.
China Removes Visa Requirements for UK Tourists — Riviera Travel’s China Line‑Up Ready for 2026–2027
UK travellers will be able to enter China visa‑free for up to 30 days from 17 February 2026, removing long‑standing barriers and making it easier to explore one of the world’s most culturally rich destinations. The change brings the UK in line with more than 50 countries already benefitting from simplified entry.
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The Tower of London River Tour - the UK’s First Electric Tour Boat Is a Story of Tourism
A new chapter is unfolding on the Thames as the official Tower of London River Tour is unveiled, introducing a voyage through London’s past aboard the UK’s first electric tour boat. Operated by Woods Tours and in official partnership with Historic Royal Palaces, the Tower of London River Tour is set aboard the purpose-built Silver Raven, a state-of-the-art electric vessel designed to glide cleanly and quietly along the Thames, offering panoramic views as London’s stories unfold.
European Waterways Unveils New 2026/27 Brochure
European Waterways has announced the launch of its brand-new brochure for the 2026/27 cruise seasons, offering an inspiring look at the company’s fully inclusive luxury hotel barge experiences across Europe. Designed to help travellers plan their next unforgettable journey, the brochure highlights expert guidance on the best times to travel, curated off-the-beaten-path excursions, and a fleet of elegant vessels that showcase the rich character of each cruising region. “In a world where travel increasingly feels like a race, the serenity of Europe’s canals offers something wonderfully different,” said Derek Banks, Founder and Managing Director of European Waterways. “Hotel barging brings stillness, authenticity, and moments of genuine spontaneity - luxuries that are becoming all too rare.”
Which Cruise Is Right for You?
When it comes to exploring Europe, how you travel is just as important as where you go. European Waterways’ luxury hotel barges glide through some of the continent’s most breathtaking regions, offering travellers of all ages and interests a truly unique way to experience Europe – intimately, indulgently, and at a slower, more meaningful pace.
CELEBRITY RIVER CRUISES TO OPEN REMAINING INVENTORY ON 2027 SAILINGS ON SEPTEMBER 25
Celebrity Cruises’ inaugural season of river vacations will open to the public on Thursday, September 25. Guests will be among the first to experience unforgettable seven-night vacations on the most innovative ships on the river, which journey from the grandeur of Budapest to the charm of Bavaria with the elevated hospitality Celebrity Cruises is known for.
TUI River Cruises reveals new venues onboard TUI Bahareya
TUI River Cruises unveils its new venues onboard the fully refurbished Arabic inspired décor ship, TUI Bahareya, which is due to set sail on its maiden voyage this November on the River Nile. The TUI Bahareya will be equipped with 74 cabins accommodating 146 guests per sailing and it has been designed with flexibility and choice in mind to cater for all customer’s needs. The ship’s new venues onboard bring together the cultural immersion from the destinations it sails through and modern Arabic inspired décor, with each venue having a flare of Egypt.
Viking Announces New River Voyages in India
Viking® (www.viking.com) has announced its first river voyages in India on the Viking Brahmaputra, a new 80-guest vessel designed specifically for the Brahmaputra River. Currently under construction and scheduled to debut in late 2027, the Viking Brahmaputra will set a new standard for modern river voyages in India. The ship will sail between Guwahati and Nimati Ghat in the northeastern state of Assam as part of Viking’s new 15-day itinerary, Wonders of India. In addition to an eight-day river voyage, the itinerary includes a fully-guided land programme with overnights in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.