Choose between a sailing along the Main, the Danube or the Rhine, getting your fix of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts on the way.

Choose between a sailing along the Main, the Danube or the Rhine, getting your fix of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts on the way.

APT Travel Group is approaching its 100th anniversary in 2027 with an expanded river fleet following the 2026 launches of Travelmarvel Rigel in Europe and Travelmarvel Sirius in Egypt. The additions bring Travelmarvel’s Rhine, Main and Danube fleet to four ships and restore the group’s Nile operation after an absence of more than a decade. The U.K. and Ireland have become APT’s most important growth market alongside its Australian and New Zealand base, according to Paul Melinis, managing director, U.K. and Europe, for APT Luxury and Travelmarvel. He described demand from those markets for 2027 as very strong. “The Rigel gives us scale and confidence we did not have before,” Melinis told Cruise Industry News in an interview for its 2027 European River Market Report. He said the additional capacity allows the business to respond more quickly to demand. ## European fleet expands after AmaWaterways exit Rigel began its inaugural voyage from Amsterdam on June 30, 2026, joining sister ships Polaris, Capella and Vega. The 135-meter vessel carries up to 178 passengers in 89 outside cabins, ranging from lower-deck window cabins to French-balcony cabins and Owner’s Suites. APT ended its investment in AmaWaterways at the close of 2024, having become a co-owner and Australian and U.K. sales partner in 2005. APT Luxury subsequently introduced Solara and Ostara in 2025. Each carries 154 passengers and has several dining venues, along with bars that can be raised hydraulically between decks. “We have managed to really get that price point right,” Melinis said of the luxury brand. ## Nile return and guest priorities Travelmarvel Sirius entered service in September 2026, accommodating 124 passengers in 62 cabins. It operates seven-night cruises beginning and ending in Luxor, with an excursion to Abu Simbel by private charter flight included. “It’s not a case of us adding ships just for the sake of it,” Melinis said. “Egypt is a destination with genuine long-term appeal.” APT’s research among returning guests ranked customer service as the leading consideration when selecting a river cruise company, ahead of food. Almost 60 percent of those repeat guests take one or more river cruises annually. ## Growth within limits The family-owned group traces its origins to Bill McGeary’s conversion of a truck into a bus during a Melbourne tram strike in 1927. Melinis welcomed investment by competing companies. “When big companies are investing so heavily, it just validates the strength of our market,” he said. He nevertheless cautioned that docking and lock capacity impose limits on river cruise growth. “But the key is to protect your inventory, protect your value and protect the overall guest experience,” he said.

Viking has taken delivery of Viking Haki, a 190-guest river cruise ship built by Neptun Werft in Rostock, Germany, for service on the Rhine, Main and Danube. The delivery leaves 17 additional river ships scheduled to join the fleet by 2028. Viking projects its river fleet will reach 114 vessels that year. Haki follows two other 190-guest sister ships from the same yard: Viking Rota, delivered earlier in October, and Viking Annar, handed over in June. “We are pleased to welcome the elegant Viking Haki to our fleet,” said Leah Talactac, Viking’s president and chief executive officer, “and to offer even more guests the opportunity to discover these remarkable destinations in Viking comfort.” The 135-meter Viking Longship has approximately 3,140 gross tons and a crew of 53. Its 95 staterooms include seven Veranda Suites and two Explorer Suites, with an off-center corridor arrangement allowing for two-room accommodation. The vessel’s square bow provides space for three full decks. Its Aquavit Terrace offers both enclosed and open-air space, continuing a design used aboard its sister ships. ## European itineraries Haki’s deployment includes Rhine Getaway, an eight-day sailing between Basel and Amsterdam, and the 15-day Grand European Tour between Budapest and Amsterdam. The longer itinerary passes through the 16-lock Main-Danube Canal between Kelheim and Bamberg. The ship will also operate Danube Waltz, an eight-day itinerary connecting Budapest and Passau. Tulips & Windmills adds a 10-day round trip from Amsterdam, and the vessel’s program includes Christmas market itineraries. ## Naming and further deliveries Haki was among seven river ships named in a ceremony held in Amsterdam, where it was docked alongside Rota. Carol Porter, co-owner of The Roaming Boomers, served as Haki’s godmother. The event connected virtually with the other five vessels in Germany, France and Egypt. All seven godparents were travel advisors or industry partners. “As we name our seven newest river ships, we are especially proud to honor travel advisor partners who have been an integral part of our journey,” Talactac said. Two other ships in that naming group, Viking Halogi and Viking Sjofn, are also assigned to Rhine, Main and Danube itineraries. The remaining vessels serve the Seine and Nile programs, with Viking Sekhmet scheduled to begin Nile sailings in 2027. Beyond its river orders, Viking expects delivery of 11 additional ocean ships by 2032 and two additional expedition vessels by 2031. Those deliveries would bring its combined ocean and expedition fleet to 28 ships in 2032.

Christmas market river cruises in Europe offer travellers a chance to experience several of the continent's most popular festive destinations in one holiday. Instead of choosing a single city for Christmas shopping, seasonal food and traditional celebrations, passengers can travel between historic towns and capital cities along some of Europe's best-known rivers. The Main, Danube and Rhine are three popular routes for festive river cruises, with itineraries covering Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Netherlands, France, Slovakia and Switzerland. Depending on the cruise, travellers can visit traditional German Christmas markets, explore Vienna's seasonal celebrations, enjoy Budapest in winter and discover the festive atmosphere of Strasbourg.

Century Cruises’ new European river ship, Century Diamond, has been floated out in Kladovo, Serbia, with hull construction complete and afloat outfitting now beginning. The vessel is scheduled to sail its inaugural voyage in August 2027. Century Cruises confirmed the construction progress in a social media post. The newbuild is the second of four ships planned for the company’s European fleet, following Century Star, which began operating on the Danube in September. Century Diamond will be based on the Rhine, operating mainly eight-day itineraries between Basel and Amsterdam. ## Hybrid propulsion and recycled steel Concordia Damen Shipbuilding is building the approximately 2,900-gross-ton vessel. At 135 meters long, Century Diamond will accommodate up to 174 guests in 76 cabins and suites across four decks, with approximately 45 crew members. The ship will use hybrid diesel-electric propulsion and is expected to incorporate approximately 60 percent recycled steel. Its low-draft hull is designed for European inland waterways, with a draft of up to about 2.1 meters. The European newbuild is separate from the older Century Diamond operating on China’s Yangtze River. That vessel entered service in 2008 and accommodates 264 passengers. ## European interiors with Yangtze influences Century Diamond’s interiors follow the company’s “Rivers Intertwined” design approach. David Fredericks, president and general manager, The Americas, at Century Cruises, said the European ships were developed with North American and European travelers in mind. “We are bringing two worlds together, East and West, the Yangtze and the great rivers of Europe,” Fredericks said. The main restaurant will take its design cues from Germany’s Black Forest, alongside references to the company’s Chinese origins. The lounge will draw on a traditional Viennese coffee house, with artwork inspired by the brand’s Asian heritage. Fredericks credited Thomas Rooch and the Century One team in Basel with developing the design vision. The dining program will feature regional dishes and wines and beers from destinations on the itinerary. A Chinese dish will also be included on the menu as a connection to the company’s Yangtze operations. Beyond the core Rhine route, selected departures will extend to other waterways within Century Cruises’ European program.

VIVA Cruises has unveiled its 2028 river season for its tenth anniversary: 325 sailings across seven ships on the Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube and Douro, plus German canals and Baltic coast itineraries. The line promotes 320 shore excursions across 13 river regions. Several ships get new routes. Viva Moments joins the Danube fleet after renovations in 2027 with seven-night Passau–Vienna–Budapest sailings, and Viva Enjoy runs 22 seven-night round trips from Vienna with Regensburg added as a turnaround port.

Viking has christened seven new river ships, naming Viking Rota and Viking Haki in Amsterdam and five more virtually, with ships sailing in France, Germany and Egypt. Seven longtime travel advisors served as godparents, a nod to the sales channel that fills many of the line's cabins. Five of the vessels are Longships carrying 190 guests in 95 staterooms for the Rhine, Main and Danube, while Viking Fjolvar will sail the Seine.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises plans to add three ships in 2027 in its largest fleet expansion to date. The arrival of S.S. Audrey, S.S. Marlene and S.S. São Rafael will also complete the company’s transition to an all-Super Ship fleet. The additions follow the 2026 debut of Emilie, Uniworld’s first newbuild since 2020. CEO Ellen Bettridge outlined the expansion in an interview with Cruise Industry News for its 2027 European River Market Report. S.S. Audrey will operate on the Rhine, Main and Moselle, while S.S. Marlene will sail the Danube. The two 135-meter ships will each accommodate 154 guests, with interiors inspired by Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich, respectively. Bettridge described the design approach as bringing “cinematic glamour” to the rivers. Portugal will receive the smaller, 80-meter S.S. São Rafael, designed specifically for the Douro with capacity for 94 guests. Bettridge identified the Douro as one of Uniworld’s strongest-performing destinations. The vessel’s facilities will include a panoramic lounge and bar, a bistro and a splash pool. “Each ship is a one-of-a-kind floating boutique hotel, inspired by the destinations it sails through,” Bettridge said. ## Yacht sailings and expanded guest programs Uniworld will also introduce yacht voyages through a partnership with Aqua Expeditions. Two sailings aboard the 30-guest expedition yacht Aqua Blu in 2027 will offer access to Indonesia and Singapore. Alongside the fleet additions, the company is launching six itineraries across Europe and Asia. It is also expanding pre- and post-cruise land stays, with programs in cities including Paris, Prague and Zurich. The Women-Only Cruise, introduced in 2025, will return in 2027. Uniworld is also expanding departures themed around wine, golf, music and Jewish heritage, while Bettridge reported strong interest in its family-focused Generations Collection sailings scheduled around school breaks. Although Baby Boomers have traditionally formed the core river cruise audience, Bettridge said Uniworld is seeing strong growth among Gen X travelers. “Gen X travelers often seek more active, hands-on experiences,” she said. The line has expanded its excursion choices to include biking, hiking, culinary workshops and wine tastings alongside traditional guided tours. North America, the U.K. and Australia remain its principal source markets. ## More river ships on the way Cruise Lines International Association lists 21 new river vessels for 2027, including the three Uniworld ships. Other additions include three ships for AmaWaterways, plus Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, which will introduce Celebrity Cruises to the river market. Uniworld has a further three ships scheduled for 2028: Helen on the Danube, Clara on the Rhine and Mekong Mystique in Southeast Asia. Those additions will bring Uniworld’s fleet to 22 ships.

Riverside Luxury Cruises has opened bookings for its 2028 season, with Riverside Mahler scheduled to enter service for the line in May. The program spans early spring through late December, with voyages ranging from three to 23 nights. Mahler’s addition will expand the line’s departures through the Main-Danube Canal, linking the Rhine and Danube, to 12 in 2028. That compares with four in 2026 and two in 2027. ## Mahler expands the Rhine-Danube program Mahler will spend the summer on routes connecting destinations in Germany, Austria and Hungary with Amsterdam and Basel. Its autumn schedule takes it to the Lower Danube in September and back to the Rhine in October, before Christmas sailings on the Danube conclude its first Riverside season. The 114-passenger vessel originally sailed as Crystal Mahler and was built in 2017 by MV Werften in Wismar, Germany. Riverside Debussy will also operate voyages connecting the Rhine and Danube. It will begin its season in March with tulip cruises in the Netherlands and Belgium, then travel to the Lower Danube. In early summer, Debussy will introduce nine- and 10-night sailings between Amsterdam and Basel that include the Moselle. Its summer and autumn deployment also includes Dutch Waterways cruises and further Danube voyages, followed by Christmas market departures on the Rhine. Riverside Mozart, the ship with which the line began operations in 2023, will retain its Upper and Lower Danube deployment. A new seven-night itinerary from Vienna to Budapest will include the Wachau Valley, while an additional Hungarian port will join the ship’s schedule. The announcement did not identify that port. In France, Riverside Ravel will continue sailing the Rhone and Saone. ## Expert-led departures join the schedule Riverside is adding expert-led themed cruises to its 2028 program alongside the expanded routes. Its announcement did not specify the themes or identify the participating experts. Expert-accompanied departures also feature in Smithsonian Journeys’ separately announced 2028 collection with AmaWaterways, which comprises 50 departures across 15 itineraries. Those cruises include excursions and opportunities to engage with Smithsonian Journeys Experts, with optional land programs before and after the voyages. “Our 2028 collection introduces two enriching new itineraries while continuing to offer our most popular journeys throughout Europe and Southeast Asia,” said Walter Littlejohn, senior vice president of Smithsonian Journeys. Riverside, meanwhile, is cutting the sailing price by 18 percent on any 2028 departure reserved before June 30, 2027. The offer applies to all suite categories and package types.

Lake Constance, on the borders of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, has two main basins. The larger Obersee, or Upper Lake, is linked by a short stretch of the Rhine to the smaller Untersee, or Lower...

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Lake Constance, on the borders of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, has two main basins. The larger Obersee, or Upper Lake, is linked by a short stretch of the Rhine to the smaller Untersee, or Lower...

Viking named seven new river ships on October 15, 2026, in a ceremony led from Amsterdam, with travel advisors and industry executives serving as godparents. Held beside Viking Rota and Viking Haki, the event connected by video with five other vessels in Germany, France and Egypt. The ships are assigned to three river regions: four to the Rhine, Main and Danube, one to France’s Seine and two to Egypt’s Nile. “As we name our seven newest river ships, we are especially proud to honor travel advisor partners,” said Leah Talactac, Viking’s president and chief executive officer. She described those partners as “an integral part of our journey.” Viking has extended the maritime custom of appointing godmothers to include godfathers. Each godparent offered wishes for passenger and crew safety, and the vessels were named with bottles of Norwegian aquavit broken against their hulls, a reference to the company’s Norwegian heritage. ## Travel trade partners named as godparents The appointments span agency owners, travel distribution businesses and travel industry networks. The seven godparents and their ships are: * Shelby Steudle, president of Pavlus Travel, godmother of Viking Fjolvar. * Michael Londregan, senior vice president at Virtuoso, godfather of Viking Ptah. * Ealeen Wong, senior director of strategy, partnerships and sales for Expedia Group’s Global Cruise Business, godmother of Viking Rota. * Michael Consoli, owner of Cruise Planners – Michael Consoli & Associates, godfather of Viking Sekhmet. * Carol Porter, co-owner of The Roaming Boomers, godmother of Viking Haki. * Carol Shaddix, owner of Imagine Going There Travel, godmother of Viking Halogi. * Danielle Galloway, global managing director at Flight Centre Travel Group, godmother of Viking Sjofn. Galloway and Londregan are the first Australians appointed as godparents of Viking ships. Consoli’s relationship with the line dates to 2010. ## Longships for Europe, smaller ships for the Nile Viking Haki, Viking Halogi, Viking Sjofn and Viking Rota will operate on the Rhine, Main and Danube. The standard European Longships measure 135 meters and accommodate up to 190 guests each. Two vessels participating remotely in the ceremony were completing construction at Neptun Werft in Rostock, Germany. The Seine-bound Viking Fjolvar is a shorter Longship variant, measuring approximately 125 meters and carrying 168 guests. Built by Neptun Werft, it has 84 outside staterooms. The two Nile sister ships, Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet, were built in Cairo and each accommodate 82 passengers in 41 outside staterooms. Ptah was delivered in August, while Viking announced Sekhmet’s delivery at Massara shipyard on September 29. Ptah operates the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids program, which combines hotel stays in Cairo with an eight-day Nile cruise beginning and ending in Luxor. Guests fly between Cairo and Luxor, and excursions include the temples at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and sites around Aswan. Sekhmet is also assigned to Pharaohs & Pyramids and the new 12-day Total Eclipse on the Nile itinerary in 2027. Both programs include three hotel nights in Cairo before the river portion and a final night in the capital after the cruise. ## Fleet reaches 94 river ships The seven-ship group brings Viking’s river fleet to 94 vessels, up from 29 in 2012. In its September 29 fleet update, Viking projected delivery of 19 additional river ships by 2028 under its committed orderbook. At a media briefing before the naming ceremony, executives outlined a broader pipeline of 36 river ships on order or under option for delivery by 2032.