Riviera reviews eight Rhine sailings and cancels two Danube departures
Low water remains the main operational issue. Riviera Travel is reviewing all remaining core-season Rhine sailings through the end of October (eight itineraries) and has cancelled Danube departures on Oct 14 and Oct 16. Recent rain has done little to lift levels, and forecasts are unlikely to fix them.
Riviera is also rejecting coach-style substitutions, so handling differs by line. Advisors with late-October departures should contact clients now and confirm each supplier's re-routing and compensation policy in writing. Expect more ship swaps, motorcoach transfers and cancellations.
- Riviera: eight Rhine sailings under review through end of October
- Danube: Oct 14 and Oct 16 departures cancelled
- Policies on substitutions and compensation differ by line
Riviera's CEO hears agent complaints as Riv Rewards trade scheme nears
At a Riviera Travel agent committee meeting, the CEO attended in person to hear frontline complaints about the low-water response. The supplier is also about to launch a Riv Rewards loyalty scheme for the trade, and previewed 2028 product and its 2027 peak campaign. Trade growth is reported as strong.
The meeting reads as an effort to repair agent confidence during disruption, with an incentive offered alongside it. The coverage is UK-centric, but advisors selling Riviera should watch for scheme terms and push for clear disruption communication.
Riverside Mahler arrives May 2028 with ship-swap capacity and 18% off
Riverside's new Mahler debuts in May 2028, adding Rhine, Main and Danube capacity. Main-Danube Canal departures rise to 12 in 2028, from 4 in 2026 and 2 in 2027. The line explicitly cites the extra capacity as a way to swap ships in high- and low-water situations, which is a useful selling point after this season.
Bookings for 2028 carry an 18% early-booking discount on all suite categories if made before June 30, 2027. That gives advisors a concrete price benchmark against Viking, AmaWaterways and others. The schedule includes Christmas market Rhine sailings on Debussy.
AmaWaterways adds Machu Picchu extension to Colombia cruises
AmaWaterways has launched its first Peru extension, a five-night, six-day Machu Picchu land package that follows its Magic of Colombia cruises from April 2027. Air from Cartagena to Lima is included. It comes in two tiers, Boutique (Luxury Collection) and Iconic (Belmond).
It is available on select 2027 departures and on every Magic of Colombia post-cruise from 2028. For advisors it is a higher-ticket add-on for AmaMagdalena clients and a South America combination, and a sign that Ama is expanding into land programs.
Smithsonian Journeys and Ama publish 2028 fares across 50 departures
Smithsonian Journeys and AmaWaterways have set out 50 departures for 2028, including new Holland/Belgium and Rhine/Moselle itineraries and a Mekong program. Published fares start at $3,639 per person for Waterways of Holland and Belgium and $4,759 per person for Rhine & Moselle.
The Mekong offering has three 16-day departures from $6,688 per person for land and cruise, or $3,589 cruise-only. The fares give advisors early pricing for expert-hosted, affinity-style sales in Europe and Southeast Asia.
Avalon's free-flights and $3,000 savings offer has ended
Avalon Waterways' free-flights and up to $3,000 savings promotion expired Oct 12. Only the headline is available, so details need confirming with Avalon. Advisors should check whether it is extended or replaced, since promotion cycles shape client pricing conversations. That matters more while low water is weighing on European bookings.