Riviera Travel is set to launch what it believes is the world’s first dedicated solo passenger river cruise ship, the George Eliot, which will sail solo departures exclusively on the Danube, Rhine and Moselle beginning in June 2027.
“It’s a massive, underserved bit of the market we’re going after,” Stuart Milan, Riviera Travel’s president, North America, told Cruise Industry News in an interview for the 2027 European River Market Report. “The market is on the rise. More people are getting confident to travel by themselves.”
The solo ship is part of a broader fleet expansion. Following the launch of the Radiance last year, the Resplendence set off on her maiden voyage on July 4, 2026. Riviera is expecting delivery of the Reflection and the Alba in 2027 and the Rhapsody in 2028.
The Resplendence, the Reflection and the Rhapsody are part of the Radiance Class, featuring an enhanced lounge and reception area, three restaurants and larger suites while keeping the same guest capacity.
“All of our dining options have changed. It’s much more all-inclusive, with drinks from 10 in the morning to midnight,” Milan said.
The Alba will sail the Mekong with just 25 cabins, carrying 40 to 50 guests with a ratio of two guests to every staff member. Milan said the company would consider another Mekong ship if it performed well, and was also looking to offer the Nile to the North American market.
Riviera has been making a concerted push into North America since fall 2024.
“We now have an office in Fort Lauderdale and 30 people working there,” Milan said, adding that Canada would be the next-biggest opportunity outside the U.S., with plans to offer cruises in Canadian dollars.
Milan expected the solo market to grow significantly in the coming years, along with demand for themed and experiential cruising. The average age of guests on Christmas market sailings has also been decreasing significantly, he said.
“I think the growth in multi-generational travel is huge,” Milan added.
He positioned Riviera in the upper-premium space.
“We don’t class ourselves as luxury. We class ourselves as great value for money,” he said.
Milan also welcomed new entrants such as Celebrity, citing the increased awareness they bring to the whole river cruise industry.
“So, yes, just all guns blazing and we’re just making sure we’re in the right spot to take advantage of it all,” he said.
