Eight takeaways from TTG’s first Riviera Fest

3. What makes Riviera unique?

Billing believes the fact Riviera is a “100% British company” may appeal to clients. “We cater for the British, from our food to our decor, and serve predominantly British guests, but the key thing, actually, is the cruise directors and the concierge onboard.” Billing recalls the cruise director talking to all the guests at lunch, and being with them all week, including for excursions. “Everybody embraces it and it’s just so lovely to see.” Billing adds that the dining onboard Riviera ships is another big draw, with quite an informal atmosphere save for the weekly gala dinners (which feature a tasting menu), and both buffet and menu choices: “The food is absolutely beautiful and there’s lots of choice.” Billing added that while dining on tours is more flexible so guests have the option to dine out, there is plenty of food included and “nobody will go hungry”. Billing also describes Riviera’s excursions (which are included and led at different paces) as “fantastic”. 

4. Client matching 

Agents Margaret McCorriston, cruise development executive at Hays Travel, and Marion Husan, store manager at Barrhead Travel, joined a panel discussion on matching clients to the right Riviera holiday. McCorriston described the average Riviera customer as around 55, well-travelled, and “looking for a lovely good value [mid-range] escorted river cruise”. “They probably enjoy city breaks, but don’t want the hassle of having to prepare it all by themselves and create their own itinerary,” she says. “It’s a similar demographic for touring. And ocean might suit younger clients better.”  Husan agrees, adding that Riviera’s product is also very appealing to those looking for everything to be included “especially with the tours being included and now the drinks packages included in the river cruises”. “It makes such a difference,” she adds. Husan pitches average spend at about £3,000-£3,500, but she’s had clients get deals for £1,999. “The prices are good for what you’re getting – you’re getting the experience from the tour guides which more mature clients like.” 

The agents agreed that most Riviera tours and cruises really do offer something for all interests and demographics, but some specific client matching suggestions include the Victoria Falls, Botswana Safari and Cape Town tour or yacht cruises for multi-generational families (depending on numbers they might qualify for personal tours or cruises); the gastronomy cruises for foodies; the Classical Spain and Classical Sicily tours for solo travellers (with some designated solo tours); and Danube and Rhine cruises for bigger groups (one in eight goes free) due to access to some of the more vibrant cities.  

5. Greet the (river) fleet

Will Sarson, Riviera’s head of product, river and ocean cruise, ran through Riviera’s 12 current river ships, and two new ones joining the fleet next year.

Douro:

-    Douro Elegance (sister ship to Douro Splendour and “basically identical”)
-    Douro Splendour (sister ship to Douro Elegance)
-    Porto Mirante (new – sailing just in 2024; “absolutely stunning”)

Seine: 

-    Jane Austen (sister ship to Lord Byron)

Rhone:

-    Lord Byron (sister ship to Jane Austen and William Shakespeare)
-    William Shakespeare (being replaced on the Rhone for 2025)

All-suite ships (Riviera’s largest river ships (135m), following a similar template to each other)...

Danube and Rhine: 

-    Emily Bronte 
-    Oscar Wilde

Danube and Rhone:

-    Thomas Hardy 

Rhine and Dutch waterways:

-    George Eliot (slightly smaller at 110m)

-    Geoffrey Chaucer 
 
Danube, Main and Rhine: 

-    William Wordsworth 

Coming in 2025: 

-    Riviera Rose (Douro – sister ship of Porto Mirante) 
-    Riviera Radiance (Danube – Riviera’s biggest ever ship)

6. Shores to explore

Riviera Travel’s shore excursions are included in the price of the trip and don’t need to be booked far in advance, giving clients the flexibility to see how they feel on any given day. Generally, there is one excursion per day (excluding arrival and departure days), but sometimes there is a morning trip and an afternoon outing. Occasionally there will be a full day’s excursion which will leave first thing in the morning “to allow us to go a little bit further afield and explore more of the general area”. Cruise director Sarah Keyes explains: “The excursions really give guests an opportunity to enjoy and get to know the places we visit rather than just arriving at the port and us saying ‘enjoy it on your own’.” She adds: “We actually take them around and show them the best points of each destination, or places close to the port.”

7. What happens on tours...

Europe:

“There is so much included in a Riviera tour,” says Riviera Travel key account manager Claire Hills, speaking about the 50-itinerary European programme. Flights or trains, plus transport to the destination are included and in some cases there’s a tour manager travelling with the group. If not, they will be at the airport or the train station to greet them. “Our tour managers really are the key to Riviera travel,” she says. “They’re very experienced, they’ve worked with us for years. And not only do we have our own tour managers, but we also use local guides. We do include very insightful excursions.” In terms of how a European Riviera tour feels, Hills says there’s an “important mix” of free time and getting off the beaten track. Riviera uses “very modern” coaches to get groups around, and clients on escorted tours will have breakfast included, and sometimes lunch and dinner (usually somewhere really authentic), depending on the tour. Luggage is also included. Riviera’s solo tours have the same inclusions as the classic ones, and as some solo travellers might be new to travelling, tour managers may meet them in the UK and travel with them. 

Rest of world: 

“We cover most of the Wonders of the World,” Sarson says of Riviera’s 49 tours outside of Europe. “There are things that are a lot of people’s bucket lists, like Mount Fuji, Sydney, the giant tortoises in the Galapagos,” he explains, “but we also pride ourselves on taking you to places that you didn’t know you need to go to.” All of the itineraries include excursions and “really good quality hotels. Tour managers will escort the groups and return flights and transfers are included as standard. “We’re really ramping up the amount of regional departures (such as Manchester) as well,” he says. Checked luggage (usually 23kg) is included as well as a variety of meals depending on the destination. 

8. Don’t miss the (ocean) boat 

“Our (six-strong) yacht cruise collection is small but perfectly formed,” says key account manager Beverley Philpotts, adding that a difference from other brands is Riviera specialising in Croatian waters. “The majority of our yachts only have about 19 cabins, which means that they can take only around 38 passengers – that’s based on customer feedback,” she explains. “Customers absolutely love the fact that it is a small experience, which means we can go right into the heart of the destination, or bay, a bit like our river cruises. You can then literally hop off and go straight off and do your walking tour as well,” Philpotts says. Flights from a range of airports with transfers are included, with no regional flight supplements anymore.

Riviera also offers tall ship and expedition cruises. It uses some of the “most sought after tall ships in the world” for the former: the Royal Clipper, the Star Clipper and the Star Flyer. “They are the pinnacle when it comes to a luxury sailing experience, and it can be a very hands-on experience – should your guests wish to they’re more than welcome to get involved,” explains key account manager Christopher McCloskey. “If you’re feeling a little bit adventurous you can climb to the top of the mast nest to get some incredible pictures,” he shares. “Or if you just want to relax you can spend the day lounging on the sailing nets and the crew will do everything for you, with a glass of champagne in your hands... whatever floats your boat.”

Riviera’s expedition ship, the Ocean Albatross, sails the Arctic. “You’re sailing and there are icebergs on the horizon, there’s wildlife everywhere,” recalls McCloskey. Ocean Albatross was launched in 2023 so it is “very modern and luxurious”, although space is of course limited.

*A number of product updates were also shared at Riviera Fest.