Riviera Travel Announces Over 100 Percent YOY Growth

Image: Riviera Travel's William Wordsworth (Photo Credit: Riviera Travel)
Image: Riviera Travel's William Wordsworth (Photo Credit: Riviera Travel)
Noreen Kompanik
by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 2:05 PM ET, Thu August 21, 2025

Riviera Travel, the UK’s largest river cruise and tour operator reported an over 100 percent YOY growth and more than double its annual passenger count in just seven months after its rebrand in January 2025.

So far in 2025, Riviera Travel has strengthened its North American presence by appointing key leadership roles and regional sales managers and expanding its full U.S. sales team by 500 percent.

The company opened a flagship office in Fort Lauderdale becoming the only global river cruise line to have an East Coast headquarters. Riviera also introduced a newly designed website to enhance customer experience and launched its new digital training platform for travel advisors, Riviera Explorer.

“We knew there would be an appetite for our offerings in North America and have been overjoyed to see just how right we were, realizing such incredible momentum since our relaunch,” said Stuart Milan, president of North America for Riviera Travel. “Surpassing all of last year’s passenger count in only seven months is a testament to the hard work of our expanding team, our strong partnerships with travel advisors, and the excitement our refreshed offerings is generating amongst travelers.”

Onboard experiences updates announced in 2025 include a new superior drinks package, available during lunch and from 6 p.m. to midnight, offering local wine, beer, and an evening cocktail of the day, as well as house spirits and mixers.

An all-inclusive drinks package is also available daily from 10 a.m. to midnight on 2026 itineraries. In an effort to better serve North American river cruise guests, Riviera now offers the ability for travel advisors to book all air, transfers, river cruises and pre-and post-cruise stays through the company.

Earlier this year, Riviera also introduced its Grand Tours collection, created exclusively for the North American market. Launching in 2026, these itineraries will combine the brand’s most beloved river cruises with expertly crafted land tours, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy extended journeys to iconic destinations.

“This is just the beginning for Riviera Travel,” added Milan. “We’re committed to innovation and passionate about creating a truly special, unforgettable experience for North American travelers.”

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