Riviera Travel to build four new ships

Riviera Travel has revealed that it is to build four new ships as part of a major fleet expansion.

Three of the ships will be named after British authors, Thomas Hardy, Oscar Wilde and Emily Bronte. The fourth ship, which will sail on the Douro, will be called the Douro Elegance.

The announcement comes on the same day as Riviera’s 2017 season goes on sale.

Speaking to Cruise Adviser, Joseph Grimley, head of agency sales, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our 2017 River Cruise programme. Particularly exciting is the news that we are having 4 brand new (Five-Star) ships built for us. The MS Thomas Hardy, MS Emily Bronte and MS Oscar Wilde will be state of the art ‘all-suite’ ships sailing itineraries on the Rhine and Danube. The MS Douro Elegance will be operating an extended season for us on the Douro.”

The all-suite vessels will continue to have a focus on the UK market. With tea and coffee making facilities installed in each cabin.

This year Riviera Travel has capacity for 25,000 passengers. It sends 110,000 passengers overseas on its escorted tour programme, which includes the company’s river cruises.

The company currently operates a fleet of 16 river and small ships, across Europe, Asia and South America.

The Thomas Hardy will sail on the Danube while the Oscar Wilde will sail on the Rhine & Moselle.

The Emily Bronte will sail from Amsterdam and include itineraries on the Rhine & Moselle and the Danube.

The company’s new 2016-17 river cruise brochures will be delivered by tradegate. For any homeworkers requiring a copy email agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk

•  The Swiss Ruby will now be sailing the seven day itineraries on the Seine
•  Lord Byron is being re-positioned and will sail the seven day Burgundy & Provence itinerary

2017 lead in prices: 

•  5 days from £649pp
•  8 days from £999pp
•  15 days from £1499pp