Riviera Travel has reported over 100% year-over-year growth, more than doubling its 2024 passenger numbers just seven months after rebranding from Riviera River Cruises. The company, which operates ultra-premium river cruise, ocean yachts and land travel globally for more than 40 years, made the announcement amid its expansion push into the North American market.
The rebrand launched in January unified the company's river cruise business under one global brand identity. Since then, Riviera has opened a flagship U.S. office in Fort Lauderdale, expanded its sales team, committed further to the travel advisor community, introduced custom packages and enhanced its onboard experience.
"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."
Riviera has strengthened its North American presence this year by appointing key leadership roles and regional sales managers, expanding its U.S. sales team by 500 percent. The Fort Lauderdale office makes Riviera the only global river cruise line to have an East Coast headquarters. The company also introduced a newly designed website and launched its digital training platform for travel advisors called Riviera Explorer.
Onboard experience updates this year 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. The brand also launched an all-inclusive drinks package available daily from 10 a.m. to midnight on 2026 itineraries.
Riviera now serves as a turnkey solution for travel advisors and their clients, offering the ability to book all air, transfers, river cruises and pre- and post-cruise stays through the company. Earlier this year, Riviera introduced its Grand Tours collection, created exclusively for the North American market. Launching in 2026, these itineraries will combine the brand's river cruises with its land tours, allowing guests extended journeys to destinations.
"This is just the beginning for Riviera Travel," said Milan. "We're committed to innovation and passionate about creating a truly special, unforgettable experience for North American travelers."
The brand will offer 20 familiarization trip slots to U.S. travel advisors who complete the Riviera Explorer program by September 30, 2025. Its 2027 program is expected to be revealed soon, featuring new programs, products and additional offerings.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by Riviera Travel. It was fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
