Riverside Luxury Cruises is planning to expand its itineraries and introduce new themed cruises, including golf- and beer-focused journeys this year.
Riverside is kicking off 2026 by reflecting on a standout year of achievements that made 2025 one of the most successful chapters in the company’s short history. The past year was defined by record sales growth, industry recognition, and strategic partnerships that further strengthened Riverside’s position within the global luxury travel market, setting the stage for continued momentum in 2026.
“2025 has been a truly defining year for Riverside Luxury Cruises,” said Charlie Hewitt-Davies, Managing Director, Riverside Luxury Cruises UK. “Doubling our sales, earning industry recognitions, and building meaningful consortia partnerships has validated everything we set out to achieve when we launched the brand less than three years ago, and we’re just getting started.”
Record-Breaking Sales Growth
Riverside Luxury Cruises delivered a breakthrough sales year in 2025, doubling sales year-over-year from 2024 and outperforming broader cruise industry growth trends. The results underscore the strength of the Riverside brand and the market’s response to its distinctive approach to luxury river cruising, supported by growing brand awareness and deepened engagement with travel advisors and strategic partners.
“The growth we experienced this year is a testament to the trust our guests and partners place in the Riverside brand,” said Ms Hewitt-Davies. “Doubling our sales while maintaining the highest standards of luxury and service is an achievement we are incredibly proud of as we head into 2026.”
Award-Winning Excellence
Throughout 2025, Riverside Luxury Cruises earned multiple industry honours recognising its exceptional guest experience, top-notch‑ culinary programme, and highly personalised service. These accolades underscore the company’s continued investment in innovation and its commitment to setting new standards in luxury river cruising.
Highlights include:
- Best Cruise Ship, Riverside Debussy – Andrew Harper’s Editors Choice Awards
- Best Dining, River Cruise – Cruise Critic Best in Cruise Awards
- The award has gone to Riverside for three years running, since the brand launched
- Best for Luxury, River Cruise – Cruise Critic Best in Cruise Awards
- Best in Food & Beverages for Rivers – Sailawaze Excellence Awards
- Best River Ship, Riverside Mozart – Porthole Reader’s Choice Awards
- Best Luxury Cruise Line in Europe – Luxury Lifestyle Awards
- Riverside has won these category two years running
Strategic Partnerships
In 2025, Riverside Luxury Cruises strengthened its global presence by forming strategic partnerships with leading luxury travel consortia. In September, Riverside was accepted into Virtuoso’s highly selective global portfolio of luxury travel partners, which includes 2,500 preferred suppliers across 100 countries.
“Being welcomed into Virtuoso in 2025 was a significant milestone for Riverside,” added Hewitt-Davies. “Travel advisors are at the heart of luxury travel, and their belief in Riverside has been instrumental to our growth in 2025.”
Looking Ahead
Building on the momentum of a highly successful 2025, Riverside Luxury Cruises enters 2026 with plans to expand its itineraries and introduce exciting new themed cruises, including golf- and beer-focused journeys. Guests can also look forward to fresh surprises in the already stellar culinary programme, further enhancing the immersive and unforgettable experiences that have become synonymous with the Riverside brand.
