A River of Options

When European river cruising first emerged on the travel scene as an option for U.S. vacationers back in the early 2000s, most of the fledgling companies offered very similar products.

No longer a niche product, river cruising has gone mainstream, offering agents an ever-expanding collection of lines, vessels, and travel experiences to sell to their clients. Furthermore, river lines have become increasingly more segmented, much in the same way as their ocean-going counterparts.

There are lines that offer unabashed, everything’s-included luxury, and others that offer a slightly more pared-down product, with a more affordable price to match. And more river cruises are now welcoming children, at least on certain departures, and fine-tuning their offerings to attract younger, more active travelers along with those with special interests.

What it means, more than ever, is that you need to know which lines offer what—and which is the best match for your clients. For advice on how to sell this ever-evolving market, turn to our cover story on page 20.

For still more advice on how to sell river cruises, turn to page 22 for our profile of river cruise specialist Debby Hughes, of Loveland, Ohio-based Distinct Journeys, a Dream Vacations franchise. An experienced cruise retailer, Hughes discovered her passion on her very first river cruise. “We all have river cruise clients in our current client base,” she said. “Drill down to look at those who prefer smaller ships or those who book the more private sections and suites on ocean liners. If we are tracking our clients’ interests, we will be able to market to wine enthusiasts and foodies, art and history lovers, war buffs and the well-traveled.”

Since we’re focused on river cruises this month, we’re also featuring a profile on a new entrant in the U.S. market—Riviera River Cruises—on page 26. This company is huge in the U.K. but now is courting U.S. travel agents with an affordable river product.

And on page 28, we profile Viking Cruises, the company that started on the rivers but has successfully expanded onto the oceans.

Elsewhere in this issue, we talk to Playa Hotels Resorts Executive Vice President Kevin Froemming on his company’s recent acquisition of Jewel resorts in Jamaica and its plans for other new brands, including Panama Jack. The story’s on page 34.

On page 36, you’ll learn about Xanterra, which recently changed its name to Xanterra Travel Collection to better reflect its growing number of tour companies, iconic resorts, and even a cruise line—Windstar!

There’s more, of course, but I’ve run out of space. I hope you love this issue, and may it finally be spring wherever you are!