The demand for river cruises has never been higher, and Riverside Luxury Cruises is fully onboard, says Peter Ouzounov, Senior Director of Sales, Canada, in this edition of Take 5.

1. Riverside Luxury Cruises has been in business for just over two years now, and already it’s been featured on Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards as one of the top 10 favourite river cruise lines of 2024, as voted by readers. That’s an incredible accomplishment for a brand new cruise line. What key value points do you credit for Riverside becoming so popular right out of the gate?

Ouzounov: “First impressions are important, and I would say that our beautifully appointed ships immediately capture the attention of potential guests.

“We are quickly becoming known for our culinary program – in fact, we were awarded Best Dining on the Rivers in Cruise Critic’s Editors’ Choice Awards two years running. Food is such an important part of the travel experience, and for a new line to receive this kind of attention has definitely gotten the advisor community talking about Riverside.

“We’ve also taken a different approach with itineraries and schedules, with the understanding that not all guests are looking for a seven-night sailing. Maybe they want to do just four night, or extend to 10. Our itineraries can be combined in different ways to create just the right fit for our guests.”

2. How does ‘the Riverside experience’ differ from others in the river cruise space? 

Ouzounov: “Our parent company, Seaside Collection Hotels, is known for design-forward properties in Europe and the Maldives offering understated luxury with top tier service.

“This model informs the guest experience on our river ships as well. All our suites come with butler service, allowing guests to decide what pampering looks like to them. Maybe it’s ordering breakfast in bed every day, or not having to worry about packing and unpacking. Guests have a direct line to their butler via WhatsApp, meaning they are reachable even when a guest is in port.

“The feeling of intimacy onboard our ships is another important factor that differentiates us from the pack. Riverside Ravel and Debussy carry just 110 guests, while Mozart carries a max. of 162. Guests who have sailed on other river lines will immediately notice the amount of space allotted to suites and public spaces on Riverside ships.

“And finally, personalization is a key component in the Riverside experience. The process of getting to know our guests begins even before they board one of our ships. Our online guest portal allows the crew to learn their preferences, and gives them the opportunity to surprise and delight from day one.”

3. There’s intense interest in river cruise product, from travellers who can’t seem to get enough of river cruising, and also from other established cruise lines making inroads with river cruise lines of their own. Is there room for all players and what are some of Riverside’s best practices when it comes to cultivating guest loyalty?

Ouzounov: “I think yes, there is room for more players in river cruise, and I see the growth in our market as a vote of confidence for the entire river cruise segment.

“We’re cultivating loyal guests on every sailing, and our feedback forms tell us these guests plan to return because they found a special bond with a crew member, or had the best sleep of their lives in our spacious suites, or received personalized attention that they hadn’t found with other brands.

“We aim to deliver on all our promises, and our crew is trained to understand that the ‘extra mile’ is simply part of what top tier service entails. In short, we offer a true luxury experience that guests can’t find anywhere else, and they know they will receive the same each time they return.”

4. Travel advisors have been enthusiastic sellers of river cruises from the get-go. What can you tell us about Riverside’s outreach to travel advisors, including the new online training program?

Ouzounov: “While the parent company is based in Europe, the very first thing the owners did was set up a North American based subsidiary, because they knew that developing relationships with the North American trade was absolutely critical to the new brands success.

“We’re dedicated to being at the trade shows and events to ensure the advisor community understands the brand, and just as importantly, that they know us personally. This is a very important aspect to our approach – we aim to be as personalized in our selling as we are in delivering an unparalleled experience to our guests.

“We launched our new education platform in December, and we’ve been seeing a great response from the advisor community. The six-part, multi-media course was designed to work with all levels of advisor experience, whether you are new to river cruises or a seasoned pro. It includes an overview of the brand, a primer on the cruise destinations we visit, details on the unique onboard experience including the culinary offerings and high level of service, an introduction to the shore excursion program, procedures for seamless bookings and proven marketing and proven sales strategies and techniques.

“Upon completing the course, the advisor becomes a certified Riverside specialist, gains access to TA rates for FAMs. Once they start selling, they will begin earning our generous 18% commission, paid monthly after the final payment date.”

5. Can you share a snapshot of Riverside’s 2025 itineraries?

Ouzounov: “We have some cool special sailings coming up this year, executed in a way that is uniquely Riverside. In late April, a special departure of the Romantic Rhine Southbound brings guests to participate in the unforgettable Rhine in Flames festival, with a breathtaking fireworks display on the river along with music and entertainment.

“On June 18, our Solstice in the Wachau with Danube Fireworks sailing celebrates the longest day of the year with another musical fireworks spectacular, and stops in Budapest, Bratislava, Dürnstein and Vienna. And this fall, we will offer the Danube New Wine Celebration sailing, timed to celebrate the season’s grape harvest during St. Martin’s festivities, when the new wine is blessed and served for the first time.

“Of course, with sommeliers onboard every ship and an expansive wine menu, we say that every cruise is a wine cruise on Riverside!”

Travel advisors can register and book their luxury clients through the brand’s dedicated partner portal at www.Riverside-Cruises.com/TA.