Riviera River Cruises to Sell Exclusively Through Travel Advisors

Riviera River Cruises has announced that it will accept bookings for its European river cruises exclusively through travel advisors, effective January 1, 2020. The move will apply to North American bookings. 

In a written statement the European river cruise brand said that the move was due to rapid growth in sales through the travel agency community. In addition to the exclusive bookings, Riviera said it will also begin assisting travel advisors with flight arrangements and pre- and post-cruise hotel stays for their clients, also starting next year. Additionally, the line will offer several additional fam trips for travel advisors in spring 2020. 

Starting January 1, consumers who contact Riviera directly will be referred to book their river cruise through their own travel advisor or, if they don’t already have one, the booking will be turned over to the nearest advisor to them with whom Riviera already has a relationship. Also starting January 1, Riviera will be able to assist advisors with flight arrangements and pre- and post-cruise hotel stays throughout Europe for clients who want to extend their trip. The line said that it has negotiated airfares between the U.S. and Europe, and advisors will be able to arrange for flights, hotels and a river cruise, and purchase travel insurance, for clients all in the same booking process.

For the new fam trips planned for spring 2020, the line will send invitations via email to advisors who have completed its online training course. 

Riviera recently announced it will expand the hours of operation for its reservation line to accommodates travel advisors in the western U.S. and Canada. Starting January 1, the reservation line will be open 9 a.m. Eastern Time/6 a.m. Pacific Time to 8 p.m. Eastern Time/5 p.m. Pacific Time. Riviera’s reservation team is led by Chris Barker and also includes Merle Twigg, Ryan McVinnie, Suzanne Williams and Adam Spark.

Riviera River Cruises offers 15 itineraries on 10 rivers and waterways, including exclusive departures for solo travelers with no single supplement, on a fleet of 13 ships. 

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