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4 clusters · 13 sources · 7 days · First seen · Last updated

Expansion of global cruise and river cruise operations

Overview

Major cruise operators are expanding their service offerings and itineraries for the coming years.

CroisiEurope has detailed its 2027 summer itineraries, focusing on navigation reliability to mitigate previous low-water issues. The company is introducing a new Balkan plan on the Danube, connecting Novi Sad and Belgrade to the Iron Gates, and has revised routes between Vienna, Passau, and Budapest. Additional updates include a new itinerary on the Main River between Mainz and Nuremberg to explore Bavarian heritage, and expanded Upper Rhine programs covering Alsace, Switzerland, and the Black Forest. In the Netherlands, new options will connect Amsterdam to the Moselle Valley and Luxembourg, alongside cruises around the IJsselmeer. The company also continues its expansion into South American Amazon cruises.

Reflecting broader market trends for 2027, there is increasing demand for culturally focused river cruises, Northern Europe voyages, and luxury small-ship sailings, with travelers seeking shoulder-season departures to avoid crowds.

Avalon Waterways has also announced its 2027 ‘Active & Discovery’ itineraries, which emphasize immersive experiences through excursions such as cooking classes, brewery visits, kayaking, and e-biking. The program utilizes Suite Ships with an average of 150 guests, featuring Panorama Suites that are approximately 30 per cent larger than the industry standard.

Simultaneously, Scenic Group has opened early access for its 2028 luxury river and land journeys, introducing longer stays and new routes in the Douro Valley, France, and Central Europe. In a move toward market diversification, MSC Cruises’ luxury brand, Explora Journeys, is formalizing its entry into the river cruise market via a Letter of Intent with the Dutch Den Breejen Shipyard to construct its first fleet of luxury river cruise ships for the European market.

Entities

Europe · CroisiEurope · Emerald Cruises · America's Cup · MSC Group

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Avalon Waterways announces 2027 Active & Discovery cruise itineraries

    Avalon Waterways introduces its 2027 Active & Discovery European river cruise itineraries, featuring customizable excursions and signature Panorama Suites with river-facing views.

  2. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    CroisiEurope announces new European river cruise itineraries for 2027

    CroisiEurope and other operators are expanding European cruise offerings for 2027, with a focus on new Danube, Rhine, and Balkan itineraries and rising demand for culturally immersive river voyages.

  3. [BUSINESS] 8 sources
    Explora Journeys to enter river cruising with new luxury fleet

    MSC Group’s luxury brand Explora Journeys has signed a Letter of Intent with Den Breejen Shipyard to build luxury river ships, with sales for the European river cruises expected to open in 2027.

  4. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    CroisiEurope and Scenic Group announce new cruise itineraries

    CroisiEurope and Scenic Group have announced new cruise itineraries, with CroisiEurope focusing on navigation reliability for 2027 and Scenic Group offering early access to 2028 luxury European journeys.

Sources

abouttravel.ch · bairdmaritime.com · cruisepassenger.com.au · cruisetotravel.com · hosteltur.com · karryon.com.au · latecruisenews.com · panrotas.com.br · portalcruceros.cl · porthole.com · tnews.pt · travelweekly.com.au · welcome-aboard.de

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history