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Travellers onboard MS George Eliot will enjoy Riviera Travel’s signature solo cruiser amenities and experiences, making them feel understood and welcome. Each guest will enjoy the comfort of their own double cabin, 83% of which feature a French balcony. The ship features communal spaces in the lounge, bar and sundeck. Image supplied.
Riviera Travel launches the world’s first dedicated cruise ship for solo travellers
By Tiffany West
The thought of travelling solo on a cruise of any description fills me with overwhelming dread. While I have always enjoyed exploring the many itineraries on offer (one or two of which are on my ‘Bucket List’), I am always deflated by how unlikely it will be that the experience will come close to meeting any of my very particular solo traveller needs and expectations. But overnight, that FOMO turned into wide-eyed wonder, as the UK’s Riviera Travel announced their ‘world first’ – river cruises dedicated entirely to solo travellers.
Riviera Travel is the UK’s largest river cruise and tour operator for more than 40 years, and beginning in June 2027, their ‘MS George Eliot’ will exclusively sail solo departures on the Danube, Rhine, and Moselle rivers marking the first time a cruise ship has devoted its entire season to solo guests.
“At Riviera Travel, we are passionate about evolution and innovation, as demonstrated throughout our 40-plus year history, and the launch of this first-of-its-kind program is a prime example of the way we’ve continued adapting our business to meet the changing needs of travellers,” Stuart Milan, President of North America for Riviera Travel, told The Solo Traveller. “Our solo river cruises are among our most popular itineraries. With growing demand for even more solo departures, we knew it was time to dedicate an entire ship to this thriving segment of the market. With this announcement, we are proud to take the next step in redefining solo travel and to offer an all-new luxury river cruise experience.”
“With growing demand for even more solo departures, we knew it was time to dedicate an entire ship to this thriving segment of the market. With this announcement, we are proud to take the next step in redefining solo travel and to offer an all-new luxury river cruise experience.”
Since introducing a limited selection of dedicated solo river cruises in 2018, demand for solo traveller sailings has grown significantly and Riviera has invested heavily in our needs and expectations. Riviera Travel currently offers more than 20 dedicated solo departures each year, the majority taking place during the Spring and Fall (Autumn), with every traveller enjoying a private cabin with no additional single supplement. By adding a dedicated solo traveller ship to its fleet, Riviera Travel is giving solo travellers the opportunity to choose whether they sail during peak river cruise season or at other times throughout the year.
Beginning in June 2027, MS George Eliot will sail the following 7-night itineraries exclusively for solo travellers: The Blue Danube; Rhine Cruise to Switzerland; Rhine and Moselle; and Rhine, Strasbourg, and Heidelberg. The four itineraries promise Riviera Travel’s unbeatable value including the expertise of a dedicated cruise director and hotel manager and insightful daily excursions led by local guides.
Heidelberg, on the Neckar River in Germany, is known for its venerable Heidelberg University, founded in the 14th Century. Gothic Heiliggeistkirche church towers over the café-lined Marktplatz (a town square in the Altstadt [Old Town]), and the red-sandstone ruins of Heidelberg Castle, a noted example of Renaissance architecture, stand on Königstuhl Hill. Photography: Jahanzeb Ahsan.
Travellers onboard MS George Eliot will enjoy Riviera Travel’s signature solo cruiser amenities and experiences, making them feel understood and welcome. Each guest will enjoy the comfort of their own double cabin, 83% of which feature a French balcony. The ship features communal spaces in the lounge, bar, and sundeck. A welcome dinner and cocktail reception, as well as daily entertainment will let other solo travellers connect with those who have shared interests for a social connection when desired. With no single supplement and an all-inclusive pricing structure that covers excursions, meals, and an all-day drink package, travellers can rest easy knowing there are no hidden fees.
Each guest will enjoy the comfort of their own double cabin, 83% of which feature a French balcony. The ship features communal spaces in the MS George Eliot Lounge (above), bar, and sundeck. Image supplied.
As one of the more intimate ships in the Riviera fleet, MS George Eliot will accommodate 68 solo travellers, creating an exclusive and welcoming atmosphere. Originally designed to carry 140 guests, the ship offers an unprecedented crew-to-guest ratio of one crew member for every two guests, ensuring solo travellers experience the highest level of personal service.
Tiffany West is The Solo Traveller’s Editorial and Pictorial Assistant Lead. This feature includes information provided by international news agencies and public relations representatives, published here with editorial oversight. You can read The Solo Traveller’s editorial policy regarding external sources here.