European river cruise line, VIVA Cruises, has inked a strategic agreement with Gold Medal's sister brand, Cruise Plus. The partnership enables UK travel agents to book VIVA Cruises' itineraries through the Cruise Plus Contact Centre. The agreement unlocks Cruise Plus' extensive agent network and booking solutions. Travel agents will now be able to easily book VIVA Cruises itineraries for their clients. Andrea Kruse, CEO of VIVA Cruises, said: "Integrating our itineraries into the Cruise Plus platform, expands our reach and provides travel agents with a new premium river cruise experience." The companies announced the partnership this week at the CLIA RiverView Conference in Amsterdam. VIVA Cruises showcased its first new build, VIVA ONE to travel agents at the conference Mark Henderson, Head of Specialist Product at Cruise Plus, said: "With this agreement, we are streamlining the booking process, allowing travel agents to focus on what they do best." VIVA Cruises was founded in 2018 as the first in house tour operator of Swiss shipping company, Scylla AG. Since then, it has grown rapidly and now has an eight-ship fleet sailing on major European rivers. The fleet includes two own build ships; with a third one, VIVA ENJOY, launching at the end of this year.

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VIVA Cruises’ first newbuild river ship will centre stage at the CLIA RiverView Conference 2024 next week. In Amsterdam from 11-13 March, VIVA ONE will be showcased to industry leaders and travel agents. VIVA ONE will be moored in Amsterdam and available for agents to visit across the two-day river cruise conference, as well as hosting lunches and dinners. The ship was the first one that VIVA Cruises conceived and built from scratch and launched in April 2022. It has 88 cabins accommodating 176 guests  including double beds and junior suites along with two restaurants. The river cruise line was founded in 2018 as the first in house tour operator of Swiss shipping company, Scylla AG. Since then, it has grown to an eight-ship fleet sailing on major European rivers, including new ships VIVA ONE and VIVA TWO; with the third one, VIVA ENJOY, launching at the end of this year. VIVA Cruises has also recently announced new Douro itineraries on board new built ship, PORTO MIRANTE, from May 2025. Andrea Kruse, CEO of VIVA Cruises, said: "We are delighted to be part of CLIA RiverView. This conference presents an invaluable opportunity to showcase our first built ship, VIVA ONE, and to connect with peers." Next week's CLIA RiverView Conference will focus on themes such as sustainability, innovation, new itineraries and attracting first-time cruisers. VIVA Cruises became a European Regional Affiliate member of CLIA in 2023.  

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  European river cruise specialist, VIVA Cruises, celebrated its fifth birthday with a special anniversary cruise. Key national and international partners gathered on VIVA ONE, VIVA Cruises’ very first build ship, and looked back on the impressive company history – and its plans for the future.   The beginnings   “It started with an idea and a dream”, recalls Arno Reitsma. In 2017, the CEO of VIVA Cruises decided to establish his own sales brand under the umbrella of his Swiss shipping company, Scylla AG. The concept and business plan were quickly finalised, and he also found what he calls “the best person for the job”: industry expert Andrea Kruse, now COO of VIVA Cruises. The only thing missing was a suitable name. After many ideas and combinations, the “VIVA Cruises” brand was finally born.   On the 3 November 2018, the Savor – the first river cruise ship exclusively for VIVA Cruises – set sail on the Danube. Just two years later, it was time to have a ship of its own. Swiss Tiara was renovated and modernised and became VIVA TIARA, which would lay the foundation stone of the VIVA Cruises fleet. For many, VIVA TIARA remains the favourite member of the VIVA Cruises family.   However, shortly after the VIVA TIARA was put into service, Covid-19 and a global lockdown put the brakes on the ambitious growth of VIVA Cruises. However, the river cruise specialist quickly found its way back out of the crisis and, in summer 2020, brought guests back to the rivers with short and themed cruises.   VIVA Cruises continued to grow and in March 2022 launched its very first build ship, VIVA ONE, christened in its home port of Düsseldorf. In April 2023, VIVA Cruises launched its second build ship, VIVA TWO; and the third one, VIVA ENJOY, will join the fleet in autumn 2024.   Anniversary cruise with show programme   To mark the anniversary, the two managing directors, Arno Reitsma (CEO) and Andrea Kruse (COO), invited some key national and international business partners to a special river cruise from Düsseldorf to the charming town of Andernach (Germany) 24-26 November. The river cruise specialist offered its guests a colourful and festive programme with a gala dinner, live music and a few surprises. The focus of the trip was to celebrate the company’s success and to thank its key partners.   These include Shiri Gordon, VIVA TWO’s godmother and managing director of Tel Aviv-based leading tour operator The Gordon Travel Group. She has been a long-time partner of VIVA Cruises and its parent company, Scylla AG. She said: “The history of VIVA Cruises is like watching a good friend grow up and find her own identity”. On the other hand, Carolin Ecker, COO of e-hoi, one of the largest international cruise booking portals, described her collaboration with the river cruise operator as a “reliable and innovative partnership.”   Other key partners who praised their work with VIVA Cruises included Robin Müller, from German tour operator, Seereisedienst; Enrique Martin, from VIVA Cruises’ UK representation agency, Four; and Lothar Hörnig, president of the Prinzengarde Blau-Weiss (carnival society) of the city of Düsseldorf.   What’s next?   “My greatest wish is for VIVA Cruises to be the leading river cruise operator in Europe in the next five years”, said CEO, Arno Reitsma. Over the past five years, VIVA Cruises has developed into one of the most popular and innovative river cruise operators in Europe. Pleasant year-round sailings, a comprehensive all-inclusive product, superb service and international guests all contribute to the success of VIVA Cruises. Its fleet now comprises seven river ships, including two new builds – and more will be added in the coming years.   “We listen to what our customers want and implement this in our products”, explained COO, Andrea Kruse. For her and her team, one thing is very clear: “VIVA Cruises is more than just a river cruise operator, it is a community of people who share a passion for travelling, discovery and enjoyment”.

 

VIVA Cruises’ third build ship, VIVA ENJOY, will launch in September 2024

More than 280 sailings will take place throughout 2024

  European river cruise specialist, VIVA Cruises, has launched its 2024 catalogue featuring more than 280 cruises on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, Rhône and Seine; plus the launch of its third built ship, VIVA ENJOY. All 2024 itineraries can already be booked online.   Following the launch of VIVA ONE in 2022 and VIVA TWO earlier this year, VIVA Cruises will be unveiling its third built ship, VIVA ENJOY, in September 2024 – one of the highlights of the 2024 catalogue. With a similar design to VIVA Cruises’ second build ship, VIVA ENJOY will feature 95 stylish cabins (including eight suites) and three restaurants.   Throughout 2024, the Düsseldorf-based river cruise company will be offering 85 different itineraries and more than 280 sailings on its eight vessels. There will be itineraries to cater for all tastes – from short four-night city breaks and Christmas and New Year’s itineraries to VIVA Cruises’ popular themed cruises plus VIVA ENJOY’s maiden voyage. Guests will also find a wide variety of tours and shore excursions in the new catalogue to match the trips on offer.   Andrea Kruse, COO of VIVA Cruises, said: “In addition to our popular classics, we are offering numerous new itineraries, experiences and special moments for 2024. With the exciting launch of VIVA ENJOY next year, we will have a total of eight ships – three of them sailing all year round, including in January, February and March, whilst most cruise lines are still in hibernation. This will enable us to meet the ever-increasing demand in river cruising.”   In 2024, VIVA Cruises will continue to offer flexibility to its international guests, who will be able to choose from a wide range of voyages and different ports of departure. For example, VIVA ONE, VIVA Cruises’ first built ship, will be mainly sailing on the Rhine from/to Düsseldorf and towards the Netherlands and Belgium. On the other hand, VIVA TIARA will be offering a large number of the inner-German voyages starting and ending in Frankfurt and Koblenz, including the popular four-night city break cruises.   VIVA TWO, the operator’s second built ship, will be sailing from/to Passau or from/to Vienna on the Danube; while VIVA VOYAGE and VIVA GLORIA will offer a variety of itineraries in France. New to the 2024 programme are the eight-day itineraries from Düsseldorf to Antwerp on board VIVA MOMENTS.   A highlight of the 2024 programme is VIVA ENJOY’s twelve-night maiden voyage, leaving Frankfurt on 22 September. The cruise will take passengers to historic places and cities including Wertheim, Wurzburg, Nuremberg, Passau and Linz, all the way to Vienna. After its maiden voyage, and throughout October and November, VIVA ENJOY will be carrying out eight-day cruises on the Danube (“Charming Danube”) from/to Vienna before offering Advent and Christmas cruises.   All VIVA Cruises itineraries include VIVA Cruises’ signature VIVA All-Inclusive product, which includes snacks, full board, high-quality alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, minibar, beauty products from luxury cosmetic brand, Rituals, Wi-Fi and all tips and gratuities.