River cruising has long held quiet appeal, but in recent years the sector has surged into the mainstream,

attracting new-to cruise guests alongside many loyal returners. According to our 2026 Annual Report, 57 per cent of Brits say relaxation is the best aspect of a river cruise, and 65 per cent of those aged 55-64 are interested in a holiday on one of the world’s waterways.

In this river special, we explore what’s driving that growth and how agents can capitalise on it. As well as our

partnership with VIVA Cruises, which you can find out more from my co-editor for this issue, we take a look at the exciting river cruise destinations you must have on your radar in 2026 (p. 10) as well as coverage from the 2026 CLIA RiverView Conference (p.4).

Happy reading