Cruise industry stalwart Stuart Perl has joined fledgling UK river cruise operator Backwaters Cruising

Perl, who was most recently managing director of Riverside Luxury Cruises, has joined the company’s board of directors to help develop brand awareness and steer the firm’s marketing strategy.

“How exciting to be part of Backwaters Cruising, a British company pioneering a unique and eco-responsible genre of river cruising in the UK and then abroad,” Perl said via social media.

“With cruise-tours of two- to 10-days, our guests will enjoy all-inclusive sailings on beautiful inland waterways not accessible to traditional river cruise ships.”

The former Cunard marketing director and AmaWaterways managing director will support the line ahead of its relaunch in 2025.

Stuart Perl to support Backwaters Cruises ahead of planned 2025 relaunch

According to its website, the brand originally operated river breaks in France through 2018 and 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic forced it to cease operations through 2020 and 2021.

The line is now working to recapitalise the business with a view to restoring its cruise and touring operation on the UK inland waterways network from 2025, with initial trips planned on the Thames between Windsor and Lechlade, and the Kennet and Avon Canal between Reading and Bath.

“Next year is now taking shape around short break programmes and longer holidays exploring more than 180 miles of delightful waterway provided by the non-tidal Thames and Kennet & Avon navigation,” said founder and CEO Lynn Woods.