Riviera Travel Rolls Out Dedicated Cruise Hosts to Elevate Onboard Experience

Riviera Travel is pleased to announce the introduction of a new Cruise Host role across its European river cruise fleet, further enhancing the onboard experience with added entertainment and guest engagement.

Developed in response to strong guest feedback, the Cruise Host role forms part of a consistent, guest-focused programme designed to enrich the atmosphere on board and further elevate Riviera’s river cruise holidays.

Over recent months, Riviera Travel has recruited and trained a dedicated team of Cruise Hosts, supported by significant investment in onboarding and ongoing development to ensure they are fully prepared to deliver the high standards of service and experience guests expect from Riviera.

The initiative has also been shaped by insight from Riviera’s trusted agent partners, who continued to highlight customer interest in social interaction and reassurance around onboard experience, particularly among first-time and solo river cruise travellers.

Cruise Hosts will work alongside the ships Cruise Director and complement Riviera’s existing onboard entertainment offering, focusing on creating a welcoming and inclusive onboard environment. Their role is centred on hosting light-touch activities and social moments that encourage connections and engagement, alongside Riviera’s evening entertainment programme led by onboard musicians, as well as local entertainment throughout the cruise.

This includes:

• Quizzes, games, and group activities

• Wellbeing and gentle movement sessions, such as stretching and Tai Chi (a long-standing guest request).

• Supporting guests to feel relaxed, comfortable and at ease throughout their cruise, especially first-time and solo travelling customers.

Differing from traditional entertainment, Riviera’s Cruise Hosts are positioned as friendly and confident facilitators who help foster social connections and enhance overall onboard experience for guests, while evening entertainment and regional experiences remain a core part of Riviera’s river cruise experience.

Appointed mid- March, James Golding, new Chief Customer Experience Officer (CXO) at Riviera Travel, comments on this new role:

“Having already spent time on board Riviera Radiance on the Danube, I’ve seen first-hand how the right onboard atmosphere can elevate the overall guest experience. The introduction of our Cruise Host role reflects our ongoing focus on the small details that make a big difference. Working alongside our Cruise Directors, Cruise Hosts add an extra layer of sociability and wellbeing on board, and we’re really pleased with how the new programme has developed as we head into the new season.”

Vicky Billing, Director of Trade, Partnerships and Loyalty UK & Ireland, adds:

“Our agent partners continue to tell us that reassurance around the onboard experience and opportunities for social interaction are particularly important for first-time and solo river cruise travellers. The Cruise Host role has been shaped by that valued insight, reinforcing our commitment to working closely with the trade to deliver the best possible Riviera experience for their customers.”

Agents have welcomed the introduction of the Cruise Host role, praising its value in supporting booking conversations with their customers.

The Cruise Host role will be progressively rolled out across Riviera Travel’s river fleet throughout the 2026 season, reinforcing the company’s continued investment in guest experience and its collaborative approach to working with trade partners.