Nine leading river cruise operators gathered in Vienna for the fourth annual showcase, bringing 15 ships to the Austrian capital to highlight innovation, expansion plans and a shared commitment to sustainable tourism. Executives revealed new vessels launching this year and next, with much anticipation around the debut of Celebrity River Cruises, which is set to begin sailing in 2027 and open for bookings later this year. AmaWaterways co-founder and CEO Rudi Schreiner expressed optimism for the sector’s continued growth, noting, “There’s still room to expand… The more, the happier—everybody brings in some new ideas.” Tauck’s vice president of global sales and reservations, Steve Spivak, raised concerns about tourism’s impact on small communities, urging the industry to “take a hard look” at managing destinations responsibly to ensure locals continue to benefit from river cruising.
Kristin Karst, co-founder and chief brand ambassador of AmaWaterways, echoed the importance of forging purposeful partnerships with host villages and countries, stating, “Our achievements become their achievements.” As the market grows, cruise lines are also eyeing ocean cruisers as potential river converts. Michelle Palma, North America EVP for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, noted the appeal of immersive travel, saying, “When you take a cruise, you travel to the heart of the country, but when you take a river cruise, you travel the arteries of the country.”