- Many river lines are reporting that some 2026 itineraries are booking out quickly.
- Portugal, France, the Danube, and the shoulder season are proving popular for 2026.
- Some river lines have already sold 30 per cent of their river cruise capacity.
Despite the economic uncertainty, river cruise lines say bookings have remained strong and reservations for 2026 are already outpacing this year.
Lines like AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Tauck, Scenic, and Viking are all reporting strong bookings for 2026, saying that they expect better results for next year than in 2025.
AmaWaterways has seen strong growth in their African sailings, where they operate the much-loved Zambezi Queen on safaris, and in Europe, Portugal, France and the Danube are incredibly popular.
“We’re pleased to share that 2026 is already tracking ahead of 2025, with strong momentum continuing to build. As a relatively new player in the local market, we’re incredibly grateful for the growing support from both travel advisors and direct guests,” said Steve Richards, MD of AmmaWaterways, Australia and New Zealand.
“It’s clear that river cruising is gaining popularity, and we’re proud that more travellers are placing their trust in AmaWaterways to deliver a truly enriching and luxurious experience.”
Tauck, which operates land tours and safaris as well as small ship itineraries, is seeing its river cruise arm performing better than some of the land tours.
The line has reported it is pacing 30 per cent ahead of its 2025 bookings.
“Tauck has always been known for its robust offerings of land tours, safaris, and small ship itineraries. But river cruising is booming, and we are seeing that for 2026, the numbers are outpacing those of 2025.”
According to Travel Weekly, Viking, largest line in the river industry, saw $897.1 million in total revenue for the first quarter of 2025, a nearly 25% jump year over year.
The line has also said it has sold 95 per cent of its 2025 river capacity and has already sold 28 per cent of its capacity for 2026.
Some agents have said that while the economy is volatile, travellers are thinking carefully about the way they want to holiday, and river cruise lines are adjusting with good marketing and thoughtful promotions.
Cruise lines, rather than standing still, are taking into account what their clients want.
Avalon Waterways and Uniworld for instance, have added extra shoulder season sailings in response to cruisers looking for more Christmas markets and autumnal itineraries.
Avalon Waterways, earlier this year in response to the popularity of Portugal, added two more itineraries for November, while AmaWaterways last year added extra sailings in March, April, November, and December.
With the launch of the APT Solara and APT Ostara, the line has designed the ship’s itineraries to run from March until December.
“While summer boasts postcard scenes, many of our guests are increasingly opting for shoulder season to see another side of Europe that is equally as beautiful.
“In autumn, vineyards and riverbanks are brushed with gold, and the light takes on a warm, cinematic quality. Touring during these months means wandering cobbled lanes with a little more ease, lingering a little longer at castles and cathedrals, and finding a riverside café seat without the summertime bustle.”
Luxury river line Scenic says that their guests are shifting to stacking their itineraries.
“Scenic Group is experiencing a significant increase in our luxury river cruise demand, with bookings for 2026 already outpacing our record 2025 Europe and Asia seasons,” said Anthony Laver, the Group General Manager at Scenic.
“With the announcement of new products and the launch of the 2026 River Collection across the Scenic and Emerald Cruises brands, we have seen a strong response from both new and existing guests, to secure their preferred suites categories, itineraries, departure dates and land extensions, much earlier. There is a growing shift to book back-to-back river cruises and link with our luxury yachts in key destinations.
“The trend to book earlier ensures guests who want to ‘experience stack’ their holidays, or invite friends and extended family to share their life-changing experiences, can plan with confidence and secure the best offers available.”
