River Cruise Collective live! How 160 readers and five leading cruise lines created Australia’s largest river cruise event

  • Created just one year ago, The River Cruise Collective has grown to five lines and thousands of fans.
  • Some 80,000 read our fortnightly newsletters, and a further 100,000 see our magazine articles in Cruise&Travel magazine.
  • Last week, the collective ran its largest event to promote the joys of river cruising.

The River Cruise Collective went live last week and created Australia’s biggest ever event for fans of travelling on the world’s inland waterways.

The Hyatt Regency’s Upper Deck event rooms were alive with adventure and excitement as AmaWaterways, APT, Abercrombie and Kent, Avalon and Tauck all presented adventures around the world.

Some 160 readers attended and all agreed: listening to five lines present their differences back-to-back, and being able to ask questions was a brilliant concept.

According to the post-event survey, 95 per cent said they would attend another event, with 25 per cent saying they had either booked a cruise on the night or were seriously considering doing so. Another 50 per cent said they were interested and would.

Presentations by the cruise lines were rated 4.5 out of five, a high score for any similar event.

Many lines reported bookings or reservations. Guests said that at a time when many lines are already running at record levels of booked capacity, being able to talk to representatives and get the suite or stateroom preferred was a big bonus.

Avalon Waterways brand ambassador Melissa Doyle talked about her conversion to river cruising, and the event was hosted by Cruise Passenger’s Onboard presenters Rose Kelly and Editor in Chief Peter Lynch.

It was certainly a fun evening, where guests not only got exclusive savings and access to the cruises they wanted, but won door prizes which included a night at the Hyatt Regency, dinner for two at top Sydney restaurant Le Foote from the Collective, a case of champagne from AmaWaterways, Tiffany ware from Tauck, $300 L’Occitane gift box from Avalon Waterways, a $350 gourmet food voucher from Abercrombie and Kent and July luggage from APT.

Along with wine, food and a venue overlooking Darling Harbour, attendees declared the event a major success.

It’s the second year of the River Cruise Collective, a unique group of normally competing lines that have come together with Cruise Passenger to spread the word about river cruising.

And they had a lot to talk about.

AmaWaterways has launched cruising on the Magdalena River in Columbia and plans a second Ama Magna, the largest ship on Europe’s rivers.

APT has launched two revolutionary new ships in Europe, designed by Australians for luxury Australian cruising. The APT Solara and APT Ostara

Abercrombie and Kent are about to launch a new ship in Peru, as they showcased their Amazon sailings.

Avalon Waterways is launching its new After Dark shore excursions, and has new routes.

Tauck is launching two new ships, and has an all-inclusive offering.

For more, visit cruisepassenger.com.au/rivercruise

River Cruise collective: Peter Lynch and Rose Kelly

Check out our recap video of the event!

1 thought on “River Cruise Collective live! How 160 readers and five leading cruise lines created Australia’s largest river cruise event”

  1. It was amazing! I left my email for more information on multiple cruises! A well curated and great night out!

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