Riviera Travel to launch world's first river ship dedicated to solo travellers in 2027

Riviera Travel said it will launch MS George Eliot, the world’s first river cruise ship built exclusively for solo travellers, in June 2027. The 110-metre vessel will offer a mix of eight-day and 15-day itineraries, including what the company calls the longest solo river cruises, and will carry about 132 passengers.

The ship will feature 70 staterooms and suites, including French-balcony cabins, superior suites and deluxe balcony suites, and is designed to evoke a boutique five-star hotel with hardwoods, polished metals and Italian fabrics. Onboard amenities will include a main restaurant with open seating and buffet choices alongside a four-course dinner option, a bistro, a panorama lounge bar, a wellness area with massage and salon services, a sun deck with loungers, a splash pool, a putting green on deck and live music.

Riviera said MS George Eliot will open bookings for solo guests from June 2027 and will run new routes such as "Blue Danube for Solo Travellers," visiting Vienna, Budapest and Salzburg on an eight-day itinerary starting at £2,899 per person. Other eight-day offerings include a Rhine cruise to Switzerland from £3,499 per person. Longer voyages include a 15-day Budapest to the Black Sea itinerary from £5,699 per person and a "Cruise the Heart of Europe" journey covering the Rhine, Main and Danube from £5,599 per person. The company is offering an early booking bonus that includes a free upgrade from the middle to the upper deck on 2027 European river cruises for bookings made by Oct. 31, 2025.

Phil Hullah, chief executive officer of Riviera Travel, said the ship is a landmark for both the company and the river cruise industry and that operating a vessel exclusively for solo guests will provide independent travellers with a choice and focus no other operator provides. Riviera also announced that it will introduce three new long-haul river cruise itineraries and will debut its first ship outside Europe, Riviera Alba, on the Mekong River.

The move comes amid a sharp rise in interest in solo travel. Research cited by Riviera showed searches for "solo travel tips" increased 5,043 percent over the past year, according to confused.com. Riviera said it has recorded a 66 percent year-on-year increase in solo river cruise bookings made through trade partners, with solo travellers now accounting for nearly 13 percent of all bookings.

Industry analysts and operators have pointed to demographic shifts, changing leisure preferences and more flexible working arrangements as drivers of solo travel growth in recent years. River cruising, with its smaller ships and inland itineraries, has been among the segments adapting to that demand by increasing single-occupancy options and social programming. MS George Eliot represents a further step by dedicating an entire vessel to solo passengers rather than offering a small number of single cabins on mixed cruises.

Riviera positioned the new ship as providing both privacy and communal opportunities, with lounge spaces and shared dining as well as privately configured suites. The company said the design and public spaces are intended to foster both independent exploration ashore and social interaction aboard.

MS George Eliot’s June 2027 launch will follow a series of fleet and itinerary expansions by the operator. Riviera said Riviera Alba will mark its first move into Asia and its first vessel outside Europe, reflecting a broader strategy of adding long-haul river routes while developing tailored products for growing market segments such as solo travellers.

Bookings and pricing are available through Riviera Travel and its trade partners. The company has encouraged travellers to book early to take advantage of the promotional deck upgrade for 2027 European sailings.