Press Archive

18.06.2024

VIVA Cruises announces first UK partnership sponsoring players competing during high profile matches at Wimbledon

European river cruise specialist, VIVA Cruises, has announced an exclusive partnership with players competing during high profile matches at Wimbledon. The partnership will see the “VIVA Cruises” logo being shown on the iconic polo-shirts that some of the players will be wearing while competing in the prestigious tennis tournament, taking place 1-14 July in London.

Not only will the “VIVA Cruises” logo will be displayed on some of the players’ polos, but the aim of the partnership – VIVA Cruises’ first in the UK – is to attract tennis enthusiasts to European river cruising, one of the most enjoyable ways to explore some of the continent’s most beautiful destinations.

Andrea Kruse, CEO of VIVA Cruises, said: “As the world’s top tennis players compete at Wimbledon, we’re proud to see some of them sporting our VIVA Cruises brand on their polos. Just as our river cruises offer a winning experience, we believe this partnership with players competing during Wimbledon is a match made in travel heaven – and hope to expand our partnership with them in the future.”

Beyond the sponsorship of players, during the length of the tournament guests aboard some of VIVA Cruises’ most popular itineraries will be treated to quintessential British delicacies, namely strawberries and cream and glasses of Pimm’s. All food and drinks are included on all cruises as part of VIVA Cruises’ signature VIVA All-Inclusive product.

VIVA Cruises was founded in 2018 as the first in house tour operator of Swiss shipping company, Scylla AG. Since then, it has grown rapidly and now boasts an eight-ship fleet sailing on major European rivers, including VIVA ONE and VIVA TWO – their two very own build ships; with the third one, VIVA ENJOY, launching at the end of this year. VIVA Cruises will be also offering new Douro itineraries on board new built ship, PORTO MIRANTE, from May 2025.

08.05.2024

VIVA Cruises will offer some ‘winter magic’ on the Seine on VIVA GLORIA this winter

European river cruise specialist, VIVA Cruises, is launching new cruises along the Seine in November and December 2024, with excursions to the famous Palace of Versailles and opulent Château de Chantilly. With seven cruises in total, VIVA Cruises will be offering the most exciting itineraries on the Seine throughout the festive period.

The new Seine cruises will include six-day Advent cruises, a seven-day Christmas cruise and a glamorous seven-day New Year’s cruise – all itineraries will include two excursions, including an exclusive panoramic city tour through Paris, plus optional tours.

The new Seine cruises will be served by VIVA GLORIA, a freshly renovated premium ship with 76 stylishly furnished cabins for 152 guests – displayed across three levels, most with French balconies to make the most of the views. As well as the ship’s main restaurant, Riverside – offering a wide selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner gourmet menus – VIVA GLORIA features the newly designed VINO. Located at the stern, this is a modern wine bar for guests to taste the best wines France has to offer. Other facilities include a cozy lounge, a wellness area and a spacious sundeck with a heated pool.

Passengers on one of the “winter magic” cruises (Advent, Christmas and New Year’s) will enjoy enriching 5-night itineraries starting and finishing in Paris. VIVA GLORIA will be strategically moored near the Eiffel Tower. Following an overnight stay among the famous landmarks of the French capital, guests will continue their journey into Normandy, visiting the historic towns of Poissy and Les Andelys before sailing to Rouen for the night. Recognised as Normandy’s vibrant, historic and cultural capital, Rouen is famous for its cathedral and many fine museums, like the one dedicated to Joan of Arc, patron saint of France.

Some of the cruises will also stop at Vernon – a charming town famous for its traditional half-timbered houses – and others at the medieval town of Conflans.

As well as walking tours in Paris, which will be illuminated by dazzling light festivals, the winter magic cruises on the Seine will feature excursions to the opulent Palace of Versailles in the low season, offering a unique opportunity to marvel at the château in its festive splendour.

There will also be many opportunities for guests to immerse themselves in French festivities, such as shopping at traditional Christmas markets, visiting museums, ice-skating and trying Vin Chaud (French mulled wine) – plus French wine tasting sessions at VINO.

When on board, guests can look forward to a special evening filled with entertainment in French flair, as VIVA GLORIA will recreate the inviting atmosphere of the 1930s clubs in Montparnasse and Montmartre, known for caricature drawings. Guests can also experience some lively tap-dancing akin to a night at the Jardin du Luxembourg accompanied by the melodies of a Parisian medley.

Additionally, VIVA GLORIA will feature a 6-night cruise for those want to enter 2025 while cruising on the Seine – champagne and confetti included.

Those looking to enjoy Paris before the Christmas rush should consider Paris Intense on VIVA GLORIA. With three dates in November, Paris Intense offers 4-day all-inclusive itineraries within Paris for those who want to make the most of the French capital, as VIVA GLORIA will be mooring in different docks within the city and offering panoramic city tours. All VIVA Cruises itineraries include VIVA Cruises’ signature VIVA All-Inclusive product, which includes high tea, full board, high-quality alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, minibar, beauty products from cosmetic brand, Rituals, Wi-Fi and all tips and gratuities.

06.03.2024

VIVA Cruises to showcase its first built ship, VIVA ONE, at CLIA RiverView Conference next week

European river cruise specialist, VIVA Cruises, is participating in CLIA RiverView Conference 2024 next week, taking place in Amsterdam 11-13 March. Through its very first built, VIVA ONE, VIVA Cruises will be showcasing its latest river cruising innovations and trends to a wide number of travel agents and industry professionals.

VIVA ONE will be moored in Amsterdam and available for agents to visit across the two-day river cruise conference, as well as hosting lunches and dinners. The ship was the very first one that VIVA Cruises designed and built from scratch – and launched in April 2022. It has 88 modern cabins for 176 guests – including double beds and junior suites – and two restaurants. VIVA ONE also features VIVA Cruises’ look and feel, including a modern design in blue tones, wooden furniture and a casual atmosphere which agents will be able to experience next week.

VIVA Cruises was founded in 2018 as the first in house tour operator of Swiss shipping company, Scylla AG. Since then, it has grown rapidly and now boasts an eight-ship fleet sailing on major European rivers, including VIVA ONE and VIVA TWO – their two very own build ships; with the third one, VIVA ENJOY, launching at the end of this year. VIVA Cruises has also recently announced new Douro itineraries on board new built ship, PORTO MIRANTE, from May 2025.

Andrea Kruse, CEO of VIVA Cruises, said: “We are delighted to be part of CLIA RiverView, where industry leaders come together to exchange insights about river cruising. At VIVA Cruises, we are committed to delivering exceptional journeys that exceed our guests’ expectations, and this conference presents an invaluable opportunity to showcase our first built ship, VIVA ONE, and to connect with peers and shape the future of our industry.”

Next week’s CLIA RiverView Conference, now in its 12^th year, will focus on key themes such as sustainability, innovation, new itineraries and attracting first-time customers.

VIVA Cruises became a European Regional Affiliate member of CLIA in 2023.

10.10.2023

LGBTQ+ and Friends river cruise - with VIVA Cruises to Belgium and the Netherlands

As a proud member of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), VIVA Cruises is offering an international river cruise for LGBTQ+ and Friends for the first time. From February 28 to March 3, 2024, guests will have the opportunity to discover the cities of Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam while enjoying a mix of relaxation, entertainment and new acquaintances with international guests in an LGBTQ+ friendly environment.

The five-day voyage starts and ends in Antwerp on board the VIVA MOMENTS. On the second day, the ship docks for the whole day in Rotterdam. A city known for its modern architecture and creative scene. Guests can take the opportunity to take part in an included themed city walk and experience the atmosphere of the metropolis. Rotterdam is home to a variety of museums, art galleries and the largest port in Europe.

On days three and four, the VIVA MOMENTS docks overnight in Amsterdam. During an included Canal Cruise, passengers can admire the capital's famous canals and historic buildings. During the day, there is plenty of time for shopping in De 9 Straatjes or in the Utrechtsestraat with its many vintage stores and luxury stores. A visit to the world's largest archive of LGBTQ+ history, the IHLIA LGBTI Heritage, is also possible. Above all, guests can use Friday evenings to get to know Amsterdam's nightlife and visit the local LGBTQ+ bars and clubs. Popular neighborhoods include Reguliersdwarsstraat, Zeedijk and Warmoesstraat. Passengers can use the afternoon on the way back to Rotterdam to relax - for example with a massage in the wellness area of VIVA MOMENTS.

Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam offer a variety of cultural attractions, but also an LGBTQ+-friendly scene, with plenty of stores, bars and restaurants.

The river cruise starts from 795 euros per person. Included in the price on board is the VIVA all-inclusive package, which provides comprehensive food and drink throughout the trip as well as exclusive DJ entertainment in the evening.

14.08.2023

VIVA Cruises with numerous one-way river cruises to combine

VIVA Cruises has a variety of one-way river cruises in its portfolio for the fall and winter months. The cruises with different departure and destination ports can be perfectly combined with each other. This gives passengers the opportunity to stay on board for longer and explore numerous new places - all in a relaxed way with just one arrival and departure. On top of this, autumn and winter bring their very own charm on board these river cruises.

September and October 2023 are all about the Rhine on board the VIVA ONE. A total of four different eight-day routes can be combined here - the departure and destination ports for these trips are Düsseldorf, Basel and Amsterdam. Depending on the route and combination, guests can look forward to stops such as Koblenz, Mannheim, Strasbourg, Breisach, Utrecht and Arnhem. All VIVA ONE one-way river cruises and combination options for an extended vacation experience can be found here 

The SWISS RUBY takes its guests to the most beautiful wine regions on the Moselle and Saar in the fall. The first of the four one-way itineraries starts in Düsseldorf and travels along the Moselle and Saar to Saarbrücken. From there, another eight-day journey starts in the direction of "Golden Autumn" with destination port Stuttgart - new to the program since 2023. The next one-way cruise takes in four rivers before returning to Saarbrücken and from there via the Moselle back onto the Rhine to Düsseldorf.

VIVA Cruises is also offering one-way river cruises on the Rhine during the Advent season. The VIVA MOMENTS cruises from Düsseldorf to Strasbourg in seven days and from Strasbourg back to Düsseldorf in a further seven days. Guests can spend twelve nights on board the VIVA MOMENTS and discover stops such as Bonn, Koblenz, Mainz, Rüdesheim and Mannheim with their wonderful Christmas markets, which open their doors at the end of November.

If you decide to combine two consecutive river cruises, you can save five percent on the total price with the combination bonus from VIVA Cruises. The river tour operator also has a variety of one-way itineraries in its program for the coming year 2024, which can already be booked now. Further information on VIVA Cruises, trips and bookings at any travel agency or at www.viva-cruises.com

24.07.2023

VIVA Cruises presents new catalog for river cruises 2024
Enjoy the Moment: Discover city, country, river

The new 2024 river cruise catalog from VIVA Cruises for trips from April to October is now available in print and online. It follows on from the separate catalog for the first quarter of 2024, and all trips for the coming season have been bookable since February. The new catalog once again picks up on the Düsseldorf-based river tour operator's credo and promise of "Enjoy the Moment" and offers new routes on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, Rhône and Seine as well as river cruises on the new ship, the VIVA ENJOY, alongside tried-and-tested trips.

More than 280 river cruise dates are available for 2024, making the hearts of all river cruisers beat faster. VIVA Cruises offers a total of 85 different routes on Europe's rivers in 12 countries with eight ships - the variety of trips ranges from four-night short trips and one-way river cruises to the maiden voyage of the VIVA ENJOY. Guests will also find a variety of excursion tips in the new catalog to match the trips on offer.

"In addition to our popular river classics, we offer numerous new routes, create experiences and special moments. In 2024, we will put another ship into service with the VIVA ENJOY and will then be sailing with a total of eight ships - three of them all year round, including in the winter months of January, February and March. This will enable us to meet the ever-increasing demand," says Andrea Kruse, Managing Director of VIVA Cruises.

VIVA Cruises is sticking to its versatile concept in 2024 - national and international guests can choose from a wide range of trips with different departure ports. For example, the VIVA ONE will mainly sail from/to Düsseldorf on the Rhine towards the Netherlands and Belgium as well as the picturesque Moselle valley. A large number of the domestic German trips with the VIVA TIARA start and end in Frankfurt and Koblenz - the popular four-night river cruises for a taster or a short break on the river are also back. New to the program are eight-day one-way tours with the VIVA MOMENTS from Düsseldorf to Antwerp and back. While the VIVA TWO sails on the Danube from/to Passau or from/to Vienna, guests can discover beautiful France on the VIVA VOYAGE and VIVA GLORIA.

A highlight of the 2024 program: the twelve-night maiden voyage of the VIVA ENJOY. The journey starts on September 22 in Frankfurt am Main and takes guests to historic places and cities such as Wertheim, Würzburg, Nuremberg, Kelheim, Passau and Linz, all the way to Vienna. As a maiden voyage special, three organized excursions in Würzburg, Regensburg and Vienna are included in the tour price. The eight-day "Enchanting Danube" voyages from/to Vienna will follow for the new ship in October and November.

The printed version of the new VIVA Cruises catalog is available free of charge on the Internet at https://www.viva-cruises.com/catalog order. Those who prefer to browse on screen can find the new catalog here. Further information on VIVA Cruises, trips and bookings can be obtained from any travel agency or at www.viva-cruises.com. 

26.06.2023

Cooperation extended: VIVA Cruises and DEG continue their journey together

Düsseldorfer EG and VIVA Cruises will continue to weigh anchor together in the coming season. The company has extended its commitment as a team partner for another season. As part of this partnership, VIVA Cruises will be visible on LED panels in the PSD BANK DOME and host a Sponsor of the Day. Various partner events are also planned on the company's river cruise ships.

Patrick Ell, Director Marketing & Digital VIVA Cruises GmbH: "We have had an exciting journey with many great experiences. DEG's advertising environment, the close support and the club's diverse network have convinced us and are an essential reason why we have decided to continue the partnership. We are now looking forward to an even closer cooperation and see great potential for further joint campaigns."

Christopher Schlenker, Director Sales DEG Eishockey GmbH: "The partnership with VIVA Cruises is a very special one. From the very first minute, we sensed that Patrick Ell and his team wanted to build a close relationship with Düsseldorf and that DEG offered an ideal platform for this. In this short time, we have succeeded in turning ice hockey fans into river cruise fans and vice versa. We are absolutely certain that both sides will continue to benefit from each other in the future."

We are delighted that we are continuing to set sail together!

31.05.2023

VIVA Cruises launches third newbuild on the river: The VIVA ENJOY arrives in September 2024

Düsseldorf-based river tour operator VIVA Cruises is continuing to grow: after the VIVA ONE (2022) and the VIVA TWO (2023), the third newbuild VIVA ENJOY will join the fleet next year. The ship was previously announced with the working title VIVA THREE, but in keeping with the company motto "Enjoy the Moment", the final name has now been decided. The maiden voyage of the VIVA ENJOY will start on September 22, 2024 from Frankfurt in the direction of Vienna.

The tour operator is responding to the increasing demand for river cruises by expanding its fleet. "We have grown strongly over the last five years, as has our customer base and the demand from international guests, especially on the Danube. The third new building in combination with our remaining fleet gives us new scope again, not only with regard to our routings, but also with regard to our international partners and guests," explains Andrea Kruse, Managing Director of VIVA Cruises.    

The VIVA ENJOY will be the sister ship of the VIVA TWO and therefore identical in design. The ship has a total of 95 outside cabins with space for a maximum of 190 passengers. With a total of three restaurants, an open-plan lounge, a spacious sun deck and a fitness and wellness area, the ship is a floating premium hotel with a new, modern look and a pure feel-good ambience.

The VIVA ENJOY voyages for September to December 2024 are available from May 31, 2023 on the VIVA Cruises website bookable. The new ship will mainly sail on the Danube from Vienna: The port of departure is ideally accessible for both national and international customers. The eight-day "Enchanting Danube" cruises from Vienna in October 2024 will include the Hungarian capital Budapest and the Austrian city of Linz. This will be followed in November by four-night city trips on the Danube, also departing from Vienna. Finally, guests on board the VIVA ENJOY will be able to enjoy the 2024 Advent season on six-day river cruises from Vienna or Nuremberg, visiting the most beautiful Christmas markets in Bavaria and Austria. A one-way river cruise from Regensburg to Vienna is planned over Christmas. Guests spend New Year's Eve in Budapest on another one-way river cruise from Vienna to Regensburg.  

08.05.2023

5 years of VIVA Cruises: five years full of experiences, unique moments and passion for river cruises

This year, the Düsseldorf-based river tour operator VIVA Cruises is celebrating its fifth anniversary together with customers on an exclusive birthday cruise on board the VIVA ONE from 24 June to 1 July 2023. Every day during the trip, guests can look forward to an anniversary special and special surprises on board. They can also look forward to six included excursions. These include a visit to the "A'DAM Lookout" in Amsterdam, a viewing deck with a panoramic view of the city, a visit to the "Chocolate Nation" chocolate museum in Antwerp to sample the famous Belgian confectionery and a visit to the unique market hall in Rotterdam. VIVA Cruises is offering its guests a five percent anniversary discount if they book their birthday cruise by May 15. The travel price already includes 2nd class rail travel or a parking ticket in Düsseldorf as well as the extensive excursion package with six exclusive excursions. The trip can be booked directly with VIVA Cruises or via travel agency partners.

Five years of river cruises with VIVA Cruises

Since its foundation in 2018, VIVA Cruises has grown strongly over the past five years. The first river cruise of the in-house tour operator of the Swiss shipping company Scylla AG started in November 2018 with the MS SAVOR and laid the foundation for a success story on the river. "I was able to be part of the VIVA Cruises story from the very beginning and help build the company. I am very proud to be celebrating our fifth anniversary this year. At the beginning, we had just two employees in the Düsseldorf office, but the team has now grown to 18 people," says Andrea Kruse, Managing Director of VIVA Cruises, happily.

In March 2020, VIVA Cruises launched the first ship to sail year-round for the tour operator. The former SWISS TIARA became the VIVA TIARA, the flagship of VIVA Cruises, and is still part of the fleet today. "Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic quickly followed, which shaped three years of our still very young company history. But even that couldn't deter us from our enthusiasm for river cruises. Quite the opposite: we reacted quickly to the new situation at the time and developed a very successful concept with the short trips in Germany. The four-night river cruises are very popular with our customers and are therefore still part of our program today," says Andrea Kruse, Managing Director of VIVA Cruises. 

Despite the pandemic, VIVA Cruises reached its biggest milestones to date in March 2022 and just one year later: The two own newbuilds VIVA ONE and VIVA TWO were christened and put into service in their home port of Düsseldorf. Both ships bring a new, modern boutique hotel-style design to the river.

24.03.2023

Ceremonial christening of the VIVA TWO - VIVA Cruises sends second newbuild on voyage within a year

VIVA Cruises christened its new flagship yesterday, Thursday, in its home port of Düsseldorf: the VIVA TWO. The day was hosted by TV presenter Marco Schreyl and godmother Shiri Gordon ceremoniously broke the champagne bottle on the bow of the new ship. Around 220 invited national and international guests were present at the celebrations, and Düsseldorf passers-by were also able to watch the christening ceremony live from land.

In a relaxed round of talks, presenter Marco Schreyl first invited Andrea Kruse and Arno Reitsma onto the stage. The Managing Director and Managing Director of VIVA Cruises agreed: "Just in time for the fifth anniversary of VIVA Cruises, we have now christened and commissioned our second newbuild. This is another major milestone for us and we are more than proud of this ship - from the design to the technical innovations, it meets all our requirements."

The first captain, Slobodan Golubovic, said how proud he is to be working on this new ship and describes it as the highlight of his career - he is the third generation captain and, together with his brother, the second captain of the VIVA TWO, will guide the ship safely across Europe's rivers. Hotel manager Rastislav Chrkavy is also looking forward to the new task. For him, the well-being of the guests and his crew is paramount.

After best wishes from Pastor Stephan Scharf, the floor was handed over to the godmother Shiri Gordon, CEO and co-owner of the Tel Aviv-based Gordon Travel Group. With touching words and full of pride, she sent VIVA Cruises' second newbuild on a safe voyage at all times. As godmother, she represents all of the company's partners, successful women in management positions and a passion for the river cruise industry.

There was a surprise at the cutting of the christening cake: another ship of the VIVA Cruises fleet is already being planned. Andrea Kruse announces the VIVA THREE for September 2024.

VIVA TWO - the new flagship of the VIVA fleet

The VIVA TWO has a total of 95 cabins for up to 190 passengers, making it the new flagship of the VIVA Cruises fleet. A new feature is the architecture, which not only features an open lounge and restaurant area, but also creates space for a third restaurant: the specialty restaurant MOMENTS, which is also included in the VIVA All-Inclusive. The most significant technical innovation is the VIVA TWO's exhaust system. This means that the ship meets the EU Stage V emissions standard, which regulates strict compliance with emissions in both European and domestic inland shipping. This is a major step towards greater sustainability and at the same time a prerequisite for the mandatory Gold eco-label of the international Green Award. The award certification demonstrates the proactive implementation of measures to protect the environment and the ships' high safety standards. In addition, the ship has 76 solar panels that support the on-board power supply. The energy generated is also used primarily for the ship's bow thruster and when electricity usage is high.

In future, the VIVA TWO will mainly be traveling on the Danube - on five-day short trips or seven-night river cruises from Passau or Vienna, the ship will take its guests to the most impressive places along the Danube. In summer and late summer, the program includes the long 16-day voyage to the Danube Delta, which promises a unique nature experience with an untouched wilderness full of biodiversity. At the start of the 2024 season, the VIVA TWO will return to Düsseldorf in January, February and March for the popular four-night city trips to the Netherlands and Belgium. Customers who book by April 16, 2023 will receive a free upgrade to the next higher cabin category for their river cruise in 2024.