VIVA Cruises is sweetening its 2026 winter season with a new offer that folds shore excursions into the fare on select departures of the 80-guest VIVA RUBY. The move, available for new bookings made by 31 October 2026, is designed to make river cruising more seamless for guests who prefer to have every element of their journey pre-arranged.
The included-excursion programme applies to four distinct itineraries, each with its own character. The five-night Berlin Intense cruise departs from Potsdam and calls at Brandenburg, Oranienburg, and Berlin, with prices from $1,160 (£950) per person. For those drawn to a more thematic voyage, the seven-night Crime from the Havel to the Rhine sailing leaves Berlin on 5 November, stopping in Potsdam, Wolfsburg, and Düsseldorf, priced from $1,770 (£1,450) per person.
Two further options broaden the appeal. The six-night Winter Moments in the Netherlands and Belgium itinerary departs Düsseldorf on 12 November, with calls in Nijmegen and Maastricht, starting at $1,580 (£1,295) per person. And the seven-night Advent Magic on the Moselle cruise, also from Düsseldorf in November and December, includes Koblenz and Bonn, with fares from $1,650 (£1,350) per person.
Excursions that go beyond the usual
The complimentary tours are not just standard city walks. Highlights include a guided exploration of Traben-Trarbach's underground wine cellars and a visit to the Kröller-Müller Museum in Nijmegen, home to one of Europe's finest sculpture gardens. These experiences are intended to give guests a deeper cultural immersion without the hassle of arranging separate tours.
Michelle Daniels, VIVA Cruises' director of sales for the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, said: “By including all excursions on select departures, we’re offering guests an easy and accessible way to explore each destination in greater depth.”
The offer aligns with VIVA Cruises' broader all-inclusive positioning. On board the VIVA RUBY, the fare already covers meals, premium drinks, and additional amenities, so the added excursions effectively create a fully packaged river cruise experience. That bundling strategy is becoming increasingly common across the river cruise sector, as operators look to differentiate themselves in a competitive market.
VIVA Cruises, founded in 2018, has been steadily expanding its fleet and itinerary portfolio. The company's focus on boutique vessels like the VIVA RUBY, which carries just 80 guests, appeals to travellers seeking an intimate, high-service atmosphere on Europe's rivers. The new offer is likely to resonate with agents looking for value-added packages to present to clients planning winter getaways.
For travel professionals, the promotion provides a clear selling point: a river cruise that includes not only accommodation, meals, and drinks but also a curated selection of shore excursions. That can simplify the booking conversation and help justify the premium fare.
VIVA Cruises has also been active in other areas of product development. Earlier this year, the line introduced gourmet gift boxes for 2028 boutique bookings, a move that underscored its focus on personalised touches. The new excursion-inclusive offer extends that philosophy to the shore experience.
The winter season is often a quieter period for European river cruising, but VIVA Cruises is clearly aiming to stimulate demand with this added-value approach. With departures spread across November and December, the itineraries cater to both early-winter travellers and those seeking festive markets on the Moselle.
Agents and tour operators should note that the offer is limited to new bookings made by 31 October 2026, and availability is subject to capacity. Given the small size of the VIVA RUBY, the included-excursion programme may sell out quickly on popular dates.
As the river cruise industry continues to evolve, bundling excursions into the base fare is a trend worth watching. Other lines have experimented with similar models, and VIVA Cruises' latest move suggests that the all-inclusive approach is gaining traction beyond the ocean cruise segment.
