Solo travellers can now sail on their own river cruise ship!

Riviera Travel is making an industry first with MS George Eliot, one of the brand’s existing ships, which will transform into the world’s first river cruise vessel operating exclusively for solo travellers.

In response to soaring demand for solo river cruises, MS George Eliot will set sail in June 2027 with solo travellers only onboard. This will be followed by a full season of solo-exclusive departures, dramatically increasing capacity for independent travellers and putting them front and centre. The season will include two brand-new 15-day itineraries sailing the Danube and Rhine rivers – the longest solo river cruises ever offered.

While many cruise lines offer cabins and a few itineraries for solo guests, MS George Eliot will be the first to operate a full season of sailings exclusively for those travelling alone.

With reports showing that 64 percent of solo travellers prefer a solo-exclusive trip, more and more people are embracing the freedom of exploring alone while enjoying the company of like-minded adventurers. Riviera Travel have cited that revenue from solo guests has also grown 52 percent year-on-year, highlighting the rising popularity of independent travel – so much so that solo travellers now represent 13 percent of all of the brand’s bookings.

From summer 2027, MS George Eliot will offer a full season of dedicated departures exclusively for solo travellers, comprising four eight-day itineraries. These include a ‘Blue Danube for Solo Travellers’  cruise calling on Vienna, Budapest & Salzburg from  £2,899pp, a ‘Rhine Cruise to Switzerland for Solo Travellers’ and ‘Rhine, Strasbourg & Heidelberg for Solo Travellers’ both from £3,499pp, and a ‘Rhine & Moselle for Solo Travellers’ from £2,449pp.

Riviera Travel is also introducing two brand-new 15-day solo itineraries, the longest-ever for river cruising, which include ‘Budapest to the Black Sea’ – calling on hotspots such as Budapest and Vienna, as well as  ‘Cruise the Heart of Europe: Rhine, Main & Danube’, which calls on charming towns such as Koblenz, Cologne and Passau. Both start from £5,599pp.

The intimate MS George Eliot has capacity for 132 passengers, with facilities including an expansive sun deck equipped with a putting green and splash pool. Elsewhere on the ship, there’s a hairdressing salon, two restaurants and a boutique gift shop. Solo sailings will give guests the chance to meet and mingle during aperitif hours, as well as sit together during meals or alone if preferred.

All Riveira Travel cruises include flights and transfers from London and regional airports, alongside full-board dining with a free drinks package, expert-led excursions, entertainment and onboard wifi.

Phil Hullah, CEO of Riviera Travel, said: “This is a landmark moment not only for Riviera but for the river cruise industry as a whole. The launch of MS George Eliot, the first river cruise ship to operate exclusively for solo guests, allows us to offer independent travellers a choice and focus that no other operator provides.”