Europe's river cruise sector optimistic for 2022

During a River Cruise Europe webinar on Thursday, it became evident from members that 2021 was a complex year for Europe's river cruise lines: Booking figures were good and passengers satisfied with the products offered, and new customers with ocean cruising experience discovered river cruising as a new option.

On the other hand, the season started late, overseas guests returned only in limited numbers during the latter part of the summer, ship capacities could only be partially used, safety protocols incurred extra costs and lockdowns in Bavaria and Austria, among others, during November sparked new uncertainty.

The lookout for 2022, though, is positive as booking figures are good and, on the capacity front, only a few new river vessels will enter service.

Challenges with crew and guides

Challenges aired were crew availability, as quite a number of former river crew have taken new employment outside the industry.

In some European countries, such as Germany and Austria, the availability of good tour guides for shore excursions could become a bottleneck.

And while many ports would like river vessels to switch their engines off in port, shore power infrastructure is slow on the uptake.

Connections

River Cruise Europe Chair Monic van der Heyden said ‘connect’ will be RCE’s motto for next year.

In addition to three webinars and a social event planned for the summer, RCE will also hold a European Rivercruise Convention November 28-30 at a place to be decided in cooperation with Gerhard Skoff, founder and organiser of the Danube Conference. RCE will also cooperate with IG RiverCruise for its events and activities.

The organisation's three webinars planned for 2022 will concentrate on building connections, between politicians and the river cruise community (February 3), with representatives of interest groups (in April/May) and with local people at destinations (September).