River cruising already underway in Central Europe owing to VIVARiver cruising already underway in Central Europe owing to VIVA

VIVA Tiara began sailing the Rhine on January 20 followed by VIVA Moments, with the ships' first winter itineraries concluding yesterday. Swiss Ruby is set to operate one-week itineraries between Dusseldorf and Berlin from February 12. 

River cruising in Central Europe typically draws to a temporary close from early January to mid-March.

A ‘well received’ strategy

The Dusseldorf-based operator, which serves mainly the German-speaking market, reported favourable bookings for all three ships prompting its MD, Andrea Kruse, to say she was ‘more than satisfied with the initial results' of the strategy to host winter river cruises, which have so far been ‘extremely well received.’

The rest of the VIVA fleet will resume sailing in March, as usual.

VIVA Moments

Two wellness-focussed itineraries are being delivered by VIVA Moments sailing from Dusseldorf: the first includes calls at Bonn and Boppard, while the second calls Koblenz, Frankfurt am Main plus Speyer. Prices start from €395 euros.

VIVA Tiara

VIVA Tiara operates four-night city cruises roundtrip from Dusseldorf calling Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp with prices starting at €350 per person. Their emphasis is on art and culture with added culinary highlights, including beer and chocolate tasting in Antwerp. The vessel underwent renovation in 2020.

Swiss Ruby

From mid-February, the 88-passenger Swiss Ruby will operate longer seven-night crime thriller-themed itineraries roundtrip from Dusseldorf to Berlin. Working alongside Gmeiner Verlag – a publishing house concentrating on detective stories that take place in Germany – VIVA has created an onboard program where authors read from thriller novels combined with shore excursions that take passengers to locations written about in the novels. Prices start at €995 euros per person.

VIVA ships will continue to operate its vessels at reduced capacity as part of its COVID-19 measures.