Century Star Joins CLIA RiverView 2027 Ship Visits
Full conference delegates will sail two nights from Budapest to Vienna via Bratislava aboard AmaSofia, Riviera Radiance or VIVA TWO before the Vienna programme.
CLIA has added Century Cruises’ 174-guest Century Star to the ship-visit programme at RiverView 2027, with access for delegates attending both conference formats. Agents will be able to board the vessel in Vienna on March 6 through the new Lite programme and on March 8 during the main conference.
During the informal Lite visits, agents can explore the vessel, meet its onboard team and have drinks and light refreshments.
“Ship visits are an incredibly important aspect of RiverView,” said Andy Harmer, CLIA UK & Ireland managing director. He said they help agents understand the available products, “giving them the knowledge and confidence to recommend the right river cruise to their customers.”
Two conference formats in Vienna
The full RiverView conference runs from March 5–8 and includes a two-night voyage from Budapest to Vienna, calling at Bratislava. Delegates will stay aboard AmaSofia, Riviera Radiance or VIVA TWO for the sailing.
In Vienna, the main programme combines business sessions with guided vessel tours, a trade fair for networking and local excursions.
The Lite option runs from March 6–8, giving agents a shorter attendance format based in the Austrian capital. Its package covers business sessions and supplier meetings alongside ship visits, with overnight accommodation aboard vessels from TUI River Cruises and Avalon Waterways. Lunch aboard a Scenic vessel is also included.
Century brings its European product to agents
Century Cruises began Yangtze cruise operations in 2003 and is now extending its business into Europe with Century Star, which was designed for Danube and Rhine itineraries. CLIA describes the vessel as the first Asian-owned luxury river cruise newbuild purpose-designed for European waterways.
David Fredericks, president and CEO for the Americas at Century Cruises, said the European expansion draws on the company’s experience in China while combining Asian-inspired hospitality with European influences. “Century Star represents an exciting new chapter in the global evolution of Century Cruises,” he said.
The company’s Rivers Entwined philosophy connects the cultures, food and traditions of the destinations it visits with its Yangtze heritage.
“We are especially excited to join CLIA at RiverView 2027 because we believe the best way to understand our vision is to experience it first-hand,” Fredericks said. “Travel agents are essential to our success.”
