Viva Cruises Unveils Its Largest-Ever 2028 River Programme
Viva Beyond and Viva Unique will offer stationary three-night city stays in central Paris and Venice, with select departures from 750 pounds per person.
Viva Cruises has announced 332 departures across seven ships for 2028, describing the programme as its largest to date. Bookings open on October 15, 2026, for sailings on European rivers including the Rhine, Douro and Danube, as well as the Dutch waterways.
The main programme spans January through December, adding four itineraries and four ports of call. Wellness, jazz, culinary and wine-themed departures are also part of the schedule.
“The addition of new ports, experiences and themed cruises also allows returning guests to discover something different,” said Michelle Daniels, Viva Cruises’ director of sales for the UK and Ireland and Australia and New Zealand.
New ports and routes across continental Europe
The ports joining Viva’s programme are Bingen and Gluckstadt in Germany, alongside Medemblik and Lemmer in the Netherlands. New shore excursions include a wine tasting at the Disibodenberg Monastery Ruins during calls at Bingen and a visit to Giethoorn village from Lemmer.
The 190-passenger Viva Enjoy will depart Amsterdam on May 25 for the new 14-night “Grand European Journey to Budapest.” Calls include Cologne, Koblenz, Mainz, Wertheim, Wurzburg and Bamberg, followed by Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna and Bratislava before arrival in Budapest.
A second longer itinerary, the 10-night “Wine Journey Between Basel & Nancy,” leaves Basel on October 5 aboard the 80-passenger Viva Ruby. The route takes in Breisach, Strasbourg, Speyer and Bingen, then continues through Koblenz, Cochem, Bernkastel, Trier and Metz before reaching Nancy.
Two new seven-night itineraries will operate roundtrip from Dusseldorf. The 152-passenger Viva Tiara offers “Meuse Moments in the Netherlands” on three departures during June and July, visiting Nijmegen, Maastricht, Roermond, Venlo, Gorinchem, Dordrecht and Utrecht.
The 176-passenger Viva One will operate four departures of “Enchantment on the Ijsselmeer” during June, July and August. Its itinerary includes Amsterdam, Medemblik and Enkhuizen, with further calls at Rotterdam, Antwerp, Willemstad, Dordrecht and Arnhem.
Boutique schedules add Champagne and Venice Carnival options
Viva also released 2028 schedules for its two Viva Boutique ships. The 112-passenger Viva Beyond will sail on the Seine, while the 104-passenger Viva Unique will operate on the Po River and in the Venetian Lagoon. Both ships are scheduled from February through December, offering voyages of three, five, six and seven nights.
On their three-night city stays, the ships will remain stationary in central Paris and Venice as floating hotels. “Paris City Stay” and “Venice City Stay” departures are available in February and March, and again in November and December, with fares for each starting at £750 per person. The Venice option includes stays during Carnival.
On the Seine, Viva Beyond’s seven-night “Culinary Cruise France” departs Paris on May 13 and returns to the city after calls at Vernon, Les Andelys, Rouen, Caudebec, Le Havre and La Roche Guyon. Fares begin at £3,395 per person, including all excursions. The itinerary includes an exclusive dinner at Manoir de Retival, the restaurant of Michelin-starred chef David Gorne.
A new seven-night “Champagne & Sparkling Cruise” leaves Paris on July 29, also sailing roundtrip. It visits Conflans, Rouen, Le Havre, Caudebec and Vernon, with a full day devoted to exploring the Champagne region. Prices start at £3,150 per person and include all excursions.
Viva’s master of wine, Romana Echensperger, will lead wine tastings and masterclasses and oversee paired menus on both French themed departures.
In Italy, Viva Unique’s seven-night “Gourmet Cruise” departs Venice on October 1, calling at Mazzorbo, Taglio di Po, Polesella, Boretto and Cremona. Echensperger will also be aboard that sailing, which starts at £3,395 per person with all excursions included.
Viva Beyond has already launched, while Viva Unique is scheduled to begin sailing in May 2027. Fares for the main 2028 programme have not yet been announced and are due to be confirmed shortly.
