There are surprisingly few new riverboats launching in 2023. But while no vessels have been announced from many of the industry’s brands, there are still some fresh ships on the horizon that clients can look forward to from American Cruise Lines, Riverside Luxury Cruises (a whole new company), Viking and Viva Cruises.
Read on to learn about the new vessels they can expect to see launching in 2023.
American Cruise Lines’ American Serenade
Domestically, American Cruise Lines (ACL) is the only line scheduled to debut a new riverboat this year. Launching April 20, American Serenade will arrive on the Lower Mississippi River. The 180-guest vessel will be the latest in the company’s series of modern riverboats — a sister to American Harmony, American Jazz, American Melody, American Song and American Symphony.
Serenade’s interior will once again be designed by Florida-based Studio Dado for a contemporary aesthetic onboard, including a four-deck, glass-enclosed atrium and accommodations ranging from 250 to 650 square feet.
Also, recent news from the line for advisors is that ACL is now including port charges and fees in its cruise pricing, thus making them commissionable for advisors.
American Serenade will launch April 20.
Credit: 2023 American Cruise LinesRiverside Luxury Cruises’ Fleet
Making headlines recently is an entirely new cruise line for 2023. Riverside Luxury Cruises’ claim to fame is its fleet comprised of all five former Crystal River Cruises vessels — Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mozart, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Ravel, to be renamed Riverside Bach, Riverside Debussy, Riverside Mozart, Riverside Mahler and Riverside Ravel, respectively.
In April 2023, Debussy will set sail on the Rhine River, Ravel on the Rhone and Saone rivers, and Mozart on the Danube.
Bach and Mahler itineraries, meanwhile, will be reserved for 2024.
Following Crystal’s lead, Riverside promises unparalleled luxury onboard the resurrected ships, encompassing an exceptional crew-to-guest ratio, butler service, fine dining, wellness and more.
Viking’s Viking Aton
Although Viking usually launches a handful of vessels annually, it has just one ready for 2023. In response to strong demand for cruises in the region, the new Viking Aton will traverse the Nile River in Egypt as an identical sister ship to the 2022-launched Viking Osiris.
Sporting a look and overall amenities resembling the line’s signature Viking Longships, the 82-guest Aton will add a pool overlooking its stern. Private accommodations extend to staterooms and suites sized from 232 to 525 square feet.
Aton will feature in the brand’s 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids route, roundtrip from Cairo, including a weeklong sailing and pre- and post-cruise land extensions.
Viva Cruises’ Viva Two
Switzerland-based Scylla AG is mostly known for chartering its vessels to Riviera River Cruises and Tauck, but the shipbuilder and operator also has its own Viva Cruises. And the in-house brand is launching the new Viva Two in 2023, with its christening scheduled for March in its homeport of Dusseldorf, Germany. Its maiden voyage will navigate from Frankfurt to Passau shortly thereafter on April 1.
Viva Cruises will launch the Viva Two this spring.
Credit: 2023 Viva CruisesKnown for its “casual-yet-chic lifestyle,” according to the line, the newbuild follows the 2022-inaugurated Viva One and will carry 190 passengers in 95 staterooms, including eight suites. In total, there are three restaurants onboard, including the Riverside main restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner; Viva’s Bistro at the stern; and the specialty Moments restaurant for the finest cuisine paired with live entertainment.
The line’s all-inclusive fares bundle in dining and snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, self-service coffee and water, the minibar, beauty products from Rituals, Wi-Fi internet access and gratuities.
