Riviera Travel launches updates portal

Riviera Travel has launched a Travel Updates Hub and set up an incident task force as low water levels disrupt river cruising on the Rhine and Danube, according to Travel Weekly. The UK operator said the measures are intended to help travel agents and customers get faster information on itinerary changes and contingency plans. The new portal is updated twice daily with operational information and sailing updates, Travel Weekly reported on August 6. Riviera said the majority of its river cruise program is still operating as normal. ### What exactly has Riviera Travel added for agents and customers? Travel Weekly reported on August 6 that Riviera created a dedicated incident task force alongside an online Travel Updates Hub for agents and guests. The company said the hub provides real-time or near-real-time operational updates, including guidance on contingency arrangements when river conditions affect sailings. (travelweekly.co.uk) Cruise Trade News said the specialist task force is monitoring river conditions, coordinating contingency plans and making sure agents receive timely communications through the new hub. TTG reported Riviera also increased call-center capacity and deployed additional cruise directors as the disruption continued. (travelweekly.co.uk) ### Which rivers are affected, and what is causing the disruption? The Rhine and Danube are the rivers at the center of the disruption, Riviera and trade publications said. Travel Weekly and TTG both said unusually low water levels, linked to Europe’s summer heatwaves, have affected operations on those waterways. (cruisetradenews.com) Cruise Industry News, citing an Associated Press report, said a prolonged drought has pushed the Danube and other waterways to record or near-record lows. Travel Weekly in the United States separately reported last week that low water on the Danube caused a Viking river ship to run aground, underscoring the operational risks cruise lines are facing. (travelweekly.co.uk) ### How much of Riviera’s program is still running? Riviera said most of its program remains operational despite the disruption. Travel Weekly and other trade reports said four of Riviera’s seven ships are currently sailing on the affected Rhine and Danube rivers. Since early July, Riviera has operated 27 departures on the two rivers using tailored contingency plans, according to reports that matched details in the Travel Weekly account. (cruiseindustrynews.com) Those plans can include altered embarkation points, itinerary changes or ground transport between ship sections when water levels prevent normal passage. ### What are cruise lines doing when low water interrupts sailings? (travelweekly.co.uk) Travel Weekly’s U.S. report said river cruise operators have been relying on ship swaps, missed port calls, motorcoach transfers and itinerary adjustments when drought conditions make sections of rivers impassable. Those workarounds are common in periods of unusually low water because vessels may not be able to clear shallow stretches safely. (byteseu.com) TTG said Riviera’s added staffing and communications are aimed at helping agents manage customer questions as those changes occur. Cruise Trade News said the company’s task force is intended to keep agents informed quickly enough to support affected travelers. ### Where can travelers and agents look next? (travelweekly.com) Travel Weekly said Riviera’s Travel Updates Hub is the company’s central source for current sailing information and contingency guidance. The hub is being refreshed twice daily as conditions on the Rhine and Danube evolve, according to the report. August river conditions will determine whether operators need to extend contingency measures. (ttgmedia.com) Riviera, TTG and Cruise Trade News all said the company is continuing to monitor the affected waterways while keeping agents and guests updated through the portal and its support teams. (travelweekly.co.uk)