Riviera Alba brings Mekong debut in September 2027

Published on Sep 23, 2025, 7:54 pm CDT

5 min read

Riviera Travel will launch Riviera Alba on the Mekong River in September 2027, expanding the brand beyond Europe for the first time. The 50-guest ship will anchor a new 14-day Vietnam, Cambodia, and Mekong River Cruise featuring Phnom Penh, Angkor's temple complex, and smaller ports along the river. Bookings for 2027 are open, with introductory pricing "from $5,049.00" and early-booking incentives now live.

Key Points

Why it matters: Riviera enters Asia with a boutique 50-guest ship, adding capacity on a high-demand Mekong lane.
Travel impact: First departures run September through December 2027, a shoulder-season window with lighter heat and crowds.
What's next: A solo-exclusive ship and new solo itineraries broaden Riviera's 2027 strategy in Europe.
Ship specs include 25 suites, an outdoor pool and jacuzzi, spa, lounge bar, library, and free Wi-Fi.
Early deals include up to 50 percent off plus a 2-for-1 air credit on select 2026 departures.

Snapshot

Riviera Alba will carry 50 guests in 25 suites, positioning the line at the intimate end of the Mekong market. The new 14-day itinerary layers 14 included experiences, from Phnom Penh's Royal Palace to Angkor's marquee sites, with time in lesser-known river communities. On board, travelers can expect a sun deck with pool and jacuzzi, a main restaurant serving international and Asian cuisines, and relaxed social spaces such as a lounge bar and library. 2027 departures begin in September, priced from $5,049.00, with 2027 sale fares and a stacked 2-for-1 air credit available on select 2026 European sailings when booked through Riviera.

Background

Riviera Travel's core has long centered on Europe's Rhine, Danube, and Douro. Demand for river cruising remains strong into 2026 and 2027, and operators have been widening programs across Asia, including the Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia. Riviera's move follows sustained interest in culturally immersive, small-ship itineraries with curated land programs and city-center docking. The company is simultaneously investing in the solo market, dedicating MS George Eliot as a solo-exclusive ship for 2027 and adding two 15-day solo itineraries, Budapest to the Black Sea and Cruise the Heart of Europe. For Mekong context and competitive set, see our coverage of Emerald's longer green-season program in Emerald Cruises Expands 2024-2025 Mekong Season.

Latest Developments

Ship details and itinerary highlights

Riviera Alba is designed for just 50 guests across 25 suites, with a high crew-to-guest ratio and panoramic social spaces. The 14-day Vietnam, Cambodia, and Mekong River Cruise includes 14 guided experiences, combining marquee sights with smaller, working-river stops. Highlights feature Phnom Penh's Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, the Cambodian Phare Circus, and guided exploration of Angkor. The line says Riviera Alba will be among the few ships berthing in the heart of Saigon, adding convenience at embark and debark. Public spaces include a sun deck with pool and jacuzzi, a spa, a lounge bar, a library, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Bookings, schedule, and pricing

Bookings are open for first departures between September and December 2027, with prices published "from $5,049.00." Riviera lists the itinerary under "Mekong" with multiple dates across the season. In the U.S. market, the company is promoting up to 50 percent off select 2027 and 2026 cruises. For 2026 Europe departures, a limited-time 2-for-1 air offer provides an airfare credit up to $1,500.00 for the first guest, with the second guest paying the published airfare, and $750.00 credit for solo travelers. Riviera notes the air offer must be booked by December 5, 2025, and can be combined with cruise-fare savings.

Solo strategy expands for 2027

Riviera will operate what it calls the world's first river ship dedicated entirely to solo travelers in 2027, converting MS George Eliot for a full season of one-guest-only cabins and no solo supplements. The program adds two new solo itineraries, Budapest to the Black Sea and Cruise the Heart of Europe, both 15 days with extensive touring. The company frames the solo move and the Mekong launch as parallel growth pillars, bringing its European service model to Asia while courting a fast-growing solo segment.

Analysis

A 50-guest footprint gives Riviera an intimacy advantage on the Mekong, where ships typically range from 48 to about 124 guests. Fewer cabins translate to quieter landings, faster coach ops, and more personal touring, which matters on busy Angkor days and in compact river towns. Scheduling the first runs from September through December targets the sweet spot between late-monsoon greens and the cooler, drier months, improving odds of smooth river levels without peak heat. Pricewise, a $5,049.00 entry aligns with boutique competitors at the same cabin count, and the line's "included experiences" approach clarifies value. The air credit is Europe-only and tied to 2026, yet the combined messaging with 2027 sale fares helps advisors bundle near-term Europe with longer-range Asia.

Strategically, Riviera's solo push is the bigger story for the brand's European base. A dedicated solo ship reduces friction for a high-intent audience, then cross-sells Asia to loyalists who want something new without changing service style. Advisors should watch air capacity into Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap for sensible connections, plus visa timing for Vietnam and Cambodia. For destination briefing ahead of Angkor days, point clients to our guide to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Taken together, Riviera Alba strengthens the Mekong's premium-boutique lane while signaling Riviera's willingness to test long-haul rivers where brand familiarity can carry the sale.

Final Thoughts

Riviera's Mekong entry adds welcome boutique capacity, smart timing, and a clear value story built around included touring. Travelers who prefer small ships and curated land programs will find the Angkor, Phnom Penh, and village balance appealing, especially with central Saigon berthing. Advisors can pair 2027 Asia aspirations with 2026 Europe air credits to keep clients in the Riviera ecosystem through back-to-back seasons. With solo demand surging and brand loyalists seeking new geographies, the ingredients are here for a strong launch. Expect steady interest in the Riviera Alba Mekong cruise.