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'I've been selling river cruises for more than 20 years – yet I still dread this question every time'

Accessibility
JAMES HILL
5 May 2026

GoRiverCruise agent James Hill talks TTG through his approach to river cruise enquiries from clients with accessibility needs, and why he doesn't hold out hope for fresh design, thought and innovation – despite a handful of new operators coming to market.

GoRiverCruise agent James Hill
(Credit: James Hill)

Hill tells TTG there is one question he always dreads... (Credit: James Hill)

In 20 years of selling river cruising, I have learnt to dread one key question: "My partner and I have limited mobility – will we be able to enjoy a river cruise?"

Why do I dread this question? Well it's because I know my answer probably won't be what the potentially new client wants to hear and therefore won't result in a booking.

This question was asked in a similar way during the recent excellent Clia River Cruise Conference in Amsterdam. However, the four experienced river cruise chiefs onstage chose not to address the real limitations river cruising presents.