In recent weeks, Uniworld, AmaWaterways and APT have all reported strong booking levels in 2026 against last year. In contrast, Iata Director General Willie Walsh confirmed “all airline bottom lines are suffering” due to the ongoing war on Iran.

To compound matters, airlines are delaying when they will resume full Middle East flying schedules.

The positive picture for river lines comes after the Clia RiverView conference in Amsterdam in March when travel agent panelists speculated whether European operators could offer customers with Middle East holidays a viable alternative.

Three months on, luxury river lines with a generous mix of product across Europe and Asia and, in AmaWaterways’ case, South America, are seemingly thriving.  

Uniworld is tracking ahead of a record-breaking 2025 with bookings currently 32% up, while AmaWaterways has seen huge growth in both Europe and Colombia where it now has two ships – AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia.

AmaWaterways’ European river cruise bookings along the Rhone in France have jumped 111% year-on-year and Dutch and Belgian Waterways sales are up 84% year-on-year.

The line said the rise in Dutch and Belgian Waterways bookings “reflects growing consumer demand for visiting these areas all year round”.

AmaWaterways has continued to develop its European product offering in recent months with the launch of its City Escapes programme in March.

The programme offers extended time in Europe’s most iconic cities along the Seine, Rhine and Danube rivers. 

Uniworld has expanded its Nights Out programme, with more evening excursions away from the busy crowds in the middle of the day.

APT

Paul Melinis, Managing Director at APT Luxury, UK and Europe, confirmed the operator is seeing “a lot more UK guests” on its luxury European river cruises as many “looks towards Europe as a premium and reassuring alternative in the current geopolitical climate”.

But it’s not just in Europe where luxury river lines are seeing success. Uniworld’s airline partners – Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and British Airways – offer “great alternatives to flying via the Middle East”.

“Ultimately, Uniworld customers can and will travel,” said the river line, which also revealed it expects 2027 to be a record-breaking year. 

Uniworld UK and Europe Managing Director Chris Townson said: “I’m really proud of the way we’ve anticipated the needs of luxury travellers in the current market, pivoted our messaging and worked hand in hand with our valued trade partners to great effect.

“Our customers can and will travel, but not only that, they are travelling further and for longer as demand for luxury, seamless bucket list journeys remains despite challenging conditions in the wider marketplace.”

According to Uniworld, its Spectacular Journeys of the World programme, which includes destinations along the Ganges, Mekong, Nile and the Amazon rivers, is proving hugely popular with customers and agents alike.

“The success of the programme correlates with trends that Uniworld is seeing such as booking earlier and choosing longer bucket list trips,” the line added.

AmaWaterways has seen a 106% boost for Colombian bookings based on sales between January and April.

Jamie Loizou, Managing Director for International Markets at AmaWaterways, said: “We’re continuing to see incredibly strong demand from UK travellers, particularly as more guests look towards shoulder season travel and lesser-known destinations that offer a more authentic and relaxed experience.”

He added: “Evidently, UK travellers are increasingly looking to travel outside of peak periods with less crowded destinations and greater flexibility.

“River cruising provides exactly that, giving guests the opportunity to explore destinations more deeply, whether through culture, cuisine or simply discovering cities at their own pace.”