More product is being offered to Irish consumers through agents, with 10 European tours now tailored for the Irish market – including a selection in Italy.
The operator is also seeking more regional air partnerships, aiming to expand departure points and replicate a strategy that has proven successful in the UK.
Other notable launches include Riviera Rose on the Douro and Riviera Radiance on the Danube, with Riviera Resplendence poised to join the fleet early next year to sail the Rhine.
Riviera’s growth into the Irish market follows the appointment earlier this year of dedicated country manager Carrie Day, who said Riviera would be making some "significant changes to directly support agency growth" in Ireland.
Riviera said trade was "a cornerstone" of its success in the Irish market where, during the period from 1 December 2024 to date, it has grown passenger numbers by 64% year-on-year and revenue by 74%.
Additional support will be available to agents through the expansion of online training platform Riviera Explorer.
Director of trade and partnerships Vicky Billing continued: "Ireland has always been an important market for Riviera. The Irish market is dynamic, loyal and incredibly agent-driven – trade has been the crux of our success here.
"Our travel agent partners are not only trusted advisers to their customers but also trusted advisers to us. Their local expertise, deep customer relationships and ability to unlock new segments are absolutely central to our expansion plans. We’re just getting started.”
Day added she would be working closely with Billing “to lead local strategy and deepen trade relationships".
Riviera said solo holidays, particularly river cruising, was its fastest-growing segment in Ireland. It will be “significantly increasing” the number of fam trips it puts on for Irish agents, and will also be launching an “exciting incentive” for agents in September following a summer TV campaign in July and August.
Phil Hullah, Riviera chief executive, said there was "clear appetite" in Ireland for the brand’s "evolving product range", adding: "We’re investing for the long term, and Ireland will be central to our global growth journey."
