Setting Sail: Trafalgar takes to the rivers

Europe’s newest river cruise line is part of the renowned The Travel Corporation and perfect for the first time river cruiser. There’s a new name in cruising on Europe’s rivers - and it’s almost 80 years old. Trafalgar, known for its worldwide escorted motorcoach tours, has made the leap to river cruising. In doing so, it’s joining its big sister company Uniworld, with its 20+ ships in Europe, Egypt, India and more. It’s not a competition with Uniworld – Trafalgar is a standalone brand. Uniworld is positioned as a “floating boutique hotel” for the luxury-seeking traveller with a high guest: crew ratio (2.4:1); white-glove butler service; more sophisticated dining with all premium drinks included and sommelier service. And more included shore excursions. Trafalgar, on the other hand, is a more informal product, and will cruise in Europe only - for now. There are not as many inclusions, and a more casual ambience. For example, beer and wine are included with lunch and dinner only, served by gingham-shirted staff , and only one excursion is included at each destination with others available at a surcharge.

There’s a lower but still-respectable guest: crew ratio (3:1) and nightly entertainment is simpler such as trivia nights. The cruise line is clearly focusing on a casual vibe perfect for the first time river cruiser. Rather than inviting a celebrity to be the Godmother of the ship, and in keeping with its relatable vibe, Trafalgar Cruises is welcoming a past loyal Trafalgar guided vacations customer to undertake the naming, formerly known as the christening. In the case of the Verity, Californian Cassie Estrella-Roca – a 20-time Trafalgar guided tour client - was chosen for her enthusiasm and zest for life. “Cassie will sail with us at least once a year and will have a seat at the table for new builds,” said Trafalgar River Cruises VP Damien O’Connor.

The three Trafalgar ships aren’t new: they are repurposed Uniworld vessels which would otherwise be retired from the fleet. In its past life, the Verity was the Uniworld Queen, now back on the river after a year-long update including all new soft furnishings (linens, carpets) and general spiffing up. The ship accommodates 128 guests on three decks. The four Riverview Suites (214 square feet) have window-facing beds (all others are 151 square feet with wall-facing beds); top deck French Balcony rooms have spacious windows which slide down half-way; middle deck Deluxe rooms have large, fixed windows. Lowest deck staterooms have smaller windows near the water level. An amenity appreciated by all is the self-serve laundry room, open 24/7 - detergent included.

Where Trafalgar River Cruises has an instant leg up in the marketplace is that it can take advantage of synergies of its parent company, The Travel Corporation. With over 40 brands including Uniworld, Insight, Contiki and Down Under Tours, its buying power ashore as well as on the water is significant, as is its expertise crafting memories for guests. This includes Be My Guest experiences during which guests meet and spend time with a local host as well as Make Travel Matter Day trips supporting the local community, wildlife and the environment. Such excursions are included in each Trafalgar sailing. The Verity operates 10-day itineraries including two nights ashore in Amsterdam followed by a weeklong sailing from nearby Arnhem along the Rhine to Strasbourg, Cologne and the Middle Rhine Gorge to Basel, where a two-night optional extension is available. Christmas Market cruises are also offered.

Up next: Trafalgar plans to dovetail more of its escorted tours with sailings, making for a seamless land-and-water combo. Two dedicated Trafalgar ships with all window-facing beds are slated for release in 2028 and the company will continue to spread the word to its Trafalgar touring clients - 74 percent of whom have expressed an interest in river cruising.

Written by Martha Chapman for Cruise & Travel Lifestyles Magazine - Fall 2026 issue