Trafalgar River Cruises Are Now on Sale — Sailing in 2026 and 2027

For the first time ever, Trafalgar — one of the most trusted names in guided vacations — is officially entering the world of river cruising. And bookings are now open for both 2026 and 2027.

For decades, Trafalgar has shaped the way travelers explore Europe on land. Now they’re bringing that same storytelling, guided expertise, and effortless logistics to the rivers. This is big news for travelers who love Trafalgar’s land tours but want the ease and intimacy of a river cruise — and for river cruisers who appreciate depth, culture, and seamless organization.

This is a major moment for the river cruise world.

Trafalgar is launching with two ships — Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie. These vessels have been designed to deliver a warm, relaxed, boutique experience that blends the best of modern river cruising with the personality and destination-rich focus Trafalgar is known for.

A third ship is expected to join the fleet soon after their initial rollout.

While details will continue to emerge, here’s what sets these ships apart:

Expect a comfortable passenger count, curated spaces, and a layout designed for scenic sailing and meaningful connection, not mass tourism.

Three meals a day, regionally inspired menus, rotating wines, and a focus on European culinary traditions.
Breakfast and lunch offer generous buffets with live cooking stations, while dinner is a curated, three-course, à la carte experience.

Each day comes with guided experiences — a signature Trafalgar strength. Travelers can expect local hosts, cultural storytelling, and a balance between iconic sites and authentic regional moments.

Wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water are complimentary during lunch and dinner.

Each stateroom includes both European outlets and one U.S.-standard outlet, WiFi is available throughout the ship, and dress code is comfortably casual.

Plenty of brands sail the Rhine and Danube. Few come from a land-tour heritage, and that’s where Trafalgar stands out.

Most river cruise brands offer pre- and post-cruise extensions.
But Trafalgar specializes in them.

This is their home turf.

Travelers can expect seamless transitions, strong local guides, purposeful routing, and a level of destination depth that most river cruise companies struggle to match.

2026–2027 itineraries include curated extensions in:

These aren’t afterthought hotel nights. They’re genuine guided experiences designed by a company that has perfected land touring for over 75 years.

Trafalgar’s strength has always been:

Now, instead of changing hotels every few nights, travelers get to unpack once and glide through Europe’s greatest rivers with that same guided ease.

Most travelers assume river cruising is “set” — the big brands are the big brands.
But Trafalgar’s entrance shakes things up.

They appeal to a traveler who wants:

It’s a refreshing new lane.

This cannot be overstated.
Trafalgar enters with:

For river cruise newcomers nervous to “pick the wrong line,” this familiarity is a major confidence booster.

Here’s how to position the ideal guest — written in a way your blog readers feel seen:

This makes Trafalgar especially appealing for:

Trafalgar’s initial itineraries focus on:

These are Europe's classic river cruise corridors — perfect for a first-time experience — with iconic cities like Amsterdam, Cologne, Vienna, Budapest, and beyond.

As the fleet grows, we can expect additional regions to be added.

Here are the most important FAQ items, rewritten in client-friendly language:

Yes. WiFi is available throughout the ship, though signal strength may vary in locks or remote regions.

Comfort first.
Think:

No formalwear required.

Absolutely. Wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water are included at lunch and dinner.

Yes — guests ages 5 to 17 are welcome, though the vibe is primarily adult-oriented.

Yes. Individual, group, and full-ship charters are available for both 2026 and 2027.

This is the first major, credible new entry into the river cruise market in years — and it’s not a startup or unknown company. It’s Trafalgar.

For travelers, this means:

For early planners, it also means:

Trafalgar river cruises won't remain a “best-kept secret” for long.

Trafalgar stepping into river cruising is one of the most interesting developments in the industry in recent years. It blends everything travelers love about river cruising — easy days, beautiful scenery, unpack-once convenience — with the depth, guidance, and expertise that Trafalgar has delivered on land for generations.

If you’d like help comparing Trafalgar to other river cruise lines — or exploring the best itineraries for your travel style — I’d be happy to guide you through it.