River cruising had a strong year in 2023, and heightened demand for themed sailings, new product and destination launches are leading the way into what river lines say is already shaping up to be what one executive called a "banner year" for the 2024 season.
But challenges loom over the horizon, such as the Israel-Hamas war and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, which have both stoked uncertainty among river lines when it comes to operations, prompting some lines to take preventative action.
Here are four situations to watch in 2024:
War impacts Nile sailings
The Israel-Hamas war, which broke out on Oct. 7, may be dampening demand for cruising on the Nile, where lines have been increasing their investment.
AmaWaterways, which currently has one ship, the AmaDahlia, operating on the river and a second ship, the AmaLilia, slated to the debut next year, is still running cruises on the Nile as well as its precruise extension to Jordan, albeit with some modifications. The line has suspended its post-cruise extension to Israel, joining travel suppliers in general in halting trips to the destination.
Rudi Schreiner, president of AmaWaterways, said about Egypt sailings that "not many new bookings are coming in, even as far as summer 2024, when some clients already booked on the Nile are trying to move out of their dates."
Schreiner added that capacity on the AmaLilia for the departures it's still running are not 100% full, but they are operating normally, along with the extension to Jordan and its extensions to Dubai, which he said are still doing well.
What will the Olympics bring?
Another challenge river cruise lines face next year is the Summer Games, particularly when it comes to logistics and sky-high hotel rates.
Several river cruise lines say they are not actively promoting sailings on the Seine River around the time of the Olympics for a number of reasons, such as softened demand for Seine cruises during the weeks surrounding the Games or because they can't secure event tickets for their passengers.
Most lines have said that they have not yet received information about docking logistics and security restrictions from French officials, which is a frustrating position to be in.
Marcus Leskovar, executive vice president of Amadeus River Cruises, said there has been some caution on Seine itineraries because groups-focused travel advisors are trying to stay clear of the Olympics given the lack of current information, in addition to high airfare during the event.
Schreiner said AmaWaterways has canceled about three weeks of cruising on the Seine, along with extensions of Paris, due to the lack of information and exorbitant hotel rates.
A Christmas market cruise
While Christmas market cruises returned last year in full swing after a two-year hiatus during the pandemic, the festive themed sailings have become hugely popular among travel advisors' clients.
Christmas market cruises have become hugely popular among river cruise clients. Above, a market in Cologne, Germany. Photo Credit: AmaWaterways
Travelers seem to not want to chance missing out, as river lines say these sailings in 2024 are nearly, if not already, sold out.
"Christmas markets are coming back stronger and stronger every year," Schreiner said. "Future bookings are really, really strong for the Christmas markets. This is something we have not seen as much in the past two years."
Leskovar said the strength of these bookings is a positive sign of confidence in travel.
"I think there's a better, more solid consumer confidence out there for travel, and that's good to see," he said. "The result is a really solid 2024 booking situation for us on all products, and what's booking the most is still our Advent cruises, which continue to sell out early."
Booking windows lengthen
The advance-booking trend isn't just present with Christmas market cruises. Traditional river cruises in Europe as well as in farther-flung destinations are also seeing strong booking patterns for 2024, and well into 2025.
"Asia has come back strongly on the Mekong," Schreiner said. "It started in 2023, has picked up more in 2024, and 2025 already looks extremely strong."
Danube River sailings also rebounded in 2023 for the first time since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, much to the delight of river cruise suppliers.
Lines expect to see further growth in demand for the Danube in 2024.