Riverside Luxury Cruises recently made waves in the industry with its notable win at the Luxury Lifestyle Awards for Best Luxury Cruise Line in Europe. In this exclusive interview, Alexander Chetchikov, president of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, sits down with Jennifer Halboth, CEO of Riverside Luxury Cruises, to discuss her vision for the brand, the essence of luxury, and the future of river travel.

Alexander Chetchikov: Congrats on your recent win, Jennifer! Riverside Luxury Cruises has been celebrated for its unique approach to river travel. What inspired this vision, and how has it evolved over time?

Jennifer Halboth: Thank you! We are truly honored to receive this award, especially as we are just completing our second season sailing the rivers of Europe. Our parent company, Seaside Collection Hotels, is renowned for its design-forward properties in Europe and the Maldives, offering understated luxury with top-tier service. This model is deeply embedded in our DNA and influences the guest experience on our river ships as well. We are always seeking new ways to anticipate our guests’ needs and desires, and to exceed their expectations.

AC: How does Riverside Luxury Cruises define “luxury” in today’s competitive travel market?

JH: I believe luxury is deeply personal, and looks a little different for everyone. Of course a beautifully designed and maintained space is a must. Excellent service is also paramount. We are proud to say we excel in both these categories. We offer butler service in every suite, which on the surface could read as “old school luxury”—but I think the true luxury in our butler service is that it allows guests to decide what pampering looks like to them. And we can’t forget the culinary side. Great food is a make-it-or-break-it moment for river cruise lines, and we’re so pleased to hear again and again from our guests that their dining experiences were exceptional. This didn’t happen by accident—our owners understand what it takes to put together an outstanding culinary program, and that meant spending double the amount on food per person as the other lines. And it’s worth it.

A feeling of intimacy is also an important factory in defining luxury—Riverside Ravel and Debussy carry just 110 guests, while Mozart carries a max of 162. Guests who have sailed on other river lines will immediately notice the amount of space allotted to suites and public spaces on Riverside ships. Our suites are the largest on the rivers today, featuring king beds, walk in closets and double vanities in the bathrooms on the majority of our cabin categories. The Palm Court lounge is bright and airy, with tons of natural light, and Waterside restaurant was designed to feel like a chic restaurant on land with the impressive buffet located inside its own room.

AC: What role does personalization play in the guest experience aboard Riverside’s ships?

JH: I love this question, because personalization is a key component in the Riverside experience—this isn’t necessarily the case with other river lines. The process of getting to know our guests begins even before they board one of our ships. Our online guest portal allows the crew to learn their preferences, and gives them the opportunity to surprise and delight from day one. In terms of our itineraries and schedules, we understand that not all guests are looking for a seven night sailing. Maybe they want to do just four night, or extend to 10. Our itineraries can be combined in different ways to create just the right fit for our guests. We offer a nice range of choices for excursions in each port, but we’re also very happy to help a guest book a private tour, make a reservation or get tickets to a museum, or even plot a cycling route through the port city, made possible by our fleet of bikes, both electric and traditional, onboard and always ready to go.

AC: How does Riverside balance innovation with maintaining the timeless appeal of luxury cruising?

JH: It’s true that there’s a romantic timelessness inherent in the rivers of Europe, which is likely a big reason we’re seeing so many travelers gravitating to river cruises. At the same time, I think guests appreciate innovations that make their experience more meaningful, more fun, more memorable. For instance, we encourage all our guests to spend a few minutes entering their food allergies and sensitivities into our online portal. This information is then available to our servers, who have instant access and can guide a guest through the menu pointing out safe options, and offering suggestions. All guests have 24/7 access to their butler though WhatsApp, meaning that even when in port exploring, they can send a message asking for a hot cup of tea or plate of cookies to be waiting in their suite upon their return. We make the most of our cozy pool by utilizing jets that create a current and allow guests to get a swim in while floating past some of Europe’s most gorgeous vistas.

AC: The river cruise industry is growing rapidly. What trends are shaping its future, and how is Riverside positioning itself within this landscape?

JH: Trends are important because they tell us what travelers are gravitating toward, and how the industry is evolving to meet new opportunities. That said, we are not ones to jump on every bandwagon. We certainly love to innovate, and are always looking for opportunities to add experiences that enrich our guests’ journeys. We just do it in our own uniquely Riverside way.

AC: Sustainability is a hot topic in travel. How is Riverside Luxury Cruises embracing eco-conscious practices without compromising on luxury?

JH: The entire river cruise industry relies on healthy waterways and thriving flora and fauna, so a focus on sustainability is essential. And we approach it through varied avenues to ensure a well-rounded program. At the ship level, we prioritize energy efficiency and reduced emissions through advanced ship designs equipped with cutting-edge, eco-friendly technologies. This innovation allows Riverside to reduce energy consumption while delivering an exceptional guest experience. We partner with local tourism boards to showcase local businesses, cultural attractions, and regional events, and these collaborations support sustainable tourism by fostering local economies, minimizing mass tourism in sensitive areas, and preserving cultural heritage.

AC: What inspired your journey into the travel industry, and what led you to Riverside Luxury Cruises?

JH: Well, like every good US college student does, I booked myself on my own personal panorama tour, via EuroRail, after I graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Business with a Minor in Art History. Art is my jam! I traveled from London to Paris to Switzerland to Italy, over to Greece, up through Austria and finally ending in Amsterdam before returning to the US. I saw the Raft of the Medusa at the Louve, Giotto’s frescoes in Padua, the Peggy Guggenheim House in Venice…and I knew that traveling would always help me get my art fix. My first experience in traveling for work was when I with the NHL Colorado Avalanche right out of college. I was on the media relations team but the woman who worked on the corporate charter went on maternity leave, and I got to work with the charter company, planning meals, adjusting schedules, etc and I found that pretty exciting. Fast forward a bit and I found myself at Trip.com, where I learned about the early stages of selling online travel.  Then I diverted a bit to a stint in footwear at Airwalk before landing back in the travel space but this time own the side that really intrigued me, at the Globus family of brands where I learned about the in depth world of touring and river cruising. I worked in Marketing for twelve years before making the move that ULTIMATELY, finally had me working in the world of travel, on the sales side in National Accounts.  I was completely hooked.  From domestic conferences to international award trips, I began traveling 30% of my year.  Now I was working in travel and traveling!  I loved it.

I always said I would retire from Globus and Avalon. But shortly before I celebrated my 19^th year the Globus family of brands, I was approached to interview for a job setting up North American trade relations, and while I was torn, I knew opportunities like this don’t come around too often. So I took a chance. I didn’t actually believe I had a shot, so when I was hired as CEO for Riverside Luxury Cruises, North America, I knew I was in for a wild ride. 15 months since my start date, we’ve grown from little ol’ me to a team of 13, we’ve won some amazing awards in just our first year of operating and the parent company and owner, Seaside Collection Hotels and Gregor Gerlach, ensured that we have an unrivaled product on the river that truly speaks to today’s luxury traveler.  I’m so proud of my team, the exceptional team in Europe and the staff on board that treats our guests like they are the most important people in the world.  River cruising is magical and Riverside is uniquely special in the way we deliver Europe, the way no other travel style can.  You won’t find more luxurious accommodations, cuisine or personalized service than when you sail with Riverside Luxury Cruises.  If you never thought river cruising was for you, I invite you to challenge that notion in 2025 on a Riverside Luxury Cruise.  I promise you, you won’t regret it.

AC: What advice would you give to other leaders striving to innovate in the world of luxury travel?

JH: Innovation isn’t only about technical advances. It’s essential to challenge yourself to innovate in how you inspire your people, how you make your guests feel by being less automated and more human, and how you bring your gut and your passion, along with smart data, into your executive decisions. After all, when we travel, we just want to get more deeply connected with the world. Ultimately that is done person to person, so don’t leave your heart at home—it might be the reason you listen to an idea from your team, secure a unique partnership or simply stand out amongst your peers for delivering an experience that is as much fun as it is luxurious. Don’t we all need more fun in our life?

Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing these incredible insights into the world of Riverside Luxury Cruises. Your dedication to crafting remarkable experiences sets a standard for the luxury travel industry.

To learn more about the cruises, visit https://riverside-cruises.com/en/