Trafalgar joins CLIA ahead of 2026 river cruise debut

Trafalgar, the guided touring brand within The Travel Corporation (TTC), has become a river cruise operator member of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) UK & Ireland, marking its official entry into the river cruising sector.

The membership grants Trafalgar access to CLIA’s extensive UK and Ireland trade network, alongside a suite of resources tailored to the river cruise sector. These include training opportunities, marketing support, webinars, podcasts, and participation in major industry events such as the annual CLIA Conference and the CLIA RiverView Conference.

Trafalgar is set to debut its first two river ships in April 2026, the Trafalgar Reverie and Trafalgar Verity, each with a capacity of 128 passengers. The vessels will operate immersive itineraries along the Rhine and Danube, blending Trafalgar’s renowned touring expertise with the slower pace and scenic beauty of European river cruising.

Commenting on the move, Andy Harmer, Managing Director, CLIA UK & Ireland, said, “We’re very pleased to welcome Trafalgar to CLIA, and look forward to supporting them as they develop relationships with the trade. The popularity of river cruise continues to grow rapidly, so this is the ideal time to further support agent understanding and insight of their brand and the sector more generally.”

Kelly Jackson, TTC Tour Brands EMEA Managing Director, said, “We’re thrilled to be joining CLIA and to work closely with their outstanding network of travel agents across the UK and Ireland. Our move into river cruising is an exciting new chapter for Trafalgar, and CLIA’s training, resources and events will be invaluable in sharing this with the trade."

Jackson added, “When we welcome guests aboard Trafalgar Reverie and Trafalgar Verity in 2026, we look forward to offering them an unforgettable way to experience the Rhine and Danube and to collaborating with agents to bring these exceptional journeys to life for their clients.”