The River Cruise Line is an independent tour operator, based in Market Harborough, which has been established for over 10 years and provides great value river cruises and enjoys an excellent reputation, a high level of repeat business and a continuing commitment to building relationships with the trade.

Having sold through regional and national newspapers on a reader offer basis we were delighted to launch a dedicated sales programme for Travel Agents in April of 2011.

We are always interested when travel agents approach us and as a small, independent company agents can be sure that we will take good care of them and their customers, as well as offer good rates of commission.

With the interest in river cruising increasing and increased pressures on commission-earning opportunities in the ocean cruise sector, The River Cruise Line product provides a good value alternative to flight holidays and a great introduction to the one of the fastest growing sectors of the UK Travel Market.

With:

• Demand for River Cruising growing YOY.
• Stock selling out very fast.
• River cruising attracting a diverse blend of passengers who will try different itineraries.
• River cruise operators continue to grow despite market conditions.

The River Cruise Line recently released launched an expanded 2013 brochure river cruising programme which includes 30 itineraries to 15 countries to Europe & beyond.

This programme includes new cruises such as:

• Rhine Explorer - Especially for you- with NO single cabin supplements is back with departures in March and October 2013.
• NEW Scenic Rhine & Switzerland- this itinerary is similar to our traditional Rhine to Switzerland cruise but it allows more time to explore the ports of call and sails in one direction only from Andernach to Basel. Return travel includes an overnight stop in Reims
• Rhine in Flames- the 10^th September departure will actually sail with the Flotilla and our August departures will be berthed in Koblenz where the festival will be held.
• Magical Moselle Christmas Markets
• Christmas in Venice- no single cabin supplement
• Christmas Rhine & New Year Cruisesavailable with sailings from Newcastle & Hull (previously only available from Dover).
• Twixmas Cruise on the Rhine- 4 days departing 27^th December
• Christmas Seine Cruise- no single cabin supplement

Our cruising calendar is one of the longest in the UK River Cruise Market.

Whilst our competition tend to focus on the bight out of the middle year and cater for a multinational clientele on board, we start cruising in March through to December on ships that have service specifically designed for the British river cruising passenger.

River cruise holidays are chosen for their destinations itineraries and may focus on particular regions or they may combine several rivers through many countries and is a great way to experience in-depth the regions and countries you sail through from the comfort of a floating hotel.

With this in mind The River Cruise Line appeals to people who like something to do all of the time and are a popular choice for customer who like escorted tours.

With ocean cruising ships becoming larger and larger and itineraries becoming more limited and repetitive passengers are looking for a small ship experience which captures more of the ports of call and allows them more time to explore their destination as opposed to booking an overpriced ocean ship excursion.

As with what we have witnessed with ocean cruising the age profile is dropping, the clientele used to be 70 plus but the age band is dropping and many cruisers are now 50 -70 years old and are empty nesters, although we do welcome families onboard our ships.

We are also witnessing a migration of passengers who ocean cruise but would like to try "something new".

With this in mind, our product a perfect sell to those of you who have databases of clients who enjoy city breaks or those who have customers who enjoy coaching and touring holidays.

The 3* grading of our product by no means reflects the level of service that is delivered.

 Pre, onboard and post cruise CSQ scores reflect the personable, intimate, atmospheric, welcoming and celebrated service that we provide as well as being in a unique place in the UK River Cruise market as we are a great introductory product to the world of river cruising.

As a result of all of this activity and exposure in the travel trade press we now have over 2500 travel agents registered to sell our products.

We are full of pride regarding this fact and even more so as a large number of these agents who have registered are a result of their loyal clients bringing to their attention our product,  great service, availably and affordability.

Irrespective of the size of the Travel Agent who we work with we always underline that whilst we do not have the vast financial resources for marketing opportunities, immense buying power and market presence of some of the larger ocean cruise operators, we aim to work with integrity, respect and a view to developing long term working relationships with those who want to sell The River Cruise Line product.

This year, to date, we have sent 9000 passengers on our cruises which are a 25% increase YOY and we are looking to duplicate this growth for 2013.

An increasing number of Travel Agents are now securing full ship charters, allocations of cabins from our new 2013 programme and have been incredibly resourceful in tapping into their databases and contacting group organisers which The River Cruise Line product has great appeal to.