Trafalgar River Cruises Begins Operations with Back-to-Back Ship Inaugurals

Trafalgar River Cruises is officially up and running, after the new river cruise company – an expansion of TTC Tour’s Trafalgar tour brand – welcomed its first-ever ship, Trafalgar Verity, at a small pier-side ceremony in Amsterdam on Friday, April 10. A second ship, Trafalgar Reverie, will be christened at a similar ceremony in Passau, Germany, on April 11.

“We have decades of experience crating immersive guided journeys and we’re now able to translate that to the water,” said Melissa DaSilva, deputy CEO and chief sales officer for TTC Tour Brands, addressing a crowd of some 120 people, about half of whom are travel advisors from around the globe.

“We don’t see river cruising as a departure from what it is that we already do, we see it as a natural extension. The demand was clear and we knew that it aligned with what our guests were looking for.”

“Experiencing these destinations by water is a different perspective than the one we already share with our guests by road and by rail. It gives us a new way to tell stories but with that same Trafalgar perspective from the inside out,” she added.

DaSilva took time out of her speech to acknowledge the importance of the travel trade to TTC Tour Brands and Trafalgar.

“We have so many people to thank, countless numbers of people to recognize but none more so than our travel advisor partners and I am so grateful that you are all here with us today. From the very beginning, you have supported us, step by step… We don’t take that for granted at all. Your belief in us has helped build the brand to what it is today. For that reason, today is as much about you as it is about us.”

She added that every decision the company has made, including bringing Trafalgar River Cruise to life, “has been with you and your clients in mind.”

Past Guest Godmothers

Highlighting the importance of human connection while traveling, Trafalgar chose two past guests as godmothers for its first ships: Cassandra (Cassie) Estrella-Roca and Kate McIntosh (Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie, respectively).

Their authenticity, loyalty, and enthusiasm reflect the traveler-first philosophy behind Trafalgar, the company said.

“Our river cruise product has been built around the idea that travel should feel personal, joyful, and shaped by the people who experience it,” said Damien O’Connor, vice president of river cruises at Trafalgar. “Cassie and Kate reflect everything the brand stands for, including warmth, connection, and a genuine love for discovery.”

Estrella-Roca invoked these themes in both her blessing of the ship and a poem she wrote for the occasion.

“May Trafalgar Verity safely travel the rivers of Europe. May her crew always guide her with care and pride. And may every traveler who steps aboard discover joy, connection, and a sense of discovery that makes travel so meaningful.”

“May she be a vessel, not only of journeys, but of understanding. May laughter echo across her decks in every language. May strangers become companions, and companions become something more… With a pour of Champagne over her bell, we honor tradition. But more than that, we honor what she will become. A home for stories. A bridge between worlds. A reminder that truth, when shared, brings us closer together.”

Trafalgar’s Fleet

The 128-passenger Trafalgar Verity, a repurposed Uniworld ship (the 1999-built River Queen) that has only been out of service for one year, will operate a 10-day Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam for its inaugural season. Trafalgar Reverie (previously Uniworld’s River Princess), will sail an eight-day Best of the Danube. Both ships underwent a “light” refresh with new carpeting in cabins and public areas, new fixtures in the bathrooms, new soft goods in the cabins, and new mattresses.

More enhancements will come as the season progresses including the addition of USB and USC chargers in all staterooms.

A third ship, the 126-passenger Trafalgar Harmonie (previously Uniworld’s River Duchess), will join the fleet in April 2027, sailing the Seine River.

Newly announced at the christening, two newbuilds will join the fleet in 2028. The 180-passenger ships will be custom built for the brand.