Riverside Luxury Cruises, the newest and arguably most luxurious river cruise line operating in Europe, is aiming to grow its presence in North America with a significant team expansion, as well as a newly announced partnership with Allianz Global Assistance. Through these strategic moves, the brand hopes to solidify its position in the competitive luxury river cruising market while enhancing guest experiences both on and off the water.

Strengthening Sales and Marketing Teams

With continued growth in the North American market since its 2023 launch, Riverside Luxury Cruises has just added new talent to its sales and marketing team. The company recently appointed Ian Duncan as Director of Sales for the Northeast and Upper Midwest, Matt Ogden as Director of Sales and Key Accounts for California and Hawaii, Desirey Virgin as Director of Sales for the Southeast and Kelsey Thompson as Director of Marketing.

“As we continue to expand our presence in [the] U.S. market, building a world-class team is paramount. I am absolutely thrilled to welcome these four exceptional individuals to Riverside Luxury Cruises,” said Jennifer Halboth, CEO of Riverside Collection Americas. “Their diverse skills and passion for the industry will be invaluable as we continue to grow and establish ourselves as a leading choice for luxury river travel. I am incredibly proud of the team we are building and confident that their expertise will contribute significantly to our success.” 

Additionally, fresh promotions within the company reflect the brand’s dedication to fostering talent from its existing pool. Michelle Rodriguez Suarez has newly stepped into the role of Vice President, Sales for Latin America, Asia, MICE and Seaside Collection’s Finolhu Resort in the Maldives, while Peter Ousounov has been promoted to Senior Director of Sales, Canada.

Partnering With Allianz Global Assistance

In an effort to provide additional value to its guests, Riverside Luxury Cruises has just partnered with Allianz Global Assistance to offer comprehensive travel insurance plans. Guests now have the option of purchasing Allianz Partners travel protection policies when booking their Riverside cruises. These plans include a wide array of benefits, such as reimbursement for covered cancellations, interruptions and delays, as well as assistance for unforeseen medical emergencies and baggage mishaps.

Guests who opt for Allianz Partners Travel Insurance can also enjoy the convenience of the award-winning Allyz mobile app, an advanced digital platform that offers travelers reliable advice and expertise, along with seamless access to a range of insurance benefits. The app streamlines travel insurance management, enabling users to purchase plans, file and monitor claims, track flights, reach Allianz Partners’ 24/7 assistance services, and even schedule virtual or in-person medical consultations.

Halboth expressed her enthusiasm for the new collaboration, saying, “We’re excited to partner with Allianz Partners, a global leader in travel insurance and assistance, to provide our guests added peace of mind with reliable travel protection and 24/7 assistance services. This partnership ensures our guests can further relax in luxury, knowing they’re covered every step of the way.”

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