Irish Tourists to Benefit from New VIVA Cruises Packages Offered Through Sunway

Published on November 26, 2025

VIVA Cruises has bolstered its presence in Ireland following the announcement of the company’s partnership with one of Ireland’s prominent tour operators, Sunway. The partnership allows travel agents in Ireland to sell fully integrated European river cruise products, increasing the ease for travelers to purchase comprehensive cruise holiday packages, including flights from Ireland and optional pre- or post- stays. This partnership is a considerable milestone in improving river cruise holiday travel for the Irish market by providing an increased level of service in holiday travel.

Sunway, founded in 1966, is the biggest Irish-owned travel company in Ireland, offering a wide selection of holiday products in different parts of the world. This partnership allows Sunway to increase its cruise product mix and provide travel agents with pre-assembled holiday packages which combine VIVA Cruises European itineraires and accommodations. This initiative is aimed at Irish holiday travelers who are looking for luxury and ease of travel with culturally impactful travel experiences on the grand rivers of Europe.

Easier Bookings for Tour Operators and Travelers in Ireland

The objective of VIVA Cruises and Sunway joint venture is to allow agents to sell fully packaged cruise products without needing to book flights or any other ancillary arrangements, allowing for complete operational and booking portability at the agents’ discretion. Sunway is the primary distribution partner, which gives Irish agents the ability to choose from a diverse offering of VIVA Cruises’ products along the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Rhône, and Seine, among other cruise routes in Europe.

The holiday packages will include the provision of round-trip flights from Dublin, Cork, or Shannon to the cruise destination, with the possibility of adding a pre or post cruise hotel stay. Holidaymakers can add off cruise program elements which include cultural short stays, wine route tours, scenic country holiday cabins, or bundled historic site tours.

The packaged product offers Irish consumers a simple and hassle-free holiday option. It also offers load flexibility to cruise operators. The convenience will likely also appeal to those who have not taken a cruise before and regular cruise users who value an all-in premium product.

VIVA Cruises All-Inclusive River Cruise Experiences

VIVA Cruises is one of the best cruise lines in Europe. This is due to the modern ships, flexible schedules, and the all-inclusive offerings. The river cruise offerings include all meals, drinks, onboard entertainment, wellness facilities, and wifi along with all the above. The all-inclusive and focus on service makes VIVA Cruises the best option to who those looking to enjoy cruise with the option of educational and cultural experiences on the trip.

Some of the most popular cruise options for the Irish market include:

The Rhine River, with its medieval castles, vineyards, and magnificent river towns like Rudesheim and Koblenz, The Danube River, with its wide cultural and historical attractions, flowing through important capital cities such as vienna, budapest, and bratislava. The Moselle River, with its winding through picturesque landscapes and famous wine growing regions of Germany. The Seine River, for those looking to experience the cultural and artistic side of Paris and northern France.

With the cruise options varying from three to ten night experiences, the new increases to offerings gives Irish travelers the added benefit of finding a trip that best suits their needs.

Enhancing Irish Traveller Tourism Opportunities

There is an increasing interest in river cruising travel among Irish travellers. This interest is due to the scenic comfort, ease, and single-unpack travel. New partnerships, such as the one between Sunway and VIVA, speak to the growing interest and potential for this segment. River cruises combine the best of slow travel with the scenic views of rural Europe and the river cities.

The interest in immersive travel offered through Sunway river cruise bookings and holidays resonates with Irish travellers. This is due to the growing interest in integrating short domestic spells throughout slow travel itineraries. This type of travel can be particularly appealing for couples, solo travellers, and multigenerational families.

Pre-arranged flight bookings also broadens the accessibility of river cruises, especially for those who do not prefer to self-book their travel itineraries.

Enhancing the Ireland River Cruise Market

The Irish travel market could benefit greatly from Sunway’s partnerships with River Cruise companies. Providing travel agents with the ability to offer varied travel products and holidays, this partnership is likely to increase interest in travel options beyond the traditional city breaks or resort holidays.With VIVA Cruises now providing short- and mid-length itineraries, this new range will cater to the Irish market for weekend getaways, romantic getaways, and extended holidays. The all-inclusive model also enables travelers to better control costs since a majority of meals, drinks and a number of other services are included in the cruise fare.

Sales, Marketing and prospects

Marketing collaboration will encompass joint advertising, travel sellers, educational webinars, and promotional materials outlining European river cruising as a premier holiday. VIVA Cruises and Sunway intend to boost both companies presence in the Irish travel market and equip travel sellers to market and sell river cruise products more confidently.

Sunway’s well established connection with the Irish travel trade and VIVA Cruises’ growing number of ships and itineraries establishes a solid foundation for fruitful partnership. This also highlights the untapped potential of Ireland as a growing source market for European river cruises.

Conclusion

VIVA Cruises and Sunway’s collaboration is bound to make European river cruise tourism in Ireland more accessible. All-inclusive river cruise vacations, along with airfare and optional accommodation, provide Irish customers with a convenient and enriching European travel experience. Travel agents will benefit from a simplified system, increased product variety, and the ability to satisfy the ongoing demand for immersive, all-in-one travel solutions.