(Un)Ravel on the River: Riverside Luxury Cruises hosts leadership retreat in France

This week, Riverside Luxury Cruises and industry coach Geraldine Ree are hosting an aptly named leadership retreat, Unravel, aboard the stunning Riverside Ravel.

Baxter Media is exclusively reporting from the Rhône River as we sail from Lyon to Avignon on this eight-day itinerary.

As industry veteran and business coach Geraldine Ree explains, “The Unravel Retreat is designed for busy travel business owners ready to step back and focus on what truly matters. Our goal is simple: to unravel the knots holding their business back. We’ll address the core barriers to growth—lack of focused leadership, not enough time spent working on the business, challenges in engaging advisor teams, and the growing need to lead a proactive sales force.”

Through intentional reflection and peer collaboration, participants will return home with a refreshed perspective and a renewed commitment to a bold, actionable plan.

Between one-on-one coaching sessions, masterminds, and dynamic workshops, advisor/owners are also experiencing firsthand what their clients can expect onboard the Riverside Ravel. As Sales Director Peter Ouzounov puts it: “Personal firsthand experience is more powerful than traditional education methods.”

As these advisor leaders collaborate with Geraldine and one another, they’re also immersing themselves in the newest entry to the ultra-luxury river cruise segment. Riverside Luxury Cruises, with its trio of exquisitely refurbished ships, is setting out to educate the advisor community on what true guest-centric luxury looks like.

“As we unravel the knots in each business, we’re also modelling what excellence looks like—through Riverside’s attention to detail, personalized service, and the richness of their onboard experience. The truth is, Riverside chose us. Peter Ouzounov is a dedicated industry leader, redefining what partnership means in the travel industry. He’s committed to intentional, high-impact strategies that elevate both agency owners and advisors. We’re aligned in one clear goal: to help these leaders see what’s possible when you choose to lead at the highest level,” said Ree.

Ree is also gearing up for the launch of her next book: Atlas of a Travel Business: From Doing the Work to Leading What Matters. The book is designed to help travel industry leaders solve the “too busy” problem and rise to a new level of excellence through leadership.

“The industry has evolved dramatically—from an employee-driven model to a thriving landscape of entrepreneurs. But we lack leadership resources tailored to this new reality. The Atlas is a companion textbook to my Leadership Academy, which includes courses like The Growth Accelerator, Leading a Proactive Luxury Sales Team, Recruitment Accelerator, and The First 90 Days.”

Canadian travel advisors have made 100% of the bookings (so far) for Canadian guests sailing with Riverside in 2025—an astonishing testament to their impact and Riverside’s commitment to the advisor community.

The Riverside vision also extends beyond the river. Its owners, the Seaside Collection, is a portfolio of luxury hotels across Europe. The “luxury hotel first” philosophy is being brought to the river—empowering onboard staff to craft highly personalized experiences for every guest.

Another innovation? Riverside’s multi-day itineraries (3+ days), which offer discerning travellers flexible, tailor-made experiences or curated add-ons—perfect for those exploring Europe as part of a larger journey.

For more information, please visit the Riverside Advisor Portal. For advisor certificate and training, click here.

Stay tuned for more updates!