What To Expect on Riverside Luxury Cruises

I’ve just returned from a trip with Riverside Luxury Cruises, and I finally understand why so many people love this cruise line. With a maximum of 110 guests, the intimate atmosphere makes this the perfect small ship cruise experience.

When I consider sailing with a cruise company, I look at a lot of different aspects of the cruise. First things first: I am not interested in cruising on a ship with 5,000 people. I have friends who love it, but it is simply not for me.

With Riverside Luxury Cruises, you’ll have the choice of the Riverside Ravel, Riverside Mozart, or the Riverside Debussy, depending on where you want to go and which itinerary you choose. I sailed on the Riverside Debussy, which typically visits prime destinations in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

Riverside Luxury Cruises sails on the Rhine and Danube, two of the main rivers of Europe (the Danube being the second longest), as well as the Rhône, Mosel, Saône, and Main. Take a look at the choices on the Riverside Cruises website.

I want to experience interesting ports and stay in a luxurious cabin. On this cruise, I stayed in a Seahorse suite while we visited the Netherlands and Belgium.

Excellent food is definitely important to me, and dining on Riverside Cruises was a joy. Upscale service is also a priority. Who doesn’t like being pampered on vacation? Sailing with Riverside Cruises was an exceptional experience, and one I would highly recommend to anyone interested in small ship cruising.

What Sets Riverside Luxury Cruises Apart

• All cabins are suites.
• Truly upscale dining, with creative dishes, cocktails, and a fabulous wine list.
• The crew-to-guest ratio is 1:2, meaning there is one staff member for every two guests. With 55 crew members, the service is exceptional. They knew what I needed before I knew I needed it!
• Every guest has 24-hour personal butler service.
• Fantastic ports with excursions to explore the history and local culture.
• Free laundry room: you may not see this as anything special, but I loved being able to wash a few things halfway through the cruise, especially as I carry on my luggage. (You can also pay a little extra for the crew to do your laundry.) How do I carry on? Grab my free cruise packing list.

Cabins on Riverside

All-suite ships are rare in the world of cruising. The Seahorse Suite is a wonderful size for a small cruise line, at 258 square feet. I traveled solo this time, but when traveling with my husband, who is 6’1″, some cruise cabins can feel a bit cramped.

The Seahorse Suite is a great size for couples or friends to share. The bed is king-sized, but can be turned into two twins at your request.

This suite has a panoramic window, which is lovely for enjoying the views of the river. It makes breakfast in bed extra special.

I have always had a balcony room on river cruises, so the panoramic window was new to me. I have to say, it was really nice to go to sleep and wake up with a view of the river right from my bed. In addition, the window has a switch to bring it down so you can get some fresh air (or take hundreds of photos like I did!)

The cabins on the Riverside Debussy also feature marble bathrooms with wonderful Natura Bisse toiletries, and each room has a bathrobe and slippers. And one of my favorite features? An in-room espresso machine. This traveler needs her coffee in the morning, and not having to leave my room to get it as soon as I open my eyes is pure joy (and a rarity even for luxury river cruise lines). The rooms on Riverside really feel more like a boutique hotel than a ship cabin.

Dining on Riverside Cruises

Everything you’ll eat on a Riverside Cruise is made onboard, including the bread you’re served with meals to the jam you’ll spread on toast or a bagel at breakfast. The chef also features culinary specialties of the region you’re visiting.

One huge plus for dining with Riverside is that there are no set times or reservations, with the exception of dining at the Vintage Room. I also enjoyed the special dining events on board, like the rooftop Barbecue and mixology class.

In every restaurant, you’ll have the option of pairing your meal with exquisite wines. Ask the sommelier for help in choosing if you’re not sure what to order.

Waterside Restaurant

Waterside is the main dining room where you’ll dine in the Marketplace during breakfast and lunch. I loved that they offered many small plate items, like the creative panna cotta with horseradish and smoked fish I had on the first day. Who thinks up dishes like that? The Riverside chefs are so creative!

At dinner, the room becomes an upscale restaurant with a fantastic wine list and exceptional service. The food was just incredible. And so you know, there were healthy options as well as vegan dishes, and the kitchen was very flexible in every dining venue for those with allergies.

Atelier

On Deck 3, midship, you’ll find the Atelier, perfect for those who prefer a late breakfast or lunch. Small bites are set out throughout the day, making it convenient to grab something before or after an excursion. If you like smashburgers, this is the place to grab one!

Vista Deck

Lunch is available on the Vista Deck (weather permitting), and this is where the special Barbecue night takes place. There is also a pop-up bar, perfect for a sail-away cocktail with that magical view from the Debussy’s upper deck.

Vintage Room Dining

For an extra special meal, book dinner in the Vintage Room. The entire experience is incredible, from the food to the wine pairings to the presentations.

Palm Court

You’ll visit Palm Court on a regular basis. This is where you’ll meet for drinks, learn about the next day’s excursions and events, as well as enjoy the entertainment onboard. You’ll also gather for excursions at Palm Court each day.

In addition to all the above, there’s an Early Riser’s Pastry and Coffee Station at 6 AM for those of you who are up at that ungodly hour (kidding, of course, kind of). For those who feel like staying in for a meal, room service is available 24/7, which is great for those early morning excursions.

When you’re ready for a cocktail or mocktail, glass of wine, or a local beer, The Vista Bar is open from 12 noon until 10 PM. For the night owls, Botanist Bar stays open until midnight. You will not go hungry or thirsty on this cruise!

Excursions

The excursions available onboard are a big part of the trip for me. I find the culture of Europe fascinating, and Riverside offered interesting tours in each port. On this itinerary, we enjoyed visiting the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, where we saw a few famous works by Peter Paul Rubens.

Riverside guests who enjoy beer should definitely take a tasting tour while in Brussels, but beware: the beer there is strong! This was my first time in Brussels, but I learned my lesson when I spent a day in Bruges a few years ago.

For those with a sweet tooth, the signature dessert cruise in Amsterdam was fun, and I heard the chocolate museum in Antwerp was a delicious experience.

And at the end of the day, you’ll retire to a luxurious river cruise ship, often a short walk from the city you’re visiting. That’s the beauty of river cruising.

What’s Your Cruising Style: River or Ocean?

Thinking about your cruise style is an important first step when choosing a cruise line. What do you look for in a cruise? If you like a more intimate, upscale experience, with the ability to simply walk off the ship into town to explore, river cruising is a great choice. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a casino and shows on board, river cruising would probably not be your cup of tea.

When it comes to river cruising, Riverside Cruises is a wonderful choice. Especially for those who love good food, the dining on Riverside is some of the best I’ve encountered.

There’s an information book in each stateroom with this quote from Oscar Wilde: One really should yield to temptations. Who knows if they’ll ever come again?

Life is short. Perhaps this is your sign to book a really special vacation with Riverside Luxury Cruises. My personal Riverside experience was exceptional. Feel free to reach out with any questions. I’m happy to help.

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