Riverside Luxury Cruises

Riverside Luxury Cruises is an all-suite operator, so you won’t find any standard staterooms or inside cabins. The entry-level Petite Suites are ideal for most travellers and feature a panoramic balcony window, a king-size bed, and an ensuite marble bathroom. Butler service is included for all guests, which is one of the biggest advantages of choosing a Riverside cruise.

There are several accommodation categories above the Petite Suite that offer more space and better outdoor access. The larger suites also boast French balconies, walk-in wardrobes, separate living areas, and bathtubs. The jewel in the crown is the Owner’s Suite on the Riverside Mozart, which measures 883 sq. ft., making it one of the largest suites on any river cruise ship in Europe.

The suites on a Riverside ship are designed to feel residential, rather than functional. You’ll enjoy quality bed linen, well-lit dressing areas, and ample storage, which is perfect for longer voyages. These considerations are what set Riverside apart from other European river cruise lines and bring a touch of small-ship luxury without compromising on space.

As you would expect for an all-inclusive cruise line, dining in all venues is included on your Riverside cruise, including the speciality restaurants and in-suite dining. Drinks are included throughout the day, with a wide selection of wines, spirits, soft drinks, and French Champagne available.

There are four dining venues on Riverside Mozart, each offering a distinctive setting. The Waterside Restaurant is the ship’s main dining room and serves a multi-course menu that reflects the culinary traditions and tastes of the Danube River. The Bistro Mozart is more informal, while The Blue Bar and Grill offers a laid-back, poolside setting for lighter lunches and snacks. The Vintage Room is a more intimate space, hosting private, wine-paired dinners for small groups – and, in our experience, it’s well worth reserving early.

Ravel and Debussy offer a more intimate dining experience on the Rhône, Saône, and Rhine. The main restaurant serves regionally inspired menus that change throughout the voyage, drawing on local produce and the wine culture of the regions you’re sailing through. Expect Burgundy wines on the Saône, Alsatian dishes on the Rhine, and a kitchen that takes the local ingredient seriously.

Mozart is the standout ship for onboard facilities and one of the widest river ships in Europe. The wellness area alone sets her apart from most river vessels, with a heated indoor pool, a counter-current swim system, a jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, and two treatment rooms. Beyond wellness, the Vista Deck offers sweeping open-air river views, and the Palm Court lounge is one of the more genuinely beautiful social spaces on any European river.

As Rhine Class ships, Ravel and Debussy are more intimate in scale but no less considered in their design. Both feature panoramic lounges with floor-to-ceiling windows, open-air sun decks, a fitness area, and elegant bar spaces. The smaller guest count on both ships, around 106 guests, means the public spaces never feel crowded, and the crew-to-guest ratio ensures a level of attention that larger river ships struggle to match.

All three ships feature a library, an onboard boutique, and a hair salon. Complimentary WiFi runs throughout. The open-air sun decks are designed for river watching, whether on the Danube through the Wachau Valley or the Rhine past the Lorelei, which is reason enough to spend an afternoon on deck with a glass of something cold. Bicycles are available on selected sailings for guests who want to explore independently ashore.

The Riverside Spa on Mozart is genuinely impressive for a river ship. Two treatment rooms offer a full menu of massages, facials, and body therapies. The sauna and steam room are complimentary for all guests. A fully equipped fitness centre features Technogym cardio equipment, free weights, and daily fitness classes. Our specialist, Kirsty, tested both the sauna and the jacuzzi during her time aboard and came away surprised by the scale of what’s on offer.

Ravel and Debussy offer a more compact but well-considered wellness offering. Both ships have a fitness area with cardio equipment and free weights. Spa treatments are available on request, and the sun decks on both ships provide a peaceful setting for yoga or quiet morning reflection. For guests who prefer their wellness ashore, Riverside’s walking and cycling excursions in most ports offer an easy way to stay active between sailings.

Riverside keeps evenings relaxed and sociable rather than programmed. On Mozart, the Palm Court lounge is the natural gathering point, with live music most evenings ranging from solo pianists to small bands. Wine tastings hosted by the onboard sommelier are a highlight, particularly on Rhône sailings where the wines being tasted are often visible on the riverbank outside.

Daytime enrichment leans into the destinations themselves. Expect port talks before each stop, cultural presentations in the lounge, and excursions that go beyond the obvious itinerary. On Christmas Market sailings, the programme builds around the markets themselves, with guided evening visits and onboard festive events that suit the season. The open deck is the best seat for scenic stretches like the Wachau Valley or the Rhine Gorge, and Riverside’s crew are good at flagging when something worth seeing is approaching.

Every Riverside fare, regardless of tier, covers all-suite accommodation with butler service, all meals across every dining venue including speciality restaurants, water, coffee and tea throughout the day, complimentary WiFi, gratuities, and port fees. Room service is available at mealtimes across all tiers. There are no signing privileges for dining and no bill at the end of the voyage for the inclusions in your chosen fare.

Beyond the Full Board base fare, Riverside offers three upgrades. Full Board with Excursions adds a curated selection of shore excursions. Premium All-Inclusive adds the full drinks package, covering premium wines, spirits, cocktails, Taittinger champagne, a 24-hour stocked minibar, and 24-hour room service. The top tier, Premium All-Inclusive with Excursions, combines both. For guests who prefer to explore independently ashore and don’t need a full drinks package, the base fare can represent strong value.