Riverside Luxury Cruises
Fodor’s Expert Review
At the intersection of opulence and adventure sits Riverside Luxury Cruise, a new river cruise line. After Crystal Cruises declared bankruptcy in early 2022, German hotelier Seaside Collection acquired their five river ship fleet, which includes the MS Mozart, a double-wide ship, along with MS Ravel, MS Bach, MS Debussy and MS Mahler. With Itineraries ranging from three to 14 nights, this glamorous fleet sails on the Danube, Rhône, Saône, and Rhine rivers.Read More
Redefining luxury, Riverside Luxury Cruises has set a new standard for bespoke European river cruising that should please even the most discerning passengers. Each state-of-the-art vessel blends contemporary elegance with modern comfort. The stylish interiors incorporate trendy design elements such as polished chrome, matte brass, modern lighting fixtures and marble tables while seating arrangements feature velvet cushions in deep, rich hues complemented by leather banquettes.
The staterooms are equally impressive. By river cruise standards, they are large and all come with king-sized beds, a sitting area with a sofa and a coffee table. There are only French balconies, none that you can sit out on. The elegant marble bathrooms have added luxuries like heated Toto toilets and towel warmers. And the two-bedroom owner’s suites have extras like bathtubs and ambient lit fireplaces in the living room area.
Riverside’s pricing is a smorgasbord of four choices with varying levels of inclusiveness ranging from the bare-bones basic full board fare to the premium all-inclusive, including excursions option. Although all fares include meals, Wi-Fi, port fees and taxes, if you want amenities such as a premium beverage package, room service, a stocked in-room non-alcoholic mini-bar or a shore excursion in each port, you will need to upgrade your fare.
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What to Expect on Board
Each vessel offers four dining venues prioritizing made-to-order meals and avoiding mass production.
Fresh bread is baked daily, and the pasta is prepared from scratch in-house twice a day.
The Bistro resembles a charming coffee house. It offers barista made-to-order premium coffees and light bites from the buffet or small menu throughout the day, including a selection of homemade gelatos. The Vista Grill & Bar on the top deck provides a panoramic view and a lunch menu featuring freshly grilled fish specialties, steaks, and barbecue items. Waterside, the ship’s fine dining venue, presents a la carte menus inspired by the regional, seasonal offerings accompanied by regional wines, or guests can opt to order from the impressive a la carte wine list. On select evenings, The Vintage Room offers an intimate dining experience in a private setting for 12 guests for an extra fee. Reservations are required for this specially curated eight-course meal that is paired with wines selected by the Head Sommelier.
With its extra space, MS Mozart has an additional restaurant, the Blue Bar Grill. Located at the back of the ship, overlooking the water, it feels like a trendy diner serving hamburgers, milkshakes, salads, and local dishes, like bratwurst and pretzels with sauerkraut for lunch.
On days when the ship is sailing, passengers may be offered activities such as wine tastings with the ship’s sommelier, mixology classes with the barkeeper or local food presentation with the chef.
In the evening, there is piano entertainment in the bar. Occasionally, when possible Riverside will bring local performers on board for evening entertainment.
Onboard fitness facilities include a state-of-the-art fitness room with Technogym brand bikes, treadmills, and rowing machines, and an excellent selection of free weights and mats.
An indoor counter-current swimming pool allows for swimming against a controlled current. Additionally, post-workout guests can use the men’s and women’s sauna and steam rooms to relax. There is no specified walking track, although you can make loops around the top deck.
Key cruising tips
Your Shipmates
Riverside Luxury Cruises caters to affluent travelers who value beautiful accommodations and excellent cuisine. These discerning luxury seekers highly appreciate the premium-paid excursions that offer immersive experiences in art, culture, adventure, and exploration.
Dress Code
Riverside recommends smart-casual attire. During the day, passengers wear comfortable clothing, including jeans, shorts, T-shirts, and sundresses, with walking shoes or sneakers for on-shore excursions. In the evening, men wear collared shirts, polo shirts, slacks, and the occasional jacket. Ladies wear a mix of dresses or skirts and nice pants paired with tailored tops or sweaters. Day or night swimwear, cover-ups and baseball hats are not appropriate in the dining venues. In the evening, refrain from wearing flip-flops to meals. Formal attire is never required.
Junior Cruisers
Children under 18 are welcome onboard Riverside’s ships. Although there are no specific programs, entertainment, or kids club, Riverside Luxury Cruises may be a good option for family trips as they do offer connecting cabins and a large owner’s suite where families can hang out together in the private living space.
Service
Riverside Luxury Cruise sets itself apart with warm and welcoming staff members that excel in paying attention to the details. Often greeting you by name and remembering your food and drink preferences, you’ll be met with genuine smiles and an eagerness to assist with anything you need. To that end, every cabin has a Butler that has been assigned to take care of your every need. They can help make dinner reservations and spa appointments or fill your minbar with your favorite drinks. You can reach them via WhatsApp day or night.
Tipping
The price of the cruise fare includes gratuities. Additionally, it’s worth noting that tips for local tour guides and bus drivers are also included, which is not a common practice on most cruises. However, if you feel inclined to show additional appreciation for exceptional service received from specific staff members on the ship or during shore excursions, you always have the option to provide an additional tip at your discretion.
Past Passengers
Riverside Luxury Cruises does not currently have a loyalty program.