Riverside Mozart
Fodor’s Expert Review
Ship Overview
Bud...na, Passau
Initially built in 1987, the Riverside Mozart is a 4-deck vessel purchased by Peter Deilmann and Detours before being sold to Crystal River Cruises in 2015. The ship was fully refurbished for an ultra-luxury river cruise experience and was later sold to its current owners Seaside Collection in 2022. Seaside Collection’s subsidiary company, the Riverside Collection, now operates the ship.Read More
The Mozart is known as the “Queen of the Danube” because of its luxurious refurbishments and size. Until 2019, the Mozart was the largest European river cruise ship. The ship has five dining venues, a fitness area, an indoor swimming pool and whirlpool, and gender-separated saunas and steam rooms. Other touches speak to the Mozart’s extravagance, including the rooftop herb garden, the Bosendorfer grand piano in the bar area, and the smoking lounge dubbed the Connoisseur’s Club.
The Riverside Mozart is the first of the Riverside Collection fleet to unroll, with plans to launch both the Riverside Ravel and Riverside Debussy in late 2023.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
What to expect on board
Staterooms & Cabins
The Riverside Mozart has 81 rooms, each with a suite with a river view. The smallest room option is the Symphony Suite at 2049 square feet, while the Owner’s Suite is four times the size at 883 square feet. Other suite options are the Harmony Suite at 219 square feet, the Riverside Suite at 219 square feet, the Penthouse Suite at 323 square feet, and the Mozart Suite at 645 square feet. Each suite includes a French balcony except for the Harmony Suite, which has a window view.
Twice-daily housekeeping services and personal butler service are a part of the stay onboard the ship. The butler service encompasses details such as reservation making, spa appointments, and even packing and unpacking upon request. Other amenities included with each room are the king-sized beds that can be converted to double twins, a Nespresso machine, and real marble bathrooms fitted with Toto toilets. Wi-Fi is complimentary for all staterooms, but one thing to note is that there are no 110V outlets in the cabins.
There is also a self-service laundry room on board; no quarters required.
Riverside Collection has a single supplement, but it has been waived for many suite options in the company’s first year.
The Mozart has an elevator that offers accessibility between decks 1 and 3. However, a step into the suite bathrooms makes it inaccessible for wheelchairs.
Food & Drink
Food options on the Mozart are expansive for a river cruise ship, and food is all-inclusive. On the first day, dietary requirements and restrictions are noted, and the chef makes accommodations based on guest needs.
Four dining venues exist: the Waterside Restaurant, Blue Deli, Bistro, and the Rooftop Grill. The Waterside Restaurant is a formal sit-down restaurant, serving as the main venue for dinner and breakfast. The Blue Deli, Bistro, and Rooftop Grill are the more casual dining venues typically utilized for lunch.
There is a set breakfast menu as well as a made-to-order omelet station and a full self-serve breakfast buffet. Touches like homemade seasonal jams, fresh-cut cured meats, and a slab of honeycomb elevate the buffet offerings at breakfast. Lunch onboard the Mozart alternate between Blue Deli, Bistro, and the Rooftop Grill depending on the day. The dinner menu is prix fixe with wine pairings, and each evening’s menu draws inspiration from the destinations. A few examples include the somlauer nockerl, local river crayfish, Mangalica pork, and sommelier-recommended Austrian and Hungarian wines. One of the main courses every evening is also always a vegetarian option.
Late risers and chronic snackers can always find something to enjoy at the Bistro. A spread of breakfast-oriented items is available in the morning, while sweet treats and cold cuts are available from noon until 6 p.m.
There are two bars on the Mozart, the Cove Piano Bar, and the rooftop Vista Bar. Cigar aficionados can enjoy a cigar with their drink in the privacy of the Connoisseur’s Club as well.
The lowest-tiered package, the full fare, includes water, coffee, and tea. It does not include complimentary alcoholic beverages. The all-inclusive package includes water, coffee, tea, fresh juices, soft drinks, beers, and selected wines, spirits, and champagne.
Entertainment
The options for entertainment onboard the Mozart are currently limited to one performer, typically a pianist. There are also a few staff-led demonstrations, such as a galley tour and mixology class.
Shore excursions can be purchased as part of the package or separately for those who prefer that route. Local guides lead the tours and often include an exclusive aspect, such as a short opera performance at the Hungarian State Opera House, and include all entree fees.
Spa & Fitness
The Mozart offers complimentary access to the spa area and fitness center. The spa includes a cold plunge pool, a hot tub, two hot tubs, and two steam rooms. There are also two treatment rooms where guests can book a massage or facial for an additional fee. The fitness center has a variety of free weights and TechnoGym cardio equipment. There are also eBikes and Nordic walking poles available free of charge for guests to use on land. Outside, there is an open-air wraparound walking track on Deck 3. There is also a salon onboard that offers haircuts, manicures, and pedicures for a fee.
Key cruising tips
Health & Safety
There are no medical facilities or doctors onboard the Mozart. There is also no requirement for COVID-19 vaccination or mask usage.
Dress Code
The Mozart’s dress code during the day is smart casual. At night, there isn’t a formal night onboard the Mozart. However, T-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops are not permitted in the evening.
Junior Cruisers
Riverside Luxury Cruises does not have any minimum age requirement. Although there is no family-focused entertainment or venues, sometimes discounted fairs are offered to younger cruisers.
Service
The service onboard the Riverside Mozart is personalized and attentive, with a low guest-to-crew ratio of roughly 2:1. Many of the crew from the Mozart worked on the ship previously when it was part of Crystal, and their pride in the ship is evident. In addition, the crew is consistently rotated around the public areas, so it’s easy to establish social connections within a few days.
Tipping
Gratuity is included for all booking packages on the Riverside Mozart. This includes gratuity for alcoholic beverages and bar service, even for those who do not have the all-inclusive package. Unlike many other cruise lines, Riverside’s all-inclusive gratuity also covers excursion and driver gratuity.
If guests want to offer additional gratuities above what is included, they can do so individually or at the reception desk.