I recently sailed from Avignon to Lyon on the Riverside Ravel, and if you think you know what river cruising is like, this experience might just change your mind. This is a relatively new cruise line, but Riverside Luxury Cruises sets the bar high.
From personalized butler service to truffle hunting in the French countryside, there’s a lot to experience with Riverside. They have three ships currently that sail the Rhine, Rhone, Danube, Main, Mosel, and Saone, which gives you plenty of options to find your own perfect European river cruise.
My cruise was a press trip meant to allow me to experience this luxury river cruise. All opinions remain my own.
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Getting to and from the Cruise
I cruised on the Riverside Ravel from Avignon to Lyon. I was already in Europe, so I took the train to get to Avignon, which was easy to do. The cruise line had an easy-to-find driver meet me at the train station with a sign that had my name to take me to the ship.
At the end, the captain of the ship himself carried my bags off and put them in the private car that took me to my hotel in Lyon where I stayed a couple of days before flying out. Yes, the captain, if that gives you an idea of the level of service I had on this trip.
The transfer to and from the ship and selected airports and train stations is included on the day of your cruise, and you can also arrange for a transfer to local hotels at an additional cost. That said, if you book an Owner Suite, Ravel, Debussy, Mozart, Penthouse, or Riverside suite, you get a VIP transfer up to 50 kilometers included.
Suites You’ll Never Want to Leave
I stayed in a Seahorse Suite, and yes, it had a true walk-in closet. This feature is standard in all but the Symphony and Melody Suites.
All rooms face the river, and the floor-to-ceiling window that runs the entire length of the cabin opens. You can either open it entirely to the fresh air or have a screen to keep everything but the weather out.
You do need to close them when you go through locks because the locks are so narrow that the ship needs those extra few inches, but you are otherwise able to open them anytime. It is a unique and absolutely lovely way to experience the river from your cabin.
The cabins are very generously sized, and they feel nothing like what you may be used to on an ocean cruise. Each cabin includes Vox devices for your excursions and binoculars to use anytime, which is an example of the thoughtful touches throughout.
Excursions in the South of France
River cruising is different from ocean cruising, and you visit multiple ports a day sometimes. I participated in a total of 12 different excursions on my week-long cruise.
While some of the excursions were not as amazing as everything else on the ship, Riverside is a new cruise line and has been working hard to improve their offerings. Many of the excursions were fantastic, and Riverside is working hard to bring them all up to the standard of the rest of the experience.
Because there are so many options to choose from and you don’t want to miss out, I suggest you choose the package that includes all your excursions. The additional cost isn’t that much when you look at all the opportunities you have, and it makes it easy to add on another choice or swap something out at the last minute.
One of my favorites was the kayak excursion under the Pont du Gard. We stopped on a sandbar just before the bridge to admire it and were surprised by some of the Riverside butler team showing up with glasses of champagne for us to enjoy.
There was a minor bit of rapids at the very start of the excursion, but aside from that, it was smooth sailing. Paddling under the bridge was probably the only part of the excursion that was challenging, as you had to paddle hard to get through the pilings.
We also visited a truffle farm, which is a unique opportunity for me. The farmer was engaging and a character, and his dogs were adorable.
Watching the dog find the planted truffles was fascinating, especially when he was too fast for the farmer and ate one. And of course, we got to try the truffles at the end with some local wine because that’s what you do in France!
Other highlights included visiting a lavender farm where we made our own scented balm and a visit to Valrhona in Tain-l’Hermitage where we visited the Cite du Chocolat. The excursions may change depending upon the season, but there are so many that you’ll want to experience.
What to Do While Onboard
There isn’t traditional entertainment on the river cruise like you may find on an ocean cruise, so don’t expect shows and trivia and bingo and mini golf. However, there is a piano player in the lounge each night who sings and does a fantastic job for a low-key night.
I also really loved the mixology class, which was an unexpected highlight. The bartender taught us seven different cocktails, and we tasted each one. Some were ones I never thought I would like, and you know that I kept that recipe book for future reference.
I mentioned already that there is a pool and a well-appointed gym if you want to explore those, in addition to the spa where you can reserve treatments. With the setup of a river cruise, we spent a lot of time off the ship, but while on it, we enjoyed just watching the countryside float past, either in the lounge or on the top deck, both of which have great seating options.
In warmer months, you can also sunbathe in loungers on the top deck while you snooze or read a book. The ship has good wifi throughout, so you can also listen to a podcast, and the tables are set up so you can play cards or games if you choose.
Fantastic Food with Flexible Dining Options
Riverside breaks the mold of traditional river cruise dining. Unlike many river cruises, you can eat your meals at any time you choose during the open times rather than having a single seating.
Breakfast and lunch are a buffet, with plenty of made-to-order options, and some of the most gorgeous desserts I have ever seen. Dinner is open seating, and the menu has several options so you can choose your favorites each night.
There is also 24-hour room service available to all-inclusive guests with a more limited menu, and all guests can order room service during mealtimes. You will also find snacks throughout the day in various locations throughout the ship.
Not only did we have options, but they were gourmet, delicious options that you expect to find in a high-end restaurant, not on a cruise ship. They also do a fantastic job of accommodating any allergies or dietary restrictions without making the substitutes feel like an afterthought.
When booking, most guests choose the package that includes all excursions and the premium all-inclusive. Premium all-inclusive means that all your wine, cocktails, spirits, and champagne are included. It also includes the dinner at the Atelier, which is an even more high-end dining experience with a limited number of seats.
There is also a BBQ that they do on the upper level at least once a cruise with options from fresh grilled lobster to fancy mac and cheese, and it is open to all with a vast array of choices. Many of the dishes were cooked to order, and it was a fun change from the standard dining room.
Special Dining Events on The River
The only dining experience I missed out on was the Vintage Room dinner. It happens just once per cruise, and it was fully booked before I could sign up.
If you get the chance, book it immediately. Both the Atelier and Vintage Room dinners are the only meals served at a specific time because of the menus the chefs create for them.
That said, please be respectful of the people who are working hard on the ship to provide a truly unique experience and arrive on time. Unfortunately, I witnessed guests arriving significantly late to these dinners, and they just waved off the staff when called.
Drinks On Board
For such small ships, they have not just multiple dining options but two bars, one in the lounge and another on the open-air top deck. The bartenders are incredibly friendly and can make just about anything you choose.
In addition to the vast tea selection, they also have fantastic mocktails like the basil lemonade, which was my absolute favorite and something I ordered as often as possible. The staff often stopped by where we were sitting to see if we needed a refresh or any snacks, meaning we could continue our conversations and enjoy the view without having to get up.
If you don’t choose the premium all-inclusive, you do still have access to water, coffee, and tea, but other drinks are an additional charge. I recommend getting the package just for the basil lemonade alone, not counting the drinks with dinner and while enjoying the countryside float by from that top deck.
Enjoying the Amenities on Board the Ship
The ship itself feels less like a vessel and more like a floating boutique hotel. There is a generous fitness room if the daily walking tours don’t provide enough exercise, and there is also a spa available at an added cost.
Unlike many river ships, the Riverside Ravel features an indoor pool at the back of the ship. It isn’t huge, but it offers beautiful views of the passing scenery and is a lovely spot to unwind.
One practical perk I appreciated with a total of three weeks in Europe was the complimentary guest laundry room. It features two washing machines, two dryers, laundry pods, and an iron for you to do laundry whenever convenient, and I saw the guests definitely enjoying that perk.
The Small Details that Make a Difference
What truly sets Riverside apart is the attention to detail. Every night in my cabin, I had truffles to enjoy before bed, and by the third day, the wait staff knew exactly which fancy coffee to bring me the second I sat down to breakfast.
In addition to the usual drinks on board, they also offer tea that they provide in a pot. And along with the pot, they provide a small hourglass so you know exactly how long to steep it.
The cruise line is above and beyond with service, but it never felt obsequious or uncomfortable, even though I had my own butler. The staff is so friendly and accommodating, and I cannot say enough about them.
Riverside Sets the Bar High
Booking a trip with Riverside Luxury Cruises offers a fresh and upscale take on river cruising. The service was second to none, and this line is really upping the game for river cruising.
We explored so many towns and places I had never visited in France, and I learned so much about the history, food, and culture. Whether you savor a wine dinner at a local vineyard or take walking tours to learn about the fun ways locals used to evade taxes, the staff makes sure every moment is memorable.
