Riverside Luxury Cruises
River Cruising
Riverside is the new benchmark for luxury European river cruising. The Gerlach family behind Seaside Collection hotels bought Crystal's river ships and have turned them into something genuinely special — every suite is above the waterline, the staff-to-guest ratio is the highest on any river, and the dining is extraordinary. On Riverside DeBussy, a frequent cruiser told me it was the best food she had ever had on a ship, full stop. They are more expensive than most river lines, but the difference in space, service, and inclusions justifies the premium.
Riverside Luxury Cruises entered the European river cruise market in 2023 and has moved with remarkable speed to establish itself as a genuine ultra-luxury contender. The brand is backed by the Gerlach family, whose Seaside Collection of luxury hotels stretches from the Canary Islands to the Maldives, and that hospitality pedigree is evident in every detail — from the Natura Bisse spa products in every suite to the craft cocktail programme where bartenders infuse vodka with fresh rosemary and blend ginger for bespoke martinis.
The fleet currently comprises three ships, each with a distinct character. Riverside Mozart, acquired from Crystal Cruises, is a double-width vessel on the Danube offering an indoor pool, wraparound promenade deck, and four restaurants — amenities that most river ships simply cannot accommodate. Riverside Ravel sails the Rhone and Saone with every suite positioned above the waterline and a French chef presiding over the galley. Riverside Debussy, the newest addition, operates on the Rhine, Main, Moselle, and Danube with an equally refined standard. Across the fleet, the maximum guest count is just 110, and the staff-to-guest ratio of one crew member for every two passengers is the highest of any river cruise line.
What distinguishes Riverside from established luxury competitors like Uniworld, Scenic, and Tauck is the residential hotel approach. There is no traditional cruise director; instead, a team of guest experience hosts handles port talks and excursion coordination with a low-key professionalism that feels more boutique hotel than cruise ship. Butlers attend every stateroom, 24-hour room service is available, and the all-inclusive fare covers excursions, premium beverages, and gratuities. Suites range from 194 to 706 square feet with walk-in wardrobes and double vanities — proportions that would be generous on an ocean ship, let alone a riverboat.
Reviews from the 2025 season have been emphatic. Guests consistently single out the dining as the best they have experienced on any river ship, the service as intuitive and warm rather than scripted, and the overall atmosphere as refined but never pretentious. For travellers who have already sailed the Rhine or Danube with a mainstream line and want to see how good European river cruising can truly be, Riverside Luxury Cruises makes a compelling case.
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