Riviera Travel
Riviera Travel has built a strong reputation for delivering well-organised, culturally rich travel experiences, and its river cruise programme is no exception.
Operating across Europe’s most iconic waterways, Riviera’s river ships combine comfort, clarity, and value with thoughtfully guided exploration, making them particularly appealing to travellers who want structure without fuss and enrichment without excess.
Fleet Overview
Riviera operates a modern fleet of purpose-built river cruise ships sailing the Rhine, Danube, Douro, Rhône, Seine, and other key European rivers. The ships are contemporary in design, mid-sized by river standards, and typically carry between 140 and 170 guests, ensuring an intimate onboard atmosphere.
The fleet is divided broadly into:
Standard & Superior Ships – Comfortable, well-designed vessels offering excellent value and a relaxed onboard feel.
Premium Ships – Slightly more spacious and contemporary, with upgraded décor and enhanced public areas.
Across the fleet, the focus remains consistent: stylish but unfussy design, efficient layouts, and welcoming public spaces that encourage both relaxation and conversation.
Destinations
Riviera Travel’s river cruising programme spans some of the world’s most iconic waterways and culturally rich regions:
Europe — including the Rhine, Danube, Rhône & Saône, Douro, and Seine, with itineraries that combine scenic cruising and historic cities.
Asia (Mekong) — voyages through Vietnam and Cambodia that offer immersive cultural experiences, bustling river towns, and opportunities to explore local life along one of the world’s great rivers.
Itineraries are carefully designed to balance scenic sailing, guided excursions, and free time ashore, making them perfect for travellers who enjoy rich cultural immersion without sacrificing comfort.
Whats Included
Riviera’s pricing structure is clear and reassuring. While inclusions vary slightly by itinerary, guests can generally expect:
Full-board dining onboard
Daily guided shore excursions
Expert tour managers and local guides
Return flights and transfers (on fly-cruise packages)
Onboard Wi-Fi
All port charges and taxes
The emphasis is on value and transparency, helping guests feel confident in what is covered.
Dining
Dining onboard Riviera river ships is relaxed yet refined, with open seating and thoughtfully prepared menus inspired by regional flavours. Meals are served in the main restaurant, and while the atmosphere is informal, quality and service standards remain high. Complimentary tea, coffee, and breakfast options are available daily, and speciality dining experiences may be offered on selected ships.
Wellness & Relaxation
Most ships feature:
Sun decks with loungers
Small plunge or splash pools (on selected vessels)
Fitness areas
Quiet lounge spaces with panoramic windows
The overall pace encourages relaxation between excursions, allowing guests to recharge comfortably.
Entertainment & Enrichment
Evenings are intentionally low-key, reflecting the destination-focused nature of river cruising. Guests can expect:
Informative talks and briefings
Local musicians or cultural performances
Gentle social evenings in the lounge
The focus is on conversation and culture rather than large-scale production shows.
Atmosphere & Ship Style
The atmosphere onboard Riviera river ships is friendly, organised, and comfortably sociable. Décor is contemporary but not showy, with warm tones and practical design. With fewer than 170 guests onboard, there is a natural sense of familiarity that develops quickly.
River cruising itself lends a calm rhythm to the day — gentle sailing, scenic views, and docking directly in the heart of cities and towns.
Life Onboard
Who's it for?
Riviera river cruises are particularly well suited to:
Couples seeking structured cultural exploration
First-time river cruisers
Travellers who appreciate guided excursions included as standard
Guests who value clarity, organisation, and good value
Mature travellers who prefer a relaxed evening atmosphere
Solo Traveller Insight
Riviera Travel has become increasingly appealing to solo travellers, particularly through dedicated solo departures and selected sailings with reduced or no single supplement. The structured nature of excursions, small ship size, and inclusive dining culture help independent travellers feel supported and naturally integrated into the onboard community.
River cruising can be especially confidence-building for those new to travelling alone, as everything feels contained, walkable, and well managed.
The Ships
Each cruise line’s fleet offers a variety of ships, each with its own character, design, and onboard experience. Explore the ships below to discover which best suits your travel style and preferences.
