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With personal butlers, curated itineraries and five-star suites, Riverside Luxury Cruises promises an experience that goes far beyond a traditional voyage.
When it comes to luxury travel, there are a few experiences that tend to come up time and time again. Skiing? Check. Safari? Check. A cruise to the Caribbean, Nordics or Mediterranean? Check, check, check.
If you and your family are wondering where to go and what to do this year, there’s one option that you might not have considered before — until now.
The vibrancy of crimson tulips in the spring is one thing, but sailing past fields of them while sipping a cocktail on the upper deck of a ship is another. There’s something positively intimate about a river cruise: the ambience, colours, serenity and sounds seem all the more heightened. By swapping the often rather choppy waves of the ocean for these more sedate waterways, you’ll be able to indulge in all manner of luxuries at your own pace.
With personal butlers on each of its five-star ships, curated itineraries that encourage indulging in your passions and stops in historic towns that you might never have even considered visiting, Riverside Luxury Cruises is bringing a new, heightened take on the art of discovering Europe’s best inland waterways. It’s no surprise, then, that the operator’s exclusive experiences are attracting a lot of attention among luxury travellers. Here’s why.
What makes this a luxury experience?
Each of Riverside Luxury Cruises’ ships is named after a great composer: Riverside Mozart, Riverside Debussy and Riverside Ravel. Space, privacy and comfort are prioritised on every vessel, with a suite-only offering; the palatial rooms feature fresh, contemporary interiors, king-size beds, accents of leather and velvet, and — most importantly — a 24/7 butler service.
Upon arrival, you’ll be invited to sit back and enjoy a welcome drink as your personal butler unpacks your luggage, reserves your evening meal and books you in for a treatment at the spa. For the whole of the trip, your butler will be only a WhatsApp message away, on alert to provide canapes to your room, a shoeshine or some travel recommendations. Naturally, the rest of the crew — there are two crew members to every four passengers — are just as accommodating. From housekeeping to the captain, everyone is dedicated to delivering exceptional service.
Onboard, there’s an array of elegant restaurants, seductive bars and quiet corners to sink into. Every meal is expertly crafted to reflect the surrounding destinations and ingredients. Whether it’s a rich boeuf bourguignon near Avignon or a succulent barbecue against the panorama of the Rhône Delta, the finesse makes every mouthful memorable. Expect homemade jams, freshly baked bread and wine pairings chosen by the head sommelier.
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Where can I go on a Riverside Luxury Cruise?
Each ship sails different routes through Europe along the Rhine, Danube and Rhône, plus a selection of each river’s majestic tributaries. Riverside Luxury Cruises is one of the few lines that takes in both the Saône and Rhône on one trip — adding to the opportunities for unique experiences during your voyage.
The snaking waterways change from slow meandering rivers and peaceful lakes to torrents that rush through valleys. Routes in the west meander through Belgium and Netherlands, while in the east, you can reach as far as Croatia and Serbia, tapping into new terrain.
Whether you opt for a trip that lasts for a few days or a few weeks, new perspectives open up around every bend. Drift through Vienna, where Bohemia and Baroque sit side by side, or disappear among the bucolic serenity of the Wachau Valley, home to stunning scenery that can be explored on both hikes and bike journeys.
Each trip is curated to your tastes and will place you deep in the heart of local life. Budding historians can step back in time on a visit to the fascinating Roman amphitheatre of Arles — a town that inspired van Gogh. Meanwhile, oenophiles can indulge in a selection of special vintages during a personal wine-sampling experience in the picturesque Croatian village of Bapska. Wherever your tastes lie, you can select the perfect route for you.
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What else can I expect to experience?
Life’s stresses and strains soon dissipate once you step on board a Riverside Luxury Cruise ship. The all-inclusive experience means that everything is taken care of, whether that’s heading out on one of the many exciting excursions on offer or indulging in a glass of Taittinger in your suite.
From the spa and hair salon to the pool and suites, there’s always something to discover on your ship. And, of course, the view outside is always changing. Waking up to a new town or city that’s just waiting to be discovered is what Riverside Luxury Cruises is all about, combining exploration and luxury in a whole new way.
While all aspects of service can be regarded as five-star, it’s really the little things that make this experience stand out to luxury travellers. Binoculars can be delivered to your room for a spot of stargazing or simply getting a better view of the passing towns and villages, while bikes are available at every stop, so you and the family can explore with complete freedom. For anything else, your butler is just the push of a button away.
To discover more, and book your unique voyage, visit riverside-cruises.com
