Life On Board Riviera Travel

A Passion For River Cruising

Like all of the river cruise lines that we recommend Riviera Travel have a passion for River Cruising and a determination to deliver a river cruise experience that exceeds their guests expectations. Riviera travel have now been offering tours for over 30 years, with River Cruising being introduced in 2009, and for 2016 feature 13 spacious and luxurious 4 and 5 star vessels on the rivers of Europe and further afield in Cambodia and Vietnam.

As you board your vessel you will be met by your experienced Tour Manager all of whom have been carefully selected by Riviera for their enthusiasm, knowledge and exceptional people skills. Riviera believe that being a Tour Manager is a passion not a job and are proud that 16 of their Tour Managers have worked for them for over twenty years!

Riviera strive to provide a service that is unobtrusive, intuitive, efficient and friendly. The ratio on board is four guests per crew member which gives Riviera crew members more time to ensure that all the little details that make a memorable cruise are taken care of.

Prices for a Riviera Cruise are all based on Full Board and meals on board a Riviera Cruise are designed by Riviera to exceed client expectations. Breakfasts offer a choice of over 60 superb options or if guests prefer they can enjoy a continental breakfast in the privacy of their cabin. The day’s culinary highlight is the splendid four course dinner: entrée, soup, main course and desert all served within the ambiance of a high quality restaurant. Menus have been carefully designed to include not only international classics but also to showcase the cuisine of the regions they are sailing through. In addition on all 5 star ships the stern bar transforms every evening into the “Chefs” restaurant with huge panoramic windows and seats for just 24 passengers. Here the chef presents his favourite signature dishes with a fixed menu using the finest seasonal produce. On a Riviera Cruise alcoholic drinks are not included in the fare however every ship has a well stocked bar and excellent and well priced wine list

A river cruise with Riviera offers outstanding value for money and all sailings include excursions within the price. Riviera also offer a no surcharge guarantee and are proud of the fact that they have never levied a surcharge in their 30m year history even when fuel and currency fluctuations have been excessive

Understated Elegance

All Riviera vessels have been designed to provide understated elegance and to offer guests a wide selection of comfortable seating areas. Where could be better to lose yourself in conversation with like-minded new friends, sip a coffee, perhaps play chess or bridge, or just relax whilst admiring the incredible scenery?

The enticing bar offers a full range of drinks including the finest wines and spirits. The perfect place to linger over drinks with new friends and then when the sun sinks slowly simply relax and reflect on another day’s memorable cruising.

The well equipped Sun Deck has plenty of sun loungers and comfortable outdoor chairs and is the perfect spot for watching picturesque riverside villages, steep vine covered valley sides and other scenic wonders glide by. Feeling energetic then why not try your hand at deck games including a putting green and giant chess before cooling of in the small splash pool or indulging yourself at the purpose-designed spa.

Meals on board are a highlight and the ship’s outstanding chefs will amaze you with superb fine dining of the highest order, using freshly prepared seasonal produce to create the very best of European cuisine. The sumptuous breakfast buffet, with omelettes and fresh eggs prepared to order, ensures a great start to the day and a lunchtime buffet ensures you can eat a full meal or something as simple as a fresh crunchy salad – just as you desire. The evening dinner features excellently executed dishes with silver service, plus a relaxed atmosphere and Riviera’s ‘open seating’ policy that ensures your dining experience is one you will always look forward to.

Riviera Cruise prices include full board from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your final day; if you choose to take any of Riviera’s full day excursions by coach, a packed lunch will be provided. Guests choosing to stay on the ship may of course have lunch in the restaurant; morning/afternoon tea and coffee; all visits and excursions as mentioned in the brochure, airport/station transfers, coach travel as mentioned, travel to and from port of embarkation and the services of a Riviera Travel Tour Manager.

Quality Dining

On all Riviera river cruises menus have been designed to exceed guests’ expectations, from breakfasts with a good choice of items to superb four course evening meals featuring international classics and showcasing regional specialities.

Quality dining is an integral part of your Riviera river cruise experience and on every ship a dedicated brigade of chefs ensure that every meal is a memorable culinary experience.

Early risers can take a stroll on the sun deck and enjoy freshly baked pastries and tea or coffee. The full breakfast buffet is a lavish affair and features a wide choice of items in addition the ever popular omelette station is on hand to prepare eggs and omelettes to order. If you prefer a more leisurely start to the day why not choose to enjoy a continental breakfast in the privacy of your cabin. Lunch is a sumptuous buffet allowing you to eat as little or as much as you want from a wide selection of mouth watering dishes. Mid afternoon and for those feeling peckish the chef’s patisserie is just too tempting to ignore.

The days culinary highlight is the splendid four course dinner – let your friendly and professional waiting staff guide you to your classically set table with its crisp white linen, premium quality European china, polished glassware and gleaming cutlery then relax and enjoy a memorable dining experience. Carefully designed menus feature classic international dishes together with dishes selected to reflect the best cuisine of the regions you are sailing through.

Intimate & Relaxed Atmosphere

All Riviera ships operate an informal free seating and small table policy which they believe helps to create an intimate and relaxed atmosphere in all their restaurants.

Wine is not included on Riviera cruises however every ship has an extensive and well priced wine list including an excellent range of local wines many rarely seen outside their local region.

In addition to the main restaurant all five star Riviera ships (MS Lord Byron, MS Jane Austin, MS William Shakespeare, MS Charles Dickens, MS Swiss Corona, MS Swiss Tiara and MS Swiss Sapphire) transform the stern bar every evening into a “Chefs” restaurant which seats just 24 guests. Here the chef presents his favourite signature dishes featuring the finest of seasonal produce much of which is sourced locally. Not to be missed this superb dining experience can only be booked on board.