Riviera Travel River Cruises: Cruise Line Spotlight

Five-star river cruising with British charm, grown-up energy and no pressure to go full glam

When clients come to me wanting a river cruise that’s elegant, adult, no-fuss, but still quality – I always bring up Riviera Travel.

While many Australians haven’t heard of them yet, Riviera is a major player in the UK and Europe – and they’re quickly becoming a smart, stylish option for Aussie travellers who want European river cruising without the forced sparkle or inflated price tag.

So if you’re not into the super-formal, but still want great food, calm ships, and beautifully curated itineraries – this could be your river match.

Who Is Riviera Travel?

Riviera is a British cruise line (you’ll notice the accents onboard), known for delivering five-star quality with surprisingly fair pricing.

They’ve been in the travel biz for over 40 years, and operate one of the newest fleets of European river ships, all built in the last decade.

You won’t find 24-hour butlers or Champagne fountains here – but you will find:

✔️ Spotless ships

✔️ Excellent service

✔️ Thoughtful itineraries

✔️ Great food

✔️ Grown-up energy (no kids allowed!)

It’s a cruise line for people who don’t need to be impressed – they just want a well-done, well-priced, well-paced experience.

What Are the Ships Like?

Riviera operates a fleet of 12 purpose-built river ships, all either 4- or 5-star rated. They sail all the main rivers in Europe, including the Rhine, Danube, Rhône, Seine, and Douro.

Guest capacity ranges between 88–169 passengers, making them intimate but not too quiet.

What you’ll find onboard:

• Warm, classic décor – think dark timber, crisp white linen, elegant lighting

• Sun decks with loungers

• Beautiful lounges with floor-to-ceiling windows

• A relaxed, open-seating dining room

• A small gym + wellness area on most ships

• Live classical or jazz music in the evenings

• A lovely British-meets-European energy

All cabins have river views – either floor-to-ceiling French balconies on the middle and upper decks, or picture windows on the lower deck.

Suites are available for those who want more space – and they’re very reasonably priced compared to competitors.

Who Cruises With Riviera?

This line has strong appeal to:

🎓 Curious, cultural travellers

🍷 Over-55s who want something less flashy than Uniworld or Scenic

🧳 Aussies who want to cruise without the hard sell

🎭 Lovers of history, food, art and culture

🛏️ Solo travellers – more on that in a sec

You’ll mostly find a mix of British, Aussie and Kiwi guests – with a calm, adult vibe that’s relaxed but still elegant. And you won’t hear non-stop announcements or feel “herded” around.

Think good conversation, sightseeing, reading, relaxing and an Aperol Spritz by the rails. Not dance-offs and trivia marathons.

Food & Dining

Riviera Travel delivers European fine dining without the fuss. Meals are beautifully presented, regionally inspired, and served with professionalism (not pomp).

Daily options include:

• A three-course à la carte lunch and dinner

• Fresh pastries, eggs and fruit at breakfast

• Vegetarian options and chef’s specials

• Afternoon tea (yes, very British)

• Coffee, tea and biscuits always on standby

• Wine, beer and soft drinks included with lunch and dinner

While alcohol isn’t free-flowing 24/7 like some other lines, many guests love that the pricing is transparent – and there’s no push to “buy the drinks package.”

Shore Excursions & Experiences

Every itinerary includes guided excursions in every port, led by local experts. You’ll get:

• Walking tours of historic cities

• Visits to castles, cathedrals and vineyards

• Cultural insight from well-informed guides

• QuietVox headset system so you never miss a word

• Free time to explore at your own pace

There’s also an onboard Cruise Director and Tour Manager – so everything runs smoothly, and your questions are answered without ever feeling rushed.

Optional excursions and upgrades are available for more in-depth experiences, like:

• Wine tastings

• Private palace tours

• Classical concerts

• Scenic train rides through mountain regions

A Note on Solo Travellers

One of Riviera’s standout points is how well they cater to solo travellers. They regularly offer:

• Dedicated solo departures (no single supplement at all)

• Cabins reserved for solos on regular sailings

• Group tables and social events onboard

• A very welcoming atmosphere (not awkward)

If you’ve got solo clients, this is honestly one of the best river options going – both in value and vibe.

Itineraries & Destinations

Riviera focuses on classic European rivers, with well-paced, deeply cultural routes.

Top itineraries include:

• The Blue Danube – Budapest, Vienna, Dürnstein, Melk, Passau

• Rhine Cruise to Switzerland – Amsterdam, Cologne, Rüdesheim, Basel

• Burgundy, River Rhône & Provence – Lyon to Avignon

• Douro, Porto & Salamanca – Portugal + Spain

• Seine River – Paris to Normandy

• Dutch Bulbfields & Belgian Cities – springtime favourites

Voyages range from 5 to 15 days, with a strong focus on history, art, wine, food and culture.

Pricing & Inclusions (AUD – 2025/26 Guide)

Riviera is very competitively priced compared to other five-star European river lines, and offers incredible value for inclusions.

• 7–10 night cruises from $3,800–$6,500 per person

• Solo cruises from $4,500–$6,500 with no supplement

• Upgraded suites from $7,000–$9,000 pp

What’s included:

✔️ All meals

✔️ Shore excursions

✔️ Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch + dinner

✔️ Wi-Fi

✔️ All port charges + taxes

✔️ Tips for onboard staff (some tours still recommend extra for guides)

What’s not included:

✘ Drinks outside of mealtimes (available for purchase)

✘ Airport transfers (unless booked as part of a package)

As your advisor, I can help with flight packaging, transfers, pre-cruise hotels, and ensure you have everything linked together seamlessly.

Why I Recommend Riviera Travel

Riviera is perfect for clients who want the river cruise experience – but without overpaying or overdoing it.

I suggest it to those who say:

“I want a calm, well-organised cruise with no hidden extras.”“We’re not into the big luxury brands, but we still want something nice.”“We’d love to go with friends or as a couple, and actually enjoy the journey.”

Their fleet is fresh, the service is warm, and the itineraries are exactly what Australians love – think castles, wine towns, old cities and café culture.