This Upstart River Cruise Brand Is Creating New Luxury Trips in Europe

I had only just stepped aboard the Riverside Ravel in Avignon, France, and it was already clear this would be no ordinary cruise. There were no lines, no waiting for my suite—just a butler offering to unpack in my room while I enjoyed a flute of vintage Taittinger.

My husband and I were sailing the Rhône River from Avignon to Lyon, eating our way through the legendary towns of southeast France, including Arles and Dijon. And while we have been lucky to travel on many river-cruise lines over the years, I was interested to try Riverside Luxury Cruises, an upstart brand that launched in 2022 and debuted on T+L’s World’s Best Awards list just two years later. Based in Hamburg, Germany, the company has a fleet of three ships that were originally part of Crystal Cruises. The vessels, two of which have 55 suites and the other 81, are among the most spacious in Europe.

I was certainly able to spread out in our Riverside Suite, which had a king-size bed facing a floor-to-ceiling window, deep drawers, a writing desk, and, in the marble bathroom, double sinks and products from the Spanish apothecary Natura Bissé. I also came to love the ship’s heated indoor swimming pool, which I often had all to myself. 

I found Riverside’s small-group tours to be particularly well done—in part because they were often hosted by the proprietors of the venues we were visiting. In St.-Rémy-de-Provence, for example, I joined a group going to Moulin du Calanquet, where co-owner Anne Brun led a tasting of her own olive oils. In Grignan we toured Domaine de Cordis, a truffle farm where owner Didier Chabert and his wife, Carole, introduced us to their lovable fungi-sniffing English springer spaniels. And on a private tour near Arles, I marveled at the stunning Château d’Estoublon, an estate founded in 1489, where I walked the olive groves and vineyards before an alfresco lunch of octopus carpaccio and a perfect roast chicken.

Not that the food on Ravel left me wanting. “Our kitchen is so much bigger than the ones on other riverboats,” executive chef Dragos Stan told me. “Most are small—but we have room for several stations and about 50 percent more cooks.” On Ravel, almost everything is individually plated or dished out à la minute, whether it’s a foie gras mousse, a bowl of fresh pasta, or a carved-to-order prime rib. Dinner was often an occasion, with decadent choices like seared duck with caramelized quince and a fabulous lobster bisque. Ravel also offers 24-hour room service—another feature that’s uncommon on river vessels. I had to wonder who could possibly want more.

Here’s an in-depth look at Riverside Ravel, the river cruise ship that wowed me.

The Staterooms

All-suite accommodations range from 194 to 753 square feet. The earthy-hued suites rival luxury hotel rooms, with velvet and leather accents, multiple mirrors, numerous adjustable lights, and good storage space. In all room categories, the panoramic windows can be lowered for fresh air.

Each suite also features padded headboards, tray ceilings, writing desks, espresso machines, refrigerators, and height-adjustable compact tables that unfold for in-suite dining. Marble baths include plush towels, plentiful hooks, and glass-enclosed rain showers with easy push-button controls. Velvety cotton robes and slippers are also provided. One hairdryer is attached to the bath wall; the other is in the closet.

The two smallest room categories, Melody and Symphony, measure 194 square feet. Slightly larger are the Seahorse Suites, at 258 square feet, which have beds that face the windows, walk-in closets, and a double-basin bath. I stayed in a Riverside Suite, which has the same general layout, and really enjoyed it.

Larger still are the Ravel Suites, at 505 square feet, and feature a living room with pull-out bed, complimentary laundry services, and private limousine transfers. The 753-square-foot Owner’s Suite features two bedrooms and baths, a faux fireplace, and many VIP amenities.

Bars and Restaurants

The two primary restaurants on board are Atelier and Waterside. Atelier accommodates breakfast late-risers and does an impressive array of small-plate lunches and dinners for those seeking more casual eats. There’s also a barista on hand, doing excellent coffee drinks. Waterside is the more traditional dining room, though it has more tables for two than I’m used to seeing on river ships. On my trip, every evening felt like a special occasion thanks to both the warm service and the options on the menu.

Elsewhere, there’s a 10-seat Vintage Room, which offers a multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings, including some big-ticket pours such as Bollinger La Grande Année Brut 2014 and Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos des Fôrets Saint Georges 1er Cru 2021.

During my sailing, the chefs did open-air barbecues on two nights, working with Big Green Egg grills on the top deck, grilling fresh Atlantic prawns and tender steaks, and also cracking open fresh oysters.

For cocktail hour, Palm Court is the buzzy hangout, with a popcorn cart that proved to be an irresistible hit.

Riverside Ravel also has 24-hour room service, something that’s not common on river ships.

Where Riverside Ravel Sails

This ship is exclusive to France’s Rhône and Saône rivers, with most cruises operating between Avignon and Lyon. Riverside does some sailings that are as short as three nights, and also offers more traditional seven-night options.

Shore Excursions

Generally speaking, I found the array of tours and excursions with Riverside to be better than average. Choices included biking and hiking; walking tours in Lyon and Viviers; and numerous culinary options including tours of wineries, olive oil estates, and truffle farms. In many cases, the owners would greet us personally—and several hosted us for full visits.

Amenities and Entertainment

As is the case on most river ships, entertainment is limited, at least compared to what you’d find on an ocean-going cruise. Most nights, a house pianist/singer performs in Palm Court, though truthfully dinner was usually so leisurely and inviting that I didn’t feel the need for a late-night show. Occasionally, local entertainers also come on board for pre- or post-dinner performances.

The indoor heated swimming pool is a treasure, surrounded by chaise lounges stacked with thick towels. This may be the ship’s most relaxing public space—so I was surprised to have it to myself many times. Nearby, there’s a tiny fitness center with Technogym equipment, free weights, and mats. Therapists in the spa do an excellent job, and I was thrilled to be wiped during a massage.

Family-Friendly Offerings

Riverside Ravel and its sister ships don’t have age minimums—but  didn’t see any children on board. A Riverside spokesperson says that the most popular time of year for families is around the holidays, when multi-generational groups book Christmas Market sailings.

Accessibility

While Ravel does have elevators, it is not necessarily the best choice for people who use wheelchairs or have significantly impaired mobility. For one, passengers board and disembark by way of a narrow gangway that doesn’t accommodate wheelchairs. Another consideration is when ships dock next to each other in busy ports. This process, known as stacking or rafting, can sometimes require guests to pass through other ships to reach shore, something that can be tricky for those who have difficulty walking.

A version of this story first appeared in the March 2026 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline “Shifting Course.”