A Comprehensive Review of Riviera Travel’s Newest Five-Star River Cruise Ship
There are few travel experiences quite as exciting as stepping on board a brand new cruise ship and sailing on Riviera Travel’s maiden voyage of MS Riviera Resplendence made our Rhine cruise particularly special. We were so excited and from the moment we embarked, there was an immense sense of anticipation shared by guests and crew alike.
Accommodating 178 guests in 89 cabins and suites, with 46 crew members, Resplendence has been designed to offer the comfort of a five star boutique hotel combined with the elegance of modern river cruising. Every member of the crew we came into contact with was warm, welcoming and clearly proud of their beautiful new ship.
Throughout Resplendence, contemporary décor, stylish lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows created an atmosphere of understated luxury, everything being elegant, comfortable and beautifully designed. Read on to find out more!
Diamond Deck
The Diamond Deck is undoubtedly the social heart of MS Resplendence. This deck is home to the magnificent split level Panorama Lounge and Bar, where enormous floor-to-ceiling windows provide uninterrupted views of the Rhine throughout the day. Whether sailing through vineyards, passing medieval castles or entering one of the locks, there was always something fascinating to watch.
The lounge itself is beautifully furnished with comfortable sofas, armchairs and coffee tables arranged to encourage conversation while ensuring everyone enjoys the spectacular views. It was equally inviting during the day with a cup of coffee as in the evening for a pre-dinner drink.
One of our favourite rituals quickly became enjoying the Cocktail of the Day, expertly prepared by the friendly bar team. Shortly before dinner, complimentary canapés were served, adding an extra touch of luxury and creating a wonderfully sociable atmosphere.
Each evening, Freddy, the talented resident musician entertained guests with a varied repertoire ranging from timeless classics to contemporary favourites, perfectly judging the mood. Sometimes the lounge became a lively dance floor whilst on other evenings guests simply relaxed with a drink enjoying his music in the background.
The intimate Riverview Kitchen is located at the rear of the Diamond Deck and is open as an alternative venue for lunch and as a speciality evening restaurant. Whilst reservations are not required for lunch-time, it’s necessary to pre-book for dinner. We enjoyed a splendid dinner there on one of the evenings bathed in the evening sunlight.
Also located on the Diamond Deck is accommodation including French Balcony Cabins with fully opening sliding doors plus a selection of Private Balcony Suites offering a separate lounge and the added luxury of a private balcony. Additionally, one of the two tea and coffee stations where guests can help themselves to hot drinks and cookies whenever they wish is located on this level.
Ruby Deck
The Ruby Deck forms the central hub of the ship and is where we spent much of our time. The Reception Desks are located on this deck, the ‘hotel’ desk is assigned to Scylla who operate the ship and maintain the crew, whilst the other is utilised by the Riviera Travel Cruise Director and Host, who on this voyage were André and Paula. All staff were consistently cheerful, efficient and always happy to answer questions about excursions, destinations or housekeeping. Alongside the reception area is a small shop containing gifts and souvenirs.
At the Ruby Deck’s heart is the elegant main restaurant, where meals are served each day. This restaurant is a lovely light and airy space that flows naturally from the bar, giving it a relaxed yet elegant feel. It was somewhere we always looked forward to returning to, whether for a leisurely breakfast, lunch or dinner. The tables seated four or six guests and we often enjoyed sharing mealtimes with other passengers. This was a lovely way to get to know people, chat about the day’s adventures and hear about where they were from and their own travels. The open plan layout made the restaurant feel bright and spacious creating a welcoming atmosphere without ever feeling crowded.
Breakfast offered both an extensive buffet and freshly cooked dishes prepared to order. Fresh fruit, pastries, cereals, cold meats, cheese and hot breakfast favourites ensured there was something for everyone. Our personal favourites were eggs Benedict and avocado on toast with poached eggs.
Lunch was equally varied with help yourself starters and desserts whilst soups and choices of mains were served to the table. Moving on to dinner, this was a real highlight offering regional specialities inspired by the cruise itinerary combined with classic international cuisine. Every dish was beautifully presented, expertly cooked and served by attentive staff who quickly learned our wine and coffee preferences. A choice of quality, regional wines were served and as drinks both from the bar and restaurant are included in the cost of the cruise, there were no worries of over-spending.
Our French balcony cabin was located on the Ruby Deck and exceeded every expectation. Although described as a standard cabin, it felt spacious, bright and was exceptionally well designed. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors allowed fresh air to flow into the cabin while providing uninterrupted views of the Rhine. Watching castles, vineyards and charming riverside villages drift past from our room became one of our favourite experiences.
The décor was elegant and calming, with soft neutral tones, quality fabrics and attractive wood finishes creating a luxurious boutique hotel feel. Storage was excellent, with generous wardrobes, numerous drawers and cleverly designed cupboards making it easy to unpack completely. Our empty suitcases slotted easily beneath the beds tucked out of sight during our week long cruise. The large bed could be arranged as a twin if preferred and its comfortable mattress guaranteed an excellent night’s sleep. Thoughtful touches such as bedside wireless charging points, reading lights, a desk, comfortable chair, under-counter fridge, kettle, Espresso maker, safe and large television all contributed to making the cabin feel like a five star boutique hotel room.
The bathroom was equally impressive, featuring a spacious walk-in rainfall shower, heated towel rail, illuminated mirror and luxury toiletries. Housekeeping maintained impeccable standards throughout the voyage, with our cabin always beautifully presented when we returned after each day’s excursions. Returning to the cabin after dinner, a turn down service had been carried out with fresh towels, chocolates left on the pillows, curtains closed and the following day’s programme delivered.
Emerald Deck
The Emerald Deck is dedicated primarily to guest wellbeing and additional accommodation. Guests staying on this level enjoy the same beautifully appointed cabins found throughout the ship, with comfortable beds, elegant bathrooms and identical furnishings. The only difference is that these cabins feature smaller, fixed picture windows, positioned closer to the waterline.
Also located on this deck are the ship’s fitness facilities. The compact but well-equipped gym includes modern cardio and resistance equipment, allowing guests to maintain their fitness routine during the cruise. Adjacent to the gym is the relaxing sauna, providing the perfect way to unwind after a day exploring picturesque towns along the Rhine.
For those seeking even greater relaxation, the massage and treatment room offers a range of therapies designed to ease tired muscles after sightseeing excursions. Whilst the sauna is included in the cruise, an additional charge is made for treatments and massages. We didn’t make use of this ourselves but spoke to some guests who had enjoyed a massage, telling us that it was of a high standard comparable to a hotel spa.
The Emerald Deck also features the Mosaic Restaurant, an additional fine-dining venue, providing guests with an opportunity to enjoy a different style of Riviera’s excellent cuisine. This restaurant requires an evening reservation and was another highlight of our cruise with its open kitchen allowing us to observe the dishes being prepared. The Mosaic Restaurant is also open for breakfast offering the same range of dishes as in the ship’s main restaurant. Despite being the lowest passenger deck, Emerald never felt enclosed thanks to the ship’s bright décor and clever design.
Sun Deck
The spacious Sun Deck provided some of the finest panoramic views anywhere on board. With comfortable sun loungers, shaded seating areas and tables positioned along the length of the deck, there was always somewhere peaceful to sit and admire the spectacular scenery.
Whether cruising through the Rhine Gorge, vineyard-covered hillsides or alongside ancient castles or charming riverside villages, this deck was a favourite place to spend time between ports. Bar staff frequently passed through the Sun Deck enabling us to order cups of coffee, glasses of beer or cocktails without needing to pop down to the bar ourselves.
There’s also a small splash pool which was ideal for cooling off during the hot, sunny weather of our early July cruise. At other times we simply relaxed with a drink or a good book and spent time chatting to fellow guests.
The wheelhouse is located towards the front of the ship. On one of the mornings whilst we were sailing, it was possible to sign up for small group tours, which I highly recommend as it was fascinating to observe. Watching the captain and wheelhouse team expertly navigate busy stretches of the Rhine offered a real appreciation of the skill involved and of the state-of-the-art technologies employed in river cruising.
Although the lift does not extend to the sun deck, the staircase is wide with sturdy handrails, making access quite easy for most guests. Lift access is provided between all other decks and for anyone unable to manage the short flight of steps up to the sun deck there is comfortable outdoor seating at the front of the diamond deck, accessed from the bar lounge. Numerous bicycles are available for any guests wishing to cycle when in port.
Cutting of the Ribbon on the Inaugural Cruise
All guests and crew were warmly invited on to the Sun Deck to witness the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon and to raise a toast to the success of this beautiful ship. It was a truly memorable occasion as we all celebrated her first voyage.
Overall
Our week long Rhine Cruise on board the brand-new MS Riviera Resplendence exceeded our already very high expectations. The combination of luxurious accommodation, exceptional dining, beautifully designed public spaces and outstanding service created a river cruise experience that rivals many of Europe’s finest boutique hotels.
The crew were always professional whilst being friendly and attentive. Every member of staff clearly took enormous pride in delivering outstanding service which helped to create an atmosphere that was relaxed and welcoming. Being fortunate enough to sail on the maiden voyage made the experience even more memorable, but I have little doubt that this beautiful ship will become one of the most sought-after vessels in Riviera Travel’s fleet.
If you are considering a Rhine river cruise and appreciate elegant surroundings, exceptional food, an inclusive drinks package, thoughtful design, first-class service and inclusive shore excursions then MS Riviera Resplendence ticks all the boxes.
Coming soon, a series of posts detailing each day of this beautiful river cruise.
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We were guests of Riviera Travel and as always, all views and opinions are entirely my own.
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