Waking Up on the Rhine
After a wonderful first day on board Riviera Resplendence, we enjoyed one of the best night’s sleeps we’ve had in a long time. Our comfortable Ruby Deck cabin was so peaceful that we barely noticed the ship had set sail. It was such a lovely moment to draw back the curtains first thing in the morning and discover we were already gliding along the Rhine. Watching the ever-changing scenery from our French balcony was the perfect way to start another day of our Rhine River cruise.
Breakfast on Board Riviera Resplendence
As tempting as it was to linger in our cabin admiring the views, breakfast was calling. We made our way to the main restaurant where an impressive spread awaited us. One thing we’d already noticed about life on board Riviera Resplendence was just how relaxed everything felt. There was no rushing or queues, just attentive service and plenty of delicious choices.
We began by helping ourselves to fresh fruit, creamy yoghurts, an assortment of cheese and cold cuts before choosing our cooked breakfast from the menu. There were so many tempting options, but in the end we both opted for Eggs Benedict. It proved to be an excellent choice, with perfectly poached eggs sitting on toasted muffins topped with hollandaise sauce. Freshly made cappuccinos were brought to our table and we spent a leisurely breakfast enjoying the food while watching the beautiful riverside scenery drift past the restaurant windows.
Morning Briefing and Cruising the Rhine
Following breakfast, all guests were invited to the Panorama Lounge for the short daily briefing. This quickly became an interesting part of our Riviera Travel Rhine River cruise, as it gave everyone a clear overview of the day’s itinerary while providing fascinating background information about our afternoon visit to Koblenz.
André our Cruise Director, delivered an informative presentation accompanied by maps, historical photographs and images displayed on the large screens throughout the lounge. Learning about the places we were about to visit definitely enhanced the upcoming experience.
With some free time before lunch, we headed up onto the sun deck. The weather couldn’t have been kinder, with warm sunshine and blue skies making the Rhine look particularly spectacular. One of the greatest pleasures of a river cruise is that the journey itself is every bit as enjoyable as the destinations. Throughout the morning we passed picturesque riverside villages, with every bend in the river revealing another picture-postcard view.
Lunch and Meeting Fellow Guests
Before long it was time for lunch in the main restaurant. Another aspect we’ve really enjoyed about river cruising is the friendly atmosphere on board. On this occasion we shared our table with a mother and daughter duo from Ipswich and it was lovely getting to know them. We chatted about where we all came from, previous holidays and what had inspired each of us to book this Riviera Travel Rhine cruise. We enjoyed a light salad from the buffet to start, followed by a hot dish from the menu, served to the table.
Arriving in Koblenz
Early in the afternoon we arrived in Koblenz, one of the many highlights of this Rhine itinerary. We headed up to the sun deck to watch the ship carefully manoeuvre into its berth before seeing the crew expertly secure the vessel and position the gangway ready for passengers to disembark.
Watching a river cruise ship dock is surprisingly fascinating, and it was lovely to have such a great viewpoint from the top deck.
Included Walking Tour of Koblenz
Our included walking tour of Koblenz was extremely well organised. Rather than taking one enormous group around the city, guests were divided into smaller groups, making it much easier to enjoy the experience.
Riviera had also thoughtfully arranged a slower-paced group for guests preferring a gentler walk, ensuring everyone could comfortably enjoy the excursion. Koblenz is one of Germany’s oldest cities and sits at the meeting point of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Our knowledgeable guide brought its fascinating history to life as we explored the city’s charming streets.
The tour included several of Koblenz’s most famous landmarks, including Koblenz Cathedral, the attractive main square, the historic City Hall and the beautiful Jesuit Church. Everywhere we looked there seemed to be another pretty square, historic building or hidden corner waiting to be discovered. The guided walk was the perfect introduction to the city before we were given free time to continue exploring at our own pace.
Koblenz Cable Car and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
After the walking tour, guests could either continue exploring independently or take the optional Koblenz Cable Car ride across the Rhine to the impressive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. We decided to take the cable car and were so pleased we did.
The ride itself was an experience to remember. As we gently climbed above the river, spectacular panoramic views opened up beneath us. Looking down over the meeting point of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, with Riviera Resplendence moored below was absolutely breathtaking and one of the photographic highlights of the day.
Our cable car ticket also included admission to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, giving us time to wander through the historic buildings, exhibitions and viewing platforms. While the fortress itself was fascinating, it was the magnificent views across Koblenz and the surrounding countryside that stole the show.
Dining at The Mosaic Speciality Restaurant
Back on board, we had plenty of time to freshen up before dinner. For our evening meal we had reserved a table in one of Riviera Resplendence’s two speciality restaurants, Mosaic, located on the Emerald Deck.
One thing worth mentioning is that dining in all three restaurants is included in the cruise fare. Guests simply need to reserve a table in advance for the two smaller speciality ones because of their limited seating.
Our meal certainly didn’t disappoint. We began with beautifully sautéed shrimps followed by a rich French onion soup. For our main course we enjoyed Sole Meuniere, which tasted delicious, before finishing with a Black Forest trifle dessert. Every course was beautifully presented, paired with quality wines and accompanied by excellent service.
Relaxing in the Panorama Lounge
After dinner we returned to the Panorama Lounge where the evening entertainment was already underway. We ordered the cocktail of the day, found a comfortable seat and relaxed while listening to music from the resident musician.
It was the perfect way to end another wonderful day cruising the Rhine, reflecting on everything we had experienced between Cologne and Koblenz, from scenic sailing and fascinating history to outstanding food and unforgettable views from the Koblenz Cable Car.
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We were guests of Riviera Travel and as always, all views and opinions are my own.
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