A Fascinating Morning Cruising the Rhine
After another leisurely breakfast aboard our Riviera Resplendence Rhine cruise, we headed straight up to the sun deck to enjoy the beautiful weather and watch the scenery unfold. The morning promised something a little different as we were due to pass through two of the Rhine’s deep locks, and we were keen to witness the process from above.
Watching a river cruise ship navigate through a lock is something we’d experienced on our Riviera Travel Douro cruise aboard Riviera Rose last year. This again proved to be one of the most fascinating parts of the day as from the sun deck we had an excellent vantage point as the enormous lock gates slowly opened to welcome us inside. The clearance on either side of the ship looked incredibly narrow, making the manoeuvre seem even more impressive.
What made the experience even more memorable was seeing the captain step outside the wheelhouse to operate the ship using a joystick. Standing on the exterior bridge gave him a much clearer view of both sides of the vessel, allowing him to guide the Riviera Resplendence with incredible precision through the tight space. It was remarkable to watch such a large river cruise vessel move so gracefully and accurately.
To make the morning even more enjoyable, mocktails were served on the sun deck, allowing us to relax with a cool drink while soaking up the sunshine and admiring the ever-changing riverside scenery. It was a wonderfully peaceful way to spend another morning on board.
Lunch with New Friends
One of the unexpected pleasures of river cruising is getting to know fellow passengers. By now we’d made several new friends, and lunchtime was spent chatting together over lunch and discussing what we were looking forward to seeing during the afternoon.
As always, the service was attentive without ever feeling rushed, and lunch provided another opportunity to sample the excellent cuisine that had consistently impressed us throughout the cruise.
An Excursion to Beautiful Strasbourg
After lunch it was time for one of the excursions I had been looking forward to most since booking the cruise – a visit to the beautiful French city of Strasbourg. As with every excursion organised by Riviera Travel, everything was inclusive and ran like clockwork. Comfortable coaches were already waiting for us as we stepped ashore, along with friendly local guides who made the whole experience a complete joy. The organisation throughout the cruise continued to be exceptional, allowing guests to relax and simply enjoy each destination without worrying about any of the logistics.
It wasn’t long before we arrived in Strasbourg, and I could immediately see why the city is regarded as one of the highlights of any Rhine cruise itinerary. Bathed in warm afternoon sunshine and overflowing with colourful flower displays, Strasbourg looked absolutely stunning.
Exploring the Charming Petite France District
Our guided walking tour began in the city’s famous Petite France district, undoubtedly one of the prettiest places we visited during the cruise. The area is full of narrow cobbled streets, picturesque canals, timber-framed houses and beautifully preserved historic buildings that seem almost too perfect to be real. Window boxes overflowing with vibrant red geraniums decorated many of the buildings, adding even more colour and charm to an already beautiful setting.
As we wandered through the streets, our guide shared fascinating stories about Strasbourg’s history and explained how the city has developed over the centuries under both French and German influence. This unique blend of cultures is reflected everywhere, from the architecture to the cuisine, giving Strasbourg a character all of its own.
Strasbourg Cathedral and Its Remarkable Astronomical Clock
Our walking tour eventually brought us to the magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral, whose soaring Gothic spire dominates the city’s skyline. The cathedral itself is breathtaking, both inside and out, but we had arrived at exactly the right moment to witness one of its most famous attractions as the extraordinary astronomical clock was just about to chime.
Watching the intricate mechanical figures come to life was a memorable experience and one that drew visitors from all over the cathedral to witness this centuries-old masterpiece in action.
Time to Explore at Our Own Pace
Following the guided tour, we were given plenty of free time to continue exploring independently. Many of our fellow passengers chose to relax on one of the attractive café terraces with a drink while watching the world go by, but we decided to make the most of every minute by wandering through more of Strasbourg’s delightful streets.
Without the structure of the guided tour, we simply followed whichever street caught our eye, crossing pretty bridges, discovering hidden courtyards and admiring the colourful half-timbered buildings reflected in the canals. The city has such a relaxed atmosphere that it was a delight to just stroll around without any particular destination in mind.
Charcuterie and Pre-Dinner Drinks
Returning to the ship late afternoon, another pleasant surprise awaited us. A beautifully presented charcuterie tasting table had been arranged in the Panorama Lounge, offering an impressive selection of cured meats, cheese and accompaniments for us all to enjoy before dinner. Accompanied by our pre-dinner drinks, it was another thoughtful touch from the crew and perfectly reflected the attention to detail that had made this cruise feel so special.
Dining at the Riverview Kitchen
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, the Riverview Kitchen, located at the stern of the Diamond Deck.
Settled by the window overlooking the rear of the ship our meal certainly didn’t disappoint. Served from a small open kitchen within the restaurant itself we enjoyed antipasti and prosciutto crudo as a light starter followed by perfectly cooked lamb rump steak. A beautifully presented cheesecake then rounded off the meal nicely.
Having now experienced both of the speciality restaurants on board, we would happily recommend reserving tables in them as they offer a wonderful alternative dining experience while maintaining the same high standards found in the main restaurant. Both are at no additional charge.
Music, Dancing and a Perfect End to the Day
The evening’s entertainment was just as memorable as the day’s sightseeing as a talented violinist had been invited on board to perform for guests with his programme featuring a wonderful selection of music that was enjoyed by everyone in the lounge. He even encouraged a little audience participation, with one brave guest volunteering to play the triangle at exactly the right moments, much to everyone’s amusement.
After his performance, Freddy, the ship’s resident musician, swapped his guitar for the DJ Deck and soon had the dance floor filling up with guests requesting their favourite songs. It was lovely to see so many people joining in, laughing, dancing and thoroughly enjoying themselves. Before we knew it, the evening had flown by, and we found ourselves dancing until almost midnight.
Looking back on the day, it perfectly summed up everything we’d come to love about our Riviera Resplendence Rhine cruise. From watching the fascinating lock system in operation and exploring the timeless beauty of Strasbourg to enjoying outstanding food, excellent entertainment and wonderful company. It had been another unforgettable day on the Rhine and one we’ll remember for many years to come. Last year we enjoyed a week on board Riviera Rose along the Douro River so you may also be interested in reading this series of posts.
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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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