A Taste of Luxury River Cruising with Riverside
We were invited on a 4 night voyage on the Rhone by Riverside Luxury Cruises, one of the most luxurious names in river cruising. Our journey from Avignon to Lyon visited the quaint villages of Château Neuf du Pape, Côte du Rhone and Viviers. Not just for wine lovers and connoisseurs, our itinerary was perfect for anyone seeking a taste of river cruising and I’d highly recommend a few days pre-cruise to leave you relaxed and ready to enjoy your cruise.
Arriving onboard Riverside Ravel, we were warmly greeted with a glass of champagne by Ricardo, one of Riverside’s exceptional butlers, who also happened to be looking after my suite. Nothing was too much trouble for Ricardo, who brought cups of tea, champagne, and anything else that took my fancy, which all arrived within moments of being called (or via WhatsApp if preferred!). Ricardo would have even packed and unpacked my suitcase had I so wished.
My suite, a Seahorse Suite, was both extremely spacious and bright, with a wall-to-ceiling balcony window, a king-size bed directly facing the river, a walk-in wardrobe, and a bathroom spaciously fitted with double sinks and walk-in shower. The décor was elegant, tasteful and totally in keeping with the luxury ambience.
Of course, river cruises are all about the destination, and Riverside offer various levels of inclusions within their fares. From full board to all-inclusive, with and without shore excursions, guests can select the fare basis most suited to their needs. We took full advantage of our included shore excursions, enjoying wine tasting in Château Neuf du Pape and Côte du Rhone (when in Rome!), we walked amongst France’s scented lavender fields, explored Medieval villages and kayaked and hiked in the stunning Ardeche Gorge, all superbly thought out, there really was something for all tastes and abilities.
Whilst onboard, we enjoyed Riverside’s exceptional dining, preceded by a glass of Taittinger Champagne in Palm Court. We enjoyed BBQs on the top deck, which included everything from lobster, langoustines, steak, burgers and salmon. Ravel’s Waterside Restaurant served seven courses no less (if you could manage it!) and it really was of the freshest and highest quality, all locally sourced and, of course, this was all paired with the finest wines of the local region to suit.
The staff onboard really made this outstanding river cruise experience truly exceptional. They genuinely felt like friends and went above and beyond to assist, always remembering preferences for water (sparkling please), tea at breakfast (English breakfast with milk!). Happy to engage in conversation, joining in with the fun at times, even the housekeeper gave my Mum a hug when she left. It’s often the little touches that leave a lasting impression, and the memories of our charming journey along the Rhone with Riverside Luxury Cruises will last a very long time.
