Some avid travellers may observe that river cruise ship lines often name their crafts after classical music composers. These names appeal to older travellers who prefer their travels to be leisurely, elegant, and effortless. However, the recently launched Riverside Luxury Cruises updates and jazzes up the cruising composition with modern arrangements sure to appeal to young and young-at-heart travellers.
Riverside Debussy set sail this past March with a five-night voyage from Brussels, Belgium to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, joining sister vessels Riverside Ravel and Riverside Mozart in stepping up what savvy travellers now expect from high-end river cruising. The 110-passenger capacity ship has a terrestrial boutique hotel-like feel with an interior design that sits snugly between modern luxury minimalism (not too much clutter) and old-school maximalism (stunning jewel-toned textiles and accessories). Fewer rooms mean less is more, in terms of personal space and staff-to-passenger service and less fuss and crowding.
The Riverside Luxury Cruise experience follows similar features and activities found on other luxury river cruises, including fine and upscale–casual dining, plush living spaces, history and culturally focused excursions, and bikes on the ready at various ports of call. However, what makes the Riverside Debussy different is that it is markedly quieter than other river cruises boasting more relaxation and fewer distractions, allowing for greater customization for individual and couples’ travel and milestone vacations with adult family members and small friend groups.
The Melody and Symphony cabins are the smallest in size but big on style and comfort, while the mid-sized Seahorse and Riverside suites expand on built-in comforts with a walk-in closet, a full-sized bathroom with two sinks, writing desk, and king-sized bed. The premium Riverside suites figure in a sitting–living room area as well as larger bathrooms, separate vanity area, and closets. The top tier 883 ft² Owner Suite, which can accommodate two to four guests, houses two bedrooms, a larger living room area, a fireplace, and two bathrooms. Each suite has floor-to-ceiling windows, a minibar with premium libations, snacks, and personal care products from Spanish spa brand Natura Bisse. Passengers in the larger suites can look forward to such perks as personal butler service, 24-hour in-suite gourmet dining, and airport transfers.
On the bottom level, there’s a spotless fitness room stocked with new Technogym equipment and free weights, along with an indoor pool and Whirlpool Jacuzzi. The wellness set-up is supplemented by specialty fitness classes on board, Nordic walking sticks, and complimentary loaner bicycles for use on excursion days. While professional laundry services are available for an extra charge, a self-service laundry room next to the gym features high-end Miele washers and dryers for use free of charge. There’s also a compact but well-attired spa area with an expanded range of Natura Bisse skin care for body and facial services.
The guides hired for the tours are among the most personable and consistent and read their participants well. For the more well travelled, meanwhile, other stops can be readily enjoyed with or without a formal walking tour. Above and beyond Brussels and Amsterdam on the front and back ends, tiny-but-ultra trendy Dordrecht is tailor-made for wandering about and has everything required to be a mini-Amsterdam with its thrift stores, trendy coffee shops, and architecture, but minus the crowds. Middelburg, Verre, and Gent, Belgium have their fair share of eclectic structures, narrow streets, canals, and marinas that give way to visually interesting residential areas, inviting cafés, inspired shopping, and places to just chill a while to appreciate the views.
Many of the excursions are exactly what one would expect to find on a river cruise itinerary: bus tours that familiarize participants with the geographic locales, and Belgium–Netherlands walking tour standards such as beer-and-chocolate pairings and tastings and visits to windmills and landmarks along with scenic bike rides. On the launch itinerary, there were standout jaunts providing a deeper drive into regional history, culture, and food. These include a tour of the Cathedral of St Bavo, where high-tech meets with history to bring the storied history of the Ghent Altarpiece (the subject of the film The Monuments Men) and a bike tour through Verre to take in its Scottish influence and nearby Schellach dairy farm.
The Roosevelt Foundation in Oud-Vossemeer will be of interest to American history buffs. It was established in 2015 to trace the family history, legacy, and accomplishments of Franklin, Eleanor, and Theodore as well as their ancestors and descendants in both the old and new worlds. The information centre houses significant artefacts, documents, and memorabilia while neighbouring brasserie restaurant Huys van Roosevelt, operated by descendant Bas Quist, is a fun shrine to the wisdom imparted by beloved historical figures. The menu playfully blends traditional Dutch and American comfort food, along with a twist on Canadian poutine: Zeeland fries covered with Vosmeer’s stew and beer cheese. Its craft beers (Roosevelt blonde beer, Estaminet Pils 5·2%, and the heady Cornet) and liqueurs inspired by Franklin and Eleanor (featured in its popular spiked coffees) are also big draws.
Back on board, Riverside Luxury Cruises places a strong emphasis on its culinary programme, from made-to-order breakfast and lunch options and fine-dining dinner offerings in the Waterfront main dining room to casual menu and all-day snacks in the Bistro, which adjoins the Palm Court bar–lounge–living room–library area.
An extravagant add-on dinner service is available for an extra charge (€295) inside the art-déco-flavoured Vintage Room, which accommodates up to 12 guests. Each course of the seasonal multi-course gourmet feast is introduced by one of the ship’s top chefs, while the head sommelier guides guests through inspirations for the wine pairings. During the April maiden voyage, the dishes offered in the tasting dinner and daily menus consisted of familiar continental classics like smoked burrata salad, sea bass, lamb, and kinds of pasta with interesting ingredient swaps and modern culinary tweaks. Flavoured butters and the interesting use of condiments bring extra creative flair.
Most food offerings met expectations thanks to modern tweaks to European–Continental recipes, ingredients sourced fresh at the geographic locations along the route, and excellent service throughout. In keeping with the Belgium–Netherlands location, the Bistro offers made-to-order bubble waffles with a choice of toppings, a chocolate soufflé-baking demonstration, and cheese plates and cheese cart. There is also a tapas concept meal served (with reservations) in the Bistro at night that at the time of writing could stand some improvement in its presentation, especially with larger groups.
The Palm Court Lounge, effectively the ship’s living room, is stocked with books and cosy seating but readily becomes a theatre by night and site for cooking demonstrations and informative talks. As with other high-end river cruise ships, the second floor is the nerve centre of the ship with its reception desk and a coffee station with baked goods replenished throughout the day. The Debussy’s open-air fourth deck continues the boutique hotel ambiance with a variety of seating arrangements accented with bright pillows and blankets. A couple of green hibachi barbecue grills are fired up, weather permitting, and cocktails, wine, and beer can be enjoyed on request with the Full Board package.
In addition to the short-and-sweet Benelux itinerary, Riverside Luxury Cruises also offers seven-night, Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta voyages aboard the Debussy, departing round-trip from Amsterdam with stops in Antwerp and Gent, Belgium; and Middelburg, Veere, Willemstad, Dordrecht, Rotterdam and Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Other itineraries on the sister ships are dedicated to the Rhine River from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, and from Basel to Amsterdam. Stops on these itineraries include Speyer, Mannheim, Rüdesheim, and Köln, among other German cities. The Belgium–Netherlands itinerary constitutes a full vacation within a six-day, five-night period, but can be combined with another itinerary for a longer sojourn across Europe’s most elegant villages, towns, and cities.
Fares include meals, wifi, port fees and taxes. However, investing in the Premium or Ultra-Premium All-Inclusive packages maximize the ship’s “wow” factor. Benefits include a premium beverage package, room service, a regularly stocked in-room non-alcoholic mini-bar, and a shore excursion in each port.