Riviera River Cruises: A Guide to River Cruise Holidays on the Riviera

Riviera River Cruises are a slower, luxurious alternative way to see the world. Unlike traditional cruises that may visit multiple locations, countries or even continents, a river cruise is just that; a gentle, relaxed cruise along a particular river.

The Riviera is located between Cannes in France and La Spezia in Italy. A common misconception regarding river cruises is that all take place on the Riviera, which simply isn’t true. While Riviera Cruises are popular, river cruises can be found all over the world.

The word ‘Riviera’ is Italian, meaning ‘coastline’. So any cruises that follow a coastline are technically known as a ‘Riveria’ cruise, even if they are not taking place on the well-known French Riviera.

River cruise holidays are very different from sea and ocean cruises. Taking a much slower, more relaxed approach that is less focused on visiting multiple destinations and instead about enjoyment onboard, Riviera river cruise holidays are ideal for those looking for a memorable, intimate experience.

What is a Riviera River Cruise?

A Riviera River Cruise is a luxurious journey along some of Europe’s most famous rivers, particularly those that follow a coastline. These types of cruises are for those who want to explore historic cities, bask in beautifully scenic landscapes and to experience cultural treasures from the comfort of a gentle river cruise ship.

The overall concept is to provide a relaxing, stress-free way of seeing the world on a much smaller, more intimate scale.

Unlike ocean cruises, river cruises navigate much smaller routes that dock right in the heart of cities and towns. With thoughtfully designed itineraries, easy access to local attractions and less travelling between the vessel and the offboard attractions, river cruises are much more focused on a simple, more intimate itinerary rather than trying to fit as much in as possible.

Whether cruising along the Danube, Rhine or Seine, a Riviera river cruise is an overall slower-paced, immersive experience where you don’t just admire the scenery from a far, you are immersed within it.

Where are Riviera River Cruises?

Riviera River Cruises are generally situated on a large enough river to accommodate a river cruise ship that also offer a long enough journey to span multiple days. While Rivieras are generally focused along coastlines, some cruises take place on larger, more in-land rivers.

  1. The Danube River. A beautiful river that flows through 10 countries, the Danube is one of Europe’s longest rivers. It connects cities such as Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava, meaning there is a great choice of cruise holidays. A Danube River Cruise covers beautiful landscapes, historic castles and vibrant cities.
  2. The Rhine River. Known for its romanticism, the Rhine flows through Switzerland, Germany, France and the Netherlands. Along the way you’ll find peaceful vineyards, fairytale like castles and charming towns. A river cruise along the Rhine allows you to explore this incredible part of the Earth with plenty of opportunities for wine tasting along the way.
  3. The Rhône River. Located in southern France, the Rhône is ideal for exploring France’s wine country. Surrounded by olive groves, vineyards and lavender fields of Provence. Rhône river cruises offer stunning views of the French countryside as well as visits to historical French towns such as Avignon and Lyon.
  4. The Douro River. Known for its steel hillsides and terraced vineyards, a cruise along the Douro is ideal for wine enthusiasts. Producing world-famous port wine and located in Portugal and Spain, a Douro river cruise is the ideal way to explore the exceptional scenery of the Iberian Peninsula.
  5. The Seine River. Known for art, culture and romance, the Seine can be found in the heart of Paris. Flow along this iconic waterway taking in the view while exploring charming towns and villages along the shore.

A slow and scenic way to explore Europe, Riviera cruises are designed for those who want to go deeper into local culture and explore the very best on offer as opposed to seeing vast quantities of the world in one sitting.

Riviera River Cruise Holidays

How Much are Riviera River Cruises?

Prices for a Riviera River Cruise generally start at around £2,000 per person for a 7-night cruise. This includes essentials such as accommodation, meals and onboard entertainment. Higher-end cabins can command premiums that start from around £5,000 per person.The cost of a Riviera River Cruise has many factors that can affect the overall price. Time of year, location, length of the cruise, type of cabin and the location of the cabin can all have an effect on how much you will pay for a Riviera River Cruise.Prices for cruises can be affected by:

  • Cruise length: Generally the longer a cruise is the more expensive it is likely to be when compared to shorter cruises.
  • Cabin type: Standard cabins tend to be the most affordable, while suites or rooms with balconies or prime positioning command a higher cost.
  • Season: Peak months can increase prices while cruises out of season throughout spring or autumn are much more affordable.
  • Extras: Optional extras such as tours and transfers can also increase the overall cost of a river cruise.

Get the best price with LuxuryCruiseTickets.com

All of our cruises are hand-curated by our team of UK-based experts. We work directly with selected cruise lines that meet our exacting standards for luxury and quality to bring you the best selection and prices.

Our complimentary concierge team are always on-hand to assist you find your ideal cruise that gives you the best cruise for your budget. To take advantage of our complimentary service, call us on 0203 805 5535 or email us here.

What is included in a Riviera River Cruise?

Different cruise lines will have slight variations in what is included in their standard packages. Most will include accommodation and meals, while others may have additional drinks or tour packages available to add onto your cruise.Generally speaking, most river cruises will include:

  1. Accommodation: An important part of your overall experience. You will be given a choice of different cabins that range from standard rooms to luxurious suites. All rooms are designed for comfort and include en-suite facilities, while suites offer ample room and other additional amenities.
  2. Meals: Most cruise lines will include all meals as standard, however certain drinks may require additional charge or an additional package. Typically meals consist of breakfast, lunch and dinner served in a buffet or à la carte style manner.
  3. Drinks: Soft drinks tend to be included as standard, however alcoholic beverages may require an additional optional package. Sometimes it’s possible to purchase such packages onboard as opposed to at the time of booking.
  4. Trips and Tours: Some cruise packages will include tours and trips as standard, however sometimes these may be charged additionally allowing you to choose which tours you attend.
  5. Entertainment: Generally all cruise lines will offer onboard entertainment as part of the package. This can range from cultural performances to local musicians, Captain’s Dinners and even themed evenings.
  6. Wifi internet access: This tends to vary depending on the cruise line, however all ships are equipped with wifi, it would be a case as to whether having access in your cabin is included or additional.
Rivier River Cruise

What are River Cruise Ships like?

A cruise ship tends to bring images of a large vessel with a large number of cabins and facilities onboard. While still impressive, river cruise ships are much smaller due to the nature of the cruise and the waters on which they sail.

Designed for comfort and elegance, a river cruise ship is a more intimate vessel catering for fewer passengers than an ocean cruise ship. With less people onboard, the overall experience is one that feels ‘less busy’ with more opportunity for conversation with your fellow passengers.

Remarkable vessels that offer unrivalled panoramic views, a river cruise ship is an essential part of your cruise experience and one that will not disappoint if you attend with the correct expectations.

  • Luxury Cabins: All river cruise ships offer a range of cabins that differ in size and levels of luxury. The most luxurious suites offer private balconies for a truly intimate experience.
  • Dining: Grand dining rooms featuring exceptional chefs ensure you are well-fed during your endeavours. With a range of cuisine on offer, you will be spoilt for choice throughout your travels.
  • Public Spaces: Lounges, bars, sun decks, sometimes libraries are all available to you throughout your cruise. For when you want to escape the luxurious intimacy of your cabin, you’re able to venture out and explore what the ship has on offer.
  • Wellness: Some river cruise ships even offer gyms, spas and swimming pools to keep you entertained throughout your voyage. A perfect way to unwind after a day exploring a local town.

Who offers Riviera River Cruises?

There are a wide range of tour operators that offer Riviera River Cruises, some more speciality than others. Many simply resell the cruise line’s own selection of river cruises, with very few offering their own unique journeys only available through them.

LuxuryCruiseTickets.com is pleased to curate our own recommendations of only the finest river cruises available. Our intention is to offer the best range of river cruises, not the largest, to ensure we’re able to inspect each and every journey we offer.If our Riviera River Cruises guide has piqued your interest, please do not hesitate to contact our complementary concierge team.

Riviera River Cruise Ship

How do I book a Riviera River Cruise?

Booking through us directly ensures a simple and seamless process in finding your ideal Riviera River Cruise holiday. Whether you wish to browse our River Cruises or speak with our dedicated concierge team, there are some items we recommend considering in advance.

  1. Itinerary: What sort of river cruise are you looking for? Would you prefer a relaxing cruise with few stops or are you seeking to immerse yourself in the local culture and to explore the local towns?
  2. Cabin type: Would a standard cabin be suitable for your needs or do you require something more luxurious? A suite perhaps or a room with a view or private balcony?
  3. Season: Are you looking to travel during peak times or out of season? Are you considering travelling next year or further into the future?

A Riviera River Cruise is a truly special occasion and one lesser-known than standard sea and ocean cruises. With the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the beauty of your surroundings at a much slower pace, a river cruise may be the ideal alternative to what some consider a more typical cruise.

If a memorable cruise along some of the most picturesque parts of the world sounds like your ideal of time well spent, we encourage you to reach out to our complimentary concierge team who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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