Introducing two new ships for 2025 river cruises

At Rivera Travel, we are dedicated to improving our five-star fleet of river cruise ships continually. This is why our ships are among the most advanced and youngest in Europe, ensuring that you enjoy a top-notch experience with every adventure. 

In 2025, we are excited to introduce two new ships to our fleet. The MS Riviera Radiance and MS Riviera Rose have been built in collaboration with our long-standing shipping partners, combining state-of-the-art technology with a stylish modern design, offering the perfect balance of contemporary and cosy. 

MS Riviera Radiance 

MS Riviera Radiance is an exciting new addition to our fleet. This brand-new design is unlike any of our other river cruise ships. Spread over three floors, this vessel is luxuriously spacious with a light and airy feel. This ship will be joining MS William Wordsworth, MS Thomas Hardy, MS Emily Brontë and MS Oscar Wilde along the Danube on our ever-popular Blue Danube river cruise and our epic 15-day Budapest to the Black Sea river cruise.  

Dining options on MS Riviera Radiance

As you step on board, you'll be greeted with a plethora of facilities that you would expect to find in a luxurious boutique hotel. The culinary experience on board is nothing less than exceptional with not one, not two, but three restaurants to choose from. The main restaurant boasts an extensive hot and cold breakfast buffet every morning, offering over 60 options to choose from, including some heart-healthy options to start your day on a healthy note. You can also indulge in lunch and carefully crafted four-course à la carte dinners featuring a variety of dishes that will soon become your favourites. The chefs' skills are so exceptional that you might end up asking them for the recipe. 

If you're looking for a more relaxed and intimate feel, the Riverview Kitchen is the perfect place to be. With an open kitchen and seating for no more than 28 guests, you can enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the terrace with the sun shining on your face. The lunch menu features lighter options such as sandwiches, burgers, and pasta dishes, while the dinner menu offers the chef's signature dishes that vary according to the season. 

The Mosaic Restaurant, our third and newest addition, is perfect for those who are foodies at heart. This restaurant presents a unique food and wine pairing menu inspired by the rivers of Europe. Our expert sommelier will select the perfect wine to accompany each course, making it an unforgettable dining experience. The restaurant caters to a range of dietary requirements, and you can choose from our Market Menu, which showcases the best meat and fish dishes, or our Garden Menu, highlighting Europe's fabulous fruits, vegetables, and more. 

It's safe to say you'll never go hungry on board! 

Other amenities on MS Riviera Radiance

The Sun Deck is the perfect place to watch the waterways of Europe glide by. You can sip cocktails with your favourite book from a sun lounger, and when the sun starts to heat up, cool down with a dip in the plunge pool.  

Like all our ships, the lounge and bar are the social hub, and with our new split-level lounge and dining, the space has an airy feel with light pouring in from the floor-to-ceiling windows. After a pre-dinner apéritif in the bar, you can simply descend the grand staircase to the main restaurant below.  

MS Riviera Radiance also features a fitness centre - perfect for working off all those delicious meals - as well as a wellness centre where you can treat yourself to a good pampering as we sail. 

New Cabins and Suites on MS Riviera Radiance

MS Riviera Radiance is home to our biggest-ever cabins.  

Our all-new Grand Suites are a very generous 32 square metres - that's 30% bigger than the next biggest cabins on any of the ships in our first-class fleet! And we put all that space to good use. With a separate living space - featuring a sofa, chair and table - and a sumptuously cosy king-sized bed, there's plenty of space to relax. And as we sail, we know you'll want to watch the landscapes drift by from your private balcony - it's also the perfect place for breakfast 'al fresco' or a pre-dinner 'sundown' cocktail. 

The Superior Suites are also some of our largest at 24 square metres with a double-size French balcony to showcase even more of Europe's most beautiful waterways. There is also a range of imaginatively designed and well-appointed Double cabins available, with full-size double beds and ensuite bathrooms.  

Environmental Impact of MS Riviera Radiance

We see the impact that travel can have when it’s used as a force for good to give back to the destinations we visit. With the help of our expert partners, we designed this vessel with the very latest technology and our strong environmental values in mind MS Riviera Radiance qualifies for the Gold Standard on the Green Awards. So, you can lay back, relax and savour that cocktail on the Sun Deck guilt-free, knowing your holiday will have a minimised impact on the peaceful natural landscapes we cruise through, protecting the world we love exploring for future generations to enjoy.  

Find out more about MS Riviera Radiance 

MS Rivera Rose

We're also excited to announce that MS Riviera Rose will be taking over from its sister ship, MS Porto Mirante, sailing along the Douro on our Highlights of the Douro Valley & Salamanca river cruise. 

Launching in April 2025, the brand-new and beautifully crafted MS Rivera Rose has been meticulously designed for the ultimate in comfort and finished to an exceptionally high standard.  

Amenities on MS Riviera Rose

The Sun Deck is the place for basking in the Portuguese sunshine. It is an open-air space that houses a refreshing splash pool, as well as a variety of comfortable chairs and sun loungers, both in and out of the shade. Whether you want to catch up on some reading or simply soak up the sun, you're sure to find the perfect spot here. Plus, you can enjoy a refreshing glass of wine or beer from the sky bar while you're at it. 

As we sail, you can sink into the sumptuously soft armchairs and sofas with a freshly brewed cup of tea - or perhaps something stronger - and watch the lush landscapes, charming towns and villages sail by through the floor-to-ceiling windows of our lounge and bar. 

Whether you are a foodie - or just love food - you'll enjoy dining in our onboard restaurant. You'll experience the true essence of the Portuguese culture through its food with our 'local flavour' options. Indulge in authentic regional dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients and prepared with love. Our head chef, though not a Portuguese grandmother, takes inspiration from traditional recipes passed down through generations to put a fresh spin on these dishes. 

Like the MS Riviera Radiance, the MS Riviera Rose also features a fitness centre on its lower deck so you can keep on track with your fitness goals.  

Cabins on MS Riviera Rose

Listening to feedback from our guests who wanted to chance to take in the sights of the Douro privately, we've added four new Balcony Suites to MS Riviera Rose. At 24 square metres, these new suites are some of the largest we offer on the Douro. Their spacious living space extends onto a private balcony with comfortable outdoor seating via floor-to-ceiling glass doors that slide away, offering the perfect spot to bask in the Portuguese sunshine. 

Also onboard are 16 square metre Standard Cabins which offer the feeling of home on a fraction of the space most of which feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors of your French balcony slide away, opening your cabin up to the beauty of this picturesque waterway.  

Find out more about MS Riviera Rose

If you'd like to find out more about life on board one of our fantastic river cruises, you can contact a member of our friendly team of experts or take a look at our Why River Cruise page.