Riviera Travel Wins Which? Best-value River Cruise
We like to say we're "pro-modesty", but when we're this excited, it's hard not to shout about it! We're extremely proud of every award we win (and there are quite a few, check out our awards page). This year, we've added another feather to our cap - we've won the Which? award for Best-value River Cruise.
But what does that mean?
It means that compared to our top competitors, our river cruises offer every guest the most for their money. In fact, according to Which? our peak-season Rhine river cruises are up to £1,700 cheaper than other brands. Yet, our guests are more impressed with our cabins, more impressed with our shore excursions and more impressed with our onboard dining experience.
So, let's look at exactly what you get included with the price of a European river cruise.
What's included in the price of a river cruise?
1) Direct flights from 17 UK airports with no regional supplements.
The way we see it, we're in the business of happiness. So, whenever we see an opportunity to make your experience better, we take it - from the moment you book to the moment you step back through your front door. No one wants the hassle of travelling for hours to the airport, so we've ensured you can pick an airport that's convenient for you. London to Leeds, East Midlands to Edinburgh, you'll find flights from regional airports, as well as some of the UK's largest terminals, giving you the flexibility to choose where you travel from.
And for even more convenience, you can add our door-to-door transfer service from your home to your departure airport or hotel (and back) - so there's no need to organise a taxi or parking. It's completely hassle-free!
Find out more about Travel Concierge
2) Five star-ships with impeccable onboard service
Our ships feature everything you'd want from a boutique hotel - a lounge with panoramic windows to admire the views and state-of-the-art onboard facilities, like fitness centres, hair salons and putting greens. But the crown jewel of our ships is our fantastic crew. One guest told Which?:
The staff, from the housekeepers to the managers, were so efficient and made the cruise a lot of fun.
On board, there's an intimate feel with excellent ratios of crew to guests - you're guaranteed personal attention. (You can even meet the captain and see the navigation and control equipment we use - just stop by the wheelhouse and say hi!)
Find out more about our river cruise ships
3) Spacious cabins with a window or French balcony
We scored full marks in the Which? survey for our elegant cabins - meaning you get five-star accommodation on a Riviera river cruise. Our well-appointed cabins are so spacious, ranging from 12 sqm to 29sqm, with all the comforts of home, including a private ensuite bathroom with a rainfall shower, cosy twin beds which can be configured as double, table and chair, tea and coffee-making facilities, telephone, radio and flatscreen TV. And, of course, every cabin on our luxury fleet features a window included in the price. Over 80% of our cabins feature a French or full balcony which allows you to really soak in the views along your chosen river.
And now, for 2025, we're introducing Grand Suites - a whopping 32 square metres on our new MS Riviera Radiance - making our river cruise cabins and suites among the largest on any river cruise vessel. It includes a separate living space and a private full balcony with outdoor seating - it's the perfect place for breakfast al fresco or a pre-dinner sundown cocktail while looking out over the magnificent Danube river.
Stay on MS Riviera Radiance in 2025
4) Insightful excursions and visits every day
Unlike some of our competitors, our onshore adventures are included in the price you pay. It starts with an expertly crafted itinerary - created by our team of explorers - where each day features new sights. You'll visit new cities on a guided tour, usually with more free time to explore at your own pace. We only work with friendly and knowledgeable local guides who give even more insight into the history and culture of your chosen destination as well as personal anecdotes about daily life - we think it's the only way to travel. And it's not just us who think so, according to the Which? survey...
Many guests were wowed by the knowledgeable local guides and superior customer service.
On our excursions, you don't just see new things - we plan experiences that excite all the senses. Often including delicious local produce perfected over centuries - cheese tastings in Switzerland (it's not a cruise for those watching their weight), wine tasting in the world-famous wine region of Burgundy and port in the Quintas of Porto.
Looking for river cruises jam-packed full of food and wine?
There's also the opportunity to experience Fado music in Portugal and flamenco in Spain on a Douro river cruise.
And if you don't feel like joining your fellow explorers - that's no problem - you're welcome to stay on board and relax or venture off to explore on your own. It's your holiday, and the choice is completely up to you.
4) Delicious full-board dining, plus a Chef's Dinner
Start your day with a sumptuous buffet breakfast, including a wide range of hot, cold, and heart-smart options. For lunch, enjoy a delicious soup followed by a choice of main course along with an array of buffet options, including fresh salads and scrumptious pasta. And that's not all! In the evening, we'll treat you to a carefully curated four-course à la carte dinner featuring some of our signature dishes as well as some soon-to-be favourites that will tantalise your taste buds.
Here at Riviera, we know that when you travel, you don't just want to explore the land; you want to dive deeper into the culture. And nothing is more interwoven with culture than food. From recipes handed down through the generations to local, seasonal produce, our team of onboard chefs craft a menu inspired by the places you visit on your river cruise. Whether it's traditional Hungarian soup flavoured with smoky paprika, a French cassoulet bursting with flavour or decadent Dutch desserts, you are sure to feel even more connected to the land. And, of course, we wouldn't serve you any dish without the perfect wine pairing to go with it!
Many of our vessels also feature a second restaurant - named La Brasserie on our French cruises and Riverview Kitchen on our Rhine and Danube cruises. At lunchtime, you can enjoy lighter fare but, in the evenings, our chefs present their signature dishes with menus that vary according to the season. Best of all - this memorable dining experience can be reserved on board at no extra charge.
5) Free Superior drinks package
What's better than cruising down one of Europe's most beautiful waterways, passing charming villages and landscapes so idyllic they could have been plucked straight from paintings by Monet, van Gogh or Pieter Bruegel the Elder? The addition of a well-timed, well-chosen beverage such as a glass of regional wine or a cool, crisp beer — on the house, of course!
Enjoy every moment without having to worry about your wallet. Soak in the breathtaking views along the river with a glass of local wine, indulge in a delicious meal on board with a beer, and discuss the highlights of the day with your fellow explorers over a cocktail of the day, house spirits, or mixers. Go ahead, leave your wallet in your room - drinks are on us in 2024 and 2025.
Find out more about our Superior drinks package
6) Expert Riviera Cruise Director looking after you throughout
Our Cruise Directors are our "boots on the ground" ensuring everything runs smoothly. Part group leader overseeing every little detail, part destination expert revealing insights into local life and a thoughtful friend ready to listen and lend a hand whenever you need them.
On our solo river cruises, you'll be met by our Cruise Director at the airport when you check in and fly with you to your destination. Where this isn’t possible, a Riviera Travel team member will personally greet you at the airport to help you check in and introduce you to other members of the group.
7) Evening entertainment from quizzes to impressive performers
Our river cruise ships may not have the grand stages of a cruise liner, yet there's still plenty to keep you entertained. Depending on your itinerary, you can look forward to performances by classical quartets or local folk dancers. Every experience is chosen to give a taste of your host port - a classical string quartet looking out over Vienna (the home of Classical music), a Soirée Chanson Franꞔaise (French song evening) along the Seine, a Bavarian beer experience in Germany, with a tasting of this local speciality. These are just some of the authentic experiences we offer onboard. On other nights, you can enjoy getting to know your fellow explorers with organised quizzes, expert talks, demonstrations and card games in the lounge and bar area.
And there's more: every vessel in our first-class fleet offers free Wi-Fi so you can stay in touch with loved ones back home, and every guest has a 20kg+ luggage allowance so you can bring home a few extra souvenirs.
To get the most out of your river cruise, book with Riviera today.
