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October 25, 2024

When Riverside Cruises took to the waters of the Danube, Rhine, Moselle and Main Rivers, the goal of her owners was to provide the finest River Cruise experience afloat. They did so by purchasing the 5 river cruise ships originally built for Crystal Cruises.

The luxury Ocean cruise line had gone all out in creating its entry into the European River Cruise universe. The ships Crystal commissioned were the same 440-foot length virtually all river cruisers are. Their width and length are governed by the size of the locks that allow these ships to sail from the North Sea to the Black Sea. Riverside’s glorious vessel carries only 110 passengers while almost every competitor has over 180, thus ensuring an even more attentive and personalized service.

Riverside’s Luxury Vessels Offer an Abundance of Space

Riverside’s suites are no exception. Ours on the Riverside Debussy was the third highest category, and honestly, it was nothing short of perfect. I might even describe it as “generously sized”—or better yet, “ideal for a couple,” with plenty of room to move around. The suite boasted a walk-in closet, a versatile desk/bar/vanity area, a fully stocked mini fridge, an espresso machine, and a stunning bathroom featuring two sinks! The 40-inch television vied for attention with the full wall of glass, offering breathtaking river views from the luxuriously comfortable king-sized bed. And yes, this “balcony window” can be opened for fresh air whenever you like.

Riverside’s Culinary Offerings are Simply Extraordinary

River Cruisers will be amazed to discover that on board Riverside Debussy they have four dining venues to choose from. If you count 24-hour room service, that’s five dining options! (One of our fellow passengers even ordered a Club Sandwich and fries well after midnight and raved about both.) Culinary cruisers will also discover that at virtually every stop, there’s a land tour geared to those of us who love food, wine and, on this itinerary, great beer! But it’s aboard ship that many culinary dreams come true.

Riverside’s Owners Know the Importance of Great Food

Riverside takes great pride in its culinary offerings, and rightly so. Owned by the Gerlach family—who run 12 luxury hotels across Germany, Spain, the Maldives, and Gran Canaria—Riverside Cruises follows a strong tradition of culinary excellence. Theo Gerlach, the patriarch, started the first of their hotels over 30 years ago, and now his son, Gregor, and daughter, Anouchka, have taken over. Their dedication to superb food has translated beautifully from their “Seaside Collection” of hotels to the Riverside cruise experience.

A World-Class Chef de Cuisine Commands the Kitchen.

He is Gareth Gradwell, a native of Manchester, England. Chef Gradwell wanted to be a Chef from a very early age. He started working in a school canteen at age 12. Recognizing his talent, his supervisor introduced young Gareth to a restaurant kitchen where he worked weekends. Combining his urge to travel with his cooking skills, at age 21 he literally went to sea. His first cruise ship job was to make 5 salads every single day. Need I tell you that salads aboard Riverside Debussy are out of this world. Sidelined by an injury, he went home to England and spent the next 4 years learning and growing at a time when ‘haute cuisine’ was taking hold in Britain. At age 26, he took his first job aboard a River Cruise Ship. He joined Crystal on the same ship that became Riverside Debussy. He is full of praise for the Gerlachs for their commitment to first-rate cuisine and the support they offer to make it a reality. Chef Gareth met his partner aboard a river cruiser and now lives in Varna, Bulgaria with their young daughter.

Tempting Food Everywhere You Look!

It’s almost impossible to walk through the ship without being tempted by the irresistible “small bites” available all day at The Bistro. This same cozy spot transforms into a fantastic venue for tapas nights and also serves late risers their breakfast. The ship’s culinary centerpiece, though, is the Waterside Restaurant. Breakfast there is a grand affair, with a buffet spread of delicacies and attentive, white-gloved service that makes you feel utterly pampered. Lunch offers an ever-changing menu featuring everything from sushi to local dishes reflecting the ship’s route. And, of course, the wine is bountiful. The restaurant transforms for dinner, taking on a more elegant, intimate atmosphere with à la carte offerings that are as delightful as they are diverse.

For a Truly Exclusive Experience, there’s the Vintage Room.

Seating just ten, this additional-charge restaurant rivals Michelin-starred spots on land. Chef Gradwell’s produces a magnificent seven-course menu is paired with seven carefully selected wines, each introduced by Sommelier Ivaylo. The food is inventive, almost playful as the Chef names each course. One example: Scallop, Pork Belly, Apple which Chef Gradwell dubbed “An Unlikely Friendship”. The Vintage Room lives up to its name: With every wine, Sommelier Ivaylo provides a most detailed ‘biography’ which is given to each guest at the end of the splendid menu. The meal ends on a sweet note, courtesy of Executive Pastry Chef Jozsef Reichenbach’s delightful creations.

Al Fresco Dining at its Best

One of the most popular dining experiences aboard has to be the pop-up barbecue! Twice, the ship’s Kitchen Brigade fired up Green Egg grills on the top deck and served some incredible meals. The first was a lunch in Frankfurt, and the second was in Koblenz, after a highlight of our trip—a breathtaking afternoon sailing along the Rhine, passing by extraordinary castles. It was pure magic as we watched the castles drift by, sipping champagne and Rhine Riesling. Just perfect! And a fitting memory of a ship whose gastronomy is surely the finest on the rivers.

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