The most luxurious river cruise in France

When the recently launched Hamburg-based Riverside Luxury Cruises acquired several ships from the former Crystal River Cruises fleet they knew they had some swanky shoes to fill. Riverside acquired five ships from Crystal—ships designed to dazzle with all-suite cabins, walk-in rainfall showers in every bathroom, luxurious seated three-course dinners, a rooftop bar, spa, and an indoor pool. Today, those marvelous ships sail with the same luxurious amenities and in many cases, the same Crystal staff, many of whom have found positions with Riverside. Indeed, people are at the heart of the Riverside experience as all of the luxury in the world means nothing without genuine hospitality. Everyone at Riverside, from the personal butler (every suite has one) to the barista, delivers service with warmth and passion for the job.

Most of the cruises operate in Germany, but the Riverside Ravel is one of the few cruise lines that takes guests on a relaxing journey through France’s Rhone region, traveling both the Soane and Rhone. Routes begin in Lyon or Avignon and include stops in Arles, Vienne and Tarascon.

Scenery, staff, and luxuriousness aside, the defining characteristic of cruising on the Riverside Ravel is the culinary experience. Little things such as white glove service at dinner, or having your napkin placed in your lap at every meal make dining feel like a royal event. Nothing is left to chance. The wines are beautifully curated and reflective of the region—think Burgundy, Châteauneuf-du-Pape—and cocktails are well conceived too. Yet, a Riverside experience is a bespoke journey in every way so if you prefer to huddle the bartender and devise a cocktail of your own, that’s an option.

Ravel Executive Chef Benoit Tesson is unequivocal about his vision, “I want to be known as the best food ship in Europe.” An ambitious goal to be sure, but Tesson is on track with his locally-conceived menus that feature dishes such as an elegant local scallop crudo, or a classics such as Boeuf Bourguignon or Crêpe Suzette. Everything is handmade, from the fresh breads and jams to the cocktail accoutrements that make a basil cucumber spritz as fresh as possible.

Dinner are multi-course seated meals (with plenty of private seating if you prefer not to engage with other passengers). It’s easy to get accustomed to small things such as three choices of fresh-baked bread with three infused butter options. Embrace the attention, as the staff take pride in getting it right and making guests happy. Regionally inspired classics are on the menu every day, such as the silky Risotto “Camargue” made with local rice, chorizo and fresh herbs. A daily rotating menu that reflects what’s available locally features dishes such Assiette de la Mer—a mixed seafood assortment served with a lobster bisque emulsion and cilantro espuma, a John Dory in a creamy saffron sauce or vol au vent with Boursin cheese and forest mushrooms. This is not standard cruise dining, this is experiential dining that reflects the local bounty.

Breakfast and lunch are no less impressive offering both a la carte menu offerings and buffet selections. There is also a steady drip of gourmet bites throughout the day (think fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, freshly popped popcorn) making it nigh impossible for a guest to ever go hungry.

As this is a river cruise, you won’t spend much time in your room—daily excursions, which are in small groups and can be customized to your preferences, keep guests busy—but the accommodations are indeed five star. All are suites that feature walk-in closets and downy, decadent king-size beds. Staterooms are defined by oversized glass windows that offer sweeping views of the river and the marble-clad bathrooms with dual vanities and Japanese Toto toilets are as nice as anything you’d find in a five-star hotel. Thickly carpeted floors make for quiet cabins and each room has a personal butler to attend to any need. It is worth noting the ship holds 110 guests and is staffed with 55, so it’s unlikely that any need will ever go unmet for long.

Each time you board a Riverside Luxury Cruise ship you’ll be greeted by smiling staff armed with chilled hand towels and silver trays of basil-infused lemonade and Champagne—it’s magical, but be warned, such living makes for a rough re-entry when the trip is over. When the only thing greeting you at home is a pile of laundry, best to lean on the memories of fine dining, live piano music in the bar, or cocktails at dusk on the rooftop deck, and start planning your next excursion. Riverside’s finest will be waiting with drinks and fresh towels in hand.