When Crystal entered the river cruise market in 2016, it reset expectations for ultra-luxury river cruising. The company had built a stellar reputation on the oceans and parlayed its years of experience to the Rhine and Danube rivers with the launch of five ships. Four of those ships were new builds, standard-size river cruise vessels designed to cruise the rivers of Central Europe. The other, the double-width Mozart built in 1987, was remarkably transformed to reclaim its title – Queen of the Danube.

I covered Crystal’s rise extensively, detailing how it redefined expectations with impeccable service, spacious accommodations, and an elevated onboard experience. I cruised the Mozart several times as well as Bach and Debussy with small groups that I hosted.

For the few years that it operated, Crystal was the benchmark. Scenic, Tauck and Uniworld followed closely behind – although in some areas, the competitors outshined Crystal. Crystal’s reign came to an abrupt end. During the global pandemic, the luxury cruise operator filed for bankruptcy when its parent, Genting Hong Kong, collapsed. Crystal’s departure left a void in the market. Riverside Luxury Cruises stepped in to fill that gap.

Familiar DNA, Elevated Experience

Following Genting Hong Kong’s collapse, Riverside’s parent, Seaside Collection – a privately owned hospitality group based in Germany – purchased all five of the Crystal ships. Two were leased to Uniworld: Crystal Bach now operates as S.S. Victoria, and Crystal Mahler as S.S. Elisabeth.

Riverside’s fleet consists of the remaining three former Crystal river ships. Crystal’s DNA remains intact on these ships. The elegant design, all-suite accommodations, and high crew-to-guest ratio – all hallmarks of Crystal’s approach – were indeed apparent on Mozart last week when I sailed, courtesy of Riverside, with travel advisors and Riverside executives.

Mozart features 81 suites, while Ravel and Debussy have 55. While most river cruise companies refer to their staterooms as suites, our readers should know that you won’t be getting a set of rooms, as “suite” is traditionally defined. You’ll know when you’re booking a real suite by the high price tag.

My Riverside Suite, 251, measured 219 square feet with a French balcony. By comparison, the smallest balcony stateroom on AmaMagna – the other double-width ship on the Danube – measures 252 square feet, though we should be clear that AmaWaterways offers a premium experience, while Riverside aspires to an ultra-luxury experience.

Riverside’s ships retain the elegant design and high service standards that Crystal loyalists remember. Many of Crystal’s former staff have returned, helping Riverside preserve that familiar feel. I saw familiar faces among the staff – crew members I remembered from Crystal – such as Sonja Gruber, who helped launch Crystal and is now Riverside’s Senior Hotel Director.

Riverside also maintains one of the industry’s highest crew-to-guest ratios – essentially one staff member to every two guests, compared to one staff member for every three or four guests on many other ships. This ratio appears to make a difference. That said, few river cruisers complain about service. It’s usually the opposite – they sing the praises of ship crews and service. Still, Riverside’s service, particularly in the bar and dining room, felt elevated.

Riverside’s Target: Affluent Travelers 45 & Up

Riverside is aiming to become the go-to brand for younger luxury cruisers. “No one should wait until they retire to take a river cruise,” Riverside CEO Jen Halboth told me. For the younger crowd, she suggests “taking a shorter river cruise in combination with land.” While Riverside is building an experience that speaks to travelers 45 and up, Halboth hopes to appeal to anyone with a youthful, curious mindset – regardless of age.

To appeal to this group, the company emphasizes flexibility. Whether it’s food, excursions, or downtime, the guest controls the rhythm. “I think that’s what today’s younger traveler wants,” she said, adding that “Riverside is uniquely designed to play to the flexibility of river cruising better than any other line.” That flexibility shows up in dining. Mozart features four venues – Waterside, Blue, Atelier, and 24-hour room service – while Debussy and Ravel offer three (there’s no Blue on those ships).

“But let’s be clear,” she adds. “We are targeting the luxury traveler. We’re not just trying to get people who would take Eurail to now start doing river cruising. That’s not what we’re talking about.”

As Riverside continues to establish itself, its pricing is set to reach $1,000 per person, per day. As Halboth puts it: “You’ve got to have a certain amount of money to come on Riverside, and that will never change. And we will actually even get to a higher price point once we have the brand locked in, which we are very close to doing.”

Mozart was among the ships on display for the American Society of Travel Advisors River Cruise Expo in Vienna earlier this month. Hundreds of advisors toured Mozart. Some were housed on board; others were invited to lunches and dinners. During my conversations with advisors, they raved about the ship – especially the dining experience, both culinary and service-related.

Solo Travelers Welcome

Riverside is also positioning itself as an ideal choice for solo travelers. Its solo program is one of the most attractive in the industry, with no single supplement. This means independent travelers can enjoy the same elegance and service without the financial penalty often associated with solo travel. Halboth told me she expects the solo program to continue well into the future.

The company also offers a tiered pricing structure, allowing guests to choose the level of service and inclusions they want. Options range from a base fare that covers essentials to an all-inclusive package that includes premium dining, beverages, and shore excursions. About 75 percent of Riverside’s passengers are North Americans, and most typically purchase the all-inclusive option.

Riverside isn’t for everyone. For ocean cruisers curious about trying the rivers, Mozart is a logical bridge – a larger vessel with the feel of a small ocean ship. Still, expectations should be clear. “Let’s just call out the elephant in the room, and that’s entertainment,” Halboth says. “If there are people who go on ocean cruises for the big shows, you’re never going to get that from any river cruise operator. There’s not enough space.” That said, she sees opportunity. “If they’re kind of show people, and they’re really more about the food and getting into different ports – those are the people to target.”

Dining That Stands Apart

Halboth says Riverside spends double what competitors do on food procurement, preparation, and presentation. While I can’t verify the numbers, I can say the dining experience was the most talked-about part of our sailing aboard Mozart. And this was a sailing full of seasoned travel advisors who cruised for four nights after attending the ASTA River Cruise Expo.

That reminds me – I failed to mention one other dining venue found on all Riverside ships: The Vintage Room, an exclusive private dinner with rare wines and a multi-course menu crafted by the executive chef and sommelier. The experience aims for Michelin-star quality and comes at a supplement of €320 per person – the only meal not included in the all-inclusive package.

The cocktail program is another standout. Riverside offers more than 200 cocktails onboard. “The bartenders are true craftsmen,” Halboth says – something I discovered firsthand when I ordered a gin and tonic that was delivered with flair and unlike any I’d had before.

Crystal Clear Vision: A Brand With Bold Intentions

Riverside isn’t trying to compete for the middle of the market. Its ambitions are firmly at the top. The goal, says Halboth, is to become the default choice for discerning travelers – the kind who stay at the Four Seasons or vacation in Bora Bora without blinking at the price tag. “We want to be known as the top luxury line,” she says. “So that automatically when an advisor thinks of a client who does a Four Seasons or regularly goes to Bora Bora, they’re like, ‘Riverside is the only line I can possibly fit that person to.’”

But she’s equally intent on making the brand feel fresh and personal. That means allowing room for spontaneity, play, and individual connection – without compromising service. “I also want to be known for flexibility and fun,” she adds, “that every time someone steps on board, whether they’ve done the itinerary or not, they have a unique experience – because they can make different choices, they meet a different crew, but it’s still at that same high-quality level of service.”

The ultimate aspiration? To be the kind of cruise line people book not because of where it’s going, but because of who it is. “I hope that some just come on us not caring where they go. They just want to get on board Riverside.”

I wouldn’t mind being one of those guests myself.