There’s a lot to love about river cruising – the ease, the scenery, the history-packed towns. But for travelers who’ve done these itineraries before, it’s not always the ports of call that leave a lasting impression. That’s where Riverside Luxury Cruises stood apart for me on my last Rhine sailing – not just in the ports, but in the experience onboard.

Let’s start with the accommodations.

When I first stepped onto Riverside Debussy, I’ll admit I was surprised. The lobby area was smaller than I’m used to on other river ships, with an elevator at its center that made the space feel a bit more enclosed. But as soon as we reached the third floor and walked toward our stateroom, I saw where Debussy truly shined.

The Atelier – a cafe on the upper deck – is a thoughtfully designed space filled with natural light thanks to wide windows lining the walls. A coffee bar and what can only be described as a magically replenished snack buffet made it an instant favorite. Cakes, cheeses, fruit, finger foods, it was easy to stop in “just to grab something” where we end up lingering.

Our stateroom was one of the most spacious I’ve ever had on a river cruise. We especially appreciated the dual vanities in the bathroom, generous storage and a proper walk-in closet – a rarity on the rivers except in a few suites. One of the more impressive touches was how quiet the room stayed, even with our window open (which, by the way, is controlled by a switch and includes a built-in bug screen, a very useful detail). When a loud party boat passed by one night, we closed the window and were immediately back in peaceful silence. It was clear these rooms were built with comfort in mind.

The public spaces also felt elevated. The main lounge and dining rooms were elegant and cozy, and the repositioning of the wheelhouse to the front of the ship, instead of on the sun deck, meant unobstructed views up top. It also allowed space for additional lounge seating and a pop-up bar with a flatscreen TV. First time I’ve seen one of those on a river cruise sun deck.

And then there’s the food.

I mentioned it briefly in my first impressions post, but it deserves more attention here. The breakfast and lunch buffets were abundant, not just in quantity but variety. From minute steaks, fried chicken, fish and sausages to freshly baked breads, crisp salads (with different lettuces nearly every day), soups and a decadent dessert spread, it was clear the kitchen team took pride in their work. The Atelier, as mentioned earlier, doubled as an ideal lunch spot. I had a hamburger there one afternoon that was massive and messy but absolutely delicious. Another specialty of the Atelier is the bubble waffle, pictured below. And yes, I had more than a few of those.

Dinners, though, were where Riverside truly impressed me. A fellow guest shared that on a past sailing, she made a bingo card of “fancy foods” she hoped to eat and had checked most of them off by day two. I’ve never had caviar on a river cruise until now. Enough said.

Menus featured refined pasta dishes, beautifully prepared meats and an always-available section for anyone feeling less adventurous. One night, curiosity got the best of me and I tried a steak and it was cooked to perfection. Really yummy.

A standout experience was the Vintage Room dinner. A wine-paired, multi-course tasting menu hosted by the ship’s chef and sommelier. At €320 per person, it’s certainly a splurge, but it lived up to the hype. Truthfully, I wasn’t excited about some of the courses when I first saw the menu. The opening dish, for instance, was raw tuna on toast with pâté. Basically my personal nightmare meal. But I went for it, and to my surprise, it was genuinely delicious. The venison main course also exceeded expectations, and the highlight for me was a tomato soup so rich and flavorful I’m still kicking myself I didn’t at least try to get a to-go portion.

Branko, our sommelier, was a huge part of what made the experience special. He walked us through each wine with knowledge and ease, while the chef gave us insight into each course as it arrived. Their passion elevated what could have felt like just another fine dining dinner into something memorable.

This dinner was included for me as part of the review, and I’ll be honest – had I paid for it and looked over that menu in advance, I might have hesitated. But I would’ve been proven wrong. These chefs know what they’re doing, and by the end of each course, everybody’s plate was clean.

It’s true that the shore excursions weren’t the highlight of this sailing for me because Riverside had so much else to offer. For first-time visitors, they’ll still offer plenty of charm. But for repeat cruisers, Riverside’s real strength is the onboard experience. It creates space, both literally and figuratively, to slow down, savor and be taken care of in a way that feels intentional.

I’ll be sharing more about the excursions next week, but for now it’s the ship that deserves the spotlight. Because at a certain point, the towns might start to blend together – but the right ship can still surprise you.