Anyone Cruised with Riviera Travel?

I have been on two trips with Riviera and would say they are one of the better travel companies. However, the main thing that struck me was that the trip is only as good as the Rep who is given to you. One of our Reps was amazing. She went out of her way to make sure we had a great time. In contrast, the other Rep (a man, incidentally) was not so good. He did his job by the book, we saw everything we expected to see but he had no ‘spark’ and didn’t make any attempt to make things fun. We did point this out to Riviera after we got home but I don’t know what they did about him.
So, in a nutshell, it’s a bit of a lucky dip. The good trip was amazing, the not-so-good one was adequate.
The trips we did were both to Paris, but they go to other cities.

Go for it. The boats look lovely, and if you fancy the excursions, what is there to loose?

This is an interesting thread to me as we are thinking of doing similar. I’ve been looking at Saga but will now look at Riviera.

Crossstitchfan

I have been on two trips with Riviera and would say they are one of the better travel companies. However, the main thing that struck me was that the trip is only as good as the Rep who is given to you. One of our Reps was amazing. She went out of her way to make sure we had a great time. In contrast, the other Rep (a man, incidentally) was not so good. He did his job by the book, we saw everything we expected to see but he had no ‘spark’ and didn’t make any attempt to make things fun. We did point this out to Riviera after we got home but I don’t know what they did about him.
So, in a nutshell, it’s a bit of a lucky dip. The good trip was amazing, the not-so-good one was adequate.
The trips we did were both to Paris, but they go to other cities.

You asked how challenging the trip was, but I forgot to answer that bit, apologies.
In our case, the Rep did warn us if anywhere was likely to be more challenging. For example, she said that the area around the Sacre Coeur could prove difficult for people who have limited mobility. She also warned us about pickpockets and the (unlicensed) traders who want you to buy things from them and jump in front of you to make you take notice. She was very good, but as I said, I think it will depend on who you are given.

Whitewavemark2

Go for it. The boats look lovely, and if you fancy the excursions, what is there to loose?

Sorry, should have said, our trips were not cruises (although trips on the Seine, one daytime, one nighttime) were included.

My close friend has been on several Riviera cruises with her H.
She has nothing but good to say about them.
Since he died she has tried many times to get me to go with her but at my age I really don’t want to .
They were very particular people so I could really recommend them.

I have had holidays with Riviera although not a cruise.

We have been impressed with the tours, the hotels, the organisation and the representatives.

I hope you book your holiday and have a wonderful time.

We have done several river cruises with them, if that counts. We have found them excellent.

We've been on several river cruises with Riviera including the Rhine and Moselle. We wouldn't choose anyone else as they are so good. We've just come back from one on the Douro and have booked future ones on the Rhone and Danube. We like the fact they are smaller ships (varying between approx. 110 to 170 passengers, depending on the river). My DH has a severe heights phobia, which is never a problem on these ships, unlike ocean cruise ships. All have well equipped, spacious cabins, excellent food with plenty of choices and friendly, attentive staff. Nothing is too much trouble. The optional daily excursions are not too challenging in my opinion. They usually divide passengers into several walking tour groups, sometimes one of which goes at a steadier pace for those who need it. There are lifts between floors, although access to the top sun deck is usually by stairs only. Entertainment is limited, compared to ocean cruises, although there is usually a weekly recital or local folk group, a quiz and a daily pianist/singer.

I have just looked at their website. Lots of offers and different options. All looks most interesting. Will see where we could go.

I've just booked a Saga Rriver cruise because a driver picks us, and our luggage, up from Devon to Gatwick and back all included.

We have done one trip with them. All was good except for very loud piped music. Modern pop stuff and not to our taste at all, more to the taste of the young crew. We did ask for it to be turned down but nothing was done. I would like to give them a second chance but my husband refuses (piped music is his bete noire). I’ll be interested to know if this was a problem from any others who have been with them.

We’ve been on 2 Riviera river cruises, the Rhine last year and Paris & Normandy last month. As mentioned earlier, the walking tours are always split into manageable groups and there was always a gentle walkers group. Staff on board were excellent, always friendly and helpful. Very relaxing cruising along the river, always something to see. Would definitely recommend.

We've done lots of river cruises. The rivers are very crowded now. Re Riviera be sure to check your paperwork thoroughly. First they sent our to the wrong address and we only got them just in time. Others in our group had a roughly similar name but were sent each others' documentation. Luckily they discovered this at the airport as they'd not have been allowed to enter the aircraft.
On a Riviera holiday we were promised no more than 20 in our group but ended up with 43. Really had to go everywhere in a crowd. Needless to say we've never used Riviera again.
Titan, Viking and Saga are good though.

Thank you very much, everyone, for all your helpful advice and comments. I was particularly reassured to learn that the shore tours would be divided into groups according to mobility needs since I have arthritic joints. We are thinking of going on The Rhine Cruise to Switzerland next year, travelling by Eurostar to Cologne.

spottybook

We have done one trip with them. All was good except for very loud piped music. Modern pop stuff and not to our taste at all, more to the taste of the young crew. We did ask for it to be turned down but nothing was done. I would like to give them a second chance but my husband refuses (piped music is his bete noire). I’ll be interested to know if this was a problem from any others who have been with them.

Piped where... public areas or in your cabin?

DH 's hearing is bad, piped music just blots out everything.

We did the Switzerland to Cologne River cruise with Riviera travel about a month ago. It was a Gastrnomic tour and it was the first time they had done this one and it did need the timings tweaked a bit. Not long enough in some places and too long in others. Otherwise it was fine, the boat was a newish one “The Geoffrey Chaucer” and very nice and the food was lovely. . Agree that it depends who your local guide is how good an experience you get guided tours. Free seating in dining room but some people tend to sit with the same people but not all by any means. Overall an enjoyable experience.

Not been with Riviera but I’ve done several river cruises. I’d say Danube beats Rhine. IMHO. Budapest at night is an amazing sight

Our Riviera trip to Corfu was dreadful. Very poor accommodation. I.will.never be able to forget one place we stayed. Giant vats of serve yourself scrambled egg for brek. A worker arrived with a kind of wheelbartow of more egg which he tipped in over the remains of what was already there. The much vaunted train trip was packed, standing room only and windows misty so nothing could be seen anyway. Lasted all of 20 minutes. Very experienced guide but silk purse, sow's ear.

For the OP, woodenspoon and others, there are masses of Cruise firms these days, Ocean and River, most of them desperate for customers!

My inbox has for many months had even the luxury end firms making increased offers to get 'bums on seats', or into cabins in this case. (And yes, Saga does offer that car ride for you, but if you compare their cost, you'll see how it's "included"?!).

In addition to Riviera, Viking, Titan, etc, there's Emerald, Avalon, AMA, Scenic, A-Rosa, and quite a few more. They will all to some extent depend on a guide -- IF you choose a ship's tour! - but the onboard experience should be pretty good on them all. Mind you, that "piped music" reference was a bit disturbing!

We've done lots of Sea cruises, and have learned to AVOID ship's tours in general (in just a few locations, the destination is too tricky to arrange yourself, so they are a necessary - and almost always overly expensive! - evil). River cruises are usually stopping in towns and cities, so it's relatively easy to do your own thing? If certain tours are included, on a given trip, well fair enough, go with the flow -- but any group tour or coach trip can have drawbacks like commentary, or someone loud you get stuck near?

Masses of research is out there, on an abundance of blogs and forums.

We have done several with them and have loved every one. They are better value than other companies, easy to deal with and everything is included. The ships are lovely. We are already booked for Romania to the Black Sea for 2027!

Not sure I'd be going anywhere near the black sea in the current situation!

And yes, Saga does offer that car ride for you, but if you compare their cost, you'll see how it's "included"?!
Yup, thank you DrWatson. I know how it's included, and it's worth every penny to me!
I have "done" several cruises along the Rhein, where I did "my own thing", aided by the fact that I speak fluent German. Good fun they were too.
But arriving at a certain age, I now want everything taken care of for me. That is why the companies mentioned are popular. No worries about transport, accommodation, cancelled services, checking timetables, booking restaurants etc. Bliss! My brain will enjoy the rest. IF there happens to be a loud person in the midst, well, there's ways of dealing with that!

Aveline

Not sure I'd be going anywhere near the black sea in the current situation!

My husband says we'll have to take iodine tablets 😂