Anyone Cruised with Riviera Travel?

We are going on our third Riviera Travel river cruise next week. Flying to Basle and returning from Cologne. Last October we did the Rhone river trip. We enjoyed it but lots of the trips had to be changed as the river was so high. We have had 30% off this new trip which is good as having a cabin each isn’t cheap! The year before we did the Danube trip which was great. The food is good, cabins comfortable and there are walking groups for different levels of fitness. Back in 2019 we did a hotel based trip through southern Spain (Seville, Granada etc) with Riviera and it was brilliant. The guide/tutor was excellent.

Do iodine tablets keep drones away?

Escaped, we booked a saga cruise because we liked the idea of being picked up at our home. It worked on the way there in a comfortable car,but on the return journey we were in a mini van with several other people and it took forever because they were all dropped off first, so it was a very long and roundabout journey. It has put me off booking with Saga again.

butterandjam The piped music was on deck and in the lounge. Really inappropriate when taking in the scenery or relaxing with a book on deck. It has to be said that this was a few years ago though. DH did write to Riviera after we got home and got the usual response of “well most people like music”. Well so do we but in the confines of our four walls or a concert.

Catlover123

Escaped, we booked a saga cruise because we liked the idea of being picked up at our home. It worked on the way there in a comfortable car,but on the return journey we were in a mini van with several other people and it took forever because they were all dropped off first, so it was a very long and roundabout journey. It has put me off booking with Saga again.

We think we've got round that issue by booking a night either end at the Gatwick Hilton - meaning that we will be unlikely to be with any other people because we'll be on a different schedule. 🤞

spottybook

butterandjam The piped music was on deck and in the lounge. Really inappropriate when taking in the scenery or relaxing with a book on deck. It has to be said that this was a few years ago though. DH did write to Riviera after we got home and got the usual response of “well most people like music”. Well so do we but in the confines of our four walls or a concert.

Thanks; very useful to know. We'd been looking at Riviera but piped music would be a real downer for DH.

No piped music on any of the four Riviera ships we've been on recently!

I don't recall any, if it's there we didn't notice it

We have done 3 Xmas markets, the Douro, Amsterdam and the Dutch Bulb Fields; all have been really enjoyable. I think my favourite was Amsterdam. There is always a quiz, a gala dinner and a local music group. A couple of times we have been entertaining but the crew singing which was very good. Food has been lovely and the cabins are decent. Free drinks package was included. We always go with them. We did do one with Saga, but it was in Russia so not a fair comparison!

Folks in our local u3a do a lot of cruising with Riviera and have only good reports of them - plus you can opt for your local u3a to receive a donation of a percentage of your total cost, and it is not insignificant. Our u3a has received several thousand pounds over the past 5 or so years.

Haven’t done any river cruises with Riviera but always travel with them - all over the world. We tried other companies and their tour managers are the best.

Danube is the top river then the Rhine and the Seine which is good to sights of Paris and Monet's garden . Wish DH was fit to go on these cruises now I loved going .

Thank you again for all your helpful suggestions, which are much appreciated. We have settled on this cruise and have booked to go on the 1st May next year.

www.rivieratravel.co.uk/river-cruises/rhine-cruise-to-switzerland#overview

That sounds lovely Ashcombe, especially the romantic middle part. The Lorelei rock is bewitching. Schöne Fahrt!

Ash, we are doing that very cruise next week!

What a coincidence, Ladyleftfieldlover!
I hope you have a super time and I shall look forward to hearing about it afterwards. ⛴️😎🏰

I, too, would like to take a cruise with Riviera on the Douro, unfortunately I have to use crutches (and wheelchair) to get around and they have given me the impression they are not inclined to take me because of not being able to get across boats moored together to get to my vessel if needed.