Anyone Cruised with Riviera Travel?

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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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.