Until recently, Riviera River Cruises (previously Riviera Travel) was a relatively unknown brand in the U.S., but the U.K.-based company is starting to come into focus in the American market as well.
TravelPulse has recently learned a lot about the line's software, so let's now look at its hardware.
Currently, Riviera touts a fleet of eleven riverboats, exclusively chartered by the brand. Listed as its newest are the MS Robert Burns and MS Douro Splendour, with both being built in 2018.
The more architecturally traditional MS Robert Burns is a 169-guest, all-suite vessel characterized by luminous space and suites ranging in size from 183 to 274 square feet. Public venues include a forward panorama lounge and bar, main restaurant, spa area, boutique, aft bistro and upper sundeck with splash pool.
Bolder in design with an angular blunt bow is the more intimate MS Douro Splendour accommodating only 126 guests. It is specifically designed to fit the size constraints of the Douro River and its five locks.
The result is an attentive 3:1 passenger to crew ratio. The smallest cabins are 129 square feet in size, and the largest suites are 312 square feet. Public venues consist of a main lounge and bar, restaurant, spa, gymnasium, shop and sun deck with swimming pool.
The MS Robert Burns is one of Riviera River Cruises' many Swiss-operated vessels.
In fact, the MS Emily Bronte, MS Thomas Hardy and MS Oscar Wilde-all constructed in 2017-are sister-ships to the Burns under shipping company SCYLLA AG. Also chartered from the operation are the shorter pair of MS Jane Austen built in 2015 and MS Lord Byron built in 2013. Each carries a reduced passenger complement of 140 but still feature similar amenities to their larger counterparts.
The older 2004-built MS Swiss Corona is the only one-off from SCYLLA, accommodating 139 guests in a comparable configuration to the others. Meanwhile, the aforementioned MS Douro Splendour and its 2017-constructed MS Douro Elegance sister-ship are operated in conjunction with DouroAzul.
That leaves sisters MS Charles Dickens from 2015 and MS William Shakespeare from 2014 to round out the fleet. Both 140-passenger Veka Group riverboats feature cabins no smaller than 151 square feet and growing to suites of 245 square feet. Public areas also showcase a panorama lounge and bar at the bow, main restaurant, bar at the stern, wellness area, salon, boutique and sundeck with splash pool.
Of course, no matter the chosen ship, guests can expect Riviera's signature five-star value: everything you need included, no hidden costs and extras at guests' discretion. Travel, excursions, meals, entertainment and even Wi-Fi are complimentary, but drinks-that passengers may or may not actually want-cost more.
All the while, guests are pampered by award-winning personal service.
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