The 110-guest Riverside Ravel from Riverside Luxury Cruises was built in 2018 for Crystal River Cruises as the Crystal Ravel. It is the second of five former Crystal river ships that was purchased by the new line and follows the jumbo-sized Riverside Mozart, which began operations on the Danube in early 2023.
Ravel’s identical sister, Riverside Debussy, has also begun offering service on the Rhine and Danube. (The fourth and fifth in the Ravel class — Riverside Mahler and Riverside Bach — have been chartered to Uniworld Boutique River Cruises for the next several years.)
During a gala deck barbecue featuring steak and lobster on a sweltering night off Tournon, France, Jen Halboth, CEO of Riverside Collection, Americas, shed some light on the brand’s vision.
The owner’s suite
Credit: 2024 Peter Knego
“We are positioning ourselves to be top tier in our marketplace, and while we have a way to go to achieve that goal, we’re proud of where we are,” Halboth said. “Our hardware and staff are already the finest, and our cuisine is getting there.”
What to Expect Onboard Riverside Ravel
The three-deck ship was moved from its moorings in Bordeaux via a huge yacht transport vessel for a top-to-bottom refurbishment and new career on the Rhone — and it is absolutely stunning. Standout design touches include an imposing vertical bow and a sleek superstructure crowned with a sun deck that features an al fresco bar and canopied seating areas that can be lowered to clear the Rhone’s low-lying bridges.
The sundeck onboard Riverside Ravel
Credit: 2024 Peter KnegoAn elegant spiral staircase encircling a glass elevator connects the ship’s three interior decks. On the third one, which is dubbed Riverside Deck, the glass-ceilinged Palm Court observation lounge can seat all guests and leads aft to the Bistro cafe, which is open throughout the day for complimentary snacks and beverages, including excellent specialty coffees (the cappuccinos are among the best I’ve had on any ship).
At the far aft end of Riverside Deck, there is a glass-topped current pool area with indoor/outdoor seating that was ideal when the outside temperatures were wilting.
On deck two, or Seahorse Deck, the reception lobby leads to the aptly named Waterside restaurant, which has full-length windows framing water level views. There is also the 10-seat Vintage Room, which features exclusive wine pairings for up to 10 guests for an additional fee. At the bottom of the ship is Harmony Deck, where guests will find a spa treatment room (fees apply), a fitness center with Technogym equipment and a self-service laundromat (complimentary).
Accommodations on Riverside Ravel
The most opulent accommodations are a pair of spectacular 506-square-foot Ravel Suites that, when combined with a neighboring Riverside Suite, form Owner’s Suites that measure 764 square feet (and feature a large, marble-surfaced living room with a fireplace, a huge bathroom with a separate water closet, a second full bathroom, two walk-in closets and two separate bedrooms).
The Riverside Suite
Credit: 2024 Peter KnegoThe most popular suites, though, are the 35 accommodations that range from 237 to 258 square feet; these are the Seahorse and Riverside Suites, which offer large bedrooms, a walk-in closet and bathrooms with twin wash basins. All have a king-sized bed option and a French balcony that can be opened with a touch of a button to lower a picture window.
Our stateroom was one of 16 more economical options. The 194-square-foot Symphony and Melody Suites, located at the aft end of the ship, were nonetheless beautifully appointed and extremely comfortable with especially plush bedding and pillows.
Additional Details
There are details to the Riverside Luxury Cruises experience that give it broad appeal. The Ravel has e-bikes for guest use, for example, and several excursions are tailored for more active guests, including a vigorous three-hour kayaking expedition along the Gardon River, that passes under the spectacular Pont Du Gard Roman aqueduct.
"Riverside’s target market is much younger than Crystal’s (40 and up, versus 60 and up), but we offer the same level of luxury and amenities,” Halboth said.
Cruises are sold in four tiers: Full Board (with excursions and beverages available for purchase); Full Board Including Excursions (with beverages available for purchase); Premium All Inclusive (with excursions available for purchase) and Premium All Inclusive (includes beverages and excursions). Ravel operates on three-, four- and seven-night cruises between Avignon and Lyon from spring to fall.
