Why Not All River Cruises Are Created Equal

First stop: feeling at home on Riviera Travel’s Geoffrey Chaucer

My Amsterdam adventure started with a night onboard Riviera Travel’s Geoffrey Chaucer, as part of a special invite for the CLIA River Champions Class of 2026.

Stepping onboard felt a bit like coming home.

I sailed on Riviera Rose on the Douro the previous year, so I already knew that “Riviera feeling” you get on their ships. Geoffrey Chaucer is a different design and layout, but the atmosphere was very familiar and very reassuring. It helped that I was reunited with some of my previous travel companions too.

She is classic, comfortable and quietly elegant, with that lovely Riviera mix of friendly and attentive service.

My Standard Suite was a great size, with floor‑to‑ceiling windows and a French balcony, plus all the little touches that genuinely make a difference: Nespresso machine, tea‑making facilities, USB charging points and a walk‑in shower with both standard and rainfall heads.

The lounge is one large space, but broken up by different seating areas so it feels intimate without being cramped. Up on the sun deck there are loungers, tables and chairs, plus a small splash pool for warmer days.

That evening we had a special five‑course gala dinner (one course more than the usual four), so we were not exactly under‑fed. My dairy‑free dessert was chocolate rather than the classic “fruit salad for you”, which made me disproportionately happy.

A very good start.

 

VIVA ENJOY – and a wheelhouse reunion

Next, I moved across to VIVA ENJOY, and straight away it felt like a very different ship again.

She is modern and contemporary, with a completely different layout to VIVA ONE, which I had sailed on previously. One of the things I really like about VIVA is that the ships do not feel like identical clones; they all have their own quirks.

And then I had one of those “this is such a small world” moments.

On VIVA ONE, the second captain had invited Connor and me into the wheelhouse and explained that the wheelhouse on the newer ships would be smaller. So, when I saw someone coming out of the wheelhouse on VIVA ENJOY, of course I asked if I could have a look. They were mid‑meeting, so I was asked to come back later.

When I finally stepped in, I looked at the captain.
He looked at me.
We both pointed at each other and laughed.

Captain Tito!

We had met on VIVA ONE, and the first thing he said was essentially, “You see, I told you it was smaller!”

Those are the moments that make this job such fun.

VIVA ENJOY herself has a relaxed, modern feel. The split‑level lounge and bar was something I was not sure about at first glance, but within an hour I had decided I really liked it.

VIVA’s food and drinks are all‑inclusive, including the in‑room minibar, which is restocked during the cruise. Shore excursions are charged separately.

I stayed in a Standard Cabin on the Ruby Deck, with floor‑to‑ceiling windows and a French balcony, a Nespresso machine, Rituals toiletries and that ever‑popular stocked minibar.

In the evening, we had ABBA night.

It was every bit as fun as it sounds.

Avalon View – and that Panorama Suite

I was particularly looking forward to seeing Avalon View, because Avalon is known for doing things slightly differently and for really shouting about its Panorama Suites.

I was lucky enough to stay in one.

At around 200 square feet, the Panorama Suite feels wonderfully spacious for a river ship. The floor‑to‑ceiling, wall‑to‑wall windows slide right open, turning the whole seating area into an open‑air balcony. The cabin is designed so you face the view, and it genuinely makes a difference to how you use the space.

Avalon View also has an unusual accommodation balance: 67 suites and just 16 standard staterooms, so the majority of guests are enjoying suite‑level space.

I quickly fell in love with the Club Lounge, tucked away at the back of the ship. There is a 24‑hour self‑service drinks station with coffees, teas, hot chocolate and little snacks available throughout the day. It became my go‑to spot for a quiet pre‑bed hot chocolate.

We ate dinner and breakfast in the Main Dining Room. The service was professional, warm and just as attentive as you would hope.

And then there was one tiny detail that completely delighted me: the bathroom towels are in two different colours. When you are sharing, it means there is no “is that one mine?” conversation every time you step out of the shower.

So simple, so clever.

Because we were onboard as part of the conference, the evening was quieter than a normal cruise night; there was no additional entertainment, and the ship felt very calm by the time we had finished dinner. That was not a negative; it just made Avalon View feel different from some of the other overnights, which is a good reminder that atmosphere varies with itinerary, guests and even the day of the week.

My verdict, now that I am home? I would absolutely recommend Avalon View, and if I get the chance to stay in a Panorama Suite again, I will be saying yes very quickly.

 

Riverside Debussy – floating boutique luxury

And then came Riverside Debussy.

Wow.

Riverside sits firmly in the ultra‑luxury corner of river cruising, and stepping onboard genuinely felt like walking into a five‑star boutique hotel that just happens to move.

Every guest accommodation is a suite, and every category includes dedicated butler service.

I stayed in a Riverside Suite, and it was gorgeous: beautiful panelled walls, a king‑size bed facing the river, a large vanity, a huge walk‑in wardrobe (I could have held a small party in there) and a spacious bathroom with double sinks.

From the moment we arrived, nothing felt like too much trouble.

Riverside also did something none of the other conference ships had done.

We actually sailed.

We cruised towards Zaandam, where I joined a “Taste of Zaandam” walking tour with a local guide. It was a damp, grey day and, before we left, we were reminded to take our VOX headsets. As we stepped off the ship, the crew handed out Riverside umbrellas.

We wandered through town, talked about the architecture and history, and stopped for local food and drinks along the way, including savoury snacks and, of course, poffertjes – those wonderful little Dutch pancakes.

I absolutely loved this.

Until then, most of my time had been spent onboard ships, walking between ships or sitting in conference sessions. Riverside actually took us out into the destination and made the food and culture part of the experience.

When we came back onboard, there was hot spiced Glühwein waiting for us.

Those are exactly the sorts of details that stay with you once you are back home.

Earlier that day, before I went out, my butler had asked if there was anything I wanted done in the suite while I was away. It is that level of proactive service that really sets the tone.

In the evening we dressed for dinner in Waterside. I sat with Janet, Head of Cruise at Travel Counsellors, fellow Cruise Ambassador Katrina and my Travel Counsellor friend Walter from the Netherlands.

Dinner was a delight: chef‑driven, beautifully presented, with wine pairings for each course. It felt elegant, but never stuffy.

Afterwards we went to the Palm Court Lounge for cocktails and dancing before drifting off to our suites. I can confirm the bed was dangerously comfortable; I fell asleep in minutes.

Breakfast in Waterside the next morning was just as good. Clear allergy labelling made life much easier, and I liked the way the buffet area is slightly tucked away so the restaurant still feels like a proper dining room.

And somewhere between the coffee and the pastries I discovered a honeycomb and jam station.

It is a tiny thing, but again, it is those little touches that build up into a very clear picture.

By the time I disembarked, Riverside Debussy had firmly joined my list of “I must sail on this as a passenger one day.”

 

Emerald Luna – clever space and a big yes

I also had the chance to go back onboard Emerald Luna, which I had stayed on overnight a couple of years ago.

She is still as beautiful as I remembered: modern, sleek and full of natural light.

The Horizon Bar & Lounge is welcoming and comfortable, but the real “wow” feature for me is the aft pool. By day, it is a lovely, airy pool space with a retractable roof and loungers. In the evening, the pool is covered and the entire area transforms into an entertainment venue, which can be used for live music or as a cinema.

On a river ship, smart use of every square metre really matters, and Emerald have done that brilliantly here.

Now that I have seen her again, my verdict has not changed: I like everything about Emerald Luna. I would sail on her tomorrow, and I would happily recommend her.

 

Amadeus Riva – a very good first impression

Amadeus Riva was another ship I stepped on and immediately liked.

She has a modern, open feel. The reception area is spacious, and the staircase is noticeably wider and less steep than some others I walked up and down that week. It sounds like a small detail, but for some guests it will make a real difference.

The Amadeus Lounge has floor‑to‑ceiling windows, so it is beautifully light and airy, and the overall design is clean and contemporary.

My time onboard was quite short and I did not eat there, so I cannot pretend I know her inside out. But based on what I have just seen, she is definitely a ship I would like to go back and explore properly.

 

AmaSerena – familiar and more traditional

AmaSerena was another “old friend”, as I had stayed onboard a couple of years ago.

Built in 2015, she feels more traditional in some areas than the newest ships I saw in Amsterdam, especially around the Lark Lounge & Bar and reception, where there is a darker, classic look.

Elsewhere, particularly in the cabins and at The Chef’s Table, the feel is much lighter and more contemporary.

It is fascinating seeing how different river lines interpret the same basic idea, and even how one ship can move from traditional to modern as you walk from one space to another.

 

And the one that just was not for me

I am not going to pretend I loved every ship.

TUI Maya simply was not my style.

To be fair to her, we had to walk through Riverside Debussy to get to TUI Maya, because they were double‑berthed. Going from ultra‑luxury straight into a more mainstream product is always going to be a bit of a shock to the system.

But rather than saying a ship is “good” or “bad”, I think the much more useful question is:

Is this the right ship for this particular person?

For me, TUI Maya was not.

And that is absolutely fine. There will be people she is perfect for.

 

A very early glimpse of S.S. Emilie

Our last little adventure was something special.

We managed a sneak peek onboard Uniworld’s S.S. Emilie while she was still being finished. And when I say finished, I mean there were workmen, tools and cables everywhere. This was very much a behind‑the‑scenes visit.

Even under all the dust sheets, you could see exactly what Uniworld was aiming for.

The design is inspired by Art Nouveau Vienna and Gustav Klimt, and by Emilie Flöge, the fashion designer who gives the ship her name. In the reception area and main atrium, a huge floor‑to‑ceiling reproduction of Klimt’s portrait of Emilie stretches over two decks.

It makes quite an impact, even with builders standing underneath it.

The timing felt rather special too. Her naming ceremony in Amsterdam was only a few days away, so we genuinely saw S.S. Emilie at the very start of her story.

 

It is not just about the ship

Now that I am back at my desk, one of the big reminders from Amsterdam is that you really cannot choose a river cruise on price alone.

What is included can vary massively.

Some lines include drinks only with meals, some include drinks throughout the day. Some include excursions as standard; others charge extra. Transfers, tips, Wi‑Fi and speciality dining may or may not be wrapped into the fare.

Two cruises that look very similar at first glance can end up being very different once you add in all the extras.

This is where I always dig into the small print.

I will look beyond the headline price at what is actually included, what you will pay extra for, how excursions work, what the drinks policy looks like, and anything else that will affect the total cost and feel of your holiday.

The cheapest‑looking river cruise is not always the best value. The most expensive one is not automatically the “best” either.

It is about finding the right combination of ship, style and inclusions for you.

So, which river cruise is best?

After this trip, I can say with absolute confidence that “Which river cruise is best?” is the wrong question.

The right question is:

Which river cruise is best for you?

Because after a few days in Amsterdam stepping on and off ships, one thing is very clear in my mind.

They are not all the same.

You can have two ships from the same wider group and have completely different experiences. You can choose ultra‑luxury with Riverside, contemporary all‑inclusive style with VIVA, clever multi‑use spaces with Emerald, those huge Panorama Suites with Avalon, the familiar Riviera feel that I love, or the more traditional charm of AmaSerena.

You might adore one and feel lukewarm about another.

And that is exactly why I do not just send someone a random river cruise link and say, “This looks nice.”

I have just walked through the lounges. I have slept in the cabins. I have eaten the food. I have experienced the service. I have noticed the little details that never make it into a brochure. And yes, I have also found ships that I personally would not choose, which is just as important.

It means I can have an honest conversation with you about what you like, what you do not like, and what kind of atmosphere you are really looking for.

Because the “best” river cruise is not automatically the newest ship, the shiniest ship, or the one with the longest list of facilities.

It is the one that feels right for you.

And after Amsterdam, I have an even bigger river‑cruise knowledge bank to draw on when we are choosing it together.

That is the difference between simply booking a river cruise and choosing the right river cruise.