Luxury river cruising in Europe is much like a classical music piece that never loses its appeal, even as competing cruise lines offer their mix of off-shore excursions, cruise themes, onboard ambiance, culinary offerings, and luxuriant decor to appeal to an ever-changing and progressively younger demographic of cruise travelers. The recently launched Riverside Luxury Cruises set out to win over loyal customers of other river cruise lines by gently shaking up the formula of amenities offered by its various competitors, from luxury dining to plush living spaces to bikes on the ready along the route’s ports of call. While the Riverside cruise experience is markedly quieter than other river cruises, it is a highly “chill” vacation option with more relaxation and fewer distractions.

Riverside Debussy began her inaugural year with a five-night voyage from Brussels, Belgium to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The ship, originally built in 2018 for Crystal Cruises and added to Riverside Luxury Cruises’ fleet, joins sister vessels Riverside Ravel and Riverside Mozart in stepping up what savvy travelers now expect from high-end river cruising. The 110-passenger capacity ship has a terrestrial boutique hotel-like feel designed to make this cruise experience a “less is more” proposition. The aesthetic running through the ship is clean modern luxury, with rich earth and jewel-toned furnishings crafted in velvet, leather, fine cotton, and other rich textiles. Mid-century lighting fixtures and accessories complete the look.

While the changes in shipboard ambiance created for Riverside Luxury Cruises were fairly subtle based on the owner’s commentary, its “Melody” and “Symphony” suites are appointed with plush furnishings and appointments in a small space. The “Seahorse” and “Riverside” cabins expand on these comforts with a walk-in closet, a full-sized bathroom with two sinks, a writing desk, and a king-sized bed.

The premium “Riverside Suite” includes a sitting/living room area, larger bathrooms, a separate vanity area, and closets. The 883 square-foot Owner Suite, which can accommodate two to four guests, houses two bedrooms, a larger living room area, a fireplace, and two bathrooms. Each suite has floor-to-ceiling windows and is abundantly stocked with spa brand Natura Bisse products and a minibar with premium libations and snacks. Passengers in the larger suites can look forward to such perks as personal butler service, 24-hour in-suite gourmet dining, and airport transfers.

The bottom level is decked out with a spotless fitness room with new Technogym equipment and free weights, an indoor pool, and a Whirlpool Jacuzzi. The wellness setup is supplemented by specialty fitness classes on board, Nordic Walking Sticks, and complimentary loaner bicycles for use on excursion days. Next to the gym, a self-service laundry room features Miele washers and dryers. A few feet away, a compact but well-attired spa area with an expanded range of Natura Bisse skin care for use in body and facial services.

The Debussy’s open-air fourth deck captures the feel of a boutique hotel patio with seating accented with bright pillows and blankets. A couple of green hibachi barbecue grills are fired up, weather permitting, and cocktails, wine, and beer can be enjoyed on request with the “Full Board” package. The Palm Court Lounge, effectively the ship’s living room, is stocked with books and plush seating but readily becomes a theater by night and a site for cooking demonstrations and informative talks. The second floor is the nerve center of the ship with its reception desk and regularly replenished coffee station.

Except for a “tapas” meal night offering at The Bistro that doesn’t quite translate central European bites into the Spanish format, and a few dishes served in the “Waterside Restaurant”  that miss the mark, most of the food offerings are imaginative, flavorful, and informed by the geographic locations along the itinerary. With waffles and chocolate firmly ensconced as food staples, the Bistro’s bubble waffles with choice of toppings, a chocolate soufflé baking demonstration, and cheese plates and cart offered on the ship are not to be missed.

The reservation-only, Art Deco-flavored “Vintage Room” is home to an extravagant add-on dinner service purchased and reserved separately. It accommodates up to 12 guests for the bespoke seasonal multi-course gourmet feast, detailed course by course by one of the ship’s top chefs and the head sommelier, who guides guests through inspirations for the wine pairings. During the April maiden voyage, the dishes offered in the tasting dinner and daily menus consisted of familiar continental classics like burrata salad, sea bass, lamb, and pasta with interesting ingredient tweaks and swaps. Flavored butter and interesting use of condiments bring extra creative flair.

Many of the excursions are exactly what one would expect to find on a river cruise itinerary: Bus tours that familiarize participants with the geographic locales and Belgium-Netherlands walking tour standards such as beer-and-chocolate pairings and tastings and visits to windmills and landmarks along with scenic bike rides. On Riverside’s itinerary, however, standout jaunts provide a deeper dive into history, culture, and food. For example, high tech meets with history at the Cathedral of St. Bavo, bringing the storied history of the Ghent Altarpiece and its existence within and removed from the cathedral. In Oud-Vossemeer in Zeeland, you can explore the ancestral seat of the American Roosevelt political dynasty with Huys van Roosevelt, owned and operated by Bas Quist. A bike tour through Verre reveals its Scottish influence and nearby Schellach dairy farm.

Based on this cruise, the guides hired for the tours are among the most personable and consistent. They read their participants’ wants and needs well. For the more well-traveled, meanwhile, other stops are great on their own without a formal walking tour. Above and beyond Brussels and Amsterdam on the front and back ends, tiny-but-ultra trendy Dordrecht is tailor-made for wandering about, along with Middelburg, Verre, and Ghent. Narrow streets, canals, and marinas give way to visually interesting residential areas, inviting cafes, inspired shopping, and places to just chill and enjoy the views.

As the year rolls on, Riverside Luxury Cruises offers a series of seven-night, Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta voyages aboard the Debussy, departing roundtrip from Amsterdam with stops in Antwerp Gent, Belgium; and Middelburg, Veere, Willemstad, Dordrecht, Rotterdam, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Travelers can also choose among three voyages dedicated to the Rhine River, departing on April 14 and July 31, from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, and from Basel to Amsterdam on April 21. Stops on these itineraries include Speyer, Mannheim, Rüdesheim, and Cologne, among other German cities.

All fares include meals, Wi-Fi, port fees, and taxes. However, investing in the Premium or Ultra Premium All-Inclusive packages maximizes the ship’s “wow” factor. Benefits include a premium beverage package, room service, a regularly stocked in-room non-alcoholic mini-bar, and a shore excursion in each port.

For more information, visit riverside-cruises.com.