Riviera River Cruises to Launch Two New Ships in 2025

In 2025, Riviera River Cruises will add two new ships — Riviera Radiance and Riviera Rose — to its growing fleet. The new vessels will be the first in a new generation of ships for the brand and will feature exciting additions like a split-level bar and restaurant, a third on-ship restaurant and the line’s largest-ever suites. Additionally, cruise enthusiasts will notice Riviera Radiance and Riviera Rose share the line’s name moving away from the cruise line’s traditional naming structure to improve recognition and branding.

Getting into the specs, Riviera Radiance will span 443 feet and will feature amenities and cabins spread over four decks. The ship will play host to 89 cabins with convertible double beds and will accommodate a total of 178 passengers. Similarly, Riviera Rose will feature a four-deck layout and will span 262 feet in length. Riviera Rose is slightly smaller than Riviera Radiance with 57 cabins and space to accommodate 114 passengers. Both ships will feature top-of-the-line in-room amenities including rain showers, flat-screen TVs, individually controlled air conditioning, coffee machines, tea kettles and more.

“With Riviera Radiance and Riviera Rose, our new ships launching in 2025, we’re moving away from using the names of famous British authors and proudly putting our own out there on the bow,” said Marilyn Conroy, executive vice president of sales and marketing North America for Riviera River Cruises. “Riviera Radiance will also be a new style of ship representing the height of luxurious river cruising. Its split-level bar and restaurant will give it a spacious feel, its third restaurant will offer unique tasting menus and it will also have the largest suites in our fleet. We’re looking forward to sailing aboard these new ships with you next year.”

The largest Riviera River Cruises has to offer, Grand suites aboard Riviera Radiance will be 344 square feet and will feature a balcony with sliding doors and outdoor seating. The new ship will also feature a third restaurant, Mosaic, which will boast mouthwatering menus inspired by Europe’s iconic rivers. At 258 square feet, Riviera Rose will also feature comfortable Balcony suites with French balconies, sliding doors and cozy outdoor seating.

Sailing the Danube and Douro Rivers

Eager to experience Riviera River Cruises’ new ships for yourself? Travelers will be happy to learn that, starting in 2025, Riviera Radiance will be based on the Danube River and will sail a variety of multi-day itineraries — including an itinerary designed specifically for solo travelers — in addition to three holiday itineraries. Riviera Rose will be based on the Douro River and will sail one eight-day itinerary titled “Highlights of the Douro Valley & Salamanca.”

“We’re thrilled to announce that the newest ships to join our fleet are bound for the Danube and Douro rivers,” said Conroy. “On the Danube, Riviera Radiance will sail our classic and holiday itineraries through Hungary, Slovakia and Austria, as well as a longer itinerary to the Black Sea and back. And on the Douro in Portugal and Spain, Riviera Rose will sail one of our newest itineraries. We look forward to hosting you on these beautiful ships and waterways.”

Here’s a quick overview of Riviera Radiance’s six itineraries on the Danube River according to Riviera River Cruises:

• The eight-day Blue Danube and Blue Danube for Solo Travelers itineraries with tours and visits of the Esztergom Basilica, Bratislava, Dürnstein, Melk Abbey, Linz or Salzburg, Vienna and Budapest; a live classical quartet recital on board; and a Hungarian folklore show on board.
• The 15-day Budapest to the Black Sea itinerary with tours and visits of Kalocsa, Belgrade, Pleven, Bucharest, Constanta, Novi Sad, Vukovar, Osijek, Budapest, Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi, the Churches of Ivanovo, Belogradchik Rocks and Mesolithic Lepenski Vir; a scenic drive into the Puszta with an equestrian show; cruising through Iron Gates Gorge and into the heart of the Danube Delta; a live Bulgarian folklore show on board; a live Serbian musical performance on board; and a live Hungarian folk music show on board.
• The six-day Danube’s Imperial Cities & Yuletide Markets itinerary with tours and visits of Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and Christmas markets in each, and a live classical quartet recital on board.
• The eight-day Christmas on the Danube itinerary with tours and visits of the Esztergom Basilica, Bratislava, Melk Abbey, Linz or Salzburg, Vienna; Budapest and Schönbrunn Palace; a live classical quartet recital on board; a live Hungarian folklore show on board; and a Christmas Day gala dinner.
• The six-day New Year on the Danube itinerary with tours and visits of Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and Schönbrunn Palace and its yuletide market; a live classical quartet recital on board; a live Hungarian folklore show on board; and a New Year’s Eve gala dinner and midnight drinks and canapés.

Likewise, during its Highlights of the Douro Valley & Salamanca itinerary, Riviera Rose will treat travelers to an eight-day adventure with visits to places like Mateus Palace Gardens, Castelo Rodrigo, Lamego, Pinhão and Porto. Additionally, according to Riviera River Cruises, travelers will enjoy visits to local quintas with a guided tour, meal and wine tasting in addition to a traditional flamenco performance with lunch in the historic city of Salamanca and their choice of a guided excursion to Vila Nova de Gaia or Guimarães.

For more information about Riviera River Cruises' new ships and the itineraries they’ll sail in 2025 visit the brand’s website.