Bon Appétit on the Rhône — The Suite Life at Sea

Velvet interiors, chef-driven gastronomy and panoramic balconies — a gourmand’s river cruise that tastes as good as it looks.

All aboard the indulgence express — from a sun-warmed Avignon platform to the gentle heave and hush of the Rhône, my seven-night sojourn aboard the Riverside Ravel felt like stepping into a very well-edited fantasy: think velvet, varnish, epicurean drama and just enough maritime swagger to make every harbour-town sighting feel like a cameo in a glossy travel film.

A family with a pedigree for boutique hospitalityThey say first impressions are everything, and the German family behind the Seaside Collection has absolutely made first impressions their métier. Riverside Luxury Cruises — the Seaside Collection’s river line — gave new life to the elegant ex-Crystal river ships, reworking hulls and interiors to create something that sits somewhere between a private chateau and a modern yacht. The result is a small-ship sensibility with large-ship comforts: think personal butlers, curated wine lists and the kind of attention that makes you wonder why you ever tolerated standard hotel minibars.

Platform to promenade — the chauffeured beginning

My story began on the Avignon station platform, where a Riverside chauffeur held a discreet sign — my name, in neat type — and whisked me in a private transfer to the gangway. No fumbling for meeting points, no taxi apps, no awkward luggage dramas: everything was scheduled with the kind of quiet, exacting care that becomes the holiday’s invisible concierge. Once aboard the Ravel, the hotel director greeted me and my personal butler guided me straight to my suite where a chilled lavender towel and a choice of Champagne or a sparkling non-alcoholic craft spritz awaited. That first sip? Très bon — a deliciously precise opening chord to a symphony of small luxuries.

Ship as salon — rooms, rivieras and the view that keeps coming back

My suite — Riverside 301 — became a soft, private theatre for the river. The suites are finished in tactile fabrics (velvet and leather details that absolutely invite finger-tracing), neutral palettes that echo the Rhône’s olive and stone hues, and panoramic retractable window walls that collapse open to create balcony-like moments. Practical note: those window walls are a glorious way to wake with the river streaming past, but when the Ravel slips through a lock the outward-opening window can’t always be used — a small trade-off for the cinematic view. Beds are king-sized (or twins on request), bathrooms are indulgent with dual basins and rain showers, and the in-suite espresso machine and strong Wi-Fi made it easy to mix a little work into the glamour. (Cabin sizes and deck layouts vary by category.)

Culinary porn — the kind of food that deserves slow motion

If you travel for taste, Riverside practically apologises for making you jealous of other people’s dinners. The culinary programme on Ravel reads like a love letter to southern France: local cheeses (think Pavé d’Affinois, Reblochon), charcuterie that snaps with terroir, tarte Tatin and boeuf bourguignon presented with museum-worthy plating. The Waterside Restaurant is an open-kitchen theatre where chefs — reportedly encouraged to push beyond rigid menus — work with a high proportion of ship-made staples (bread, sauces, soups), and the line is known for elevating regional ingredients into multi-course love affairs. Expect wine lists heavy with Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre from the southern Rhône; sommeliers are happy to be complicit in your next glass. For a real scene-stealer, the top-deck BBQ (a guest favourite) turns alfresco dining into a celebration of flame-kissed prawns, tomahawk steaks and rustic sides — an evening that reads like joie de vivre on a plate.

Small ship, big extras — spa, gym, pool and the convivial corners

There’s real thought behind the public spaces. The Palm Court lounge — a light-filled salon with a resident pianist and live local performers — becomes a nightly stage for themed parties and lectures; it’s where cocktail hour quietly graduates to dancing. On deck, the Vista Bar’s pop-up features and hydraulic platforms make sundeck gatherings feel like a private club at sea, and once-a-sail top deck events (BBQs, open-air tastings) are a Cruise Critic crowd-pleaser. For wellness, the ship stocks a spa for tailored massages and facials, and a compact gym with Technogym equipment so you can stretch, cycle or downward dog with river views. There’s even an infinity-style resistance pool aft for a very civilized dip.

Itineraries that read like a French novella

My Rhône route delivered art, cheese, a smattering of sun and secrets. Highlights included savoury market stops in Aix-en-Provence (I hoarded truffle honey — don’t judge), a breezy e-bike climb to a hilltop abbey near Tarascon, and a kayak run at Pont-du-Gard (yes, it’s on the €5 note — so bring your camera). The programme balances active choices (e-bikes, hikes) with more genteel pleasures (private vineyard tours, château visits and intimate concerts that felt like secret soirées). Expect a mix of included excursions and curated extras — and an itinerary that’s both culturally rich and perfectly paced for leisure. (Sample daystops included Avignon, Arles, Tarascon, Viviers, Tain L’Hermitage and Lyon.)

Vintage room, intimate tastings and waterside rituals

For a proper evening of FOMO-inducing decadence, book the Vintage Room: a twelve-seat wine-paired dinner with sommelier-led flights and theatrical small plates. For casually excellent bites, the Bistro and the 24-hour Pantry keep you caffeinated and fed (hello Viennese iced coffee), while Palm Court is where pre-dinner cocktails settle into an easy crescendo of conversation and music. If you want to watch the captain navigate a narrow bend, the wheelhouse is open — a rare, nerdy nautical joy.

Practical tips — small things that make a big difference

• Book the Vintage Room early — seating is tiny and very coveted.

• If you’re tall or plus-sized, ask for a higher-category suite — the entry baths can feel cosy.

• Bring a lightweight jacket for evenings on the sun deck — river breezes sharpen at sunset.

• Try an active excursion (e-bike or kayak) — they’re an excellent way to earn your next pastry.

• If you love wines, tell the sommelier your preferences — they’ll steer you to lesser-known local gems. (A handful of trade and consumer reviews note that excursions can be active and that the top-deck BBQ is a highlight.)

Why this is the river cruise everyone will whisper about

There’s a particular kind of luxury that doesn’t shout; it simply arrives, folded into impeccable timing, a perfectly chilled glass and the right track playing at the right moment. Riverside Ravel — reborn from a celebrated former fleet and polished by a family-run company with a taste for boutique elegance — delivers precisely that. From the intimate suite theatrics to the chef’s small-plate bravado, you leave with the lingering sensation that you’ve discovered something private and unmissable. Bon voyage, or as the French would toast it: à la prochaine — until next time.

Are you ready to go beyond? Book your Riverside Luxury River Cruise today. Click here to set up a consultation or to book today.

departuresXdean - an independent agent with Personal Travel Mgmt BC Tour registration #2806, TICO #50025786 proud members of the IGLTA and the Ensemble Travel Group.

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