Riverside Luxury Cruises Review: Modern River Cruising with a Fresh Twist

If you've been researching river cruises and keep hearing about Riverside — the new kid on the block — here's my honest take after stepping onboard.

I recently spent two hours aboard Riverside Luxury Cruises and left thinking: yes. This is something different. I got to chat with Jennifer Halboth about what Riverside is building — a river cruise experience for a new kind of traveler. Spoiler: I'm apparently their target market. And it's working on me.

The Riverside vibe

Their team describes the brand in three words: Exceptional. Exclusive. Amazing.

Here's mine: Flexible. Wellness-forward. Modern.

Gelato you can grab and take outside. A gym that actually feels like a gym. A pricing model that lets you opt into excursions rather than paying for a bundle you didn't want. It felt like river cruising 2.0 — in the best way.

This isn't your grandparents' river cruise. It's not trying to be.

Who Riverside Is Perfect For ✅

• You want freedom of choice — pay for what you want, skip what you don't.

• You appreciate wellness spaces, clean modern design, and a lighter all-inclusive model.

• You liked the sound of Virgin Voyages shaking up ocean cruising — this is that energy for rivers.

• You want a river cruise that feels current, not classic.

Who Might Prefer Something Else ❌

• If you want the traditional bundled river cruise — daily excursions included, formal dining, classic vibe — this will feel too modern.

• If you're not sure what you want yet, a more established brand might feel like a safer first choice.

My Take

Riverside is fresh, flexible, and genuinely exciting. It's designed for travelers who want an elevated experience without being locked into an all-inclusive model that doesn't fit their style.

Two hours onboard wasn't enough. Next time I'm staying way longer.

It's a newer brand — so there's less client feedback to draw from than Viking or Ama. But what I saw onboard? Promising. Really promising.

Before you reach out to Riverside directly — picking the line is just the first decision. The timing, the river, the cabin, the pre and post cruise all matter too. I put together an honest guide to what's actually involved in planning a river cruise right.

👉 Read: You don't need a travel advisor to book your river cruise — but here's what most people wish they'd known first.

Still comparing river cruise lines?

Riverside is the new kid on the block — but it's not the only option. My one-page cheat sheet compares 10 major brands side by side so you can see exactly how it stacks up.