As Europe’s leading river cruise experts, we truly appreciate the unique allure of river cruising, and we strive to gain a wealth of onboard experience to share with our customers. I recently attended the CLIA RiverView conference in Amsterdam and was fortunate enough to spend time on board a number of beautiful river cruise ships, each offering something spectacular for its guests.
I spent a night on board the beautiful, contemporary Avalon View, and stayed in an award-winning Panorama Suite with a luxuriously comfortable bed. On board an Avalon Waterways cruise, 80% of the cabins available are Panorama Suites – a unique feature of this cruise line that allows guests to wake each morning to spectacular river views and enjoy the sunrise from the comfort of their own cabin.
Avalon offers a 5* onboard experience, with ships that feel homely with a relaxed luxury ambience. I felt immediately welcome on board by attentive staff and beautiful, light décor throughout, and my cabin offered the perfect sanctuary with comfortable beds and luxurious L’Occitane amenities!
Explore Avalon River Cruise Deals
I enjoyed an incredible tour of the beautiful Emerald Luna and was immediately impressed by the light and airy décor throughout, which gave the ship a contemporary luxury feel. One extraordinary feature of this innovative ship is the heated indoor pool, which has a retractable roof and a bar, and even transforms into a cinema on selected evenings and sailings. This is the perfect space to enjoy the ultimate relaxation during the daytime, and a unique entertainment experience in the evening!
The cabins on board Emerald Luna are spacious, beautifully decorated and equipped with plenty of storage and ESPA bathroom amenities – a true luxury experience on the river. Throughout the ship, the ambience feels bright and inviting, with a true sense of contemporary opulence.
Explore Emerald River Cruise Deals
MS Geoffrey Chaucer is a Riviera Travel cruise ship that is abundant in character yet luxury in style, brimming with gold finishes and exquisite touches that bring each element to life. Each room is beautifully appointed with a large, comfortable bed, spacious bathroom with L’Occitane amenities and plenty of storage. The ship features an elegant Bistro at the aft with an open kitchen, outdoor seating area and stunning décor – a standout spot on board.
Explore Riviera River Cruise Deals
With one of the youngest fleets on the rivers, I was delighted to see first-hand what Amadeus has to offer. Launched in 2023, Amadeus Riva was modern, sophisticated and elegant, with an onboard ambience that felt akin to the serenity of a luxury spa. The décor was welcoming and calming, the staff were immediately attentive, and the facilities were incredibly well-equipped, including a beautiful massage room and a small fitness room. A standout feature of the Amadeus fleet is its incredible commitment to sustainability, with the fleet having received the Green Award for its environmental standards.
Explore Amadeus River Cruise Deals
Overall, my experience at the CLIA RiverView Conference 2026 was the perfect opportunity to gain a first-hand insight into the varying river cruise lines we offer and the experiences you can enjoy aboard their ships, from the luxury amenities to the onboard décor.
