Riviera Travel has unveiled Riviera Resplendence, its brand-new five-star river cruise ship, set to enhance the company’s award-winning fleet.
A sister ship to Riviera Radiance, Riviera Resplendence officially made her debut on 4 July, when she departed from Cologne for her inaugural Rhine cruise, an enchanting journey towards Switzerland that marked the beginning of her first operational season.
The third vessel in the prestigious Radiance Class, the new ship has been designed to offer an elegant and contemporary travel experience. She can accommodate up to 178 guests in 89 cabins and suites and features a sophisticated panoramic lounge, three restaurants dedicated to regional specialities, and a spacious sun deck, perfect for admiring the breathtaking landscapes and iconic waterways of Europe.
The ship was designed by the Scylla team, Riviera Travel’s long-standing partner, and features innovative interiors with a distinctive concept that sets her apart from the rest of the fleet. The interiors showcase a characteristic two-level design, creating brighter public spaces and offering stunning panoramic views. Rich golden details, warm wood tones, and vibrant wall coverings combine to create a welcoming and elegant atmosphere throughout the ship.
For Michel van der Velden and Cathy Schroder, Scylla’s interior designers, every detail of the interiors was conceived to make guests feel immediately comfortable, as if they were at home. The aim is for those stepping aboard Riviera Resplendence to appreciate the thoughtful design and draw inspiration from it, whether through a refined wall covering, a colour combination, or a distinctive furnishing element that could be recreated in their own homes. Creating this sense of emotion and transforming the travel experience into a source of interior design inspiration was the philosophy that guided the development of the new ship.
Riviera Resplendence will offer 18 itineraries, including the river cruise from Budapest to the Black Sea, the Rhine cruise towards Switzerland, Danube cruises, as well as festive sailings and departures dedicated to solo travellers.
Stuart Milan, President of Riviera Travel North America, stated that Riviera Resplendence represents another important milestone for the company’s continued expansion. With the growing demand for premium river cruises, he added, Riviera Travel is expanding its fleet with carefully designed ships that allow the company to deliver exceptional experiences while conveying the values that define the Riviera Travel brand.
With more than 40 years of experience as a leader in luxury river cruising, Riviera Travel operates a fleet of 13 ships sailing along Europe’s most iconic waterways, including the Danube, Douro, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhône, Seine, and the Dutch waterways. The company’s growth continues, with Riviera Reflection and Riviera Rhapsody scheduled to debut over the next two years, further demonstrating its ongoing investment in the future of river cruising.
Lucia Angeli
