by
2023
Launch Year
2016
Refurbish Year
Small
Cruise Ship Size
162
Passengers
The first in a five-ship fleet, Riverside Mozart launched Riverside Luxury Cruises’ foray into European river cruises when it set sail on the Danube River in spring 2023. Widely regarded as the most luxurious ship on European rivers, Riverside Mozart was originally designed and operated by Crystal Cruises before Seaside Collection purchased it in 2022 to lead its new venture, Riverside Luxury Cruises. Accommodating only 162 guests in its 81 suites, which range in size from 215 to 883 square feet, Riverside Mozart makes everyone feel right at home as soon as they step onboard.
The High-End Décor: The colors and ever-changing tapestry passing by just outside the ship’s panoramic windows serve as inspiration for the décor throughout its suites and public spaces. You’ll find cool grays, warm browns, and bright pops of green in the form of elegant leathers, rich velvets, and inspiring works of art, as well as polished chrome and matte brass accents. But it’s the attention to detail that really makes the ship stand out. Rivaling the best boutique hotels — which is essentially what Riverside Mozart is, a boutique hotel on the water — you’ll find that every room has a true king-size bed, marble bathrooms with heated Toto toilets and towel warmers, and flat-screen TVs. The two-bedroom Owner’s Suites even have bathtubs and ambient lit fireplaces.
The Gourmet Food: Though the average river cruise has two restaurants, Mozart has four (plus two lounges and two bars!), including the 12-guest The Vintage Room, which offers a specially curated eight-course meal paired with Head Sommelier-chosen wines. Generally, though, the food, overseen by an award-winning chef, is fit for foodies (think caviar and foie gras), with bread baked fresh daily and pasta made from scratch. The menu changes every day, inspired by the regions the ship is passing through, and is both seasonal and local. For those with a sweet tooth like me, the gelateria next to the coffee bar is a popular spot.
The Generous Amount of Space: Because of the waterways they travel on and the locks they must pass through, river cruise ships are typically on the narrow side. At 75 feet wide, almost twice the width of the average river cruise ship, Riverside Mozart is one of the widest ships on the rivers. Thanks to this, it offers larger-than-average suites with ample closet space. Outside of the suites, public spaces are also generously sized, and the outdoor Upper Vista Decks run the length of the ships for front-row views of the passing landscapes. Further, Mozart boasts a huge, state-of-the-art fitness center as well as one of the largest spas on a river ship today, with a Finnish sauna and steam room, a plunge pool, a Jacuzzi, and an indoor counter-current swimming pool.
The Impeccable Service: When a cruise line proclaims a bold intention like becoming “the most luxurious river cruising experience in the industry,” there’s a lot to live up to — and Mozart delivers. From each suite’s attentive 24-hour butler service (there’s a suite-to-crew ratio of 1:1) to bartenders, waiters, the excursions team, and the captain himself, every single crew member pays exceptional attention to detail, greeting guests by name and remembering everything from their dietary preferences to their favorite cocktails and wines, and going out of their way to surprise and delight guests. There’s a real feeling that everyone’s singular goal is to turn guests’ experiences into lifelong memories.
Those Who Enjoy Slow Travel: River cruising moves at a slower pace, and this remains the case onboard Riverside Mozart. Rather than rushing into and out of ports of call, guests are encouraged to immerse themselves in the cities and villages they’re visiting to truly get a feel for the people and cultures in destinations along the way. That said, Riverside Mozart’s itineraries range from three to seven nights to easily fit into guests’ calendars. Even better, guests can fully customize their trips by linking itineraries together as they see fit.
Families With Kids: Despite the price tag and upscale ambiance, families will find a lot to love on Mozart. In fact, Riverside is targeting those in their late 30s and early 40s who like to experience a lot of new things without having to worry about logistics. There’s also no passenger age limit, and the ship offers conjoining rooms as well as cribs and high chairs.
Nightcap In Lieu Of Nightlife: Though the cocktail bar mixes up delectable drinks and live entertainment plays late into the night, nightlife aboard the ship is far from raucous. Rather, think of it as an elegant backdrop for easy conversations with newfound friends, or find a quiet corner to cozy up with the one you love.
