River Cruising
I was given the opportunity to join Riviera Travel on my first ever river cruise. I have been on several ocean cruises in the past so I was very keen to compare the differences. My trip included flights from London Heathrow to Dusseldorf, where we were transferred to Cologne to join our home for the week, the MS Geoffrey Chaucer.
The Journey
Top Tip
Walking Tours
Every evening we were given a cruise program for the following day. Depending on our route and time of arrival, our daily program always included a free walking tour followed by free time. This of course was optional, but a great way to familiarise yourself with your local surroundings. Our cruise had 4 groups with 1 group offered to those who needed a more gentle pace. An audio device and earpiece are provided in your cabin, which is yours for the duration of the cruise. This allows you to hear the tour guides as you stroll beside them while they bring their hometowns to life with interesting facts and folklores. All of the guides were fun and enthusiastic which made these tours a must!
Cable Car Rides
I think every town we moored up in had a cable car which gave you a birds eye view of the rivers and streets below. These were not included in the cruise but only cost a few euros each. The journey up and down was so peaceful and the views incredible. We were fortunate to have amazing weather for the whole duration, so it was such a treat to watch the rivers sparkle and sun shine over the vineyards on either side.
Castles and Cathedrals
The banks of the Rhine and Moselle are home to many vineyards, but more striking than these were the many castles and cathedrals we sailed past. The Rhine Gorge was my favourite journey. I can understand why this area has been added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites as it was beautiful in every direction. Our cruise director offered an occasional sailing commentary as we chilled on the sundeck watching the world drift by. A highlight was the Loreley Rock, which rose 132 meters high – this slate rock is surrounded by myths and legends and has become an infamous maritime disaster site.
MS Geoffrey Chaucer 5*
The MS Geoffrey Chaucer is a 5* luxurious ship that serves 167 guests and 44 crew. It is stylish, elegant and exceptionally spacious. The colour schemes create a serene atmosphere and she is illuminated beautifully throughout. The cabins are larger than a normal cruise ship, infact it is fair to say they felt more like a hotel room. Imaginatively designed and appointed to the highest specification. We were on the Ruby Deck which was the middle of 3 floors. I absolutely loved the French balconies with panoramic floor to ceiling sliding glass doors which bring the riverside that bit closer.
The restaurant takes fine dining to another level with so many mouthwatering options to choose from. There are no allocated tables and no issues with availability – I really liked the fact that you could make friends and join them over dinner or keep to yourselves if you prefer.
Final Thoughts
This has to be the most relaxing holiday I have ever been on. Time seemed to stand still as we lounged on the sundeck with the cocktail of the day in one hand and camera in the other. With only 167 guests, it really did feel like one big family as we all shared this amazing experience together. The tours were all included so no huge excursion bill at the end of the week, plus this cruise included a superior drink package so we could relax and enjoy. The evenings were a very low key affair. One evening we were treated to a local folk dance show, another night a fun quiz, but mostly the onboard DJ played our favourite tunes as we relaxed with our drink of choice chatting about our day. Most passengers were in the mature bracket with several travelling solo, but this changed as the week sailed by and everyone left with many new friends. I cannot wait for my next river cruise!
Lisa Hawken
