7 Reasons Why You Should Take A River Cruise, According to Which?

This blog was last updated in March 2024.

This year we have taken the top spot in the recent Which? consumer survey on cruising, as the best-value river cruise operator and one of the only river cruise operator to be awarded the prized Which? Recommended Provider accolade!

We are delighted to have achieved a customer satisfaction score of 80%, which places Riviera Travel second across the full list of 16 cruise lines surveyed, and to be one of only three cruise lines deemed worthy of the independent Which? recommendation – a clear sign to consumers that they’re making the right choice with our river cruises.
Looking at the survey results in more detail, we were pleased to see a five-star rating across most categories – confirming that we really do deliver unbeatable value! Read on to discover how we did in every category:

1. Passenger-to-space Ratio | Score: 5 Stars

Our customers told Which? that they love our river cruise ships, which foster our friendly ambience and allow us to moor closer to their chosen destinations. However, we’ve also worked hard to ensure that guests never feel cramped or crowded, with plenty of light, bright spaces on-board, and corridors that are wide enough for passengers to pass one another with ease.

2. Cabins | Score: 5 Stars

Our ships also boast some of the largest and most comfortable cabins that you’ll find on a river cruise and come complete with everything you’d expect in a luxury five-star hotel. Crisp cotton linens adorn our hotel-style beds, and the gleaming en-suite bathrooms are fully stocked with fluffy towels and top-quality toiletries. Tea and coffee making facilities with plenty of at-home favourites are also a must in all of our cabins, as we know how important a decent cuppa is to our travelling guests!

3. Port Excursions | Score: 5 Stars

We put a lot of thought into making sure that our port excursions are a highlight of every cruise, so we’re happy to see this recognised with a five-star rating. Our expert local tour guides are fully trained by Riviera Travel tour managers, so that your experience of our tours and excursions is the very best it can be.
As part of our no hidden charges ethos, everything you see on the advertised itinerary is typically included. We even include some of our optional extra tours – so you don’t have to worry about the mounting cost of saying yes to everything! Conversely, we’re passionate about letting our guests set their own pace on holiday, so there’s absolutely no pressure to join any tours or trips that don’t take your fancy.

4. Food and Drink | Score: 5 Stars

Food is a big part of any holiday, so it’s important that we get that right. We were pleased to see our dining options, which include four course evening meals prepared by professional chefs, rewarded with a four-star rating. From the early risers’ breakfast on the Sun Deck to elaborate six course Chef's Dinners served in the elegant dining room, we put every effort into ensuring our guests enjoy every single meal on-board. We cater for a variety of dietary requirements, and all food is fresh with most if it locally sourced on tour. We’ve also responded to comments from customers that would like us to offer drinks packages by introducing a free Superior drinks package for 2024 and 2025. 

5. Value For Money | Score: 4 Stars

At Riviera Travel we’ve kept a value for money promise to our customers for 40 years – guaranteeing five-star luxury without the prohibitive price-tag that often comes with it. So we’re especially happy that it’s our five-star value for money rating that gives us the edge on our closest competitor.
We’re not trying to offer the cheapest cruises on the market. Instead we’re concerned with giving our customers the very best value for money, from perfectly placed hotels to convenient local departures. Absolutely everything you need for a fantastic river cruise experience is included in our up-front price – so we’re thrilled that our customers like this approach, with many citing ‘excellent value’ as a reason for booking in the Which? report.

6. On-Board Facilities | Score: 3 Stars

Our river cruise vessels have been expertly designed to feel like floating luxury boutique hotels, and we’ve selected on-board facilities to reflect this. We’re not trying to compete with the huge holiday resort ships that boast everything from waterparks to tennis courts. Instead we focus on facilities that will help our guests relax after a busy day exploring their destination, like our wellness areas complete with steam room and sauna, and Sun Decks furnished with comfortable chairs and loungers. Our guests can also enjoy the use of a small splash pool, fitness suite and library, and, unlike many cruise providers, the on-board Wi-Fi service is complimentary.

7. Description Matching Reality | Score: 5 Stars

At Riviera Travel we’d never want a customer to leave one of our cruises feeling disappointed. Every aspect of our river cruises is carefully considered, right down to the smallest details, with guest satisfaction firmly at the forefront of our minds. While this wasn’t surveyed this year, in past Which? surveys, almost nine out of ten customers surveyed said that they’d definitely recommend us to friends and family definitely made our extra efforts feel worthwhile. 

If you’ve already experienced a Riviera Travel river cruise, we hope that you agree with the results of the Which? consumer survey – we always welcome feedback from our guests to help us to improve even more. And if you’re looking to book your first cruise with us then we hope our Which? Recommended Provider status reassures you that you’re booking with the very best!

We have a large collection of river cruises in Europe to offer, with an itinerary to suit everyone. We also have testimonials from previous guests for you to browse at your leisure. For further details about our river cruises, we also have some information about what to expect on your ship. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us