Riviera Rhapsody

The 2028-built MS Riviera Rhapsody cruise ship operates on the Rhine River and Dutch waterways. The riverboat is owned by the Swiss company Scylla AG (shipowner) and is exclusively chartered by the UK-based Riviera Travel.

Rhapsody's sisterships and fleetmates are Riviera Radiance (2025), Riviera Resplendence (2026), and Riviera Reflection (2027).

The vessel (ENI number TBA) will be Switzerland-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered in Basel.

MS Riviera Rhapsody is the fourth of Riviera Travel's newbuilds from the Radiance-class. The modern ship design features an open-floor concept, with fewer partitions and interconnecting lounge (deck 3) and dining (deck 2) zones.

Decks and Cabins

MS Riviera Rhapsody has a total of 89 passenger staterooms (accommodating up to 178 guests) located on 3 of the ship's 4 decks.

All cabins are outside accommodations, and most measure 16 m2 (170 ft2).

Deck 1 (Emerald) cabins feature a long, fixed, non-opening, quarter-height window positioned near the ceiling. All Deck 2 (Ruby) and Deck 3 (Diamond) cabins are French Balcony staterooms with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open to a railing (false balcony).

The ship also offers 12 Suites, all located midship, each with a French balcony and a more spacious layout. The 8 Superior Suites measure 24 m2 (260 ft2), while the 4 Grand Suites are the largest accommodations at 32 m2 (345 ft2). Grand Suites feature the so-called “Twin Balconies,” consisting of a full-size open-air balcony separated from the lounge area by floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. Bathrooms include a separate WC and shower (no bathtub) and a double-sink vanity.

All cabin bathrooms have marble countertops, walk-in glass showers with large rain showerheads, and premium bath products by Crabtree and Evelyn.

Standard complimentary amenities in all staterooms include hotel-quality twin beds (lower single beds convertible to a queen-size double), en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, single-sink vanity, towels, large mirror, toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, soap, and shower gel), 40-inch HDTV (satellite channels, infotainment system, real-time bow camera views), radio, telephone, mini-bar/fridge, tea and coffee-making facilities (including a Nespresso machine), glass-top round table with two armchairs, mirrored dressing table/writing desk with chair, wardrobe, electronic safe, hairdryer, individual air conditioning, evening turndown service, and a daily newspaper.

Shipboard Facilities and Amenities

Riviera Rhapsody offers three complimentary dining venues: the Main Restaurant (Dining Room, forward on Deck 2), the Mosaic (Specialty Restaurant/Bistro/Bar Lounge, aft on Deck 3), and the Alfresco Lounge (Bar & Buffet on Deck 4/Sun Deck).

The Main Restaurant features single-seating capacity, open seating, and flexible dining times. The menu highlights regional dishes inspired by the itinerary, along with international specialties.

The aft specialty venue, Mosaic, serves as an alternative dining option (Bistro/Bar Lounge) with its own dedicated bar. Mosaic serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including themed buffets. During the day, it operates as a casual bar lounge. The venue includes a small terrace (wraparound balcony) with stern views. Due to limited seating, dinner reservations are required. Mosaic is designed as a tapas-style restaurant offering a variety of small plates and tasting menus inspired by the cruise region's cuisine. Two outdoor staircases lead directly from Mosaic to the Sun Deck's pool area (Jacuzzi).

On Ruby Deck is the Lobby area, which includes two entrances (port and starboard), the Reception Desk (24-hour guest services), the Travel Desk (Tour Office for the Cruise Director and Concierge, excursion bookings, and information), and the onboard Boutique (Gift Shop).

The wellness complex is located on Emerald Deck (Deck 1) and includes a Fitness Room (Gym), Spa (Massage Room), and Hair Salon (hairdressing, barber, and nail services).

The Sun Deck features the Wheelhouse (Navigation Bridge), retractable awnings providing shaded seating and loungers, a forward Alfresco Lounge (with full bar service from the Panorama Lounge below), and an aft games area with a Putting Green/Mini-Golf course and a Jacuzzi (spa pool and showers).

Complimentary electric bicycles (limited availability) are stored near the Wheelhouse.

All structures on Deck 4 (Wheelhouse, awnings, windscreens, railings) are collapsible and can be lowered to ensure safe passage under low bridges.

The Panorama Lounge & Bar is located forward on the Diamond Deck. This spacious venue features floor-to-ceiling windows, comfortable seating (sofas, armchairs, tables), a dance floor, a grand piano (used for daily live performances), and a 24-hour coffee station. The lounge is served by its own bar. Entertainment includes daily live music by a resident pianist, cooking demonstrations, quizzes, bingo, crew shows, themed dance nights, enrichment lectures, and itinerary-related media presentations.

From the Panorama Lounge, guests can access the bow-facing Lido Terrace - an outdoor lounge with limited seating, protected by a wraparound glass windscreen. Two grand staircases connect the Panorama Lounge directly to the Main Restaurant below, while two outdoor stairways link the Bow Terrace to the Alfresco Lounge above.

All public areas (wellness center, dining venues, lounges, and lobby) feature floor-to-ceiling windows and provide unobstructed views.

One midship passenger elevator connects all cabin decks. Staircases link all decks, and a stairlift connects Decks 3 and 4 (Sun Deck).

Itineraries

MS Riviera Rhapsody cruises on the Rhine River and the Dutch inland waterways. The ship's principal homeports are Amsterdam and Basel. The ship is scheduled to start operations for Riviera Travel with the inaugural cruise on April 1, 2028. The Maiden Voyage's itinerary is the "Bruges, Medieval Flanders, Amsterdam & the Dutch Bulbfields".

Riviera Radiance's inaugural itineraries (2028) included:

The 7-night/8-day "Bruges, Medieval Flanders, Amsterdam & the Dutch Bulbfields River Cruise" itinerary is a roundtrip from Amsterdam (embarkation/debarkation port). The itinerary starts with scenic canal cruising in Amsterdam (including visits to the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Keukenhof flower garden), and also visits Arnhem (Holland), Antwerp (Belgium, on the Scheldt River), Bruges (Belgium, via a short bus excursion), and Ghent or/and Ypres (Belgium).

Some modified itineraries may also visit the Netherlands' port cities Volendam or Rotterdam.

Riviera Travel's cruise fares include international round-trip flights to England, land transfers, the Superior beverage package (unlimited drinks, valued at GBP 400 per person per week on other Riviera Travel European river cruises), all onboard amenities and services (accommodation, meals, Wi-Fi, premium tea and coffee, Cruise Director assistance, enrichment program, live entertainment), and seven land tours. Flights from England are available from Leeds Bradford Airport (Yeadon), Liverpool, London (Gatwick, Luton, Stansted), and Manchester.