Riviera Rose

The 2025-built MS Riviera Rose cruise ship operates on the Douro River (in Portugal and Spain) and is seasonally chartered by the UK-based Riviera Travel. Riviera Rose's sisterships are Andorinha (2021) and Porto Mirante (2024).

Riviera Travel's other two Douro-based riverboats are Douro Elegance and Douro Splendour, both seasonally chartered from Douro Azul (a subsidiary and travel brand of Mystic Cruises).

Riviera Rose's shipowner is the Swiss company Scylla AG.

The vessel (ENI number 03802836) is currently Portugal Madeira-flagged (MMSI 255916033) and registered in Funchal.

In 2024, Riviera Travel’s river cruise program featured 22 itineraries and several chartered ships sailing on 10 European inland waterways.

Decks and Cabins

MS Riviera Rose has a total of 57 passenger staterooms (accommodating up to 114 guests) located on 3 of the ship’s 4 decks.

Most accommodations (on the Ruby and Diamond Decks) feature wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors opening to a railing (French Balcony). The only exceptions are the Emerald Deck cabins, which have one fixed, non-opening, quarter-height window positioned near the ceiling.

Except for the four Deluxe Balcony Suites (24 m2 / 260 ft2) on the Upper/Emerald Deck (Deck 3), all other passenger staterooms are equally sized at 16 m2 / 170 ft2 and include standard (complimentary) amenities such as hotel-style twin beds (two lower beds convertible to a Queen-size bed), 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 reception, infotainment system, bow-camera views), radio, telephone, mini-bar/fridge, tea and coffee facilities (Nespresso machine), glass-top round table with two armchairs, mirrored dressing table/writing desk with armchair, wardrobe, electronic safe, hairdryer, individually controlled air-conditioning, evening turndown service, and a daily newspaper.

All cabin bathrooms feature marble countertops, walk-in glass showers with large rain showerheads, and branded bath amenities (Crabtree & Evelyn).

Some staterooms are available for single occupancy (without a single supplement), subject to availability.

The Deluxe Balcony Suites feature the so-called “Twin Balconies.” Each suite offers 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.

Shipboard Facilities and Amenities

The riverboat features an elegant Lobby (entrance hall on the Diamond/Upper Deck) served by the Atrium Bar and housing the Reception Desk (24-hour assistance, information, purser services), Travel Desk (excursion information and onboard booking), and Gift Shop (selling handmade souvenirs). From the lobby, passengers enter the Atrium Lounge & Bar, which offers wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows, comfortable seating, a full-service bar, a skylight (glass roof), and a Coffee Station, along with access to the bow-facing Lido Terrace with outdoor seating.

The Atrium Lounge & Bar hosts nightly live entertainment (music and dancing).

Forward on the Ruby Deck is the complimentary Riviera Restaurant (Dining Room with single-seating capacity), adjacent to the Galley (kitchen and food and beverage storage areas). The restaurant serves buffet-style breakfast, while lunch and dinner are waiter-served, featuring two rotating four-course dinner menus. Menus highlight international cuisine and traditional Portuguese specialties paired with regional wines. Complimentary wines by the glass—including Portuguese house wines—are served at lunch and dinner. Additional complimentary beverages and light snacks (afternoon tea and coffee with pastries, late-night snacks) are also available.

On the Emerald/Lower Deck is the ship’s Wellness Center, consisting of a small Fitness Room (indoor gym). The ship does not feature a Beauty Salon or Spa. Aft on the Emerald Deck are the Engine Room and crew/staff cabins.

The Sun Deck features a deck games area (Giant Chess Set), shaded seating under retractable awnings surrounding a Walking Track, a midship Pool Deck (splash pool, sun loungers, deckchairs), and the aft Rio Restaurant with a full-service bar. The forward Navigation Bridge (Wheelhouse) is passenger-accessible and telescopic, allowing it to be lowered when passing under low bridges.

The aft Sky Lounge (Deck 3 aft) is an indoor venue offering panoramic views through wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows. Stairs from the Sky Lounge lead to the Rio Restaurant (Deck 4 aft), which provides full bar service and an alfresco dining terrace.

The Sun Deck’s skylight is a glass roof that partially covers the Atrium Lounge (on the Diamond Deck below) and allows natural light into the interior.

Laundry service is available at an additional charge.

One passenger lift (elevator) connects all cabin decks.

All decks are interconnected via indoor staircases (forward and aft), including a grand staircase in the Lobby/Atrium.

Three pairs of outdoor staircases (forward, midship, and aft) connect Decks 3 and 4 (Diamond Deck and the Sun Deck).

The Sun Deck is accessible by stairs only.

Itineraries

Riviera Travel officially launched its newest Douro River ship, Riviera Rose, on April 17, 2025.

For Riviera Travel, Riviera Rose operates the regularly scheduled 7-night/8-day “Highlights of the Douro Valley and Salamanca River Cruise,” departing roundtrip from Oporto. When bookings opened in October 2023, prices started from GBP 2050 (EUR 2340 / USD 2550) per person, based on double occupancy.

• During the overnight stay in Oporto (Days 1–2), guests enjoy a guided tour of the Old Town (Cidade Antiga) and a visit to the winery Quinta da Pacheca (including dinner and wine tasting).
• On Day 3, the ship calls at Barca d'Alva for a tour of Castelo Rodrigo (a walled 12th-century village).
• On Day 4, the call at Vega de Terron includes a bus excursion to Salamanca, Spain.
• On Day 5, the stop at Pinhao includes a visit to Enoteca da Quinta da Avessada (wine tasting event).
• On Day 6, the call at Regua features a tour to Lamego and the Palacio de Mateus (Palace Gardens).
• On Day 7, the visit to Cais da Lixa (Covelo) offers excursions to either Vila Nova de Gaia or Guimaraes.
• On Day 8, the river cruise ends in Leverinho, with passengers transferred by coach to Oporto.

Riviera Travel’s Douro cruise fares include two international flights (between the UK and Portugal/Oporto) and land transfers, as well as the company’s Superior beverage package (an unlimited drinks package valued at GBP 400 per person per week on other Riviera Travel river cruises in Europe), all shipboard amenities and services (accommodation, meals, Wi-Fi, premium tea and coffee, Cruise Director assistance, enrichment programs, live entertainment), and seven land tours. Flight departures from England are available from Leeds Bradford Airport (Yeadon), Liverpool, London (Gatwick, Luton, Stansted), and Manchester.

Riviera Travel’s Douro cruisetour extension is the 10-night/11-day “Highlights of the Douro Valley and Salamanca with Lisbon Extension.” The 3-night land extension begins in Lisbon after the Douro sailing. In addition to touring Portugal’s capital, the extension includes visits to Coimbra, Fatima, and Sintra.

The vessel’s hull and superstructure (ENI number 03802836) were constructed at the Kladovo Shipyard in Kladovo (Bor District, Serbia). After completion in Serbia, she was towed to the Netherlands for final outfitting at Den Breejen Shipyard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam.

The hull was transported from Serbia to the Netherlands for outfitting in October–November 2024.