MS Riverside Debussy: A true Premium ship in the spotlight
You can find all the photos of the Riverside Debussy under ‘Views of Riverside Debussy’.
Click here to embark on a premium cruise aboard the MS Riverside Debussy – travelling along the waterways of Belgium and the Netherlands – available shortly.
A composition of a ship introduces itself
“May I invite you?” Karolina from Poland greets me with a glass of champagne as soon as I step onto the gangway in Brussels, Belgium. The shore excursion manager gives me a brief introduction on board, and before I know it, I’m right in the world of Riverside Luxury Travel.
The Riverside concept is exciting and tempting: Riverside positions itself as a proven luxury product in the 5*PLUS sector. There are certainly comparable offerings in the ocean-going sector – on the river, however, Riverside claims to be breaking new ground and setting new standards. In doing so, Riverside approaches the concept of luxury from the guest’s perspective, as founder Gregor Gerlach emphasises in his interview with SHIPS@SEA. Since 2023, the dynamic entrepreneur from Hamburg has been expanding his exceptional Seaside hotels to include an exclusive river cruise fleet, which currently comprises the Riverside Debussy, the Riverside Ravel and the Riverside Mozart.
When asked what makes Riverside so exceptional, the owner himself immediately gives a few examples:
- From the ‘smallest’ to the largest suite, a 24/7 butler service is always included
- The passenger-to-crew ratio is exceptionally good at under 2:1
- The quality of the food is almost Michelin-star standard
- 24-hour room service (at an additional cost)
- Champagne is included for all guests
- All the ship’s facilities are of high quality and in immaculate condition
- All shore excursions are guaranteed to take place – even if only one guest has booked
At first glance, this elegant ship seems completely out of place at its berth: the industrial harbour of the European capital has its own distinctive container-port charm. This stands in absolute contrast to the Riverside Debussy: the ship, a proud embodiment of the legacy of the French composer of the same name, captivates you from the very first moment. The ambience is bright thanks to large glass panels on the walls and ceilings. All the furnishings throughout the ship are of the highest quality and, with their muted colours, give a stylish impression. Individual colour accents on lamps, cushions and seating skilfully set the Debussy in the spotlight.
Another chapter in the Debussy’s history is its past: the Debussy was built and launched by Crystal Cruises between 2016 and 2018, alongside its luxurious sister ships the Bach, Mahler and Ravel. Following the collapse of Crystal Cruises, the North German entrepreneur Gregor Gerlach seized the opportunity and acquired the young quartet at a significantly lower price than the original purchase price of around 50 million euros per ship. But that’s not all: he also chartered the recently and extensively refurbished ‘Riverside Mozart’ – as it is now known – from the Crystal insolvency estate for the Danube right up to the end of 2026. Whilst the Ravel will be deployed on the Rhône in France, the Debussy will operate primarily on the Rhine, Moselle and in the Benelux region. On individual voyages lasting several weeks, it will even cruise from Amsterdam to Bucharest on the Danube and back. This opens up magnificent travel experiences across Europe without having to change one’s luxurious accommodation even once.
A full tour across four decks
For guests, the Harmony Deck – appropriately named – features the ‘Fehi-SPA’, where massages and facials are available. Treatments cost between €65 and €149. You can work up a sweat for free in the adjacent mini-gym. If required, guests can wash their sweaty sportswear themselves in the guest laundry next door. Of course, the suite butler is also available for such matters and can have the clothes cleaned within 24 hours for a fee.
The Seahorse Deck above houses most of the ship’s suites, the attractive reception area with a glass lift, and the entrance hall with a spiral staircase. Opposite the reception is a self-service station offering tea, coffee, fruit and biscuits 24/7. The main restaurant, Waterside, in the bow area is impressive: the extremely tastefully decorated restaurant showcases a colour scheme that skilfully combines bold petrol blue tones with timeless elegance. In the mornings and at lunchtime, the Restaurant Marketplace offers a varied buffet, whilst dinner is served à la carte at the table in true style.
Cuisine for connoisseurs
At Riverside, ‘cuisine’ is more than just a word. The chefs impress as true masters of their craft: dishes that change daily, mostly based on regional ingredients, are conjured up non-stop onto guests’ plates. Whether it’s the exceptionally varied buffet in the morning, the selection at lunch or the dinner with its freely combinable options in the evening: my palate is constantly surprised – and always in a positive way.
“Doesn’t taste good” is the only thing you won’t find on board – I’m happy to attest to that myself, based on my own extensive research. It is therefore no surprise that virtually all the food on board is made in-house without compromise: from freshly squeezed apple juice, through to baked goods, jams and unique cinnamon-sugar mixes for pancakes and waffles, right through to a wide selection of smoothies.
Taking a seat at the table is much like settling into your suite: once you’re there, you don’t want to leave – the stylish table setting, paired with the finest culinary skills, makes me want to linger here for a long time: ‘indulgence’ is the perfect word for it – and so, every day anew, I let myself be ‘lulled’ by this unique haute cuisine experience.
The Riverside Deck is equally impressive in its versatility: at the stern, inside the ship, there is a spacious swimming pool flanked by sun loungers. When the weather is fine, the glass roof opens up to offer an even wider view of the horizon. Those who prefer fresh air will find an outdoor area at the stern with comfortable seating, offering a view of the ship’s wake: absolutely stunning 😊!
In addition to the other suites, the spacious owner’s suites, which feature several rooms, are particularly worth mentioning: there are two of these on board, and they can be further expanded to accommodate larger families by connecting them to neighbouring suites via connecting doors.
The bistro, situated amidships, is surrounded by the atrium and is also bathed in natural light. As well as a small breakfast buffet for slow risers, the bistro also offers a finger food buffet with a range of other delicacies – usually from 12 noon to 5 pm. These extended opening hours are perfect for refuelling after an eventful day ashore. The aroma of fresh waffles, ice cream and popcorn is particularly noteworthy in the bistro: all of these are freshly made and served here – ‘all-inclusive’, of course.
The “Vintage Room”, which must be booked separately, is available for smaller, private events, groups or tastings. It offers an intimate setting with superb views through its fully glazed front.
Although the “Palmcourt Lounge” doesn’t actually feature any of the plants its name suggests, it captivates in every way with its cosy décor, comfortable seating and touches of fresh cut flowers. One thing is certainly true: every seat guarantees a view of the river panorama. The bar counter, with its accent lighting, perfectly showcases the exceptionally wide range on offer – cheers!
As well as sun loungers and lounge chairs, the Vista Sun Deck also features a number of sitting poufs. These are rarely found on river cruisers and allow guests to really let themselves go – in the truest sense of the word! There are so many seating options available that every guest is sure to find their favourite spot – whether that’s under the sun sails, parasols or the open sky. There is also a special feature: the Vista Bar appears and disappears. Depending on the route, the entire bar can be lowered into the ship’s interior like a lift, ensuring that the Debussy can easily pass under even the lowest bridges. By the way: weather permitting, Riverside also offers a BBQ on deck on every trip, creating yet another special culinary experience.
Come on in: Welcome to the Debussy Suites!
You’re spoilt for choice: there are five categories to choose from – all of which are called ‘suites’ – and with good reason. They differ mainly in terms of space, as every single one is furnished to a high standard. Whether it’s the oversized windows with full-length sliding panels, the spacious bathrooms with double washbasins and heated wall mirrors, a minibar stocked to the guest’s preferences along with a “Julius Meindl” espresso machine, or simply the seemingly endless bed with its incredibly cosy bedding. The two Owner’s Suites, measuring up to 71m², also impress with several living and sleeping areas and even feature a window in the shower: brilliant!
However, even the 16 ‘smallest’ 18m² ‘Symphony’ and ‘Melody’ suites on Decks 2 and 3 are hardly any less impressive, even if they are naturally a bit more compact. They are certainly extremely cosy, and a 24/7 butler service is included here too.
All of Debussy’s suites are simply a dream – would you ever want to leave them? Not really – it’s just too lovely here…
My favourite spots on board
This time, I’m finding it hard to pick just ‘one’ favourite spot. So I’m actually asking myself where I like it least. But even that’s hard to say, as there isn’t a single place on board I don’t like – this ship is simply brilliant through and through. It’s easier for me to name my personal top four favourite spots on the Debussy:
On the sun deck, I find it wonderful to enjoy the view of the river landscape from the top of the ‘crows’ nest’ above the bridge. You can sink into the Greek(!) seat bags and start dreaming – a place for eternity.
The ‘Palmcourt’ panoramic lounge convinces me with its refined cosiness – it’s the perfect place to enjoy the journey, especially in cool or windy weather – and the exceptionally extensive bar selection is right at your fingertips.
The Waterside Restaurant appeals to me not just for its culinary delights. The combination of colours, furnishings and the light-filled, airy atmosphere make it, in my view, the most stylish restaurant on Europe’s rivers.
Last but not least, my suite on the Seahorse Deck is a floating dream. Spaciousness and cosiness could hardly be combined more successfully. The wide, comfortable bed is perfectly aligned with the oversized window front – so you’re guaranteed not to miss a single moment of the journey…
SHIPS@SEA-Resumé
The Riverside and the Debussy have impressed me throughout this cruise. The ship is exceptionally comfortable and tastefully furnished throughout. My suite, 203, is a Riverside Standard category and by far the largest and most comfortable I have ever personally experienced on a river cruise ship.
The only thing missing is a TV feed from a bow camera in the cabin – that would really round off the experience of the journey from the comfort of the cabin. In this context, a moving map would also be desirable, so that guests can see at a glance where they are and what lies ahead.
In the ‘Spa’ area, the above-average size of the ‘jet pool’ is impressive, providing plenty of movement for swimming. The only downside is that there is no accompanying sauna at the beautiful stern of the Debussy – a pity for a ship of this category.
On the other hand, the on-board WiFi is technically impressive: thanks to ‘Starlink’, the connection and transfer speed are impressively fast, stable and also free of charge.
When it comes to value for money, Riverside offers exceptional value: whether it’s the extremely dedicated crew, the exquisite quality of the food and the outstanding flavour of the cocktails, the space per passenger or the extensive range of excursions – Riverside Luxury Cruises wins me over without any reservations. Certainly, with daily rates – depending on the season and suite category – ranging from €250 to €3,000 per person, the offer isn’t exactly cheap. But that’s not the point: top-quality service, excellent staff and luxury come at a price. The Hamburg-based company lives up to its claim and credo: it is successfully setting new standards in the ‘ultra-luxury’ sector on Europe’s rivers.
By the way: tips are included at Riverside; from the coach driver to the butler.
Hats off to Riverside! Hats off to Debussy!
Click here to explore the tempting offers from Riverside Luxury Cruises: “Cast off!” and discover Europe’s rivers in style.
Advertisement: SHIPS@SEA travelled at the invitation of Riverside Luxury Cruises, with the kind support of the agency TN, Hamburg.
