Spring on the river: a truly splendid experience aboard the MS Riverside Debussy!
You can find all the photos of MS Riverside Debussy under ‘Views of Riverside Debussy’.
What a start!
Just a moment ago, the local limousine service picked me up at Brussels-Midi station and gave me a comfortable ride to Heembeekaai harbour in Brussels. If you want to charge your mobile phone or have a drink during the journey: no problem – whatever you wish is possible.
The door is opened for me in front of the elegant-looking river cruiser and my luggage is immediately taken care of – I only have to walk the five short steps up the gangway to the Riverside Debussy myself…
Once arrived, Shore Excursion Manager Karolina welcomes me with such a friendly smile, as if she’d been waiting all day just for me, and immediately hands me a warm refreshing towel and a glass of chilled champagne: cheers! Still in the entrance area, she shows me the elegant atrium with its reception and invites me to take a look at the bistro one deck higher – breakfast is still being served there! That sounds very tempting, so I immediately immerse myself in the luxurious Riverside world in true style.
What makes it special – that’s Riverside Luxury Cruises
Where else can you find something like this? Boarding a river cruise ship at any time of the day. Whenever the guest wishes and however it suits their travel plans. You can board at any time on the day of arrival. In my case, I arrived early from Cologne on the ‘Thalys’ and was already on board by 10 am – no hassle of waiting until the afternoon, as is often the case on other cruise lines. I really like that. The same applies to the breakfast option – I sink into the comfortable leather armchairs and I am greeted once again by the beaming, friendly and caring faces of the staff. The spark is there – at Riverside, a warm openness is the rule, and as a guest I feel at ease and valued from the very first moment. In a later interview with Riverside owner Gregor Gerlach, he confirms that his crews “have a passion for luxury” and not only bring professional expertise to the table, but are also „always willing to go the extra mile“.
I sense this right from my first order on board, which the waiter Roman takes with a smile and actually has to run back and forth for me a few times: the large tea set including a tea timer and sugar étagère, a fresh crêpe, hand-cut fruit salad of the finest quality, of course, a smoothie, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, a croissant, and a roll with salmon and cheese. A glance at the breakfast menu reveals quite a few treats that you probably don’t eat for breakfast every day. Brilliant! Have I forgotten to order anything? I don’t think so – it’s plenty for a start to the day, and lunch isn’t far off either…
I take my time to enjoy all the exquisite dishes Roman serves me, and I’m absolutely delighted. Hectic? There’s none of that here. Not now, nor at any other meal, nor anywhere else on board. It’s always cosy – simply relaxed. This is supported by the fact that the Debussy carries a maximum (!) of 110 guests, with 68 carefully selected crew members looking after their well-being. That’s an outstanding passenger-to-crew ratio for a river cruise ship, and it’s not just a number. It’s something I notice, something I can really feel.
The ship is in excellent condition, and its crew – although they naturally work hard – are relaxed, so I experience the passenger-crew ratio less as a mere statistic and much more as a true symbiosis. Here on board, people are genuinely pleased to see one another, so conversations often strike up quite naturally – and, of course, among the guests themselves as well. You won’t find the anonymous hustle and bustle of other companies on the Riverside ships. Instead, Riverside recreates an ‘ideal world’ – in the most positive sense of the term.
The finest of the finest – Riverside cuisine
Culinary-wise, it’s not just this day that continues as it began, but the entire trip, of course. The late-riser’s breakfast is served until 11.30 am, and the ‘Bistro’ also offers ‘small delicacies’ until 5 pm, which vary daily. Back from your shore excursion and missed lunch? No problem! There’s always something to eat here. And the 24/7 room service is also available with its own menu – though this does come at an extra charge.
The extensive breakfast and lunch buffet with a live cooking station in the Marketplace is also top-notch: whatever you choose on board, it’s either fresh, very fresh, or incredibly fresh. The products and dishes are locally sourced from the visited region. From the jam to the bread – everything is produced on board. Freshness and quality that are second to none, and which Riverside rightly proudly displays on its well-known banner featuring the stylised seahorse.
In the evening, too, you have a choice: round off the day with tapas at elegantly laid tables in the “Bistro”, or indulge in a lavish six-course feast at the Waterside Restaurant… One thing remains certain with every course: these chefs are true masters – there’s no such a thing as a dish that doesn’t taste good. Life can be so simple – and so wonderful!
Discoveries on the rivers of Belgium and the Netherlands
A ‘home away from home’ is worth its weight in gold – but it’s only half the story. What would a trip be without wonderful destinations? Exactly! It wouldn’t be complete. Naturally, Riverside has thought of everything: alongside dream destinations such as Ghent and Bruges, the itinerary also includes picturesque smaller towns and vibrant cities like Rotterdam and Amsterdam. So there’s plenty to discover, and not just once a day. Some destinations are conveniently close to each other, allowing Riverside to combine them successfully with half-day stops. Furthermore, each excursion is guaranteed even if just one guest has made the reservation. The selection of activities is remarkable with programmes that go far beyond the usual city tours (which are also available) and guided walks. Here, you are once again offered a special experience on land, and every river cruise has new discoveries in store.
This is complemented by the practical and comfortable Riverside bus, which takes you to the most beautiful spots at selected ports. That, too, has Riverside’s signature on it.
On this cruise lasting just under a week, I’m surprised by the variety of destinations and activities on offer ashore. I’d love to fit everything in; but what a shame! There are only 24 hours in a day, and I really do want to relax on board as well…
Brussels makes it easy for me. Thanks to the long layover, I first have time to enjoy the Debussy itself before heading ashore on a discovery tour. The grand tour of Europe’s capital is perfect for exploring all the relevant highlights. From the tiny ‘Manneken Pis’, barely half a metre tall, which seems to be trying to hide almost cleverly in the corner of a building, to the Atomium, the city’s landmark, and on to the Royal Palace or the ‘Grote Markt’. Brussels is diverse and impressive. Fortunately, our Debussy stays overnight, so we have plenty of time to explore it.
A brand new day, two brand new spots: Ghent and Bruges show off their best sides in the sunshine. We’re in luck, as the season is only just beginning and the towns are only moderately crowded. Both cities are picturesque – each in its own way. Which one do you prefer? That certainly varies from person to person. The Count’s Castle in Ghent impresses with its well-stocked dungeon behind its imposing walls by the moat. Anyone wandering through the alleyways of Ghent is always close to the water and can, at the same time, find artistic inspiration in countless galleries.
Bruges is equally charming: its picturesque old town is a delight to explore by sightseeing boat, and the well-kept centre invites you to stroll around.
We leave the Belgian waterways in the evening and wake up the next morning in the neighbouring country, the Netherlands. It’s like travelling by magic! Middelburg isn’t spectacular, but it’s extremely pretty. Around Damplein Square, the town hall square, it’s well worthty popping into the little shops and cafés to absorb the relaxed Dutch way of life.
Once you’ve docked in Veere, it’s straight from the restaurant onto your bike. Riding the latest Riverside e-bikes across fields and meadows, you’ll head straight to a local cheese tasting. This includes not only the usual chance to buy cheese afterwards, but also the opportunity to visit the cows in person, both in their stalls and out in the meadow. Experience the Netherlands up close – made by Riverside.
The second day of my trip brings double the joy: after another excellent breakfast, I leave the Debussy in Willemstad and set off on a ‘grand tour’. In the extensive park at Kinderdijk, you can explore authentic Dutch windmills from the inside as well as the outside, and they impressively demonstrate why these historic mills were so important in the past.
Whilst the tour group then sets off to explore the vibrant city of Rotterdam to round off the day’s excursion, the Debussy has headed for Dordrecht. Here, everything returns to where it belongs, and I return on board with a wealth of memories from a wonderful day.
Unfortunately, today in Amsterdam it’s time to say goodbye. A wonderful, but far too short, cruise on the MS Riverside Debussy comes to an end this morning. Of course, I won’t simply be dropped off at the quay. Riverside arranges for its guests to be driven to the airport by limousine. Tailored to their departure time, pointless to say.
Do I like leaving the ship? No. But I’m leaving knowing that I’ve experienced something truly special. That makes it easier, so I’m leaving with a smile. Karolina is standing by the gangway again to say goodbye. She smiles back happily and waves to me. That´s, once again, Riverside.
SHIPS@SEA Resumée
I’ve been lucky in life and have had the chance to go on many trips. That includes over six dozen cruises, as well as countless river trips. But what I’ve experienced here at Riverside takes river cruising to the ‘next level’.
So, can a river cruise be better than this one? I don’t need to think twice: probably not! From the organisation, through all the procedures on board and ashore, the cheerful warmth of the crew, right down to the sheer endless culinary delights from morning till night: this is finesse!
Quality comes at a price – but with Riverside Luxury Cruises, you get far more than just value for money. Here, experiences are transformed into unique moments of happiness. With ease and a smile. Every single day.
The Debussy is setting a new benchmark on Europe’s rivers, no ifs or buts. Chapeau!
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
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