FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

All staff, crew, and guides speak English and some also speak German. Certain staff members may have knowledge of other languages, but specific languages cannot be guaranteed.

On Ship & In Ports
Comfortable and smart casual are perfect on board or in ports for sightseeing. Visits to cathedrals and churches along the river require covered shoulders and knees (no shorts), even during the summer months. Pack at least one pair of comfortable, sturdy shoes, as many shore excursions include walking on cobblestones or other uneven surfaces. If you plan to bike, hike, or participate in other sports-related excursions, please be sure to bring clothing suitable for your activities.
 

Dining Room – Waterside
During the day, Dining Room attire is casual, however, swimsuits, cover-ups / robes, and baseball hats are not permitted.
In the evening, T-shirts, shorts, and flipflops are not permitted in the Dining Room. We recommend the following attire:

Ladies: Blouse, sweater, trousers, skirt, dress, pashmina / jacket / scarf for fall and winter months.

Gentlemen: Open-collar shirt, collared polo shirt, button-down shirt, dress shirt (no tie required), dress trousers / smart trousers, sport jacket, overcoat / scarf for fall and winter months.

Should you decide to dine on your own at a more formal restaurant on land or attend a theater performance, then a jacket and tie may be preferred or required for gentlemen. Be sure to pack appropriately for all your planned experiences.

Riverside Mozart: 220 V

Riverside Ravel & Riverside Debussy: 220 V and 110 V

Weapons, ammunition, explosives, illegal substances, or any items deemed dangerous by the captain are strictly prohibited on board the vessel. These may include, but are not limited to, firearms, stun guns, and knives, as well as clothes irons / steamers and hair curling irons and straighteners. Such items shall be surrendered to the captain upon embarkation.

Each guest may bring a reasonable number of suitcases on board the ship.

Yes! Our all-Suite cruise ships include Butler services for every guest. Dedicated Butlers provide exceptional levels of comfort and care daily, which may include packing / unpacking luggage, scheduling laundry and pressing services, shoeshine, serving hors d’oeuvres / meals in the 
Suite when requested, deliveries, providing recommendations, and assistance making reservations on board for restaurants and spa appointments, as well as on shore for excursions, private arrangements, restaurants, theater / opera, etc.

Your Suite includes a bathrobe and slippers for each guest to use during the cruise. Other personal amenities include a hairdryer, upscale cosmetic products, and an umbrella.

Yes, however, guests are responsible for their own valuables (jewelry, electronics, money, etc.) during flights, transfer to the ship, and throughout the duration of the cruise. When you’re not using your valuables, they should be secured in your Suite’s safe.

In most of our Dining Rooms, we offer open-seating service. This provides the flexibility to dine at a time convenient for you (within the service timeframe) at a table of your choice.

Meal times may vary, depending on the day’s activities, but are generally as follows:

Breakfast:   7.00 am – 11.30 am
Lunch:        12.00 pm – 2.30 pm
Dinner:        7.00 pm – 10.00 pm

Please inform us in advance of any special dietary requirements (low fat, low calorie, gluten-free, sugar-free, vegetarian, etc.). As soon as you arrive on board, our F&B Manager will contact you to reconfirm your requirements. Halal and Kosher meals are,unfortunately, not possible.
 

Many Riverside shore excursions feature a cellar tour or wine tasting, followed by the opportunity to purchase the featured wines. We are happy to serve you your purchased wine during onboard meals, however, for reservations without our premium all-inclusive service, there is a corkage fee of € 25 per bottle.

The Riverside Mozart permits smoking in a designated outdoor area on the Vista Deck 4 as well as indoors in the Connoisseur’s Club. Smoking is not permitted in any other area of the ship.

On the Riverside Ravel and Riverside Debussy, smoking is allowed in a designated smoking area on the Vista Deck 4. Smoking is not permitted in any indoor area of the ship.

Yes! Riverside ships provide guests with complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi.

NOTE: Service may be interrupted along certain river stretches and while the ship is transiting locks.

Yes, our Fitness Center is equipped with Technogym equipment and a counter-current pool for lap swimming. The Riverside Mozart also offers a wrap-around promenade on Riverside Deck 3 for walking, and the Fitness Center has a hot tub for relaxing after your workout.

Yes! Using Natura Bissé luxury products, our skilled technicians offer a range of services, from relaxing massages to facials.

Riverside Mozart provides Ladies and Men’s Saunas and Steam Rooms.

Depending on the itinerary, talented local musicians, dancers, and lecturers may come on board from time to time to provide pre-dinner or after-dinner entertainment.

Yes, Riverside Luxury Cruises has one of the only fleets offering guests a self-service laundry center with washing machines, dryers, and an ironing board. However, pampering you is always our priority. Just contact your Butler to specify your laundry needs and your freshly laundered clothes will be returned to your Suite quickly. NOTE: Charge may apply, depending on Suite category.

The Riverside Mozart offers elevator access from Deck 1 to Deck 3, while the Riverside Debussy and Riverside Ravel have elevator access from Deck 2 to Deck 3. On all ships, the Vista Deck 4 is accessible by stairs only.

Wheelchair accessibility is limited on Riverside ships. There is an elevator between the main decks, but it does not reach Vista Deck 4. Please note that the elevator door width is approximately 27.5 inches (70 cm). Therefore, wheelchairs must be foldable to enter. 

This is particularly important for electric wheelchairs. The Dining Room and Lounge can accommodate wheelchairs; Suites cannot, as they have thresholds between the room and bathroom and door widths that do not accommodate wheelchairs. 
 

When the ship is full, the wheelchair may need to be stored in the Suite. As gangways may not be wide enough to accommodate the width of a wheelchair, guests with limited mobility are required to get on and off the ship without a wheelchair. The wheelchair can be taken off and brought back on to the ship separately.

NOTE: Use of motorized Scooter Is not allowed.

There are no medical facilities or doctors aboard Riverside ships. If required, medical services can be accessed quickly through local shoreside facilities. Guests who require ongoing medication or who have specific dietary needs are advised to bring an ample supply of medication or dietary supplements with them in their carry-on luggage. Please be advised that we are not permitted to provide or dispense any over-the-counter medicine.

Riverside Luxury Cruises reserves the right, without liability, to refuse to board and transport guests who need constant care by the staff.

In each port, we offer RIVERSIDE CHOICE shore excursions, which are included in the Excursion Package. In select locations, we also offer CONNOISSEUR COLLECTION private activities, which are available to book for an additional charge. Please ask your travel advisor or Reservations for details.

We expect our shore excursion operators to meet our high standards, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable land experience. When you book excursions arranged by us, we promise: 
Safety: Our tour operators meet and exceed our high safety standards and insurance requirements.

Convenience: Drop-off and pick-up points in each port are coordinated with your ship’s arrival / departure.

Comfort: By limiting the group size, our excursions deliver a more intimate and personalized experience. All shore excursions operate using an audio-guide device for each participant, so you’ll never miss a word of your guide’s fascinating commentary.

Protection: No penalties are charged in the event of site closures or sailing time changes.

No Hidden Fees: All-inclusive pricing means entry fees / admissions, transportation, refreshments (where applicable), etc., are included, as detailed in the tour description.

Some excursions have limited capacity, so it’s a good idea to prebook your excursions on the Riverside website prior to departure. You can also book your excursions on the ship through your Guest Experience team.

If you would like to use a Riverside bicycle in port, please notify Reception staff early, as supply is limited. Electric bicycles (e-bikes) are currently unavailable; however, we offer e-bike shore excursions. For your convenience, we also offer the use of LEKI walking poles in ports.

Riverside has an outstanding team of logistics experts that prepares in advance for the unexpected, like weather or sudden lock delays / closures. We make every effort to minimize disruptions, however, the nature of river cruising sometimes dictates a change from the published itinerary. If this happens, you can rest assured we will still deliver an outstanding luxury travel experience.

Sadly, if the river’s water levels are unusually high or low, your itinerary may be affected. These conditions are beyond our control, and we will work to minimize the impact on your cruise. This may include providing alternative arrangements for the duration of the trip. Regardless of the circumstances, we will always keep you informed about any changes that may affect your river cruise.

On the rare occasion this happens, we will offer an alternative and do everything possible to ensure the substituted location / excursion provides a similar experience to the one originally planned.

On the days of embarkation and disembarkation, Riverside Luxury Cruises provides complimentary transfers between the ship and selected airports. Guests traveling to / from other airports, train stations, or local hotels may reserve private car transfers for an additional charge. All guests arriving by air (either international or domestic) must claim their luggage, proceed through Customs, and will then be met by a Riverside Luxury Cruises representative in the Arrivals hall (not in the baggage claim area).

VIP Transfers to/from Airports, Train stations and Hotels are included for Owner Suites, Ravel, Debussy, Mozart Suites and Penthouse Suites, and are available for purchase for other Suite categories. You will find transfer information according to your booking in your travel documents prior to departure.

Embarkation onto the ship begins at Noon, and Suites are available at 2 pm. If your flight arrives early and you would like to embark the ship prior to 12 pm, please check with your travel advisor or Reservations to see whether you can preboard and relax in the public areas until your Suite is ready.

All Suites must be vacated by 9 am. If your flight is later in the day, please check with your travel advisor or Reservations to see whether you can relax in the ship’s public areas until a later time.

Unfortunately, no. Prior to departure, guests must obtain proper passports and visas. Failure to have required travel documents may result in refusal of passage by Customs & Immigration authorities.

NOTE: Please contact your travel advisor to ensure you have all necessary visas and that all documentation is up to date. Riverside Luxury Cruises cannot be held responsible at the time of sailing for any visa information provided by travel advisors, as visa rules and requirements change regularly.

As visa regulations vary for each nationality, we ask all guests who are non-U.S. or non-European citizens to contact their travel advisor or a local visa service to determine individual visa requirements for ALL PORTS. Visa information may also be obtained through the local embassy or consulate of the countries you will be visiting.

Beginning October 2026, electronic travel authorization will be required to enter most European countries. Once the program is operational, you can apply for authorization through ETIAS (the European Travel Information & Authorization System) online at https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en. The fee is €7 if you use the ETIAS official website to apply.

Begin your ETIAS application at least 96 hours before your departure to allow for any unforeseen delays or additional information requests. Please ensure all details on your application match your travel documents. Discrepancies can lead to delays or denials.

Things to Know about ETIAS

1. ETIAS is a new travel requirement:

As of 2026, U.S. and non-EU citizens need to get an ETIAS authorization to travel to any of the 30 European countries.

2. To apply for an ETIAS you will need:

- A passport that remains valid for more than 3 months

- An e-mail address

- Completion of the online form

- Payment of the €7 fee

3. ETIAS is for short-term visits

With a valid ETIAS travel authorization, you will be able to stay in any of the 30 European countries for 90 days in any 180-day period.

4. Your travel authorization is valid for 3 years

Your travel authorization will be valid for 3 years or until the passport you used in the application expires, whichever comes first. You can use the travel authorization for multiple entries.

5. ETIAS is not a visa

You will apply for ETIAS online. You do not need to go to a consulate and your biometric data will not be collected. It will be faster and less expensive than getting a Schengen visa.

6. Europe is not the first to introduce travel authorizations for visa-free nationals Similar travel authorizations are required by the United States, Canada, and Australia.

7. The system is not yet operational

The system is not yet operational, and no applications are being processed at this time. The ETIAS launch is expected in Q4 2026.

Be careful who you provide your personal information to and how much money they charge you for their services. The protection of your personal data cannot be guaranteed if you use another website to submit your application.

In order to quickly and easily settle charges made to your shipboard account at the end of the cruise, your credit card information and signature will be confirmed when you check-in. Accounts may be settled with Euros, MasterCard®, VISA®, or American Express®. Apple Pay and Google Pay are also accepted.

Gratuities are included in your Riverside Luxury Cruises package. If you would like to provide additional gratuity for service beyond your expectations, please do so at the Reception desk.

Ship Reception desks can be contacted via phone and mail:

Riverside Mozart:
reception.mz@riverside-cruises.com | +49 174 675 3837

Riverside Ravel:
reception.rv@riverside-cruises.com | +49 174 771 0625

Riverside Debussy:
reception.db@riverside-cruises.com | +49 170 4835 820

The docking location and port address for the departure point will be provided with your travel documents. However, these details are subject to change by the relevant port authority. Your cruise ticket will have more information about your docking location.