Riviera Travel’s brand new river cruise ship, MS Riviera Radiance, wows on the European waterways

The state-of-the-art ship was built for Riviera Travel in collaboration with a longstanding shipping partner and set off on its first cruise on June 9th 2025.

The latest edition to Riviera Travel’s fleet, the brand new MS Riviera Radiance, proudly set sail on its maiden voyage on Friday, June 9th 2025, to complete its first itinerary on the majestic Danube River.

At 135 metres long, the state-of-the-art river cruise ship can carry up to 178 passengers and 44 crew and boasts the biggest suites available across all of Riviera Travel’s vessels. Its 89 cabins include Standard Cabins (172 ft²) with French balconies or fixed windows, Superior Suites (258 ft²) with floor-to-ceiling French balconies and lounge area, and the spacious Grand Suites (344 ft²) with separate living space and private balcony with outdoor seating. Its luxurious amenities include King-size or twin beds, rain showers, Nespresso machines, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and refined furnishings.

Across its four decks, a wide offering of elegant spaces and dining opportunities awaits, enhanced by an eye-catching split-level design with floor-to-ceiling windows that houses a two-story Panorama Lounge & Bar, and open-plan dining areas to create a sense of space and flow.

The Riviera Radiance’s luxurious facilities and amenities further include a sundeck with plunge pool, sun loungers and shaded areas, a spa and wellness area, fitness center, gift boutique, and lift access to all accommodation levels.

Gourmands will enjoy a variety of hospitality options including the fine dining main restaurant on the Ruby deck – rivalling even the most elegant onshore establishments and complemented by delicate European porcelain, gleaming glassware and intuitive top-level service. Additionally, there are two specialty restaurants, including the Bistro on the Diamond deck with an open kitchen, panoramic windows, and al fresco seating (weather permitting), and Mosaic on the Emerald deck, which offers a tapas-style tasting menu inspired by Europe’s rivers.

Designed by Riviera Travel’s trusted Swiss partners with the very latest technology and the award-winning cruise operator’s strong environmental values in mind, MS Riviera Radiance is on track to qualify for the Gold Standard as part of the Green Award programme.

Vicky Billing, Director of Trade & Partnerships UK & Ireland at Riviera Travel, has already experienced the new ship first-hand and says, “The MS Riviera Radiance is truly transformational for us at Riviera Travel, the next level. Following the launch of the MS Riviera Rose earlier this year, we are incredibly proud of these two state-of-the-art additions to our fleet, as they highlight our ongoing commitment to innovating and enhancing our offering.

“The whole Riviera family is incredibly excited to see how this beautiful ship will be received by our valued guests and esteemed trade partners, and we can’t wait to show the Radiance to all of our collaborators as soon as possible.”

In 2025, the MS Riviera Radiance will be operating across nine itineraries, all on the Danube river. With the MS Riviera Rose operating two itineraries across Portugal and into Spain, the two vessels are testament to Riviera Travel’s ongoing commitment to providing unbeatable quality and value to its customers, and maintaining the award-winning company’s leading position as a cruise operator.