Riverside Debussy, the third ship in the recently debuted Riverside Luxury Cruises fleet, set sail this spring with a five-night voyage from Brussels, Belgium, to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. While Riverside Ravel and Riverside Mozart won industry raves for stepping up what savvy travelers expect from high-end river cruising, Debussy seemed to successfully challenge the river cruise status quo to attract a younger, more active and well-traveled set of passengers.

© Elyse Glickman

The 110-passenger capacity ship’s interior design sits snugly between modern luxury minimalism (not too much clutter) and old-school maximalism (stunning jewel-toned textiles and accessories). Fewer rooms, in turn, mean there is more personal space and staff-to-passenger attention. The Melody and Symphony cabins are smallest in size but big on style and comfort, while the mid-sized Seahorse and Riverside suites expand on built-in comforts with a walk-in closet, a full-sized bathroom with two sinks, a writing desk and a king-sized bed.

© Riverside Luxury Cruises

Premium Riverside Suites include a generous sitting/living room area, larger bathrooms, a separate vanity area and closets. The top-level, 883-square-foot Owner Suite accommodates two–four guests with two bedrooms, a larger living room area, a fireplace and two bathrooms. Each suite has floor-to-ceiling windows, a minibar with premium libations, snacks and personal care products from Spanish spa brand Natura Bisse. Passengers in the larger suites can look forward to perks like personal butler service; 24-hour, in-suite gourmet dining; airport transfers; and a couple of surprise gifts that replace mints on the pillow.

Like other Riverside Luxury ships, there is a strong emphasis on distinctive culinary offerings aboard this ship. Passengers have, at their fingertips, made-to-order breakfast and lunch options daily, all-day self-serve snacks in The Bistro, and fine-dining dinner offerings in the Waterfront. Beyond that, there is an extravagant add-on dinner service for an extra charge (€295) inside the Art Deco-inspired Vintage Room, which accommodates up to 12 guests. Each dish within the seasonal, multicourse gourmet feast is introduced by one of the ship’s top chefs, while the head sommelier guides guests through inspirations for wine pairings.

© Elyse Glickman

The tasting menu on the maiden voyage included continental classics suited for the transition between winter and spring. Many standout courses were crafted with tasteful tweaks, including smoked burrata salad, sea bass, grilled lamb and smart vegetarian alternatives. Flavored butters and inspired use of condiments impart extra creative flair. In keeping with the Belgium/Netherlands location, passengers enjoyed made-to-order bubble waffles with a choice of toppings at The Bistro, a chocolate souffle baking demonstration in the Palm Court lounge and a cheese cart in the Waterfront dining room. There is also a “tapas” supper available in The Bistro. While the concept of serving Central European bites in a Spanish dining style is original, the execution at press time could stand improvement as the kitchen tried a little too hard to fuse Central European and Mediterranean sensibilities.

© Elyse Glickman

The bottom deck features several desirable amenities, including a spotless gym with Technogym equipment and free weights, an indoor pool, and a whirlpool Jacuzzi. While professional laundry services are available for an extra charge, a self-service laundry room next to the gym features premium Miele washers and dryers for use, free of charge. There’s also a compact but well-attired spa area with Natura Bisse skin care for body and facial services. The wellness setup is supplemented by specialty fitness classes on board, and Nordic walking sticks and complimentary loaner bicycles for use on excursion days.

The on-shore itinerary has several superb excursions that offer participants a deeper dive into regional history and culture above and beyond perennial favorite bike tours and food-tasting walks. The most memorable on Debussy’s debut cruise included a tour of the U.S. Roosevelt political dynasty’s ancestral seat, a visit to Cathedral of St. Bavo where high tech meets with history in presenting the Ghent Altarpiece (the subject of the film Monuments Men), and a bike tour through Verre to take in its Scottish influence. Guides hired for the tours were personable and read their participants well.

© Elyse Glickman

Some stops on the itinerary can be readily enjoyed with or without a formal walking tour. Above and beyond Brussels and Amsterdam on the front and back ends of the trip, tiny but ultra-trendy Dordrecht has everything required to be a mini-Amsterdam with its thrift stores, trendy coffee shops and architecture — minus the crowds. Middelburg, Verre and Ghent charm with eclectic architecture; narrow streets; and canals filled with inviting cafés, inspired shopping, and places to chill out and appreciate the views.

Riverside Debussy
Riverside Luxury Cruises
tel 34 928 06 32 00