Riviera Travel Reviews

We went on a Riviera Travel cruise Cologne, the Rhine Gorge & Medieval Germany during May 2025. Pros Comfortable and clean room Ship is spotless Staff are lovely and very helpful on board especially Alin, Slata, Okky and Jo. Diana and George were brilliant, they organise all the tours. Diana also helped us at the airport, she was amazing unlike the girl on the bus who was meant to know how to assist us at the airport. She didn't have a clue. Shower is spacious enough and the water pressure is good. Tour guides were mostly great although we felt some were just talking to fill in time. On one occasion we left the tour and did out own thing. Rhine had stunning scenery. Enjoyed the Noddy train and Siegfried's Mechanical music cabinet museum at Rüdesheim. Cons Food is not consistently good, sometimes delicious and other times mediocre. Certainly not 5* all of the time. Disappointed in the drinks package, certainly wasn't superior - only one cocktail available each day free and they were mostly non traditional ones apart from one day when it was pina colada. You can buy other cocktails at €9 each which is what I had to do as that's all I normally drink. Name wrong on booking which made the return flight stressful. Had to chase the booking staff on four different occasions by phone and email to try and resolve this issue. Unfortunately the return flight company (Lufthansa) would not change the name on the booking before the holiday. On the first evening we had moths in the cabin so reception sent someone up to remove them. The second night more moths in the room and I had to get hubby out of bed as I couldn't reach them. I informed management and they suggested it might have been when I opened the cabin door at the start of the holiday which was open for two minutes. I discovered at the end of the cruise that our cabin door at the back behind the curtain had been jammed open for the whole cruise. Fortunately no other bugs made it on board. Disappointing that this wasn't investigated. Evening entertainment was lacking, could have done better. After the Rhine Gorge there was 42 locks so you were unable to sit on the upper deck for safety reasons. I doubt we'd go on another Riviera Travel Cruise, maybe try another company. Too expensive for what it was. Expected 5* but it's more like 4*.

I spoke to Amanda who was very professional, helpful and knowledgeable. I felt very comfortable with her discussing my requirements for a holiday next year and subsequently made a booking.

As it’s our 22nd holiday with Riviera, we are obviously impressed with how the company operate. We love the way it’s so easy to speak to an advisor and they are always friendly and extremely helpful. In particular our last Tour Advisor, Nick Thompson and our last Tour Manager, Sinead Murray were exceptional. We also enjoy having our printed itinerary to be able to plan our time. The hotels and ships have always been very acceptable and the food is usually good. The guided tours and places to visit are always good too.

A very professional approach to the booking process with just the right amount of personal connection. All my questions were answered clearly and Linda was at pains to make sure that everything had been covered. Could not fault the whole experience. Well done!!!

The travel consultant Lynda was excellent friendly yet professional, first time we have booked with Riviera, so hopefully the holiday experience will match the booking process.

Helpful website, easy to book

Very friendly, helpful and efficient

Excellent and friendly service over the phone.

This is a great company and my booking experience reflects that. Linda could not have been more helpful and the whole process went very smoothly.

Our Croatian cruise on the beautiful MS Mendula was a delight from beginning to end. Molly, our tour manager for the week, is a delightful girl: knowledgeable, friendly, highly competent and fun. The crew likewise were great, but special mention has to go to Felipe, the bar manager and the two chefs who turned out delicious three course meals for 28 people in a tiny galley kitchen. I have no idea how they managed it but they did, beautifully. Several of the other guests had travelled with Riviera before and told us that their trips have always been to the same high standard. We're now planning another cruise with them in 2026!

My husband had a blue light card which was eligible for discount. I had to ring to get it added. The assistant was very efficient and sorted it straight away.

the company is owned by a venture capital group silverfleet capital and its been on the sale market for a while now. ( google search). we have had several holidays with them and they are reputable. the travellers are in the older age group. they offer a reasonable service and range of products. there may be a steady pressure to cut back costs as is the case with all venture capitalists. if anything goes wrong you are unlikely to be offered anything back. if they have a holiday that suits you there is no reason not to book with them, it wont be 5 star but perfectly adequate

I've just returned from doing the Grand Tour of Kenya with Riviera,it was hands fown the best holiday/adventure i've ever had.Cassie our guide was amazing her attention to detail,enthusiasm,knowledge & organisation skills made this adventure go smoothly.Our driver/guides,lodges/food & most importantly staff were brilliant & helpful.Perfect in everyway wouldn't change a thing. Now looking forward to something completely different next year Japan with Riviera

Generally all questions etc answered satisfactorily. Staff very helpful and polite.

I tried to book online. This went well until I tried to pay the deposit. The web site payment app did not like Gpay on my PC and hung the PC. I phoned. As luck would have it there was a long wait for the call to be picked up. The agent was very helpful, and the wanted river cruise was selected and booked fairly quickly. When I received the emailed confirmation I went to the web page concerned and was disappointed that the details of passports and travel insurance and emergency contact had not been transferred automatically from a recent (different) booking. If all the information has to be input for each booking this will be an unnecessary chore.

I have been disabled for a number of years. Recently I find booking holidays if you are mobility restricted and needing take equipment especially electric travel scooters more and more difficult. These scooters are treated akin to travelling with a ballistic missile and travel companies start to tell you their ‘ products ‘ are not suitable for you even though they have no knowledge of you whatsoever. However — I was pleasantly surprised when booking a classical tour of Spain with Riviera Travel. Instead of taking a sharp intake of breath and reciting phrases like —- ‘ you wont be able to keep up with the group’ ( beg to differ it will be the other way round !!! ) or ‘the terrane is unsuitable - cobbled streets ‘ or like I was once told - ‘ it will spoil the tour for our other customers’ ! ——— Riviera travel listened to what I had to say and apart from a few checks with the airline company about the electric mobility scooter happily took my booking. 10 out of 10 Riviera travel - in the past others have refused to carry me/ the scooter and some companies take details and simply do not ring back. If I didn’t think I could do the tours I wouldn’t even try to book but sadly the age of disability discrimination by some travel companies is institutionalised & still very much alive and kicking shocking in 2025 but sadly very true

Just returned from Malta Uncovered Signature Tour. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Fabulous hotel (Maritim Antonine) with no problems. Our rep Ozbec was helpful and friendly and well organised. The excursions were fun, I loved them all but especially The Blue Grotto boat trip, Mdina and the vineyard tour, tasting and lunch.

Sunny disposition and thoroughly interested in my booking especially as I’d just come back from my holiday cruising in Croatia and was rebooking the same holiday for next year

Hard working staff who all ensured a positive experience.

Just come back from holiday to puglia and lecce.the whole trip was excellent food was good also the hotels.was first time I have used riviera and would wholly recommend. Excellent tour manager Helen sweetman very knowledgeable. The trips where good and coach driver great made you feel safe when been driven about. Have booked again to go to lisbon in September can't wait.