Luxurious European River Cruise: A Soothing Voyage on the Rhine

Experience Tranquility with a European River Cruise. It may sound like a retiree's dream, but after spending a few days aboard the VIVA MOMENTS riverboat traversing the Waal, Rhine, and Moselle in Holland and Germany, it's undoubtedly one of the most luxurious, calming, and surprisingly refreshing vacations available—something the soul deeply needs these days, regardless of age.

We embarked on an organized river cruise to the North Rhine region, organized by Gordon Tours, traveling between picturesque towns and cities in the Netherlands and Germany—where there's no need to worry about hotels, luggage, or navigation. Simply board the vessel, take a deep breath, and flow with the river.

The vessel Viva. Photos: Sapir Peretz

A Floating Boutique Hotel

This isn't about mega-cruise ships with enormous dining halls and dazzling entertainment venues typical of large ocean liners. Here, it's an entirely different experience—a more intimate, relaxed setting for those who don't need all the extravagance and attractions of gigantic ships.

The VIVA MOMENTS offers precisely this: a quiet, luxurious, and indulgent sailing experience with high-level service along Europe's rivers.

What Makes an Intimate Ship? Here Are Some Specs

The vessel VIVA MOMENTS was launched in 2018 and underwent a substantial upgrade about a year ago.
Length and Width: 135 meters / 11 meters.
Number of Decks: 3.
Maximum Capacity: 176 passengers.
Crew: 48 members.

The ship's lounge - a cozy spot for coffee or a cocktail

Rooms - Luxurious Comfort on the River

Onboard a river cruise ship, you realize there's no need to sacrifice comfort and design. The guest rooms on the ship are relatively spacious and elegantly designed in a European style, featuring panoramic windows offering ever-changing views. Enjoy small luxuries, from a double bed to a mini-bar stocked with your favorite drinks (included in the cruise fare), an espresso machine with an array of capsules, a welcome bottle of wine, a television, a safe, a bathroom with RITUALS toiletries, a hairdryer, and air conditioning.

The VIVA MOMENTS has 88 such guest rooms in 3 main categories:
Suites with a Private Balcony: 4 suites of 24 sq.m with a balcony.
Junior Suites: 19 sq.m with a large display window.
Standard Cabins: 16 sq.m with a window.

We stayed in a Junior Suite, a delightful retreat to return to after each shore excursion.

Comfortable double bed

Seating area in the room

Gourmet Dining

Forget the buffet. Except for breakfast, lunch and dinner are served personally by a waitstaff renowned for their swift and courteous service. By the second day, they even know your name and dietary preferences.

Breakfast offers a wide array of European morning favorites, from scrambled eggs, sausages, and bacon to various cheeses, pancakes, and juices. For lunch and dinner—an ever-changing selection of exquisite chef's dishes served alongside fine wine or a selection of cocktails and alcohol (included in the fare).

The food is excellent, plated beautifully, and in portions sufficient to satisfy without overindulgence. Each meal features a cold starter, a serving of hot soup with bread and butter; the main course changes daily, including fish, meat, and vegetarian options—everything very tasty; desserts are also delightful and varied with each meal. Fresh fruit is provided, ensuring no one leaves hungry or disappointed.

Gourmet plated dishes

A different dessert every day

Facilities and Services

For those wanting to burn calories, the ship offers a small gym with several treadmills and weights. Bicycles are also available on the upper deck, ready for exploration at port stops.

Additionally, there's a sun deck with a small plunge pool and plenty of comfortable sun lounges—ideal for enjoying panoramic views and sunshine on non-rainy days during this season.

Bikes for everyone

Entertainment Onboard

River cruises offer not only breathtaking scenery, quaint cities and unparalleled relaxation but also entertainment performances that enrich the sailing experience, turning each evening into a small cultural celebration.

Our cruise featured performances by Suzi Miller (known as Suzi Surprise from educational TV) and Moni Arnon, both former members of "The Brothers and Sisters." They were accompanied by the superb accordionist, Israel Surin-Rosen, who delighted passengers with classic Israeli songs and beloved international hits.

Evening entertainment shows

Guided Shore Tours in Hebrew

The guided shore tours led by Israeli tour guides (who are experienced, knowledgeable, and personable) were among the most enjoyable surprises on Gordon Tours' organized river cruise—a moment when you leave the ship, breathe in the air, and explore local wonders up close. Whether it's quaint towns or historical sites, a well-led shore tour adds an authentic touch to the adventure, and all that's left is to enjoy and take pictures. However, this wasn't always the case. Rainy weather during this part of the year can sometimes dampen the experience, requiring a flexible alternative plan for such days or Sundays when many sites are closed.

In Conclusion, VIVA MOMENTS is not merely a vessel—it is a capsule of tranquility in the heart of Europe offering a classic vacation for those who understand that true luxury is in peace and calm.

The writer was a guest of Gordon Tours.

For more articles on river cruises and cruising, visit PassportCruise