VIVA Cruises is a premier operator on the major European rivers including the Rhine, Moselle, Danube, Elbe, Rhône and Seine.
VIVA ONE, with twin sister VIVA TWO, are the flagship in VIVA's eight strong river fleet.
It sails out of Düsseldorf and Basel on a range of carefully curated river cruises along the Rhine, Moselle and Danube.
The Romantic Moselle Cruise
The Romantic Moselle Cruise on VIVA ONE, sails out of Düsseldorf on a seven-night voyage that takes in eight riverside destinations including Koblenz, Trier, Rüdesheim am Rhein and Bonn.
Everything one could wish for - onboard and off
It would be wrong to compare river cruising to the 'floating city' offered by the oceangoing cruise liner.
By Ashley Gibbins
River cruising is a more sedate option offering a balance of rest and relaxation with fine dining, exemplary service.
And the chance to visit different destinations without the hassle of packing up and moving on.
A couple of reservations at the outset
That said, this was our first full cruise of either type, and I had a number of questions and just a couple of reservations before taking our seven-night Romantic Moselle cruise aboard VIVA ONE.
We knew the VIVA One was VIVA Cruises pride and joy, having spent just a couple of nights aboard its twin sister VIVA TWO in 2023.
But this was going to be a 'full voyage' cruising along the Rhine and Moselle.
Looking through the itinerary VIVA Cruises sends all its guests in advance, I read we will be sailing to different destinations daily either overnight or as a daytime cruise.
Would there be enough time to relax, or maybe too much time just sitting around.
Would this the schedule impinge on our ability to properly explore, or would we be just too long in one place?
As seasoned travellers, would we feel constrained by the daily routine that the river cruise imposes.
Finally, with the ship taking up to 176 passengers in 88 cabins, would the trip prove a little
claustrophobic?
Now committed advocates
Now back in the UK from this first river cruise, I can 'hand on heart' say that any initial reservations we might have had we quickly dispelled, and all expectations exceeded.
Ann and I are now committed advocates of the river cruise.
The perfect balance
Life on board provides the perfect balance
There is ample time to relax on board as the VIVA ONE cruises lazily along long stretches of the Rhine and Moselle, two truly majestic rivers.
Both offer different in their own ways and offer a fascinating prospective of life on and either side of the water.
We were also two of the first to book the VIVA bikes for a meandering riverside cycle.
The Rhine
The Rhine is one of Europe's major waterways that starts in Switzerland and flows through Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and France, for some 760 miles, before emptying into the North Sea.
Of huge historic importance the Rhine remains one of the busiest waterways in Europe, and it is fascinating to watch the long, narrow river barges with their cargoes of coal, gravel or containers filled with consumer goods.
The Moselle
We join the Moselle, a tributary of the Rhine, at Koblenz and the difference is almost immediate.
While the Rhine has an industrial majesty, the Moselle is noticeably smaller and more decidedly more picturesque. Positively 'romantic' in fact.
It takes us through lush hill sides covered in cascading grape vines that cascade down to the water's edge.
These produce some of the world's finest wines, especially the succulent Riesling, which was my tipple of choice on board.
We also catch glimpses of historic castles atop them and pass picturesque small towns and villages.
VIVA ONE's schedule
VIVA ONE's schedule sees us moored each day at a different destination and with ample time to look around to look around.
And finally, life aboard this floating, full board, luxury hotel was a wonderful experience.
The cabins are deluxe, dining simply excellent and the service on board is the absolute best.
Ann writes more about this below.
So, was our first river cruise a success? You bet!
And will we be back on a VIVA Cruises ship at some time in the future? Definitely!
Lazy, hazy days on VIVA ONE
This was our first time on a river cruise and on VIVA ONE, and we weren't entirely sure it was going to be 'our sort of thing'.
By Ann Mealor
Although I say first time, we had been on a very enjoyable two-night voyage to celebrate the launch of her twin sister VIVA TWO in 2023.
So, we knew the layout of ship and were sure the food and service would be top notch. But was a week on board going to be just too long?
Or would we find life on board too dull, dare I say boring? We didn't know anyone else who had been on a river cruise.
Sea faring ones, yes, mind most had loved their time on the ocean wave, exploring the many restaurants and bars on board huge liners and enjoying a packed programme of entertainment.
However, the river cruisers are smaller and more intimate vessels, holding about 200 passengers rather than the two to five thousand on an ocean-going ship.
Would we as travellers used to rushing from place to place, adapt to this gentler pace of life?
Would we slip into a leisurely routine of cocktails, sun loungers and scenery whilst drifting slowly down the majestic Rhine and picturesque Moselle?
As Ashley has already given away, we did and loved it!
Let me tell you why.
Our cabin
We had a well-designed, light and airy junior suite with enough space for a large, super comfortable bed and a small coffee table with two easy chairs.
The floor to ceiling, sliding French windows opened right up, so it felt like you had a balcony.
That was such a big plus point, and a feature of many of the rooms, as it meant we could make the most of the lovely views whilst we were relaxing in our cabin.
There was a small light beech wood dressing table/desk, a wardrobe (with lots of hangers that weren't annoyingly attached to the rail), a full-length mirror - and plenty of drawers and shelving to neatly store clothes and other personal items.
Hooks on the doors were also very handy for hanging towels, coats, toiletry bags or the plush dressing gowns I found folded neatly in the wardrobe, along with a couple of pairs of slippers.
A large flat screen TV on the wall displayed the ship's daily programme, the small fridge came well stocked with soft drinks and beers (which were replenished daily).
Our hospitality tray had an ample selection of teas and coffees.
However, being situated right next to the Bistro restaurant meant we could easily help ourselves to a speciality hot drink and homemade biscuits whenever we wanted.
Instead of bottled water in the room, we were given two re-useable stainless steel water bottles with handy clips to attach to belts or bags.
These could be filled at the water station on board and then taken home at the end of the trip, all part of Viva Cruises commitment to sustainability.
The bathroom
Our bathroom had a fantastic, powerful rain shower (that didn't leak under the shower door as some do!), luxurious, full size Ritual toiletries which I really appreciated and a large, mirrored bathroom cabinet that could accommodate all our lotions and potions.
Finally, after unpacking, we tucked away our suitcases under the bed, slid open the windows, cracked open our complimentary bottle of fizz, and raised our glasses to the voyage ahead!
Food glorious food
On a cruise, the food needs to be better than good, it has to be excellent.
There is no trying a different restaurant each evening or meandering downside streets searching for that hidden gem of a place that only the locals know about.
There is no escape you have to eat on board.
But in the case of the Riverside Restaurant on VIVA One, the last thing we wanted to do was go anywhere else!
The food was superb – magnificent even.
Each day, without fail, the chef produced glorious dish after dish-and not only did it taste superb but was beautifully presented as one would expect from a top London restaurant.
We tried to pace ourselves throughout the day so we could eat a breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We didn't want to miss out on anything, but our stomachs could only hold so much!
VIVA One also has The Bistro which is a more intimate and casual dining experience.
Fine wine, beer and cocktails
On a VIVA Cruise everything is included in the price, including all wine, champagne and cocktails, which were hard to resist.
It's 5 o'clock somewhere! Became our motto for the cruise.
Breakfast
We decided to have just a small, healthy breakfast each day.
This took a lot of self-control as it hard to resist eating our fill once we were at the buffet!
I had the fresh fruit – a selection of ripe sliced melon, pineapple, orange and grapefruit and some plain yoghurt.
Ashley always had the softly smoked fish, herring, salmon or mackerel, with some creamy scrambled egg.
But in addition, there was always a wide selection of cheese, cold meats, fish, fruit, pancakes, bacon, sausages, potato croquettes, freshly baked crusty bread rolls and pastries, cereals, juices and bubbles!
Omelettes, porridge and fried, poached or boiled eggs could be ordered from the menu.
On our last day, when we weren't eating lunch, I pushed the boat out and ordered a fluffy smoked salmon and cheese omelette, which I paired with thick slices of tomatoes and a crusty bread roll with lots of butter.
I also sampled the blueberry muffins.
Breakfast was from 7.30 -9.30, but for early birds, there were help yourself pastries in The Bistro from 7am.
High teas
There were also two High Teas to factor in, when the pastry chefs really 'went to town'.
They created a vibrant and mouthwatering display of cakes, pastries, chocolate, pralines, biscuits, waffles, mini silky-smooth portions of panna cotta, raspberry mousse, lemon cheesecakes, chocolate eclairs and colourful macaroons.
It was like being let lose in a sweet shop – it all looked so good I didn't know where to start!How they managed to do such skilled and intricate work in such a small kitchen, I don't know.
Lunch
If there is breakfast on offer, we don't usually eat lunch, as we prefer to fill up in the morning, go exploring and then enjoy our evening meal.
However, after sampling our first lunch, we realised we had to reassess the situation as this meal could not be missed!
So, each day we would go out in the morning, explore a city or town and then scamper back on board for about 1pm.
Lunchtime was 12.30-2pm which fitted in well with our daily plans, giving us a chance to go for a bike ride or do some more sight-seeing in the afternoon and work up an appetite for dinner.
It was always four courses, five if you helped yourself to the cheeseboard.
Starters was salad, olives, cucumber, croutons, dressings etc and a selection of appetisers from the buffet.
Some of my favourites were the smoked salmon and cream cheese roulade, the smoked trout with horseradish cream, the tomato caprese and the gilled zucchini drizzled with garlic oil.
Next, was the delicious, piping hot soup, which we just had to have!
A flavour filled bowl of scrumptiousness
Each recipe was a flavour filled bowl of scrumptiousness including the truffled, creamy forest mushroom, the beer and cheese and the roasted vegetable.
We just loved each and every mouthful.
For the main course there was a fish, meat or vegetable option and a fresh made-to order pasta prepared in the open kitchen.
I tried a creamy shell pasta dish with salmon flakes tossed in a white wine vodka sauce.
The fish was always a good choice, and we particularly enjoyed the pan-fried Cape Hake, the pepper crusted salmon and the Almond Crusted Pike Perch.
Leaving space for dessert
I tried to leave a little space for dessert.
The warm apple pie with roasted almonds and crème Chantilly and the baked hazelnut pudding with chocolate sauce were hard to resist and it was almost impossible to serve yourself just a small portion, as Ashley discovered.
Of course, there was a selection of good quality white and red wine served at lunch and dinner, including a very fine Riesling, so again this required a modicum of self-control, which wasn't easy as Ashley, once again, discovered!
One of the many things I really appreciated about dining on board was, when we were served at our table, which was most of the time, the portion sizes were not too big.
This meant we could comfortably eat four courses without feeling bloated and there was very little food waste.
Dinner
We would head down to dinner at about 8pm, after our evening glass of champagne or Mojito.By this time, we were looking forward to our meal.
The menu changed each evening, but the quality remained the same.
Four and a half courses
We always managed four and a half courses in the evening (we shared a dessert!) but had a cheese plate each which we took up to the lounge.
As at lunch, there was a vegetarian menu available but also an interesting local dish such as traditional German Bierfleisch, plus classic dinner choices such as a Caesar salad or a plainly grilled chicken or salmon.
The fish was always a firm favourite with the seabass filet 'vineyard style' with poached grapes, in a lemon pepper butter with grilled zucchini; the pan-fried sea bream with corn fritters and apple-cider dressing and best of all, the grilled Butterfish with sundried tomato and olive tapenade.
The Gala Dinner
On our penultimate evening there was a special Gala Dinner, hosted by the ship's captain.
This was a fantastic six course menu with all the trimmings.
I had an outstanding main course, which was slow roasted Black Angus melt in the mouth filet of beef.
An absolute showstopper.
For those who didn't want four courses each night (we did!) or something more informal The Bistro, provided alternative fare including deep filled sandwiches, juicy burgers, succulent steaks and hot, crispy fries.
We ate here one evening and enjoyed the change of scene.
Having a first-class team on a river cruise is of the highest importance
It sits right up there with the quality of the food.
Throughout our voyage on VIVA One it was so obvious how dedicated Captain, Plamen Veselinov and his crew of 45 were to their ship.
And how committed everyone was to make sure our seven nights on board as carefree and enjoyable as it is possible for us to be.
There was the six strong Nautic crew who saw us moored safely in each destination and navigated the very narrow locks that VIVA One has to get through.
The kitchen team, led by chef Chef Kus Endgang, produced the wonderful food we enjoyed served by the 10 exceptional members of the restaurant team under Maitre d'Hotel Melek Ezine.
The bar team under manager Tun Myat Naing were always ready to create a cocktail or pour a cold beer.
Keeping the cabins spotless
Particular praise also goes to those working in housekeeping under Ivelena Dimitrova.
They also keep the cabins spotless and always offer a warm smile and a cheery 'good morning' to get the day started on a good note.
We also had daily contact with the oh-so helpful reception led by Emilia Miteva, who answered our questions, sorted our bikes and arranged the taxi on our departure.
A floating luxury hotel
And finally, everything was kept on 'an even keel' by the excellent Hotel manager Fatih Kapucu.
With VIVA ONE a floating luxury hotel, his role is key to a successful voyage.
Fatih who was always around to support us guests and his onboard team.
They were all efficient and very professional, whether waiting on in the restaurants, keeping the ship spotlessly clean, serving at the bar or bringing drinks to us up on deck.
You could have a joke with everyone and, being an international team, it was interesting hearing about where they came from and how they came to be on board.
Personal goodbyes
On leaving, so many guests sought out crew members to shake hands or offer a hug and say their personal goodbyes. They had all become friends.
My conclusion of a river cruise aboard VIVA ONE
By the end of our VIVA One cruise, I had wound down completely and was relaxed.
I enjoyed lying on my sun lounger on top deck with a Mojito in hand watching the world on either side of the ship as we floated by.
All but one places we moored at en-route was just a short walk to the centre of town where we could stroll around and browse the shops.
There was also a daily routing of a leisurely bike ride along the riverbank. I was accustomed to my four course meals and the banter with the women and guys serving it.
It was also a joy sitting in the lounge of an evening being entertained by the talented pianist.
I now understand why VIVA Cruises has so many repeat guests.We will almost certainly be among them in future
Our week on the Rhine and Moselle
VIVA Cruises Romantic Moselle cruise offers eight stops over seven nights
By Ashley Gibbins
While there is the option of a guided tour at each destination, one can also just decide to get off the ship and explore independently on foot or by using one of the bikes that the crew lay out one the dockside.
Or, of course, just relax on deck and watch life passing by on shore.
We decide discover things as we found them, and here is just an idea of what we did find.
In doing so the trick is invariably to look up at the stunning architectural masterpieces and half-timbered buildings that abound.
Koblenz
The first full day of our cruise finds us moored by the city Koblenz, which sits at the junction of the Rhine and Moselle rivers.
The first thing one finds on disembarking is the dramatic equestrian statue of Emperor Wilhelm I that dominates the waterfront.
Strolling through the historic old town one discovers narrow lanes, old churches and squares that are busting or quiet in equal measure.
Koblenz also has one of the largest preserved fortresses in Europe, which can be reached by cable car and offers panoramic views over the Rhine Valley.
https://www.visit-koblenz.de/en
Traben-Trarbach
Leaving Koblenz at 13.00 hours we are soon onto the Moselle and a glorious and very leisurely afternoon, evenings and indeed overnight cruise towards Traben-Trarbach.
This really gets one into the 'flow' of river cruising.
Waking up in Traben-Trarbach we find two small towns on either side of the Mosselle in this rich wine-growing region, particularly its Riesling wines.
The small Trarbach town centre is particularly attractive with its half-timbered houses and elegant villas.
https://www.traben-trarbach.de/en/welcome_to_traben-trarbach.html
Bernkastel
Leaving Traben-Trarbach at noon, we enjoy a short cruise to Bernkastel.
We are now wee and truly in in the heart of the Moselle wine region, and Bernkastel.is a very popular stop for the river cruisers and land bound tourists.
It is immediately clear why, being an historic labyrinth cluttered with well-preserved half-timbered houses and narrow cobblestone streets.
This is particularly at the Marktplatz (market square) with its Renaissance-style fountain and the 17th-century Spitzhäuschen (Pointed House).
The town bustles with bars, restaurants and wine, art, craft and gift shops.
We also took a cycle along both sides of the Moselle, which was delightful.
Trier
There was ample time to enjoy Bernkastel to the full before we cruise overnight to Trier.
This is one of Germany's oldest cities and one I had visited before (though too many years ago to remember).
Trier was founded by the Romans as Augusta Treverorum around 16 BC, and the city's Roman heritage is obvious from the moment one enters through Porta Nigra.
This is a huge Roman city gate and one of the best preserved anywhere.
We also take a look at the impressive ruins of the Kaiserthermen; the Roman Imperial Baths, among the largest in the Empire, and the city's amphitheatre.
Built in the 2nd century it once held up to 20,000 spectators who would view gladiator battles, animal hunts and public spectacles.
Talking a leisurely walk around Trier one also passes the Roman basilica, built by Emperor Constantine in the early 4th century, along with the Cathedral of Saint Peter, Germany's oldest cathedral and the Electoral Palace (Kurfürstliches Palais) a beautiful Rococo building sitting in landscaped gardens.
Trier's medieval market square is a bustling area surrounded by historic buildings, including the St. Gangolf's Church, while nearby the birthplace Karl Marx House is a museum dedicated to his life and works.
Cochem
Next stop on our cruise is Cochem, a riverside town that is similar to Bernkastel in what it offers, while also having Reichsburg Cochem (Cochem Castle) a 19th century Neo-Gothic structure, that dominates the hillside.
Even if one does not go into the castle, a walk up to it offers panoramic views over the town and surrounding countryside.
https://www.ferienland-cochem.de/en/holiday-region/towns-and-villages/cochem
Rüdesheim am Rhein
Another overnight cruise finds us back on the Rhine and at Rüdesheim am Rhein.
This is one of the Rhine's most popular tourist spots and its easy to understand why.
Picturesque scenery, historic architecture and a town infused with its wine culture.
Everyone walks Drosselgasse, the narrow street lined with traditional German taverns, restaurant and wine bars and shops.
Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet is a museum showcasing a collection of mechanical musical instruments, from small music boxes to large orchestrions.
A cable car will also get you up to Niederwalddenkmal, a hilltop monument commemorating the unification of Germany in 1871.
https://ruedesheim.de/en/home-english/
Linz am Rhein
Our penultimate day finds us moored at Linz am Rhein with its historic town centre that was first mentioned in the 9th century.
Bonn
It was then on to Bonn, our last stop, which is known as the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven.
A museum here dedicated to his life and works houses a collection of original manuscripts, instruments, and personal items.
Bonn was also the capital of West Germany from 1949 until reunification in 1990, when Berlin took over this role.
A scenic riverside walkway allowed us to take a last stretching of our legs on this trip.
https://international.bonn.de/highlights/tourist-information/tourist-information.php
Düsseldorf
VIVA's Romantic Mosselle cruise boards and disembarks at Düsseldorf.
We arrived in the city early morning and, after leaving our luggage on the ship, took the opportunity to look around the city.
We also bolted an extra night onto our trip so we could spend longer in Düsseldorf at the end of our river cruise.
AllWays Traveller to Düsseldorf
https://www.allwaystraveller.com/continents/europe/duesseldorf-old-and-new-combine-in-this-city-on-the-rhine
Plying Europe's major waterways in style
VIVA Cruises has an eight-ship fleet sailing on major European rivers including the VIVA ONE and VIVA TWO
Europe's major waterways
The Moselle
The Moselle has its source in the Vosges Mountains of eastern France before flowing through Luxembourg and into Germany, where it is called the Mosel.
The Danube
Starting in Germany's Black Forest the Danube, Europe's second longest river, winds its way through 10 European countries to the Black Sea.
The Seine
The Seine in northern France takes its name from the Latin Sequana, the Goddess of the River and flows through Paris and into the English Channel at Le Havre.
The Rhône
Beginning as an outflow of the Rhône Glacier in Valais, Switzerland, the Rhône flows through Lake Geneva and into France before flowing into the Mediterranean.
The Rhine
The Rhine, one of the major European rivers, begins in the Swiss Alps and flows through Germany and the Netherlands to the North Sea.
The Main
The Main River, the longest river lying entirely in Germany, flows through Bavaria and cities including Frankfurt, Offenbach and Würzburg.
The Baltic Sea
The Baltic is an inland sea, the meeting point of several rivers, connects with the Mediterranean through the Bosporus Strait and then through the Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles Strait.
See also : https://www.allwaystraveller.com/continents/europe/seeing-europe-in-style-with-viva-cruises
