On the Mozart part of Riverside Luxury Cruises along the Danube with plenty to say about current trends in luxury travel.
1️⃣ Flexibility:
Unlike regular ships that have structured embarkations, here guests can get on and off at nearly any port where one of Riverside’s cruises docks.
This means guests can stay for 3/4 nights for only certain parts of Germany, Austria and into Slovakia then Hungary, or go as long as 2/3 weeks and see the whole Rhine+Danube.
Such flexibility means the 81 cabin ship can appeal to different passengers from different regions. Germans and Brits may want 3/4 from Linz to Bratislava while Americans or Australians may want the full stretch.
At scale this can create a nightmare for operations with all the variable arrivals and departures, yet at the luxury level with a 2:1 guest-staff ratio, these procedures are pulled off as seamlessly as a Viennese opera!
2️⃣ Experiences Above All
Riverside offers books upon books with available day excursions, leveraging a wide range of local partners for authentic, intimate partners that can’t really be scaled beyond 6-10 participants.
And that’s the core of luxury.
Not only authenticity and offerings that are immersive, but also exclusive, rare and genuine.
And all while bringing guests together in a way that only a small group or private experience can.
This intimacy is reflected with the interior area planning.
It’s hard to imagine that the Mozart is only three years old (debuting for the summer of 2023), with opulent finishes throughout the various spaces (includes a cigar lounge!) for guests to meet and converse.
What was also really cool was how the entire top deck was mobile and collapsible in order for the ship to pass under low bridges. This includes the outdoor bar on a hydraulic lift.
And therein, the F&B presentation also reflects this with excellent all-day dining options. A massive breakfast/lunch buffet with an adjoining cafe for those that want a little nosh in-between.
All these spaces ultimately are about community and bringing people together through shared experiences.
Plenty more to learn but for now:
1) Flexibility in package design
2) Beinging guests together with experiences
Thank you Desirey Virgin Dominik Schwemmer
