Riverside Luxury Cruises, the new owner of the former fleet of Crystal river cruise ships, christened the Riverside Ravel 16AUG in Viviers, France, ahead of its inaugural sailing on the Rhone River, where Crystal ships previously did not sail.
Anouchka Gerlach christened the Riverside Ravel in a dockside ceremony.
This is the second ship to launch for Riverside Luxury Cruises, a Germany-based company founded by a well-established hospitality family.
"We are delighted that with the launch of Riverside Ravel we can now offer our guests the French way of life. The cuisine is of course tailored to the region, and ashore our crew has prepared a variety of special experiences," said Anouchka Gerlach, co-founder of Riverside Luxury Cruises.
The Riverside Ravel will tour the Rhone River between Lyon and Arles. It joins the Riverside Mozart, which began sailing the Danube earlier this season.
The new river cruise line intends to provide service standards that match the vessels' luxury design and appointments. According to the company, Riverside Ravel will provide guests with "exemplary food and beverage, service, excursions, and wellness offerings, in addition to its elegant all-suite accommodations and a butler service for all guests."
Bookings are now open for the trade with "attractive inaugural pricing, competitive commissions (21% on all 2023 sailings) and special introductory FAM rates for travel advisors."
Reservations and more information are available by contacting Riverside at reservations@riverside-cruises.com or www.riverside-cruises/TA.
