Episode #81
Riverside Luxury Cruises | Ep81
What if your next vacation felt like a land tour with a luxury hotel that moves with you, complete with butler service, heated floors, and no need to unpack more than once? In this episode of Luxury Cruising, host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis sits down with Desirey Virgin and Samantha Bailey to demystify one of Europe’s premier, and still relatively new river cruise lines. Desirey shares how Riverside defines comfortable luxury through seamless service, top-tier food and wine, and a crew that anticipates every need, while Samantha explains why she chose the line for her own upcoming family trip. They cover the immersive nature of river cruising versus ocean sailing, the current three-ship fleet with expansion planned for 2028, standout features like connecting cabins and no solo supplements, modern décor details, flexible itineraries from three to twenty-three nights, the exceptional à-la-minute cuisine, unique small-group excursions, and flexible booking packages. Whether you’re river-curious or already a fan of small-ship luxury, this episode is packed with practical advice and insider perspective on Riverside. Episode Highlights: Luxury on Riverside is comfortable and effortless. Black-car transfers, butler service, anticipatory crew, and the feeling of a floating boutique hotel. Ships dock early and stay late in authentic European city centers, letting guests fully immerse rather than visit manufactured ports. Current fleet of three ships (Mozart on the Danube; Debussy and Ravel on the Rhine and Rhône) with two more arriving in 2028; all suites and intimate capacity. Connecting cabins and no solo supplement on entry-level suites make the line especially appealing for families and solo travelers. Modern décor includes heated floors, heated towel racks, indoor pools, spa facilities, gym, and complimentary bikes including e-bikes. Food is a major highlight: daily-changing, locally sourced menus prepared à la minute, multiple restaurants with no reservations, and dedicated sommeliers. Flexible packages let guests choose inclusions (excursions, alcohol) at booking, and short 3–4 night sailings offer an easy introduction to the Riverside experience. About the Guests: Desirey Virgin is Director of Sales for the Southeast region at Riverside Luxury Cruises. With a background in luxury hospitality (including brands such as The Ritz-Carlton), she helps advisors and travelers discover Riverside’s all-suite, butler-served river cruises on Europe’s most iconic waterways. Samantha Bailey is the founder of Endeavor Travel Group. A repeat guest on the podcast, she specializes in customized journeys by land & sea and has chosen Riverside Luxury Cruises for her own upcoming family vacation. Connect with the Guests: Desirey / Riverside Luxury Cruises Website: riverside-cruises.com Sales inquiries (USA & Canada): us.sales@riverside-cruises.com Samantha Bailey / Endeavor Travel Group Website: endeavortravelgroup.com Email: Samantha@endeavortravelgroup.com About the Host: Dr. Krystal Sodaitis is a pediatrician, executive, and life coach for neurodiverse physicians—and the passionate host behind Luxury Cruising . She brings expert insight and honest excitement to every interview, helping curious travelers elevate their adventures at sea. Website: luxurycruising.net Email: luxurycruisingpodcast@gmail.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/krystalsodaitis Looking for the perfect luxury cruise: Take our quiz Want to be a guest? Fill out this form to connect. Looking for the perfect spa experience: Spa table Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
