Riviera Resplendence to Debut From Cologne in July 2026
The schedule covers eighteen itineraries, with festive holiday sailings and dedicated solo departures included in the Rhine and Danube program.
Riviera Travel will put the 178-guest Riviera Resplendence into service on Saturday, July 4, 2026, with a maiden departure from Cologne on the line’s “Rhine Cruise to Switzerland” itinerary. The sailing will be the first guest voyage for the new river ship and will begin its planned program across the Rhine and Danube.
The debut adds a third Radiance Class ship to Riviera’s European river operation as the company works toward a 16-ship river fleet by 2028. Riviera lists 13 river cruise ships for 2026, with Resplendence among the new vessels entering the program.
“The Riviera Resplendence represents another significant milestone for Riviera Travel as we continue to grow our award-winning river cruise fleet,” said Stuart Milan, president of North America for Riviera Travel.
New design for the Radiance Class
The 135-meter, 10,617-ton Riviera Resplendence has 89 cabins and suites. Crew capacity is 44. Sister ship to the Riviera Radiance, it uses the split-level layout Riviera assigns to its Radiance Class ships.
Onboard dining includes three venues, with regional cuisine part of the program, and the ship also has an expansive sun deck. The interior concept uses gold accents, warm wood tones and vibrant wall coverings, a move away from the lighter palettes used elsewhere in the fleet.
The ship was designed by the team at Scylla, Riviera’s vessel partner. “When guests come onboard, we want them to feel like they’re coming home for the next few days,” said Michel van der Velden and Cathy Schroder, interior designers at Scylla.
Van der Velden and Schroder said they want guests to notice the ship’s design details and “leave inspired,” including by elements they might want to recreate at home.
Rhine and Danube program includes solo departures
Riviera Resplendence is scheduled to operate 18 itineraries on the Rhine and Danube rivers. The named program includes “Budapest to the Black Sea River Cruise,” “Rhine Cruise to Switzerland,” “Rhine, Moselle & Switzerland River Cruise” and “The Blue Danube River Cruise.”
The schedule also includes festive holiday sailings and dedicated solo departures.
Riviera’s next named Radiance Class additions are Riviera Reflection and Riviera Rhapsody. Both are scheduled to debut within the next two years.
