WHAT A FLEET!
Riverside Luxury Cruises is expanding
with the Riverside Mahler sailing under its own flag
and the purchase of the Riverside Mozart
Hamburg, 23 April 2026 – Riverside Luxury Cruises continues its success story: the ‘Riverside Mahler’ will enter service under the Riverside flag in 2028 and is set to operate on the Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube alongside its sister ship, the ‘Riverside Debussy’. In addition, Riverside Luxury Cruises purchased the “Riverside Mozart” in the spring of this year. The Hamburg-based shipping company had a total of five river cruise ships in 2023 – Mozart, Debussy, Ravel, Mahler and Bach – acquired from Crystal Cruises, with the first three successfully entering service on Europe’s rivers – though the ‘Riverside Mozart’ was initially chartered from an interim owner.
The addition of the Riverside Mahler marks the next phase of a strategic expansion. “This is our response to the continuing rise in demand for luxury river cruises – from the very beginning, our vision was to expand the fleet thoughtfully whilst maintaining the highest standards in terms of space for guests, service and a distinctive elegance,” says Gregor Gerlach, who founded Riverside Luxury Cruises together with his sister Anouchka Gerlach. The two of them now own the entire fleet. “With the Mahler, we now also have the opportunity to offer further themed cruises.” Riverside Luxury Cruises is launching its first themed cruises this year, including a golf trip on the Danube and a tour exploring the unique beer breweries along the Rhine.
Riverside Luxury Cruises turns every journey into an unforgettable experience. Take, for example, sitting on the upper deck at the barbecue after a morning excursion, whilst the friendly staff serve freshly grilled scampi accompanied by a glass of champagne or a well-chilled white wine, and the landscape glides past like a stage set. Everything on board the ships is freshly prepared – – from the jus to the jam and the bread. And instead of cabins, there are only comfortable, spacious suites with king-size beds and exclusive bathrooms. Every guest also has the benefit of a butler. The relatively new company Riverside Luxury Cruises has already received several awards for its cuisine and the exceptional exclusivity on board its ships: Winner of Travel + Leisure’s ‘World’s Best Awards’ 2024 and Cruise Critic’s ‘Editors’ Pick Award’ in 2023, 2024 and 2025 for the best culinary experience in the river cruise category, as well as the coveted award for best luxury river cruise line in 2025.
