The Joy of Slow Motion by Michaela Cordes | 28th February, 2025 | Destinations

The rosé-colored sparkle of the evening sun on the Rhône competes with the wine glass in my hand. I’m sitting on the deck of the Riverside Ravel with the sundowner I just ordered, gazing toward the shoreline of Province and watching the small artist’s town of Arles slip past as if in slow motion. We spent all afternoon exploring the charming village where Vincent van Gogh painted his famous sunflowers in 1888. I had been especially looking forward to Luma Arles, the culture center recently opened by art patron Maja Hoffmann of the Luma Foundation.

Tired from myriad impressions on land and the long bike ride we took through a region rich in cultural sights, I relax in a deck chair and enjoy the meditative silence and the extraordinary light. The tempting smell of charcoal being lit wafts toward me on the warm summer breeze: Dinner preparations are underway midships. Waiters appear carrying big bowls of lobster tails and juicy steaks, then decorate the lavish buffet with zealous perfection. The famous surf n’ turf barbecue on the flat deck of the ship is just one of many highlights that guests of the Riverside Luxury Cruise company can look forward to. Sinking into my seat, I realize just how good it feels to be traveling so slowly, how soothing for the soul. Chugging along the river from Lyon to Avignon at 15 to 25 kilometers per hour (driving the 286 kilometers in a car would take only three hours) we haven’t actually covered much distance, but we’ve seen and experienced so many things over the past six days that I have difficulty remembering them all: the pink flamingos in the Camargue, the incredibly well-preserved medieval castles, the famous Palace of the Popes in Avignon and of course the gorgeous countryside of Province. And to think I had to unpack my suitcase only once! That in itself makes traveling along a river such a pleasant experience. It’s also why rest and relaxation set in the moment you step on board.

Owned by brother and sister Gregor and Anouchka Gerlach, Riverside Luxury Cruises has three ships. The Hamburg-based company is a bright new star in the firmament of an industry that had seemed stuck in the mud for decades and which the visionary duo has now shaken out of its torpor.

Thanks to their years of experience in the luxury hotel business, the Gerlach siblings have turned what was once a 4-star tourist attraction into an exclusive river cruise concept designed for customers who appreciate the charm of slow travel – but who are also looking for a five-star experience when it comes to service. And it just goes to show: One couple haven’t stepped off the ship once, choosing instead to enjoy the whole river cruise on board.

Unlike ocean cruise ships, which can often be quite crowded, the 120-meter Riverside Mozart has only 81 generous suites 19 to 82 square meters in size, each one with large glass doors giving onto the river. Very elegantly furnished, they also each come with exclusive butler service. If the weather is less than perfect, guests can opt to visit the onboard spa or gym, or even do some distance swimming thanks to the counter current system in the mini pool.

Those who wish to see the sights on land can join an organized outing, but if you’d prefer more privacy, simply ask your butler to help you put together your own sightseeing itinerary. Before turning in for the night, don’t forget to browse the media library in your suite, which has been stocked to perfection with film classics such as “Father of the Bride” with Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor and “Sabrina,” starring Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart.

Everything on board invites guests to take it easy, relax and enjoy this celebration of slow motion and healthful enjoyment. Which you can’t help doing on a contemporary river cruise like this when you’re so lovingly looked after. Ready charged e-bikes await adventure seekers on deck and early risers will find a wide selection of healthy, good-tasting breakfast items in the large Marketplace restaurant. Those who prefer to start the day more slowly can take advantage of the delicious brunch served in the Bistro until midday. River cruises differ from standard ocean cruises in so many ways, one being that with barely any waves, seasickness is not an issue.

The excitement on board is palpable when the ship prepares to pass through a river lock, for which it rises or sinks as much as 18 meters with the water level, like here on the Rhône. When the ship nears a bridge, the wheelhouse and the other structures are collapsed (this usually happens at night) so that the ship can pass safely underneath.

Sometimes, in the rare event that the water level is too high due to heavy rainfall, the ship may have to wait a few days before it can continue on its course. This happened to us a year ago on the Riverside Ravel during a cruise from Vienna to Budapest. We disembarked and walked around the small town of Tulln, visiting the house where the famous painter Egon Schiele was born in 1890.

By the way: If you feel that a week is too short for a proper vacation, you can combine river cruises on all three ships.