I was lucky enough to visit the CLIA 2025 Conference in Budapest. This was a fantastic opportunity to tour several ships and hear from industry experts about innovations in the world of river cruising. The best part was, we were treated to overnight stays onboard two incredible river ships!
One of these ships was Riviera Travel’s beautiful “MS William Wordsworth”. This cruise line is an award-winning, British company and one that a lot of our customers love, which I’m not surprised about! The ship was absolutely gorgeous – the decor, the service and all the facilities were deserving of its five-star status.
What I particularly loved about this ship was its unique design. It had a classic and romantic feel, which felt really refined with a lot of character and charm. It was exactly like an elegant boutique hotel. Sitting in the Panorama Lounge with a glass of wine while listening to the ship’s pianist felt like pure luxury!
The ship is incredibly spacious with a choice of eighty-eight comfortable cabins, including deluxe balcony suites and superior suites. We stayed in a standard suite on the upper ‘diamond’ deck and it was stunning. The room had twin beds, which can be configured into a double. It also had amazing floor-to-ceiling windows with a French balcony – perfect for checking out the views along the Danube!
The room was lavish and well-equipped with all the amenities you’d expect. The marble bathroom was spacious, with a brilliant power shower and indulgent Nuxe toiletries. We also had tea and coffee-making facilities (including a Nespresso machine) and every guest got a complimentary reusable water bottle, which was a lovely touch.
Elsewhere on MS William Wordsworth, there’s a small fitness centre as well as a spa treatment room and a hair and nail studio. On the rooftop deck, you’ll find plenty of space for sunbathing with loungers for taking in the views – there’s even a mini splash pool and a golf putting green!
For a lot of our customers, dining is a big draw of a river cruise and this ship doesn’t disappoint. The ship has two dining options – the “Bistro” which is a smaller, more intimate venue, and a main restaurant which is perfect for elegant fine dining. We were treated to a lovely three-course meal dinner and, not to mention, constant wine top ups!
The following morning we had breakfast at the delicious buffet. There was a good selection of cooked and continental options. I loved the option to order from a set menu, which had choices like avocado on toast which was perfect for me as a vegan!
River cruises can offer a much more intimate experience. On MS William Wordsworth there’s a maximum capacity of one hundred and sixty-seven guests with forty-four crew members. It means that you get a much more personal experience and never feel like you’re crowded into a small space.
All the ships that we saw across the weekend were incredibly beautiful and I understand why so many people are choosing to travel in this way more. Because these ships are small, you’re taken into the heart of each destination and, if you’re like me and hate packing and then unpacking, you‘ll benefit from a much more relaxed experience!
River cruising is definitely becoming a bigger trend in travel – it’s a truly amazing way to explore and experience a lot in a single trip. If you’re interested in booking your own river cruise this year, I’d be delighted to share more of my experience and help you plan your dream holiday at MMT’s Taunton branch!
