Bonjour from the Seine, My 5* Riviera River Cruise on MS Jane Austen.

Effortless arrival & warm welcome.

From the moment we landed, everything felt smooth and stress-free. On arrival at Charles de Gaulle, a Riviera Travel representative was waiting in the arrivals hall and escorted us straight to our transfer. In just 30 minutes we were at the quay, with our ship moored and ready.

We were warmly welcomed on board, our luggage whisked to our room, leaving us free to relax over complimentary afternoon tea. The rest of the day was ours to wander, settle in and get our bearings before we set sail later in the evening.

Life on board 5★ MS Jane Austen.

Launched in 2015 and elegantly refurbished since, MS Jane Austen feels like a boutique floating hotel. Attention to detail is evident everywhere from a marble-floored lobby, polished copper and brass details, soft leather seating and beautifully designed public spaces.

With only 140 guests and a guest‑to‑staff ratio of around 4:1, the service feels personal, attentive and genuinely friendly. Nothing is too much trouble.

• Four decks: consistent with most river ships, but with a real feeling of space.
• Panoramic lounge & bar: light-filled, with ample comfortable seating and large windows to watch the scenery glide by.
• Sun deck: wonderfully spacious with loungers and seating for relaxing, chatting with fellow guests or simply curling up with a book. There is also a small dipping pool and a putting green for a bit of fun between moorings.
• Wellness area: a sauna and steam room, however, wellness options can differ slightly by ship, sometimes including massage, nail parlour and larger pools on the sun deck.

I stayed on the Ruby Deck on the second floor.

• Luxurious, comfortable beds.
• Excellent storage for two people.
• Coffee maker and safe.
• Flat‑screen TV and air conditioning.
• Reusable water bottles to take home.
• Walk‑in shower.
• And one of my personal favourites: a decent hairdryer (harder to find than you might think!)

The real highlight of the Ruby and Diamond decks (decks 2 and 3) is the full‑length French balcony. Floor‑to‑ceiling sliding doors give you those uninterrupted river views. There is something magical about waking up, drawing the curtains and watching the river and countryside drift past, accompanied by the gentle sound of the water.

Emerald Deck (deck 1) is the lead‑in category in terms of price. These rooms have a smaller window and do not offer the same views, but they are still comfortable and well appointed. Suites are also available on each deck for those wanting more space.

Dining with Riviera Travel was a genuinely standout part of the trip. The menus change daily and across our 8‑day cruise we enjoyed a huge variety of beautifully presented dishes.

What is included:

• Breakfast: generous hot and cold buffet, plus a full à la carte menu.
• Lunch: buffet and à la carte options plus a hotel station with dish of the day, or a lighter lunch in the lounge if you prefer something more casual.
• Afternoon tea: a lovely daily ritual.
• Dinner: full à la carte service every evening, with courses carefully paired with wine.
• All Included drinks from 10am to midnight ( a small number of alcoholic drinks do come with an additional charge )
• 24-hour self-service stations for tea, coffee, still and sparkling water.

Dietary requirements are handled extremely well. Our party included a pescatarian, a vegetarian and a vegan, and the chef and team went above and beyond to ensure everyone was catered for without any fuss. Every meal felt thoughtful, not “just another mass‑produced dish”.

At the rear of the ship, the Lido Bar & Restaurant offers a more intimate setting, with early‑bird breakfast, and dinner by reservation. It is a lovely alternative space, especially on warmer evenings.

Entertainment is deliberately low‑key, which I absolutely loved. A typical 8‑day cruise might include:

• A resident musician performing most evenings.
• A couple of nights with local entertainers brought on board.
• Informal quizzes and social events.

And of course, in ports where the ship is moored overnight, you are free to step ashore and explore local restaurants, bars or simply enjoy an evening stroll.

One of the things that impressed me most was the quality and inclusiveness of the tours. On most days you can choose between two included excursions, all very well organised, thought‑through and led by knowledgeable local guides.

Their insight really brings each destination to life. Many of the places we visited would be difficult to explore in the same depth without the framework of a river cruise.

Some of my personal highlights:

• Normandy D‑Day Beaches: incredibly moving and thought‑provoking.
• Rouen: steeped in history, including stories of St Joan of Arc.
• Bayeux: with a visit to the famous Bayeux Tapestry.
• Les Andelys; With it’s medieval charm and Richard The Lionheart’s fortress Chateau Gaillard.
• Honfleur: with its perfectly preserved old town, pretty harbour and links to the Viking era.

One of the biggest advantages of river cruising is just how close you are to the heart of the destination. Unlike large ocean ships, river vessels moor right in or near the centre of towns and villages. Often you simply walk off the ship and you are there, with only occasional coach transfers for sights like the D‑Day beaches and Honfleur on this particular sailing. 

Why river cruising stole my heart.

My river cruise was one of the most relaxing, enjoyable and charming travel experiences I have had:

• Stylish surroundings without being stuffy.
• Scenic cruising by day and evening.
• Fascinating history and culture at a very gentle pace.
• Superb food and friendly service.
• No packing and unpacking, no airport‑style stress once you are on board.

It is easy to see why Riviera Travel enjoys such a high level of repeat guests. That kind of loyalty speaks volumes about their consistent 5★ service and standards.

Thinking about a river cruise?

I truly believe river cruises are set to be the next big travel trend, and because ships are smaller, they do book up early. We are already looking ahead, so it is always best to book early.

If you would like:

• Advice on which river or itinerary would suit you best.
• Help choosing the right room or deck.
• To chat through in more detail.

I would be delighted to share more about my own experience and help you plan yours.

To get started, just send me an email to book a call and we can explore the perfect river cruise for you.

Thank you for reading, and do have a look at the photos of the beautiful scenery and life on board.

Au revoir… until we set sail!