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Riviera Travel's Geoffrey Chaucer River Cruise Review
Our First River Cruise Experience
When you think of cruising, it's easy to picture enormous ocean liners packed with restaurants, theatres, water parks, and thousands of passengers. That's certainly the world we know best. So, when we were invited by Riviera Travel to experience an eight-day sailing aboard the Geoffrey Chaucer on their Gastronomy of Switzerland and the Rhine itinerary, we were excited—but also slightly apprehensive.
Would the ship feel too small after years of sailing on large ocean cruise ships?
Would the slower pace leave us feeling bored?
And perhaps most importantly, were we simply too young for river cruising?
These were all genuine concerns before stepping aboard. However, after spending a week sailing from Basel to Cologne, exploring Switzerland, France and Germany along the way, our perceptions of river cruising changed completely.
Here's our honest review of Riviera Travel's Geoffrey Chaucer.
Travel Day Made Simple
One thing Riviera Travel does exceptionally well is remove the stress from travelling.
Before departure, we received a comprehensive travel pack detailing everything we needed to know. Included were luggage tags, flight information, transfer details, and a day-by-day breakdown of the itinerary.
Rather than spending hours checking airline websites and organising transport, everything was clearly documented and easy to follow.
Our journey began at Heathrow Airport, although Riviera also offers departures from regional UK airports without additional supplements on many itineraries. Some cruises even offer Eurostar travel options.
Upon arrival in Zurich, Riviera representatives were waiting to guide guests to the included transfer coaches. The process was smooth and efficient, setting the tone for the rest of the trip.
By the time we arrived at the ship, our luggage had already been taken care of and was delivered directly to our cabin. It's a small touch, but it makes a huge difference after a day of travelling.
First Impressions of Geoffrey Chaucer
As we stepped aboard Geoffrey Chaucer, we were greeted with drinks, snacks and a genuinely warm welcome from the crew.
The ship itself immediately impressed us.
Launched in 2020, Geoffrey Chaucer is one of Riviera Travel's five-star river cruise ships. With a maximum capacity of just 176 guests and 44 crew members, it is significantly smaller than most ocean-going cruise ships.
Yet despite its size, it never felt cramped.
The décor throughout the ship is elegant and contemporary, creating a luxurious atmosphere without feeling overly formal. From the impressive atrium to the panoramic lounge, every space feels thoughtfully designed.
For a vessel carrying fewer than 200 passengers, there was an impressive amount of room throughout the ship.
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Our Cabin: Surprisingly Spacious
One of our biggest surprises was the cabin.
River cruise cabins are often smaller than their ocean cruise counterparts, so we weren't expecting a huge amount of space. Thankfully, Geoffrey Chaucer proved us wrong.
Our Diamond Deck cabin felt bright, modern and spacious, with plenty of storage for a week-long cruise.
The bathroom was particularly impressive, offering more room than many bathrooms we've experienced on larger cruise ships.
However, the standout feature had to be the French balcony doors.
Every morning, opening the floor-to-ceiling doors and watching the Rhine drift past was an experience in itself. Whether sailing through picturesque villages or passing vineyards along the riverbanks, the views were constantly changing.
It's one of those simple pleasures that perfectly captures what river cruising is all about.
Life On Board
Unlike ocean ships packed with endless venues, river ships focus on creating comfortable, intimate spaces.
Everything aboard Geoffrey Chaucer is just a short walk away.
The atrium serves as the heart of the ship, housing reception, an excursion desk, a small library, games area and information point.
One feature we particularly appreciated was the complimentary tea and coffee station, available 24 hours a day. It became a regular stop throughout the week.
The Panorama Lounge quickly became one of our favourite venues.
With comfortable seating, a well-stocked bar and floor-to-ceiling windows, it offered fantastic views while sailing and a welcoming atmosphere in the evenings.
Whether enjoying a pre-dinner drink or chatting with fellow passengers after a day of exploring, there was always a friendly buzz.
For those wanting to stay active, Geoffrey Chaucer also features a small gym, treatment room and salon. While not comparable to the spa complexes found on ocean ships, these facilities are impressive considering the ship's size.
The Sun Deck: The Best Seat in the House
If there's one area that truly showcases the beauty of river cruising, it's the sun deck.
Before our cruise, we assumed we'd spend very little time up there due to the European weather.
We couldn't have been more wrong.
During our sailing, temperatures were remarkably warm, and we found ourselves spending hours watching the scenery glide past.
The sun deck offers a variety of seating areas, sun loungers, shaded sections and even a small splash pool for cooling off.
One unexpected feature was a mini golf area, which became surprisingly competitive among passengers throughout the week.
The real highlight, however, was sailing through the Rhine Gorge.
Surrounded by castles, vineyards and dramatic landscapes, it provided some of the most spectacular scenery we've ever experienced from a ship.
The Food: Some of the Best We've Had at Sea
Anyone who follows Tom and Dom Travel knows how seriously we take food.
Thankfully, Geoffrey Chaucer delivered one of the strongest dining experiences we've had on any cruise.
Breakfast is served buffet-style, featuring everything from continental favourites to freshly cooked eggs and hot breakfast options.
Lunch combines buffet selections with made-to-order dishes, alongside live cooking stations where chefs prepare meals in front of guests.
Watching fresh mussels and steaks being cooked was a real highlight.
Dinner was where the culinary team truly excelled.
Menus changed daily and typically featured four or five courses, with beautifully presented dishes and plenty of choice.
What we particularly appreciated was the inclusion of local specialities inspired by the region we were visiting. It added another layer of immersion to the journey.
The Captain's Dinner was especially memorable, offering restaurant-quality cuisine and impeccable presentation.
Don't Miss the Riverview Kitchen
While the main restaurant is excellent, one of the hidden gems aboard Geoffrey Chaucer is the Riverview Kitchen.
Located at the aft of the ship, this intimate venue offers an alternative dining experience for both lunch and dinner.
Reservations are required due to its limited seating, and we would strongly recommend booking as soon as you board.
During our visit, we enjoyed freshly prepared steaks cooked in the open kitchen, allowing us to watch the chefs at work.
It was undoubtedly one of our favourite dining experiences of the entire cruise.
Drinks and Value for Money
At the time of our sailing, drinks were included with meals and from 6pm each evening.
This meant enjoying wine, beer, cocktails and soft drinks without constantly worrying about additional charges.
We particularly enjoyed Riviera's daily cocktail specials, which introduced us to several drinks we might not otherwise have tried.
The non-alcoholic alternatives were equally impressive.
Even when purchasing drinks outside the included periods, prices remained very reasonable.
When combined with flights, transfers, excursions, dining, Wi-Fi and onboard amenities, the overall value offered by Riviera Travel is genuinely impressive.
Entertainment: More Fun Than We Expected
One of our biggest concerns before sailing was entertainment.
Coming from large cruise ships with theatres, production shows and multiple venues, we wondered whether evenings would feel too quiet.
Thankfully, that wasn't the case at all.
The onboard musician created a fantastic atmosphere throughout the cruise, while local performers regularly boarded to showcase regional culture.
Highlights included a Swiss violinist and a lively German oompah band that had passengers singing, clapping and dancing along.
The cruise director also organised quizzes, games and social events.
One music quiz became so popular it extended from its scheduled one hour to nearly three.
What surprised us most was the social atmosphere.
Passengers quickly got to know one another, creating a welcoming and friendly environment throughout the week.
Included Excursions Add Incredible Value
One of the strongest aspects of Riviera Travel's river cruises is the number of included excursions.
On our Gastronomy of Switzerland and the Rhine itinerary, we had access to ten included experiences.
Highlights included visiting Mount Stanserhorn near Lucerne via the world's first open-top cable car, exploring Strasbourg on a food walking tour, tasting traditional Black Forest cake in Germany, and visiting the famous Lindt Chocolate Factory.
However, one excursion completely exceeded our expectations.
A vinegar tasting experience near Speyer sounded unusual when we first read about it. Yet it became one of the most memorable excursions of the trip.
Descending into centuries-old cellars, learning about the production process and tasting a variety of vinegars created an experience unlike anything we'd done before.
Every excursion felt immersive, educational and thoughtfully curated.
Importantly, participation is entirely optional. Guests are free to explore independently or simply relax onboard.
The Crew Make All the Difference
A great cruise often comes down to the people, and Geoffrey Chaucer's crew were exceptional.
From the captain and cruise director to the housekeeping team and bar staff, everyone consistently went above and beyond.
Service felt personal and genuine throughout the week.
By the end of the cruise, many crew members knew passengers by name, creating a welcoming atmosphere that is difficult to replicate on larger ships.
So, Is River Cruising for Younger Travellers?
Before sailing, we genuinely wondered whether we'd feel out of place.
The average age on river cruises is generally higher than on mainstream ocean cruises, and yes, we were among the younger passengers onboard.
But it simply didn't matter.
There was a good mix of couples, solo travellers and multi-generational groups.
Everyone was friendly, welcoming and shared a common interest in travel and exploration.
We never once felt out of place.
Final Thoughts
So, did we get bored?
No.
Was the ship too small?
Not at all.
Were we too young?
Absolutely not.
In fact, Riviera Travel's Geoffrey Chaucer delivered one of the most enjoyable and relaxing cruise experiences we've ever had.
The combination of exceptional food, immersive excursions, outstanding service and beautiful scenery creates a style of travel that's completely different from ocean cruising—but equally rewarding.
For those looking to slow down, explore fascinating destinations and enjoy a more intimate cruising experience, Riviera Travel offers exceptional value.
And perhaps the biggest compliment we can give?
Before we had even finished this cruise, we were already looking at where to sail next.
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What is it REALLY LIKE on a River Cruise! Our FULL REVIEW of Riviera Travel's Geoffrey Chaucer!
Were we too too young? Would we be bored? Would the ship be too small? This is our Riviera Travel MS Geoffrey Chaucer Review were we answer those pressing questions. We have put together this review in the hopes of it being useful and we hope it gives you a clear indication of what you can expect on a River Cruise. Although we were invited on by Riviera our thoughts and opinions are our own.
Riviera Travel's MS Geoffrey Chaucer Diamond Deck Suite CABIN TOUR 311!
This is our Riviera Travel MS Geoffrey Chaucer Diamond Deck Suite 311 Cabin Tour which is located on the Deck 3. We were invited onboard by Riviera Travel on a Gastronomy Rhine River Cruise and we visited locations in Switzerland, France and Germany. We have put together this tour in the hopes of it being useful and we hope it gives you a clear indication of what amenities Riviera Travel MS Geoffrey Chaucer have to offer.
Our Rhine River Cruise EMBARKATION DAY onboard Riviera Travel’s Geoffrey Chaucer
We start on day 1 of our Riviera Travel Gastronomy of Switzerland and the Rhine River Cruise where we embark the ship. We flew from Heathrow Airport to Zurich in Switzerland. All flights and transfers are included with a Riviera Travel River Cruise. After an hour transfer from the airport, we arrived in Basel and made our way onto Riviera Travel’s Geoffrey Chaucer.
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