Behind The Scenes at the CLIA RiverView Conference 2025
Cruise Circle
Three team members. Six river cruise operators. Two nights onboard. Let’s unpack what our Shell, Roberta and Linda got up to at this year's CLIA RiverView Conference...
Ship Tours
AmaSonata - AmaWaterways
Shell says...
The cabins were spacious and comfortable, with plenty of storage. The onboard atmosphere was casual yet luxurious. Whether you wanted to dress up or keep it laid-back, you felt right at home.
I was lucky enough to stay in a huge suite on Sonata. The bathroom had two sinks, a shower, and a separate bath. It also came with a butler, who brought a welcome bottle of champagne before the evening meal—perfect for enjoying on the balcony before dinner.
Final verdict:A beautiful ship with excellent service and incredible food.
TUI Skyla
Roberta says...
Welcoming from the moment you step on board, the décor and design of the ship are simple and cosy. The size of the cabins surprised me—very bright, spacious, and functional—with a homely feel. The bathrooms were a good size, too, and the Moulton Brown toiletries were a nice touch.
Considering the price of a TUI sailing, the cabins offer great value, especially for a first-time river cruiser.
Final verdict:Not as glam as other river cruise lines (where most fall into the 'luxury' category), but a good budget option if you want to test the water.
Find out more about TUI Skylar
MS William Wordsworth - Riviera Travel
Linda says...
The most traditional of all river ships, Riviera has opted for a dark wood, heritage aesthetic. It is undoubtedly luxurious but perhaps a bit 'marmite'—though if you love that style, then you'll no doubt love this ship! (The large windows help balance the darker woods.)
The cabin was a comfortable size and had a coffee machine, which made it easy to satisfy my morning caffeine fix!
Final verdict: If you prefer a more traditional style of ship, then this one's for you. I also appreciated the all British-branded tea and coffee-making facilities in the cabins and foyer
Find out more about MS William Wordsworth
Scenic Opal
Shell says...
We stayed in a Balcony Suite, and it had everything you could possibly need. The beds were super comfy, the bathroom was perfectly sized, and the shower was spacious.
All cabins come with a butler, so you can pick up the phone to order champagne and bar snacks while getting ready or even breakfast in bed. We did just that one morning, and it was delivered within minutes of the arranged time—perfect!
Final verdict: There’s a lot to love about this ultra-luxury cruise line, but special mention has to go to the food. We were invited to the Chef’s Table, where we enjoyed an incredible range of courses, including caviar, all paired with perfect wines. On another occasion, we dined from the à la carte menu, which was also exceptional.
Find out more about Scenic Opal
Emerald Luna
Shell says...
The standout feature onboard Emerald Luna is the pool—a huge space at the back of the ship, where you’d typically find a bistro or extra cabins. It has a drinks station and a retractable roof, making it a brilliant spot to relax. By evening, this space transforms into a cinema, with a floor that raises up while staff serve popcorn.
Final verdict:You can tell Scenic and Emerald are sister brands, a lot of the same touches were noticeable throughout the cabins, including bedding, towels and toiletries.
Find out more about Emerald Luna
And from River to Rail...
Uniworld's Golden Eagle Luxury Train
Linda says...
An unexpected highlight of the trip was experiencing Uniworld’s 5* Sleeper train. We spent two and a half hours touring the Hungarian countryside, enjoying an incredible three-course lunch (I'm still not sure how staff carry plates and serve wine on a moving train—it takes great skill!), and being serenaded by onboard musicians. We also managed to look around the sleeper cabins, and they definitely live up to the luxury train experience.
Our top tip:Uniworld’s Cruise and rail itineraries always sell out fast. If you’d like more information on their 2026 program (which is not yet on sale), contact our team.
Want to experience these river ships (and more!) See all our river cruises here.
