Start-Up Riverside Now Owns All Former Crystal River Ships

Image: The former MS Crystal Mozart will now sail as Riverside Mozart. (Crystal River Cruises)
Image: The former MS Crystal Mozart will now sail as Riverside Mozart. (Crystal River Cruises)
Bruce Parkinson
by Bruce Parkinson
Last updated: 7:05 AM ET, Wed January 11, 2023

Germany-based Riverside Luxury Cruises, which acquired Crystal Mozart in November 2022, has purchased the remaining four Crystal Cruises riverboats.

Crystal Mozart has been renamed Riverside Mozart, and the fleet will now include MS Bach, MS Ravel, MS Mahler and MS Debussy, now known as Riverside Bach, Riverside Ravel, Riverside Mahler and Riverside Debussy.

The new line is moving quickly into operational mode. In April 2023, Riverside Mozart is slated to begin sailing on Danube River itineraries, Riverside Ravel on Rhone and Saone voyages and River Debussy on Rhine River cruises. Riverside Bach and Riverside Mahler are scheduled to debut in 2024, with itineraries to be announced later this year.

The ships are now available for booking. The line is working to attract the attention of travel advisors by offering 21% commission for 2023 sailings as well as introductory fam rates.

"We are thrilled by the expansion of our fleet to include these storied vessels," said Gregor Gerlach, owner of Germany-based Seaside Collection, which founded Riverside Luxury Cruises.

"This acquisition allows us to expand our itinerary offerings, showcasing a level of space, personalized service and elegance not found with any other river cruise line.

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