Seaside Collection entered the luxury river cruise market as Riverside Luxury Cruises, following the acquisition of Crystal Cruises’ Mozart – the most exclusive river cruise ship on the Danube – in September 2022. Riverside Mozart begins cruising in April 2023 with guests able to embark in Vienna, Budapest and Passau.

Before the pandemic, the Mozart was renovated by Crystal Cruises at a cost of millions.

“We had been watching the market for river cruise ships for a number of years, and when the opportunity arose to take over the Mozart, we didn’t hesitate for long,” says Gregor Gerlach, who owns Seaside Collection with his sister Anouchka. Together, they enter the river cruise market as the founders of Riverside Luxury Cruises.

The two see great potential in river cruises Gregor Gerlach says: “With only 100 to 150 guests on board the Riverside Mozart and around 80 crew, we can offer the highest level of personal service on the rivers. River cruise ships are much closer to the topic of luxury than the ocean liners, on which well over 1000 guests often travel.”

Local industry professionals were invited to celebrate the occasion in Vienna last week, with a reception hosted aboard the newly named Riverside Mozart. Similar launch events will take place in London in late November, where Gregor and Anouchka will be sharing the latest updates from across the luxury portfolio, as well as culinary delights from the kitchens of their newest resort Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives, the award-winning Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL on Gran Canaria, and from the executive chef of Riverside Mozart.

River Cruise expert, Stuart Perl, who joins the team as the newly appointed Managing Director of Riverside Luxury Cruises, will oversee the brand’s development and sales & marketing activities in the UK, Ireland and parts of Europe.

Stuart’s career has seen him working in the luxury and premium sectors with both ocean and river cruise lines for more than 25 years. His roles have included International Sales & Marketing Director EMEA for Seabourn, Marketing Director EMEA for Cunard Line, Managing Director UK for Peter Deilmann River & Ocean Cruises and most recently Managing Director UK & Europe for AmaWaterways.

“I am so pleased to be part of the leadership team of this exciting new venture. Offering exquisite cuisine and the highest standards of personal service on the rivers, Riverside Mozart will become the leader in true luxury river cruising for discerning guests. We look forward to working with our trade partners who would like to join us on this exciting journey.” says Perl.