Hey Beauties!
Jade here, and this time we are talking drinks. My days aboard Riverside Luxury Cruises’ The Debussy were as much about what filled my glass as what filled my itinerary, and I kept close notes so I could share every sip with you. From onboard classics to market finds along the canals, here is my full drink diary from the voyage.
The Pina Colada That Changed My Mornings
I had never ordered a classic pina colada before this trip, and I am fairly certain my mornings will never be the same. One taste and I was completely hooked, to the point where I swapped my usual morning mimosa for this creamy, coconut-forward pour for the rest of the cruise. Consider this your permission to try something new at the bar, beauties, you might just find a new favourite.
A Local Beer for People Watching
Some moments simply call for a cold local beer, and an afternoon spent people watching in Nijmegen was one of them. There is something wonderfully unhurried about sitting with a pint in hand, watching the world go by in a city you are only visiting for a day. It became one of my favourite rituals between excursions.
The Mid-Afternoon Cafe Pick-Me-Up
This coffee service is onboard The Debussy, and it quickly became my favourite ritual between excursions to Keukenhof Gardens, the Windmills of Kinderdijk, and the Eusebius Church in Arnhem. My go-to came with four types of sweet additions on the side and a frothy oat milk finish, the perfect balance of indulgence and comfort before heading back out to explore. This little pause became essential to my afternoon routine.
Aperol Spritz Before the Canals
Nothing sets the tone for a canal cruise quite like an Aperol Spritz in hand before boarding in Amsterdam. The bitter orange brightness paired perfectly with the golden hour light bouncing off the water, and it remains one of the most photogenic drinks of the entire trip.
French 75 by the Pool
A French 75 by the pool felt like the height of leisure, crisp, effervescent, and just a touch glamorous. Sipping this poolside with a view of the skyline reminded me exactly why I love slow travel days built around nothing more than good company and a beautifully made cocktail.
Mimosas on the Top Deck
I will be the first to admit that I am firmly a Pina Colada girly at heart, but even the most devoted coconut lover needs a little crispness now and then. The top deck became my favourite spot for a mimosa made with a proper bottle of Dom, taken in with the sun on my face and the river moving quietly beneath us. Few things say luxury quite like a beautifully poured glass with a view that keeps changing by the hour.
Sangria and a Beer Chaser in Ghent
The market in Ghent delivered one of the most memorable pours of the trip, a lush, fruit-forward sangria followed immediately by a local beer chaser. This combination felt entirely in keeping with Ghent’s lively, unpretentious energy, and I would order it again in a heartbeat.
A Fruity Non-Alcoholic Spritzer with Friends
Not every drink on this trip needed alcohol to feel special. A quick meet up with friends in Maastricht called for a refreshing, fruity non-alcoholic spritzer, bright and bubbly enough to keep the celebratory mood going without missing a beat.
The Bloody Mary Every Riverside Cruise Guest Deserves
No trip aboard a Riverside Luxury Cruise is complete without their signature Bloody Mary, mixed in-house with fresh horseradish and steeped overnight for maximum depth. It is bold, perfectly balanced, and quite simply one of the best versions of this classic I have ever had.
The Champagne Add-On for Sunshine on the Top Deck
For those trips up to the top deck chasing a little sunshine, the champagne add-on was always worth it. A perfectly poured glass, a warm bartender smile, and a few quiet minutes in the sun rounded out some of my favourite moments of the entire cruise.
My Final Sip Tip
If this drink diary taught me anything, it is that a river cruise rewards curiosity, in the glass and everywhere else. Try the drink you have never ordered before, savour the local specialty, and always make time for one perfectly poured glass in the sunshine.
Cheers & Ciao!
Author Profile
- With over 15 years immersed in the dynamic realms of beauty and fashion, Jade Massie is the Beauty, Health & Wellness ambassador for Port/Folio.YVR. In this series (hosted by Jade and composed by Helen Siwak), we share a commitment to the people, personalities, and places that make Vancouver are wonderful place of self-care, self-love, and satisfying experiences.
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