River Cruising to Expand in France

2014 will bring new ships to the country’s rivers

River cruising in France not only includes trips down the Seine and Rhone but also the canals through regions like Champagne.

River cruising is in full swing all throughout France, offering itineraries from the Seine and Rhone to the Saone. To keep up with the growing trend, Scenic Cruises and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection will debut new vessels in 2014 to sail the country’s rivers on enhanced itineraries.

The new 159-passenger S.S. Catherine, from Uniworld, is being touted as a “Super Ship.” Catherine will sail an eight-day roundtrip Bordeaux Vineyards and Chateaux itinerary calling in Pauillac, the gateway to the Medoc wine route; Bergerac; Libourne; and the UNESCO World Heritage historic town of Saint-Emilion. The ship will also sail a 15-day Portrait of Majestic France itinerary, which adds the beaches of Normandy, van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise and Monet’s Honfleur and Giverny. Expanded services from Uniworld in 2014 will include unlimited fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks and bottled water, plus all gratuities.

On the Scenic side, the line will launch the new Scenic Gem next year on the Seine, a ship that was custom-built for sailing that specific river. In addition, Scenic is introducing two new French itineraries: the 11-day Gems of the Seine River and the 23-day Gems of the Seine & South of France River Cruise. Both options take the same route on the Seine, stopping in Les Andelys, Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux, Vernon and Conflans. On the longer itinerary, guests will be able to extend their stay on the Scenic Emerald to visit ports of call including Tournon, Avignon, Nice, and the Palas-des-Papes for an exclusive shore excursion.