Elegant Uniworld which is offering you the chance to experience an unforgettable wine river cruise, has been in operation since 1976. It has been delivering four decades of luxury river cruising with a difference. Inspired by their five-star sister company The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, Uniworld offers guests a truly unique and luxurious boutique hotel experience while cruising along on a river.
In 2020, Uniworld will be capturing the brilliance of Bordeaux. Guests will be staying on the newest super ship, S.S. Bon Voyage. It’s a spectacular vessel paying homage to the typical French flair that Uniworld is known for.
Reborn from the former River Royale, the ship underwent a $14 million transformation over a total of 8 months to reveal new accommodation, dining venues, pool facilities and decor as well as a new name – S.S. Bon Voyage.
We’ve been very lucky to have stayed on the S.S. Bon Voyage!
S.S. Bon Voyage
The S.S. Bon Voyage was re-launched (or transformed as Uniworld term it) in 2019 as a complete build from the steel (from stem-to-stern) up to turn it into the most luxurious ship on the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. The distinctive, flamboyant decor of Uniworld is evident in the dark wood and luscious greens of this distinctly Uniworld French homage.
The S.S. Bon Voyage features two grand suites of 26 m2, 2 x 20 m2 suites and 22 French balcony cabins, 30 window cabins and 6 beautiful lower deck cabins. A total of 124 guests are catered to by 50 staff. This is the best staff/guest ratio out of all of the river cruise operators.
Inspired by the culinary prowess of the region, S.S. Bon Voyage features two new dining venues La Brasserie and Le Cafe du Soleil (which transforms into La Belle Etoile at night). La Cave du Vin’s intimate atmosphere for 16 guests plays host to the wine pairing dinners, one of the highlights of the cruise itself.
Open aired service is available on the Soleil Deck at the infinity pool. Or indoors Le Salon Champagne echoes the decor of Yves Saint Laurent’s very own home.
A fitness centre, sauna and serenity river spa can be found towards the back of the ship.
But as ever with Uniworld, the real difference is the quality of the staff and the onboard service that they provide. The two things always make it difficult to leave a Uniworld ship and explore.
Wine River Cruise – Brilliant Bordeaux
The Uniworld river cruise ‘Brilliant Bordeaux’ gives you the chance to uncover the proud legacy and heritage of Southwest France. You will be sailing all three stunning rivers: the Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde.
It’s a truly fascinating and also and invigorating journey.
We highly recommend that you go out and explore the France’s breath-taking landscape, wines and cultural treasures across the region in Bordeaux, Fort Médoc, Cadillac, Blaye, Libourne and more. Especially wandering though magnificent vineyards and tasting exquisite wine will stay with you long after you’ve arrived back home.
What makes the ‘Brilliant Bordeaux’ wine river cruise different from a ‘normal river cruise?
Throughout the year, various river cruise operators offer cruises in the Bordeaux region. The wine river cruises such as the ‘Brilliant Bordeaux’ one from Uniworld, feature an additional “wine host” onboard who has been specially commissioned to add additional insight on the itinerary. He or she offers a unique perspective on the wines of the region and wine production in general. These experts are usually vintners or celebrity wine critics. There will be talks, demonstrations and wine tastings onboard the ship whilst you’re able to interact with the wine host in a relaxed setting.
These cruises are usually available in Spring and also in the Autumn when the grape harvest is due.
Why does Global River Cruising recommend the Uniworld ‘Brilliant Bordeaux’ wine river cruise?
Uniworld operate at the very highest level of river cruising and take great care and attention to all their preparations and attention to detail. The S.S. Bon Voyage features wonderful gastronomic cuisine and wines of the region as well as a private dining room with wine pairing for one special evening during the cruise.
Uniworld do this region justice but make it accessible to enjoy on holiday. Uniworld also offer a rounded Bordeaux region holiday with some lovely non-wine related experiences off the ship, discovery and even yoga. A roof top pool also allows for relaxation and admiring the stunning area as you cruise along the Garonne. The team at Global River Cruising feel that this is a wonderful cruise which covers the area in true depth.
What excursions are included in the ‘Brilliant Bordeaux’ river cruise?
Uniworld is an all-inclusive holiday as such 14 different excursions are included in the tour as well as 2 private experiences. On top of that you can look forward to private wine tastings at Chateau de Cazeneuve or a village day in Libourne with a visit to a farmer’s market. You can also learn about the colourful life of Toulouse-Lautrec whose mother lived in the local area in Chateau de Malrome. We really enjoyed taking a bike tour of the vineyards with a wine guide while enjoying wine tastings (very sensibly) on the way. The choice is really yours.
When is the best time to go on a wine river cruise?
We have chosen the Uniworld cruise because of the weather in June being best placed to explore without being too hot. There will always be something to discover on a wine cruise, whatever time of year.
If the weather is not so important, then travelling in November or March will mean ships will be less busy and prices will be cheaper.
For more details on the savings you can make or the ‘Brilliant Bordeaux’ river cruise, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
Find out more about Bordeaux river cruises
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About Christine Foulds
I’m originally from Germany and traveling has always been a part of my family’s DNA. Over the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in 5 different countries (USA, Austria, Russia, Peru and the UK) and learnt to speak 3 foreign languages (Russian and Spanish are getting a bit rusty though). I thoroughly enjoy working with travel enthusiasts who like to explore and visit new parts of the world as much as I do.
View all posts by Christine Foulds