Tauck has named the two new ships that will cruise France's rivers next year.
The Serene and Lumiere will debut next year, their names chosen after more than 1,000 suggestions came from travel advisors as well as Tauck employees and guests. The Serene, which can host 124 passengers, will sail the Seine, while the 130-guest Lumiere will cruise the Rhone.
"The name Serene is perfect for our new ship on the Seine, bringing to mind tranquility and rejuvenation," said Tauck CEO Jennifer Tombaugh. "The River Seine itself is a gently flowing, meandering river that evokes a spirit of calm and escape that was captured beautifully in paintings of the waterway by the region's Impressionist artists, including Monet and Renoir."
Tombaugh said the Lumiere, which invokes images of light, will cruise a river that is "akin to a spark of inspiration." Lyon, a popular city on Tauck's Rhone cruises, hosts the Festival Lumiere, which celebrates classic cinema and honors the Lumiere brothers, who were raised in the city and are credited with creating the Cinematographe, the first motion picture camera and projector. Lyon also hosts the Fete des Lumieres, or Festival of Lights, each December.
The Serene will sail Tauck's family river cruise itinerary "Family Fun Along the Seine: Paris to
Normandy" as well as the new itinerary "Bordeaux, Paris & The Seine," which will take passengers on an 11-day journey through France. Travelers will spend three nights exploring Bordeaux and Saint Emilion before taking a high-speed train to Paris to begin their seven-night Seine cruise. Along the river, they will visit the D-Day Beaches of Normandy as well as Rouen and Les Andelys.
A first glimpse
Tauck released renderings of the Serene as well as the sun decks, suites and wellness areas that are planned for the new ships.
The sun deck includes a swimming pool, a full-service bar and shaded day beds. Guests can also dine on the sun deck.
The wellness area, called The Retreat, has a fitness center, massage room, lounging area with coffee, juice and a snack bar and floor-to-ceiling windows. The wellness area is larger than others on existing Tauck ships and will be on the upper Diamond Deck, rather than the lower Emerald Deck.
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The new ships will have Category 5 Suites that measure 300 square feet and include a king bed, a seating area, two French balconies, a full bathroom and a walk-in closet. The Serene will have 20 of the suites, while the Lumiere will have 22.
The Serene will hold 30 cabins that measure 225 square feet and a dozen 180-square foot Category 1 cabins. The Lumiere will have 34 cabins measuring 225 square feet and 12 of the Category 1 cabins.
Category 1 cabins on both ships will have single supplements waived.