S.S. Bon Voyage
Intimate ship Bliss scored
One of Europe's most luxurious river ships, Uniworld's River Royale is an intimate upscale cruise vessel welcoming 130 guests at a time. Few travel experiences can compare to gliding silently down France's Rhone and Saone rivers, meeting the locals, eating…
- 132guests
- 5,000gross tons
- 3cruises now
- $3,099fares from
At a glance
S.S. Bon Voyage is an intimate-size cruise ship operated by Uniworld River Cruises, in service since 2005. It carries 132 guests and 41 crew (3.2 guests per crew member) at 5,000 gross tons. It ties with 2 other ships as the 7th largest of 17 Uniworld River Cruises ships by guest capacity. On Cruiseable's Bliss scale it scores highest for romantic (10/10) and lowest for family friendly (2/10). It is rated 5 out of 5 by Cruiseable, 3.5 out of 5 by Berlitz and 5 out of 5 by Cruise Critic. It has 3 cruises on sale, with lead fares from $3,099 to $5,049.
Builder's plate
Specs
- Guests
- 132
- Crew
- 41
- Gross tons
- 5,000
- Decks
- 4
- Length
- 361 ft
- Beam
- 38 ft
- Maiden voyage
- 2005
- Launched
- 2006
- Refurbished
- 2013
- Space ratio
- 3.2
- Gross tons per guest
- Guests per crew
- 3.2
Bliss scores
What S.S. Bon Voyage is best at
Ten dimensions scored by our editors on a 10-point scale. The Cruiseable app ranks every cruise against the mix you care about.
- Active 8.0
- Adventure and nature 5.0
- Cultural 8.0
- Dining 9.0
- Entertainment 4.0
- Family friendly 2.0
- Party 5.0
- Romantic 10.0
- Spa and fitness 5.0
- Staterooms 8.0
Our review
S.S. Bon Voyage: Luxurious adventures in Bordeaux
One of Europe's most luxurious river ships, Uniworld's S.S. Bon Voyage is an intimate upscale cruise vessel welcoming 130 guests at a time. Few travel experiences can compare to gliding silently down France's Rhone and Saone rivers, meeting the locals, eating local fare and wine, and enjoying local history, art and music while cruising in comfort among the company of like-minded individuals.
Founded more than 47 years ago by a Serbian-born airline executive, Uniworld was the first company to bring European river cruising North American cruise passengers. Mostly in the 50- to 75-year-old range, S.S. Bon Voyage's passengers have this as a common thread: they are English speaking and keen to see this region in a luxurious, stress-free environment.
Who sails on S.S. Bon Voyage
Americans and Canadians are well represented, but while Uniworld once focused its marketing only in North America, sister tour operators now market the company's cruises throughout the English-speaking world including the UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Consequently, the clientele is becoming more diverse.
Where S.S. Bon Voyage sails
Home port: Bordeaux & Dordogne, France
Destinations: S.S. Bon Voyage features a 7-night "Brilliant Bordeaux" itinerary that cruises the Garonne and Dordogne rivers in the Bordeaux region of France. Embark from Bordeaux and visit Pauillac, Libourne (Bergerac), and Cadillac. Visitors also journey to the Dordogne.
Read the full review
Dining
The food on board features local specialties and offers plenty of choice. The meals are served with fine wines of the region. The service is impeccable and servers and wait staff are always gracious and anticipate your every need.
- Le Bordelais Restaurant
- Blues Café
- Salon Gascogne with Aquitaine Bar
- Claret Room
- Blue Fox Café
- 24-hour specialty coffee and tea bar
Activities & entertainment
- Sun Deck with life-sized chessboard and spa-tub
- Fitness center
- Sauna
- Elevator
Staterooms
Lavishly appointed river view staterooms and the suite have handcrafted Savoir of England beds, 100% Egyptian cotton linens and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options. The suite and staterooms on the La Gironde Deck have French balconies. Other amenities include generous built-in closets, hair dryer, individual climate-control thermostat, direct-dial telephone, flatscreen TV with infotainment center, bottled mineral water, and a safe. Bathrooms feature L’Occitane en Provence bath and body products, plush towels, backlit magnifying mirror, and bathrobes and slippers.
The ship's suite has additional amenities and services, including:
- one-per-person complimentary in-suite well-being treatment
- daily fruit and cookie plate
- elegant evening snack
- iPod dock
- Nespresso coffee machine and fine teas
- fully stocked minibar
- bottle of wine upon arrival
- in-suite morning coffee and tea service
- full breakfast menu
- free shoe shine and laundry service
- Hermès bath products
Fun fact
- The ship was formerly called River Royale.
Your take
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On board highlights
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Explore Avignon
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Great View of Local Villages
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Lounging with a View
Dining
Where to eat on S.S. Bon Voyage
Photos
Inside and out
Destinations 3
Stop in the charming river town of Blaye, near Bordeaux, during your River Royale adventure in France. 
Uniworld's S.S. Bon Voyage stops in Blaye in the Bordeaux region of France. 
A tour guide for Uniworld tells the tale of Pont du Gard, the ancient Roman aqueduct bridge that crosses the Gardon River in southern France.
Dining 1
Dine al fresco during breakfast or lunch on Uniworld's S.S. Bon Voyage.
On board 2
Indulge with a heated-rocks treatment in the Serenity Spa during your S.S. Bon Voyage exploration of France. 
Sample fine French wines in the colorful vinoteque aboard Uniworld's S.S. Bon Voyage.
More photos 8
S.S. Bon Voyage (formerly River Royale), one of Uniworld's most luxurious cruise ships, sails through a historic villa in the south of France. Discover the classic French enclave of Avignon on a cruise along the Rhône River aboard Uniworld. This city in the South of France served as the seat of the papacy in the 1300s. 
The Bordeaux region of France is known for it fine wines and beautiful countryside. Visit the Bourg winery to taste their best. Guests can take in the historic villages of France from the comfort of the top deck on S.S. Bon Voyage. 
Guests will experience fine cuisine with impeccable service throughout their journey aboard Uniworld's S.S. Bon Voyage. 
Travel on Uniworld's S.S. Bon Voyage (formerly River Royale) and explore the hidden treasures of Lyon, France, as you cruise along the canal. The charming lounge aboard Uniworld's S.S. Bon Voyage, which plies historic villas along the Rhône River in France. 
The Chateau of Pope Clement, who assumed the papacy in 1342, in Bordeaux, France.
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Overheard
“This modern, nicely appointed river ship could be a good choice for a well-rounded cruise. Cabins are small but the open-seating aft restaurant is comfortable and the cuisine is reasonably good.”
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