SS Bon Voyage

The 2006-built Uniworld SS Bon Voyage cruise ship (formerly River Royale) cruises in France (on Dordogne and Garonne rivers) departing from homeport Bordeaux. UNIWORLD also offers combined B2B (back-to-back) itineraries with departures from Paris France. They additionally include a Seine cruise from Paris City (roundtrip on the UNIWORLD ship River Baroness).

Uniworld (officially "Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection") is a major river cruise company part of The Travel Corporation group.

The vessel (ENI number 02327301) is Holland-flagged (MMSI 244030083) and was launched in 2006 under the name "River Royale". The ship was constructed in Serbia (at Vahali Shipyards, Belgrade). Its initial owner was the Dutch company Rex Rheni BV (based in Arnhem).

River Royale had the same design features and amenities are the Uniworld ships Ambassador (1993, now THE A), Baroness (1994, now THE B), Countess (2003, now SS La Venezia), Duchess (2003), Empress (2001), Princess (2001), Queen (1999). In July 2018, Uniworld announced that River Royale will be removed from service (October 28, 2018, through April 14, 2019) as the ship enters drydock for refit and refurbishment. Following the 2018-2019 refurb project, the boat was renamed "SS Bon Voyage" - the company's 6th "Super Ship" and 2nd transformed (after SS Beatrice / River Beatrice in 2018). UNIWORLD intends to transform into a Super Ship also River Empress. River Royale was last refurbished in 2014.

Cabins

Of all SS Bon Voyage staterooms (total 62), 4x are Suites, 22x French Balcony, 30x Deluxe (with Picture Window) and 6x Classic (with Porthole Windows). River Royale had a total of 65 cabins in 9 grades (including 1x Suite). In comparison to River Royale, SS Bon Voyage has a higher staff-passenger ratio (reduced passenger capacity from 128 to 124 and added more staff).

The fully remodeled ship has standard cabins sized 14 m2 (150 ft2), while the French Balconies are 13 m2. French Balcony Suites are sized 19 m2 each. Two-Room Grand Suites are sized 26 m2. All cabins are fitted with UK-made Savoir beds with top-luxury bedding sets and pillows. All staterooms on Deck 3 (Bordeaux) are with French Balconies - an electronically-controlled, sliding floor-ceiling window opening to a railing. All passenger cabin bathrooms were completely renovated (tiles, new furniture, LED lighting, marble vanity tops). The signature Savoir beds are handcrafted, with ample under-bed suitcase storage space, luxury bedding sets (100% Egyptian cotton), duvets, pillow menu.

Standard cabin amenities include boutique decor (decadent-style interiors with high-quality wooden furniture, brass finishings, wooden wall panels), Queen-size double bed (some convertible to twins / 2x single beds), bedside cabinets (3-drawer), wall-mounted reading lamps, large wardrobe (2-3x built-in closets), smart HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system / Internet, movies-on-demand, View From the Bridge/real-time webcam views), direct-dial phone (intercom), electronic safe box (in the closet), dressing table (mirrored, marble-topped), chair, bottled water (replenished daily), individually controlled air-conditioning (thermostat), 110-220 V power outlets, en-suite marble bathroom (WC-toilet, single-sink vanity, magnifying mirror, glass shower cubicle, hairdryer, towel warmer, waffle bathrobes, plush towels, slippers), Asprey bath products (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion).

Two-Room Grand Suites (midship-aft on deck 3-Bordeaux) each has two French balconies (one in the bedroom, one in the living room), larger bathroom (with double-sink vanity, separate shower, bathtub, rain shower, Hermes bath products), bedroom (fixed Queen bed / non-convertible), living room (3-seater sofa, 2x chairs, 2x glass-top coffee tables). The two French Balcony Suites (midship on deck 3-Bordeaux) are with a 2-seater sofa and also with a fixed double bed and larger bathroom (double-sink vanity, separate shower, rain shower, Hermes bath products, no bathtub).

All cabins on deck 2-Medoc are same-sized (14 m2) and with a large (wall-to-wall, half-height) non-opening Picture Window. All cabins on deck 1-Beaujolais are with 2x Porthole Windows (non-opening, round-shaped) located at water-level (high-up on the riverside wall).

Two pairs of French Balcony staterooms (305-307 and 306-308) are connecting and can be booked as family cabins with quad capacity.

Shipboard facilities

The re-designed riverboat has four dining venues.

Forward on Middle Deck (Medoc) is the Le Grand Fromage Restaurant (single-seating capacity Dining Room) with large windows on both sides. The food is high-quality, with locally sourced ingredients. The Restaurant is waiter-served and operates with preset dining times depending on the daily scheduled port activities. Breakfast (7-9 am) is buffet-style (large station located in the middle) with cereals, selection of bread, pastries, French cheeses, cold meats, fruits, yogurt, smoothies, sausage. There is a designated chef for made-to-order eggs, omelets and other dishes ordered separately (at no extra charge). Lunch (12:30-2 pm) is usually waiter-served (except on days with scheduled port excursions that require time changes). Lunch menu options include soups, carvery, salads bar, hot dishes, pasta and sandwiches, desserts, with local delicacies also provided (like sausages and wiener schnitzel). Dinners (7-7:30 pm /starting after the Gascogne Lounge's cocktail hour) are more formal, waiter-served (until 9 pm) and feature an a la carte menu that includes plenty of regional favorites but also offers favorites like grilled steak and poached salmon. The 4-course dinner menu has several starters, 2 soups, 3 entrees (fish, meat, vegetarian), desserts, cheese plates. At dinner, the complimentary wines are itinerary-based (reflecting the sailing region). Outside of the MDR, there is a small tea and coffee station, open at all hours.

In the Lobby hall (Medoc Deck) are the Reception, Travel Desk (Uniworld tours booking) and Boutique Shop (corner with glass cases). Midship is the new La Cave des Vins (specialty dining venue at surcharge) for wine-pairing dinners and gourmet meals (made-to-order upon request). The set menu is a step above the cuisine offered in the main restaurant. The food and wine pairing dinner ranges between EUR 155-195 (about US$200-250) per person.

On River Royale's redesigned Sun Deck are located Navigation Bridge (Wheelhouse), bike station (storage for complimentary bicycles and Nordic walking sticks, all bicycles have locks, helmets are provided on request), Le Cafe du Soleil (forward), Blue Fox Cafe (aft), deckgames area (Giant Chess Set), aft sunbathing area with swimming pool. The swimming pool is infinity-edge type, heated plunge pool at the rear of the cruise ship - the first of its kind on a riverboat. It features blue and white mosaic tiles imported from South Africa. Cafe seating around the pool includes umbrella-shaded lounge chairs with plump cushions (in white and blue patterns).

Le Cafe du Soleil is an outdoor dining venue that serves a salad bar with fresh greens, hand-picked tomatoes, salad topping and the French flatbread tarte flambee (made to order). Soup and grilled meats are offered at lunchtime. At night, Le Cafe du Soleil transforms into La Belle Etoile - an outdoor bar lounge / nightclub with a cocktail menu. Poolside service features casual French cuisine and cooking demos.

Blue Fox Cafe (added during River Royale's refurbishment in 2014) is a multipurpose lounge, designed as a conservatory. It is glass-enclosed (with retractable roof and glass walls), with live plants for decoration and 14 tables (capacity 2-2-6 seats) Depending on the weather, the whole structure can be opened or closed. Blue Fox Cafe doubles as an alternative dining venue with waiter service and light lunch menu (pizzas, pasta, burgers, seafood, salads, soups, sandwiches).

Le Salon Champagne i(Bordeaux Deck) s the boat's Main Bar Lounge decorated with palm trees, brass architectural pieces, deluxe plush seating (sofas and armchairs), dance floor and stage (for live performances). During the day, Le Salon Champagne is a popular place to use the boat's free wireless Internet or relax with a book. In the Salon's forward section, there are 2 doors leading to the staircases that access Sun Deck's forward section. In the Lounge, there is a 24-hour station for complimentary specialty coffee/tea (with cookies and candies).

Aft on Upper Deck (Bordeaux) is the circular-shaped Wellness Center, consisting of Fitness Center (modern Gym), Serenity River Spa (massage room for treatments) and Sauna Room. Serenity River Spa (at a fee) has floor-ceiling windows (portside views) and is serviced by a professional masseur/therapist using Ritual spa products. The semicircular Gym Room features floor-ceiling windows and modern equipment. Wellness trainers lead here yoga and fitness classes (sometimes also ashore), plus sports-themed tours - like hiking and biking. Healthy food items ("Traveling Lite" dining options) are included in all onboard menus. Beauty and massage appointments using premium French brand toiletries are easy to book at the Reception (midship).

La Brasserie (Bordeaux Deck forward) is a French-style restaurant that offers traditional bistro fare and a la carte menu items at dinner. The brasserie also offers light refreshments at any time daily. This is the boat's best venue to enjoy a more leisurely dining and a special dinner.

Itineraries

In 2019, the renamed River Royale (SS Bon Voyage) introduced a new 7-day itinerary (themed "Brilliant Bordeaux") roundtrip from homeport Bordeaux. The new cruise tour includes wine tasting and walking tour at Saint-Emilion (shore excursion from Libourne, the farmer’s market in Libourne, wine tasting at Chateau de Cazeneuve (in Bordeaux' immediate vicinity), a Medoc vineyards cycling tour. Next table shows the ports sequence.

SS Bon Voyage river cruise prices are per person and based on double occupancy. These are only indicative Uniworld France cruise rates. They might be different when you book your Uniworld Dordogne and Garonne river cruise only or cruise tour deals, influenced by travel agency promotions, special offers and discounts, group travel booking or last-minute deals rates. Uniworld offers air-inclusive cruise deals and pre/post-cruise hotel packages as extensions (at additional cost).

MS River Royale was drydock remodelled in 2014. Uniworld Royale boat is one of the most expensive river ships ever built. It offers one of the most refined river travel experiences in France, and especially among those leaving from homeport Bordeaux. This vessel also has one of the highest ratio staff-to-passenger on the European inland shipping market.

Uniworld's 6th "super ship" SS Bon Voyage officially joined the fleet on April 11, 2019, following an 8-month drydock refit and refurbishment in Holland. The reconstructed riverboat now features 4 new suites, 4 dining/drinking venues, Upper Deck with infinity pool, Cafe Lounge housing cooking classes. All staterooms were redesigned, completely renovated and upgraded with marble bathrooms.

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.