A Sneak Peek! New Tauck Riverboats in France

It’s official! Tauck has just released “artist’s renderings” of a few spaces on its two new snazzy France riverboats. The luxurious river line also announced their names.

Launching next year, the 124-passenger Serene will sail along the River Seine, while the 130-passenger Lumiere will operate on the Rhone River.

More than 1,000 suggestions for the ship names were submitted by Tauck’s guests, employees and travel advisors at the company’s invitation. Below, Tauck’s CEO Jennifer Tombaugh provides a bit of insight about the selection of these two ship names.

(One of Tauck’s new riverboats, both destined for French rivers, is shown above. Photo courtesy of Tauck.)

Why These Ship Names? 

The name Serene is perfect for our new ship on the Seine, bringing to mind tranquility and rejuvenation,” Tombaugh emphasizes. “The River Seine itself is a gently flowing, meandering river and evokes a spirit of calm and escape.”

“And that was captured beautifully in paintings of the waterway by the region’s Impressionist artists including Monet and Renoir,” she adds. 

But since the Rhone is a faster-flowing, livelier river, “the name of Tauck’s new ship on the Rhone, Lumiere, evokes images of light, inspiration and discovery,” she says.

In addition, one popular destination along the Rhone River is Lyon, home to the Festival Lumiere, a celebration of classic cinema.  Each December the city also hosts the Fete des Lumieres or Festival of Lights.

New Tauck Riverboats: Sun Deck

Along with revealing the ships’ names, Tauck has also released several artist renderings (all here in this blog).

For instance, Tauck’s new riverboats will beckon guests with an inviting Sun Deck. From the rendering above, you can see that this will be an attractive, well-appointed outside area.

Providing a good number of shaded day beds, this deck will also offer guests a swimming pool and full-service bar. In addition, a number of four-top tables will provide comfortable seating.

That way, Tauck’s river cruisers can savor alfresco dining, sip on a glass of wine or simply relax and “soak in” the scenic river views.

New Tauck Riverboats: Wellness

The Retreat, the two ships’ wellness area, will be expanded to provide additional amenities and services, versus what guests now find on other Tauck river vessels. It’s also been shifted from the lower Emerald Deck to the upper Diamond Deck.

Nestled in a new position, the expanded Retreat will sport full-length, floor-to-ceiling windows — providing abundant natural light and scenic views.

Other perks? This wellness area will offer a fitness center, massage treatment room and lounging area (providing coffee, juice and a snack bar)

Sumptuous Suite: New Tauck Riverboats

We can’t wait to see the luxurious, 300-square-foot Category 5 suites on Serene and Lumiere. They’ll be positioned on the Diamond (upper) Deck.

The 410-foot-long Serene will offer 20 of these suites, while the 443-foot-long Lumiere will offer 22 of them.

You’ll see from the rendering below that this suite is expected to be roomy, airy and well-lit. Each Category 5 suite will have two French balconies.

The suite’s comfortable seating area and king-sized bed will be well-positioned so travelers can relax and, at the same time, enjoy views of the passing countryside or cityscapes.

More Staterooms 

One good-to-know factoid? In total, 80 percent of all the new ships’ cabins will be 225 square feet or more.

In addition to the Category 5 suites:

• Serene will offer 30 225-square-foot cabins, mainly on the middle Ruby Deck. Or guests can opt for any of 12 180-square-foot Category 1 cabins on the lower Emerald Deck.
• Lumière will sport 34 roomy 225-square-foot cabins primarily on the Ruby Deck. Plus, 12 180-square-foot Category 1 cabins will occupy the Emerald Deck

Attention Solo Travelers!

As with all of Tauck’s riverboats, single supplements will be waived for those booking a Category 1 stateroom on both the new France vessels. And at 180 square feet, those Category 1 cabins will be 20 percent larger than those on other Tauck riverboats.

To learn more about many travel industry solo options and to smooth the booking process, talk with a skilled personal travel planner.

New Seine Itinerary

Serene will offer Tauck’s “Family Fun Along the Seine: Paris to Normandy” itinerary. But it also will be featured on a new-for-2026 “Bordeaux, Paris & The Seine” itinerary. This 11-day journey begins at $7,240 per person, double occupancy.

The new itinerary will begin with a fully-guided, three-night exploration of Bordeaux and Saint Emilion with accommodations at the InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hotel.

Then, Tauck’s guests will travel by high-speed train to Paris. There, they’ll board Serene for a seven-night cruise along the Seine. Highlights along the river include:

• Choice of sightseeing options during a full day in Paris.
• A full-day’s exploration with a choice of activities at Chateau de Versailles.
• Guided visits to the D-Day Beaches of Normandy, historic Rouen and scenic Les Andelys.
• Guests will also enjoy a Tauck-exclusive early morning visit to the Giverny home, studio and gardens of Impressionist painter Claude Monet.
• A Tauck-exclusive reception and dinner at 16th-Century Chateau du Taillis.
• Visit to a family farm in Tilly to sample regional specialties including cider, Calvados and pate.

Value and Service

Included in the new cruise’s price are all shore excursions, all gratuities, all onboard beverages (including all wine, beer and spirits), airport transfers, luggage handling, taxes, fees and more. At press time, fares began at $7,240 per person, double occupancy.

“Tauck is a world leader in upscale guided travel, with more than 170 land tours, safaris, river cruises, small ship ocean cruises and family travel adventures to 70+ countries and all seven continents,” explains Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel. “Be sure to come talk with the world’s largest seller of Tauck to get the best deal with top-notch service, and never a service fee.”

Important Information from Pavlus Travel