Sunday, March 31, 2024

S S. Bon Voyage Ships

bon voyage cruise ship

Blue Fox Cafe doubles as an alternative dining venue with waiter service and light lunch menu (pizzas, pasta, burgers, seafood, salads, soups, sandwiches). The only areas that ever felt crowded were the pools at the Aquatic Club and Gym and Tonic, which is pretty typical of any cruise ship, especially on sea days. But besides feeling like we had the ship to ourselves, there was the feeling of inclusion aboard Valiant Lady. The sold-out cruise featuring 1,400 cabins across 16 decks of Valiant Lady could have turned our vacation into a nightmare – trapped on a smaller cruise ship than, say, Oasis of the Seas, at full capacity worried us. But our fears were for naught because even during our one at-sea day, Valiant Lady never felt crowded. RockStars get the first access to book restaurants and experiences and are moved to the front of the line for any shows that do not require reservations.

Spa & Fitness

Fifteen minutes later he returned with a kettle of his favourite nepenthe and all three adventurers drank to a bon voyage home. Your holiday is ABTA and ATOL protected when you book with ROL Cruise, so you can book with confidence knowing you are fully protected. Whats more, we're here when you need us, 7 days a week for anything you may need. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. You might feel like Marie Antoinette on Uniworld’s fleet of glamorous ships that take inspiration from the fineries of European monarchs and fine French painters.

Bordeaux Deck

Considering the booking window opens 45 days before the sailing date, and that passengers in the know set their alarms to begin booking as soon as the app launches, this first access alone can be worth its weight. Of course, a sea day wouldn’t be a sea day without a visit to the spa, and Valiant Lady offered an easy and inexpensive way to enjoy the spa with its Thermal Suite Pass. For two hours, we could take advantage of Redemption Spa’s steam room, sauna, salt therapy room, mud bath room, hot and cold plunge pools, and heated Turkish marble lounges. La Brasserie (Bordeaux Deck forward) is a French-style restaurant that offers traditional bistro fare and a la carte menu items at dinner. This is the boat's best venue to enjoy a more leisurely dining and a special dinner. All cabins on deck 2-Medoc are same-sized (14 m2) and with a large (wall-to-wall, half-height) non-opening Picture Window.

Cruise News Recap: Carnival Tampering, Dining Changes, Evacuation

Poolside service at Le Café du Soleil offers casual French cuisine as well as open-air cooking demonstrations from our chefs.In addition to the public spaces, the S.S. Bon Voyage features four new spacious suites, and every stateroom has received an exquisite redesign with cool marble bathrooms and unique features. Inspired by the renowned wine and gastronomic expertise of the region, the S.S. Bon Voyage will represent the bountiful destination—from the beautiful design on the ship’s bow to the enhanced culinary opportunities onboard.With her transformation, the S.S.

S.S. Bon Voyage Deck Plans

bon voyage cruise ship

Guests with special needs, handicaps or disabilities should contact The Cruise Web before considering a river cruise with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Uniworld (officially "Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection") is a major river cruise company part of The Travel Corporation group. We didn’t feel like we had to dress to the nines or that meals were completely over the top when dining every evening. The restaurants are very hip, exciting, and social environments. From crispy artichokes with caper aioli and charred lemon aperitivo to the secondo porcini-rubbed New York Strip with Calabrian chili butter, farro and sauteed escarole, we raved about every bite. We weren’t the only ones who loved this spot; every passenger we spoke to said it was their favorite, and we failed to secure a second reservation due to its popularity.

Bordeaux, France

All staterooms were redesigned, completely renovated and upgraded with marble bathrooms. The stunning Soleil Deck, awash in vibrant fabrics, features the only infinity pool on the river and spectacular views of the French countryside. Poolside service at Le Café du Soleil offers casual French cuisine as well as open-air cooking demonstrations from our chefs. 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).

Europe

One passenger complained of having 40 people on his sailing excursion, while a kayaking trip in Antigua had more than 60 guests. We wished we had known how many people were booked on each excursion before selecting, as we would have chosen smaller Experiences. Although the menu was experiential, the dishes delivered didn’t wow us, especially when multiple servers lifted individual smoke-filled glass tops to be what seemed like a side dish of fresh peas and egg yolk. It took a decade to discover cruises were so much more than an evening of debauchery, and I’ve since taken my children on cruises, experienced romantic voyages, and gathered the girls for weekend getaways at sea, many in the name of an upcoming wedding. We are a team of global travelers and cruise enthusiasts with several combined decades of experience in providing world-class luxury travel to our clients. Take in Uniworld's onboard spa and fitness options, including the Serenity River Spa, swimming pools, Jacuzzis and saunas.

We had decided to make our vacay a week of self-improvement, promising to partake in the ship’s more than 100 free exercise classes. We also swore we would utilize the open-air track on Deck 17 called The Runway, join the calming morning yoga sessions on The Perch, and visit the ship’s gym, B-Complex. It means that kids are not splashing in the pool and running down the corridors. If you Google Virgin Voyages, you may find earlier articles indicating that adults-only cruises are meant for raunchiness. My friend’s husband read too many comments about “swingers,” “in-cabin toy packages,” and other tales that made him wonder why we chose Virgin. We, and the people we met on board, laughed at those exaggerated stories.

Videos capture cruise guests who got back to the ship too late - Daily Mail

Videos capture cruise guests who got back to the ship too late.

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Cruises For S.S. Bon Voyage

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). Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. One word of caution is that many of the excursions are extremely large and crowded.

The ship’s food court-styled dining, found on Deck 15, was nothing like a traditional food court. Instead of pizza, burgers, French fries, and chicken fingers, the Galley featured Bento Boxes at Bento Baby, made-to-order salads at Daily Mix, and açai bowls at The Sweet Side. We could even find freshly made juices at Juice Sea on Deck 7 and poke bowls at Sun Club Café on Deck 16. Actually, it was super easy to maintain a healthy lifestyle aboard Valiant Lady. We couldn’t get enough of Rees and his high-energy Spin classes set to Beyonce, Rhianna, and Madonna.

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). I can’t believe I am going to say this after years of giving my mother grief for not getting off cruise ships and exploring, but my friend and I loved Valiant Lady so much that we wished we spent more time onboard! Although we didn’t stay in a RockStar suite, which are at least double in size, feature a bottomless in-room bar, and have marble bathrooms with Peek-a-Boo showers (and sometimes a bathtub), we did get RockStar VIP access.

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Calming our minds and taking in the panoramic views of the Gironde Estruary was the perfect way to start the day. Reborn from the former River Royale, the ship underwent a $14 million transformation to reveal new accommodation, dining venues, pool facilities and decor and a new name – S.S. 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).

Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money. Learn about Uniworld's Multi-Generational Programs, sailings designed to accommodate for families with children. Whether it’s a two week cruise, or three week voyage, you’ll be amazed and intrigued by the architectural wonders, culinary delights, and cultural excursions available on a Europe River Cruise. By far, our best Experience was a day sailing to the Pitons in Saint Lucia, where we stopped to snorkel and dropped anchor in a quiet yet colorful bay for local eats and Piton beer.

Before 2019, the ship was operated under the name "River Royale" and had 65 cabins (including 1x Suite). This ship is certainly one which immerses the itinerary into life on-board, with excursions, dining and surrounding views marrying the two perfectly. Learn how Uniworld's impeccable service translates into a truly one-of-a-kind river cruise experience. Virgin Voyages is pretty gung-ho about its scarlet red hammock on the balconies, but having the hammock hanging down made it feel even smaller for both of us to enjoy the space at the same time. It is a petty complaint, considering we were hardly ever in our suite, but the only time we would be in the hammock was when the other was in the shower.

I Spent 7 Days on My First Adults-Only Virgin Voyages Cruise

bon voyage cruise ship

Following this, we headed to a small winery where a passionate, informative and engaging owner gave us a wine tasting tour. Exploring his wine cellar, which had champagnes and wines, we were offering generous tastings of his favourite choices, many of which were sold at a price of €325 for six bottles. Bon Voyage immediately elicits a feeling of welcome luxury, as the Reception staff greets you by name (a daily acknowledgement which added a comforting touch).

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Maplewood Manor residents say bon voyage on European cruise - peicanada.com

Maplewood Manor residents say bon voyage on European cruise.

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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.

Europe

For an even more expert dining experience, La Cave des Vins is an intimate venue where connoisseurs can enjoy a six-course tasting menu paired with wines. This ‘chef’s table’ style dining is highly recommended while on-board. Another tour option was a countryside bike tour, combining fresh air with the gorgeous scenery and fine wine in the Médoc vineyards. Starting with your bicycle in Paulliac, you set a course through the landscapes of historic estates and towns that have seemingly remain unchanged for centuries. Learning about the history of the region and its chateaus, you end the experience with another indulgent wine tasting. Explore Uniworld's luxury river ship staterooms, suites, junior suites and Owners or Presidential suites - each with completely unique décor.

Uniworld's Bon Voyage Launched in France

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). 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.

bon voyage cruise ship

Of the ship’s additional restaurants, we loved Pink Agave’s taste of Mexico through tlayuds, memelas, sopes, tortas, esquites, and tamales, but were less impressed by Test Kitchen. When my best friend suggested we needed some one-on-one girl time, we knew we wanted to spend a week in the Caribbean sun and escape winter’s wrath. It just so happened that Virgin Voyages, which has only been in operation since the pandemic, had recently launched a 7-night itinerary from San Juan to island hop in Antigua, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, and St. Lucia. Always one to enjoy Sir Richard Branson’s hotels and airlines, a trip aboard the Valiant Lady seemed like an ideal match. The obliging Frenchman gave her every assistance, and bade her bon voyage smilingly as he helped her aboard the train.

S.S. Bon Voyage Cruises

Not only did we have amazing views from our perch as we sailed by Richard Branson’s private Necker Island, but we caught Sir Richard aboard his catamaran, waving to the ship as it passed while his staff on the island lit a bonfire to guide our way. We were told he always greets his ships when he’s on the island, sometimes with fireworks. The luxury UNIWORLD riverboat SS Bon Voyage has a total of 62 staterooms, including 4x Suites, 22x French Balcony, 30x Deluxe (with Picture Window) and 6x Classic (with Porthole Windows).

Cruises For S.S. Bon Voyage

Beneath one bed were two large drawers, and the closet/armoire featured another set of drawers so that everything had a place. We couldn’t fit our suitcases under the beds, but because of all the drawer space, we could fit them into the closet. While the vanity space in the bathroom was almost non-existent, we used two baskets from the closet to hold our toiletries on the shelf below the sink to keep things organized and within reach. The SS Bon Voyage cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues. After meeting our personal butler and enjoying our own tour of the ship’s decks, and enjoying the in-suite touches such as macarons and a handsomely-stocked mini-bar, we delved into the harmonious fusion of French decor with regional culture and cuisine. Uniworld River Cruises sends its regal fleet down some of the most incredible rivers in the world, giving each passenger the opportunity to immerse themselves in the destination and culture.

Ultimate France

Imagine sailing down the historic Nile River, stopping at ports to explore ancient pyramids or view the massive Sphinx. Or, envision a serene voyage along the Mekong River, filled with unique cultural expeditions and culinary delights of Southeast Asia. Uniworld also cruises along Europe's most interesting rivers, winding through Europe's finest ports and cities, such as the Danube, Moselle and Po Rivers. 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). 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.

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. The fully remodeled ship has standard cabins sized 14 m2 (150 ft2), while the French Balconies are 13 m2.

The quintessential La Brasserie, with its natural green and pops of yellow décor inspired by the famous Bouillon Pigalle, serves traditional bistro fare. Le Grand Fromage offers menus reflective of the local cuisine, prepared from locally-sourced ingredients. La Cave du Vin is an intimate space where connoisseurs can gather for expert food and wine pairing dinners upon request. Emma has more than seven years' experience as a writer and has been in the travel industry for nearly five years. She loves learning about new places and cruise ships coming to market, as well as discovering fun and exciting activities to do while you sail.

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). This informative and in-depth guide offers not only a fascinating overview of the world’s most incredible regions, but also some of their most exciting ports and cities as well as all the amazing things you can do there. To help you get the very best out of these destinations, we've assembled a selection of exclusive tailor-made offers in each region, which include voyages on the world's best cruise ships as well as stays in a selection of hand-picked hotels. Learn about Uniworld's special river cruises, including Christmas Markets sailings in Europe and culinary-focused Epicurean Adventurer Program. Sail on rivers that have seen times, borders and cultures change.

Engage in Uniworld's onboard activities, including fresh dining, sun deck lounging, river sight-seeing, boutique shopping and more. Enjoy Uniworld's onboard river cruise entertainment, including performances by local musicians, dancers and other entertainers. 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. We're here to answer your questions about Uniworld cruises and ships, as well as any of our special offers. We tried a similar excursion in Barbados but were disappointed when the catamaran took us in view of the ship, deposited us on a crowded beach, and then sailed us back after a quick swim, claiming the waves were too rough. We later discovered others who took the same excursion and sailed further afield through the same company. We think our detour was due to being the last excursion of the day.

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