Swiss transport operator Scylla has taken delivery of a newly built river cruise vessel constructed by Vahali Shipyards in Serbia. The 135-metre ship, named Lumière, was developed in cooperation with the USA-based luxury travel company Tauck and is intended for operations on France’s Rhône River.
Designed to accommodate a limited number of passengers, the vessel carries up to 130 guests in 68 cabins and suites. The accommodation includes 22 suites measuring approximately 28 square metres, 34 cabins of around 21 square metres and a further 12 cabins of roughly 17 square metres. Two passenger decks are fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows and French balconies, allowing guests to observe the surrounding landscape from their staterooms as they cruise the river.
The ship is staffed by a crew of approximately 50, producing one of the highest guest-to-crew ratios among vessels operating on European inland waterways. Personnel includes a cruise director, local guides and security staff responsible for round-the-clock monitoring while the ship is underway or in port.
Public spaces aboard the vessel include two restaurants, a sun deck equipped with a small pool and bar, as well as a gymnasium, yoga studio and massage room. Throughout the vessel, LED lighting has been installed as an energy-efficiency measure.
The navigation bridge was positioned as far forward as possible to improve the bridge team’s visibility along the narrow river channels typical of Rhône operations. The Wheelhouse/Bridge itself was constructed by Kampers Shipyard in the Netherlands.
Propulsion is provided by a hybrid system consisting of two MAN D2682LE444 diesel engines, each rated at 1,000 HP, supported by several generators and battery packs. The propulsion arrangement drives twin Veth Z-drives with contra-rotating propellers, supplemented by a 390-kilowatt manoeuvring jet. Two 67-kilowatt-hour battery packs enable the vessel to operate on stored electrical power for limited periods, estimated at roughly 45 minutes, which can provide auxiliary propulsion when maneuvering or in situations where the main engines cannot be used.
The vessel’s onboard equipment includes Furuno radar systems and additional navigation sensors supplied by Radio Holland. A BAM Pro Marine package provides fire alarms, public address systems, CCTV and onboard communications. Other systems and fittings were supplied by a range of European marine equipment manufacturers, including deck machinery, HVAC installations and galley equipment.
In addition to its commercial role as a river cruise vessel, Lumière has also been used as a platform for testing autonomous navigation technologies. Shortly after entering service, the ship undertook a demonstration voyage in the Netherlands between Hardinxveld-Giessendam and Gorinchem using an autonomous lane-assist system integrated with the vessel’s manoeuvring controls. During the trial the automated system was responsible for steering adjustments and propulsion management while the ship’s captain remained on the bridge supervising the operation.
The trial was conducted under real operating conditions, with the navigation system calculating course corrections based on variables such as vessel load, engine performance and turning dynamics. According to the developers involved in the demonstration, the system maintained its planned course even during strong crosswinds encountered during the voyage.
With her delivery completed, Lumière enters service as part of Scylla’s charter fleet, operating voyages along the Rhône under Tauck’s river cruise programme.