Tauck has announced ms Harmonie, a new riverboat scheduled to join its French fleet in 2028 as a sister ship to ms Lumière, which entered service on the Rhône in 2026. The vessel is being developed as part of a broader renewal of Tauck’s European river fleet, with the design influenced by feedback from the company’s river-cruise guests. Tauck has previously described its new-generation vessels as being developed around greater space, destination-focused design and enhanced onboard amenities.
Purpose-built for the Rhône, ms Harmonie will follow the deck arrangement and principal design features established aboard ms Lumière. The vessel will accommodate a maximum of 130 guests, maintaining Tauck’s relatively low passenger capacity compared with riverboats of a similar size. The Lumière, for comparison, carries 130 passengers in 68 cabins, with more than 80% of its accommodation measuring at least 225 square feet.
The Sun Deck will provide a swimming pool, full-service bar and shaded day beds, together with outdoor areas intended for dining and relaxation while cruising the Rhône. The upper Diamond Deck will house an expanded wellness facility known as The Retreat, incorporating a fitness centre, massage treatment room and lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river.
Dining and public spaces will continue the design language introduced aboard ms Lumière. Arthur’s will provide a more casual dining option with panoramic views, while sky-lit atriums and light-filled lounges will form part of the ship’s common areas. Accommodation will include spacious 300-square-foot Tauck Suites, a feature also found aboard ms Lumière.
Tauck CEO Jennifer Tombaugh said the development of ms Harmonie reflects the company's practice of incorporating feedback from guests into the design of its river fleet. The choice of the name, which has the same meaning in English and French, was intended to convey the balance, ease and connection that Tauck associates with its river-cruising experience.
The new ship forms part of a multi-year expansion of Tauck’s French and European river fleet. The company introduced ms Lumière and ms Serene in 2026 and plans additional new vessels in 2027 and 2028, while also retiring older ships. Tauck expects the programme to increase its river-cruise capacity by more than 50% by 2028 and to support a wider range of itineraries and departure periods.
The Rhône has become an increasingly important market for Tauck, with ms Harmonie set to operate alongside ms Lumière and increase the company's capacity on the river. Existing programmes include Savoring France: Paris, Lyon & Provence, while additional itineraries are planned for 2028.
Tauck’s river cruises include shore excursions, gratuities, onboard beverages, including wine, beer and spirits, airport transfers, luggage handling, taxes and fees within the cruise fare.
Reservations for the 2028 programme are already being accepted, with Tauck offering guests who book at this stage the option to cancel and receive a full refund of their deposit once final pricing and itinerary details are released later in the year.