Tauck MS Lumiere

The 2026-built Tauck Lumiere ship cruises in France on the Saone and Rhone rivers, departing from homeports Arles and Lyon. MS Lumiere is a larger, redesigned sistership and is very similar to MS Serene (2026), deployed on the Seine River.

Currently, the shipowner Scylla AG charters MS Lumiere exclusively to the USA-based cruise travel company Tauck Tours fleet.

History - construction and ownership

Tauck Travel is a USA-based company (tour operator and cruise provider) specializing in river cruises and guided land tours. Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Wilton, Connecticut, the company is privately owned and family-operated by the Tauck family. It offers more than 140 all-inclusive land tours, European river cruises, and small-ship ocean cruises (on chartered vessels), as well as family-focused travel and African safaris across more than 70 countries worldwide.

The vessel's construction (hull and superstructure) was completed at Vahali Shipyard in Zasavica (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia). After completion in Serbia, the ship was towed to the Netherlands for final outfitting at Den Breejen Shipyard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam.

The riverboat (ENI number 07002252) is currently Switzerland-flagged (MMSI 269057133) and registered in Basel.

In February 2026, Tauck announced the names of the ship’s godmothers — Kristen Mack (VP of Tauck Director Operations) and Brenna Shay (Tauck Director Manager). The christening ceremony was held on March 27 in Lyon.

Ticket price-included amenities include:

• shipboard dining (all meals — breakfast, lunch, dinner, light snacks) and selected meals during land excursions
• beverages (specialty coffee, tea, soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic drinks by the glass, including house wines, beers, and premium spirits, available throughout the day)
• onboard entertainment and enrichment programs (live music, dancing, local performances, lectures, food and wine tastings, gala events, and curated cultural activities ashore)
• shipwide Wi-Fi/Internet (unlimited throughout the voyage)
• accommodations (onboard and often hotel stays before, after, or during land portions of the cruise tour)
• land transfers (airport/train), gratuities (crew, guides, Tauck Directors), and guided shore excursions

Tauck’s cruise fares also include port charges, fuel surcharges, and government taxes.

Itineraries

For the inaugural season (April through October 2026), Tauck scheduled four France river cruise-tour itineraries: "Savoring France: Paris, Lyon & Provence" (10 days), "French Escapade: Paris to the Riviera - Southbound" (14 days), "La Belle Vie: The Rhone, Geneva & the Riviera" (14 days), and "Bon Voyage! France Family River Cruise" (8 days).

The 13-night/14-day "La Belle Vie: The Rhone, Geneva & the Riviera Cruise" (from Marseille to Paris) starts in Marseille (Day 1) and visits Monte Carlo (Day 2), Aix-en-Provence (Day 3), Arles (Day 4/embarkation), Avignon (Days 5-6/overnight), Tain-l'Hermitage (Day 7), Macon (Day 8), Tournus (Day 9), Lyon (Days 10-11/overnight/debarkation), and Geneva (Day 13), ending in Paris (Day 14).

The 13-night/14-day "French Escapade: Paris to the Riviera - Southbound Cruise" (from Paris to Aix-en-Provence) starts in Paris (Days 1-3/overnight), then visits Chalon-sur-Saone (Day 4), Cormatin (Day 5), Macon (Day 6), Lyon (Day 7), Vienne (Day 8), Avignon (Days 9-10/overnight), Arles (Day 11/debarkation), Aix-en-Provence (Day 12), and Cannes (Day 13), ending in Aix-en-Provence (Day 14).

The 7-night/8-day "Bon Voyage! France Family River Cruise" (roundtrip from Lyon) begins with an overnight hotel stay in Paris (Days 1-2), followed by TGV train travel to Lyon (Day 3/embarkation). The itinerary continues to Tournon-sur-Rhone (Day 4), Arles (Day 5), Avignon (Day 6), Viviers (Day 7), and ends in Lyon (Day 8/debarkation).

The 9-night/10-day "Savoring France: Paris, Lyon & Provence Cruise" (from Paris to Lyon) starts in Paris (Days 1-3/overnight), followed by TGV travel to Lyon (Day 4/embarkation), then visits Viviers (Day 5), Arles (Day 6), Avignon (Day 7), Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Day 8), and Tain-l'Hermitage (Day 9), ending in Lyon (Day 10/debarkation).

Decks and Cabins

MS Lumiere has a total of 68 staterooms, including 22 Tauck Suites (29 m2 / 300 ft2) and 32 French Balcony staterooms (21 m2 / 225 ft2). The remaining 14 cabins (17 m2 / 180 ft2, approximately 20% of all) feature portholes (non-opening windows).

All French Balcony cabins (categories 3 and 4 on Ruby and Diamond decks) have slide-opening French balconies (floor-to-ceiling windows opening to a railing). Cabins in categories 1 and 2 (on Emerald Deck) feature porthole windows (non-opening), positioned high on the riverside wall. The Suites (category 5, on Diamond Deck) have two French balconies.

Category 1 cabins (window cabins) can be booked without a single supplement (subject to availability), making them ideal for solo travelers.

All staterooms (regardless of category) include the following complimentary amenities: en-suite bathroom (single-sink vanity with storage, glass-door shower, WC, multi-function showerhead, hairdryer, premium bath amenities, razor-only outlet), hotel beds (two twin beds convertible to a double/Queen), ample under-bed storage, large wardrobe (walk-in closet), lounge area (low table with two chairs), complimentary mini-bar (soft drinks), HDTV with infotainment system, mirrored vanity table with chair, wireless phone, electronic safe, daily bottled water, individually controlled air conditioning, and power outlets (220V/110V).

Suites additionally feature a larger lounge area (with pull-out sofa) and a larger bathroom (with a bathtub).

Each cabin is equipped with a 42-inch smart HDTV (satellite reception) and an infotainment system (complimentary Internet access, on-demand movies, and real-time bridge camera views).

The ship has 4 decks, of which 3 have cabins.

Shipboard facilities

Like all Tauck-chartered riverboats, Lumiere’s staff includes one Tauck Cruise Director and three Tauck Directors serving as tour guides.

Key facilities include the Compass Rose (main dining room, forward on Ruby Deck), Arthur's Restaurant (alternative fine-dining venue with indoor/outdoor seating on Diamond Deck) with direct access to the Bow Terrace (alfresco dining area), Panorama Lounge (forward on Diamond Deck), and an open-air Sundeck Bar & Lounge (forward on Sun Deck).

The Compass Rose restaurant offers open seating and flexible dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including vegan and vegetarian options.

Forward on the Sundeck (adjacent to the bar lounge) is a sunbathing area with an outdoor heated swimming pool. The remaining deck space features shaded seating (sun loungers and tables with chairs) under retractable awnings. Solar panels located near the Wheelhouse supply a portion of the ship’s electricity.

The Bow Terrace (forward on Deck 3) is a small outdoor lounge area with limited seating. Two external staircases provide direct access from the terrace to the Sundeck.

The Panorama Lounge & Bar is an indoor venue with floor-to-ceiling windows, comfortable seating, a grand piano, and a 24-hour beverage station offering complimentary drinks (tea, coffee, still and sparkling water) and light snacks. Evening entertainment includes live performances, local guest artists, and dancing. The lounge also hosts enrichment programs such as lectures, presentations, and port briefings led by the Tauck Cruise Director.

Arthur's Restaurant, named after Arthur Tauck Jr., offers light breakfast and serves as an alternative venue for lunch and dinner in a more relaxed setting compared to the Compass Rose.

The Retreat (aft on Diamond Deck) is the ship’s wellness area, featuring a fitness center, spa treatment room, and relaxation lounge with complimentary refreshments. Large windows provide panoramic views.

The Lobby area (midship on Deck 3) includes the main entrances (portside and starboard), Reception (24-hour Guest Services Desk), Cruise Director’s Office, and a small shop offering souvenirs and travel essentials. The Reception also assists with excursions and future cruise bookings.

All cabin decks are connected by a grand staircase and an elevator. Additional staircases (aft) connect Decks 2–3 and 3–4.