Tauck Reveals Names & First Renderings of New Riverboats

Tauck is pleased to announce the names and release artist renderings of the two new ships that will be joining its award-winning fleet of riverboats next year. The new vessels will be the ms Serene, sailing on Tauck itineraries along the River Seine in France, and the ms Lumière, which will also operate in France and on Tauck’s cruises along the Rhône.

The names for the new ships were selected from more than 1,000 suggestions submitted by Tauck’s travel advisors, guests and employees at the company’s invitation, and Tauck CEO Jennifer Tombaugh provided insight on why each of the winning submissions were selected. “The name Serene is perfect for our new ship on the Seine, bringing to mind tranquility and rejuvenation. The River Seine itself is a gently flowing, meandering river that evokes a spirit of calm and escape that was captured beautifully in paintings of the waterway by the region’s Impressionist artists including Monet and Renoir.”

The name of Tauck’s new ship on the Rhône, Lumière, evokes images of light, inspiration and discovery, said Tombaugh, noting that the Rhône is a faster-flowing and more lively river, “akin to a spark of inspiration.” Tombaugh added that Lyon, a popular destination on Tauck’s Rhône River cruises, is home to the Festival Lumière, which celebrates classic cinema and honours the Lumière brothers, pioneers in cinema who were raised and educated in Lyon. Each December the city also hosts the Fête des Lumières, or Festival of Lights, featuring decorative and artistic light installations throughout the city.

David Clark, Managing Director Australia, said, “Today marks a special announcement for us here at Tauck. Our two new ships, the ms Serene and the ms Lumière, will be wonderful, new additions to Tauck’s existing, award-winning fleet. I’m confident that these ships will prove to be particularly popular with our Australian guests, when they set sail next year.”

NEW RENDERINGS HINT AT SHIPS’ INTERIOR, EXTERIOR FEATURES

Along with the names, Tauck has also released the first artist renderings for the new ships, with four detailed images showing the ship’s full exterior, Sun Deck, wellness area and Category 5 suite. The Sun Deck rendering reveals an attractive, well-appointed space featuring a swimming pool, full-service bar, and a generous allotment of shaded day beds. Also on the Sun Deck, a number of four-top tables with comfortable seating provide the perfect spot for alfresco dining, enjoying a glass of wine, or simply relaxing and taking in views of the river.

The wellness area, dubbed The Retreat, includes a fitness centre, massage treatment room and lounging area (complete with coffee/juice/snack bar) plus full floor-to-ceiling windows. Expanded to provide additional amenities and services (vs. the facilities on Tauck’s existing ships), the wellness area has also been shifted from the lower Emerald Deck to the ships’ upper Diamond Deck (thus allowing the full-length windows in the rendering), to offer abundant natural light and views of the river.

Each of the newbuilds will feature a generous offering of 300-sq. ft. Category 5 suites on the Diamond (upper) Deck, with the 125-meter Serene having 20 of the suites and the 135-meter ms Lumière boasting 22. The rendering of the Category 5 suite shows roomy, airy and well-lit accommodations boasting two French balconies, a comfortable seating area and king-size bed positioned to take in views of the passing countryside.

In addition to the 20 Category 5 cabins, the ms Serene will also have thirty 225-sq. ft. cabins (mainly on the middle Ruby Deck), and twelve 180-sq. ft. Category 1 cabins on the lower Emerald Deck, for a total capacity of 124 guests. Besides its 22 Category 5 suites, the ms Lumière will have thirty-four roomy 225-sq. ft. cabins primarily on the Ruby Deck, and twelve 180-sq. ft. Category 1 cabins on the Emerald deck, for a total capacity of 130 guests. In all, 80% of the new ships’ cabins will be 225 sq.-ft. or larger.

As on Tauck’s other riverboats, the Category 1 cabins on both the ms Serene and ms Lumière will have all single supplements waived, and at 180-sq. ft., the Category 1 cabins on both new vessels will be 20% larger than those featured on Tauck’s other riverboats.

MS SERENE TO SAIL ON NEW ITINERARY ALONG THE SEINE

In addition to sailing on Tauck’s family river cruise along the Seine, Family Fun Along The Seine: Paris To Normandy, the ms Serene will also host travelers on a new-for-2026 Tauck itinerary, Bordeaux, Paris & The Seine (11-days, from $10,990 AUD*).

The new journey begins with a fully-guided, three-night exploration of Bordeaux and Saint Emilion with accommodations at the InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hotel. Tauck guests will then travel by high-speed train to Paris where they will board the ms Serene for a seven-night cruise along the Seine. Highlights along the river include a choice of sightseeing options during a full day in Paris, a full-day’s exploration with a choice of activities at Château de Versailles, and 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 16^th-century Château du Taillis, and a visit to a family farm in Tilly where they’ll sample regional specialties including cider, Calvados and pâté.

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.

For more information on Tauck, email [email protected], contact your local travel professional, call 1800 962 043, or visit www.tauck.com.au.