SS Bon Voyage
Inside the S.S. Bon Voyage: Uniworld's Ode to Bordeaux
If Bordeaux is on your radar, let's talk about the ship I'd put you on: the S.S. Bon Voyage, Uniworld's Super Ship built specifically for the Bordeaux-Médoc region.
This is a small, intimate ship, carrying around 124 guests, designed top to bottom to feel like France. The jewel-toned lounge inspired by real French design icons, speaks to the overall aesthetic. It's a lot more personality than the sleek, neutral look you'll find on a lot of river ships, and it makes the whole experience feel like it belongs to the region rather than just floating through it. It brought me back to my JCrew days and all I could think was - texture, pattern, color done spectacularly.
The staterooms here run on the smaller side, even by river cruise standards, but most of the time was spent in the beautiful public spaces rather than lounging in their cabin. If you can make peace with a cozier room in exchange for one of the most distinctive, character-filled ships on the rivers, the S.S. Bon Voyage is a fantastic way to experience Bordeaux.
Food and wine are the heartbeat of this ship, which makes sense given where it sails. In addition to the main dining room there's a dedicated wine room on board where connoisseurs can book Cave de Vins food and wine pairing dinners with the ship's sommelier or end the Onboard Progressive Dinner, which takes you around the ship as you eat. On my sailing so many guests signed up for the Cave de Vins dinner that they added an extra night! I’m grateful because it was delicious. (Tip: If you ask at the front desk they are able to get recipes for you with enough notice.)
Up on the top deck, the Soleil Deck has the only infinity pool found on any river ship in Bordeaux. On the days it’s too chilly for the pool, sitting in the sun with a book, enjoying a wine tasting, or painting with watercolor (to mixed degrees of success) was a genuinely nice way to spend an afternoon between chateau visits. There's also a proper spa, fitness center, and sunrise classes for anyone who wants to stay active on board.
This sailing was typically filled with half day excursions, leaving plenty of time to either continue exploring the towns we visited, or enjoy time onboard. Given the pacing, it’s perfect for groups: specialty retreats like needlepoint, wine, or book lovers, and for friends who haven’t seen each other in ages.
Our cruise director made the whole week. She was so personable and knowledgable. And when she took us to the final excursion of the trip, I was blown away.
Want to see if it's the right fit for your trip? Let's start planning.