Overview
Embark on a scenic drive from Blaye to Bourg along the Route de la Corniche Fleurie and read more marvel at the sights of Blaye Fortress and Lansac Windmill along the way. Slow things down in Libourne and on your return to Bordeaux with multiple wine tastings, village tours, a farmers’ market visit, and Bordeaux heritage walking tour. Join us on a showcase of the best Southwest France has to offer.
Itinerary
Arrive at Bordeaux-Mérignac International Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.
The legendary Médoc region abounds with prestigious wine châteaux in a dizzying array of architectural styles, as well as miles of grapevines stretching to infinity. Take a scenic drive through the storied Médoc wine route, followed by a wine tasting at a beautiful wine estate. In the evening, a special Captain's Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
Featured Excursions: Choice of Fresh Médoc Oysters Tasting OR Médoc Châteaux Route with Private Wine Tasting OR Let's Go: Bike in the Médoc Vineyards
The French phrase “la douceur de vivre” is an accurate description for your time in Cadillac, known for its deliciously flavored dessert wines. Visit Château Royal de Cazeneuve, site of Henry IV's and Queen Margot's tempestuous love. Meet the owner around a glass of Sauternes in the reception hall.
Featured Excursions: Choice of Private Owner's Tour of Royal Château with Sauternes Toast OR The Colorful Life of Toulouse-Lautrec
Please Note: Sailing this stretch of the Garonne depends on the tides. If it is not possible to sail to Cadillac, you will be transferred to your destination via motorcoach.
The Route de la Corniche Fleurie…could this be the most beautiful road you've ever traveled? Find out today on the drive to Blaye Fortress, passing through one impossibly picturesque hamlet after another. Once you arrive, you'll discover the wonders of this historic fortress, a UNESCO-designated citadel that once protected Bordeaux from attacks by sea.
Featured Excursions: Choice of Bourg sur Gironde Stroll OR Intimate Experience with Local Wine & Art Connoisseurs OR Panoramas of Route de la Corniche Fleurie with Blaye Fortress OR Rendez-Vous Chez Rémy Martin
With Libourne as your base, travel to nearby breathtaking Saint-Émilion and immerse yourself more deeply in the region's history and wine culture. The medieval town of Saint-Émilion is an ideal place to linger. Wander its cobblestone lanes lined with wine shops and bakeries, and stop to admire the amazing rock-hewn church that extends beneath the city's streets.
Featured Excursions: Choice of Saint-Émilion Walking Tour with Wine Tasting OR Château Cooking Class OR Grand Cru Tasting OR Grand Cru Château Picnic Lunch
Please Note: Today's lunch will be on your own; ask your Cruise Manager for recommendations on the best nearby restaurants.
France's rich agricultural tradition is the heart and soul of the region's exquisite cuisine—and what better way to get a taste for the freshest vegetables, cheeses, breads and fruits than with a visit to Libourne's lively farmers' market? In the evening, a special Captain's Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you. (B/L/FD)
Featured Excursions: Choice of Village Day: Libourne with Farmer's Market OR Nights Out: After Hours at the Bassins des Lumières
Discover Bordeaux's many charms today, either on foot with a local expert or on two wheels—the locals' preferred way to navigate the city's charming backstreets. You have a wonderful selection of active opportunities to see this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Featured Excursions: Choice of Do as the Locals Do: Bordeaux Walking Tour OR Let's Go: Bike Bordeaux Backstreets OR Retro Sidecar Bordeaux Tour OR Retro Sidecar Romantic Tour
Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Bordeaux-Mérignac International Airport for your flight home.
Tour Inclusions
- 1 country: France
- 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites
- Cultural enrichment, including captivating onboard local entertainment
- Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
- Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour
- 6 days of excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
- Guided "Let's Go", "Do as the Locals Do" and "Village Day" programs
- State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
- Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks
- All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
- 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
- Captain's Welcome and Farewell Receptions
- Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
- Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks, and mineral water
- 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the breathtaking S.S. Bon Voyage
- Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites on the cruise have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, custom cotton sateen sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
- Free Wi-Fi
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Life On Board
We draw our inspiration for the design philosophy of every one of the 17 ships in our fleet directly from the destination more in which they sail. The craftsmanship, the attention to detail, the art onboard, the handcrafted furniture and intricacy of the fabrics are lovingly assembled to be a masterpiece in and of itself. Stepping onboard is to step into a world of beautiful colours and one-of-a-kind details that truly bring your destination to life.
Crafting experiences you can’t find anywhere else, means continuing to elevate Uniworld to new heights year after year. From the addition of four new Super Ships in Egypt, Vietnam, Portugal and Italy, to the award winning service that comes from the heart, we’re putting even more emphasis on what’s onboard to enhancing several itineraries to accommodate guest’s diverse tastes for the future. We truly look forward to welcoming our Australian guests onboard.
Uniworld's S.S. Bon Voyage is designed to immerse guests in French culture, art and wine. Read more
Uniworld has elevated all-inclusive river cruising in Europe to an entirely new level. Read more
Shore excursions for every traveler type. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more
Your Uniworld experience includes many options for you to stay fit both on board and onshore. Read more
Uniworld strives to go above and beyond to deliver you a truly exceptional travel experience. Read more
Be treated to world-class cuisine made from fresh ingredients, locally sourced from the destinations you visit. Read more
River Cruise Reviews (10)
On a bit of a negative side, the cabins are well laid out and thought through but very small. I am glad my friend and I had separate cabins otherwise there wouldn't have been enough room. The elevator was broken, which was a HUGE inconvenience for us as we have mobility issues. Apparently, a guest ran into the glass with a suitcase and broke it. It was down for the entirety of the trip. Some of the excursions weren't very good and not worth the time of leaving the boat. There was a huge downpour one day and the busses were parked quite away from the ship. It would have been considerate of them to send out some people with umbrellas; all of us were completely soaked (to the skin). Would I sail on Uniworld again, yes but in a larger cabin! Good experience!
The food and service was very good and drinks were free flowing. The included excursions were all very good and the guides for the excursions were excellent. The passenger mix was about 50% Americans with the balance comprising Australians, British and Malaysians. We did enjoy the cruise but for a cruise longer than 8 days we would choose a river cruise company with larger cabins.
We have been on several UniWorld cruises previously and all have been exceptional. My sense is that Uniworld is slowly reducing their level of service and included options that made them a standout amongst river cruise operators. This may be a trend across all operators, which reflects the tough times they are going through. However, if you want to taste the wine growing region of France in a leisurely relaxed fashion then this is a great way to do it.
The crew were, as is usual, from eastern Europe read more and were very good at their jobs. Their managers however left quite a bit to be desired. Unlike other river cruise companies we never saw any day time cleaning of the vessel being carried out and after cutting my finger on a nail hanging out of the bottom of a lounge chair I pointed out to the Hotel Manager that the chairs were far from clean and quite a few were "sticky" . The shower had mould and a leak from the sink into the drawer beneath was obviously known to the staff because before my wife could tell them where the leak was they suggested it was into the drawer! That took 3 attempts to fix.
The resident piano player seemed to think that loud was better than background music, subsequently everyone spoke louder than was necessary to be heard over the music, silly. Food was pretty good except the first night when all our main courses were cold and when I asked for a coffee it was presented stone cold, obviously left over from breakfast. Which brings me back to the lack of management. Overall if it wasn't for the excellent excursions the trip would have been a failure. I think we'll stick with Australian companies for future river cruises.
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Uniworld Italy (2025-26)
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Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Uniworld. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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