The direction of travel changes the trip
Here is what brochures leave out about the Rhone. The river runs fast, with a
strong flow and deep locks. A southbound route, Lyon towards Arles, goes with
the current: sailing days are shorter and the ship arrives earlier. A northbound
route spends longer on the water and leaves fewer hours ashore.
Neither is better. What matters is knowing which one you booked. A traveller
who wants time in the villages of the Luberon and a traveller who wants to watch
the banks go by should not choose the same direction.
The hull
One hundred and thirty-five metres, 158 guests, 59 crew. The ship left the
yard in 2014, the second large hull built for the line. Four decks named Sant
Remy, Avignon, Camargue and Sun.
The two-storey lobby carries a commissioned Murano glass chandelier and a
life-size glass horse. Again, the taste is loaded and unapologetic. A pool sits
on the upper deck, and upper-grade cabins have the window that drops to close
the balcony.
Rhone, Saone, and the rest of France
Uniworld runs three hulls in France, each on its own basin. S.S. Joie de Vivre holds the
Seine, S.S. Bon Voyage the Garonne and the Dordogne, and this one the Rhone and the Saone.
The three do not connect for a ship this size, so an itinerary that crosses
France does part of the distance by road or rail. For a comparison outside
France, look at S.S. Antoinette on the Rhine or S.S. La Venezia in the Venetian lagoon.
What is included, and what is not
Start with the part that surprises people: shipboard gratuities are already
covered. You do not end the cruise with a list of envelopes to prepare. Meals
follow, with a selection of wines, beers and spirits available through the day.
Scheduled excursions and the transfers in your file are included.
Wi-Fi is provided aboard as a courtesy. Uniworld guarantees neither
availability nor speed, and losing the signal in a lock is normal rather than
exceptional.
You pay separately for airfare, visas, travel insurance, laundry, spa,
communications and optional excursions.
Moving around aboard and ashore
The line promises reasonable efforts without guaranteeing accessibility. No
mobility equipment is provided aboard. A traveller who needs assistance must
sail with someone who can genuinely provide it, not merely in principle.
Ashore, historic centres are cobbled and not every quay is fitted out. Have the
exact configuration of your chosen ship confirmed.
Leaving from Quebec
The time difference works against you outbound and for you on the way home.
An evening departure from Montreal lands you in Europe in the morning, with a
full day ahead and a broken night behind. Advisors who know these itineraries
book a hotel night before embarkation almost every time.
Voyages AquaTerra is licensed by Quebec's Office de la protection du
consommateur. Your payments pass through the trust account Quebec law requires,
and the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents applies to your file.
Ask for the paperwork. You are entitled to it.
