Tauck has announced the names and shared artist renderings of two new riverboats joining its fleet next year. The MS Serene will sail on Tauck itineraries along the Seine River, while the MS Lumière will operate on the Rhône River.
The names were selected from over 1,000 submissions from Tauck’s travel advisors, guests and employees. Tauck CEO Jennifer Tombaugh shared the reasoning behind the final selections.
“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,” said Tombaugh.
Tombaugh explained that the name Lumière, chosen for the new Rhône River ship, symbolizes light, inspiration and discovery. She noted that the Rhône’s fast-moving waters reflect a spark of inspiration. Lyon, a key destination on Tauck’s Rhône River cruises, hosts the Festival Lumière, celebrating classic cinema and honoring the Lumière brothers, pioneers in film. The city also holds the annual Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights) each December, featuring artistic light displays.
Tauck has also released the first artist renderings of the new ships, including exterior views, the Sun Deck, the wellness area and the Category 5 suite. The Sun Deck features a swimming pool, full-service bar, shaded day beds and four-top tables for alfresco dining and wine tasting.
The wellness area, called The Retreat, features a fitness center, massage treatment room and a lounging space with a coffee, juice and snack bar. Relocated from the lower Emerald Deck to the upper Diamond Deck, the space now includes floor-to-ceiling windows, providing natural light and river views.
Each ship offers 300 sq. ft. Category 5 suites on the Diamond Deck. The 125-meter Serene will feature 20 suites and the 135-meter Lumière 22. The Category 5 suite rendering shows a layout with two French balconies, a seating area and a king-size bed positioned for river views.
The Serene accommodates 124 guests with 30 225-square-foot cabins on the Ruby Deck and 12 180-square-foot cabins on the Emerald Deck. The Lumière accommodates 130 guests with 34 225-square-foot cabins on the Ruby Deck and 12 180-square-foot cabins on the Emerald Deck. Eighty percent of cabins on both ships are 225 sq. ft. or larger.
The Category 1 cabins on both the Serene and Lumière will be 20 percent larger than those on Tauck’s other riverboats, with no single supplements.
