Uniworld - France

[jaw501]

We're thinking of doing a long France cruise with Uniworld (April 2) in 2017 and wonder if anyone has done this "Ultimate France" combination? https://www.uniworld.com/en-ca/river-cruise/europe/france/ultimate-france/2017-avignon-to-bordeaux/day-to-day/ It's three ships, connected by train trips. Also, is this a time when water levels are an issue? Many thanks.

 

(The 3-week trip is a combo of Paris & Normandy, Bordeaux and Burgundy & Provence)

[jpalbny]

Looks great! We've done the first third of this itinerary last year on SS Catherine. Loved it, though we went Lyon to Avignon. I did a full review (link in my signature).

 

On that cruise, we met a bunch of folks who had just completed the Seine River cruise. They spoke very highly of it.

 

Water levels are unpredictable. Snowmelt, if excessive, can lead to high water in the spring. A dry summer can lead to low levels later in the year. Or levels can behave unpredictably.

 

We've done the train from Paris to Lyon, as you will (other direction) during this trip. Two hours. Very easy and fast trip. The TGV is fun.

[jaw501]

Great info, appreciated. Man you have a great cruise list there. Several of them are on my bucket list (Ganges, for example)

[capriccio]

We (group of 5 with my DH, DB, SIL and SIL's mom) were on our first Uniworld cruise (Budapest to Amsterdam) last August that required a ship transfer due to low water and the company gave each passenger a $1000 compensation. Water issues really can't be predicted in advance.

 

Having been extremely pleased with everything on last summer's cruise and having that $1000 burning in our pockets, we decided to book Grand France for this past May/June. That is 2/3rds of the cruise you are considering: the Seine and the Rhone. This year we were exactly one week ahead of all the flooding along the rivers in central France including the Seine and Saone (the end of May/beginning of June) and ran into an extra 1 hour bus ride from Baunne to Lyon because the captain feared getting stuck heading south to Lyon from Macon so he sailed an empty ship to Lyon.

 

Both cruises were fabulous and we highly recommend them.

 

This thread has a review and many comments about the Seine cruise: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2357721.

 

This thread has an excellent review of the Rhone cruise we were on and many comments: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2368062

Edited August 9, 2016 by capriccio

[jklc123]

We thoroughly enjoyed the Seine and Rhone portions of your itinerary. The Baroness is a cosier ship than the elegant SS Catherine but comfortable and up to Uniworld's high standards. History, art and beautiful countryside for both legs. We had a slight change in itinerary returning to Paris on the Seine as we arrived on the May 1 holiday and had to get through the last lock before the workers got the day off. Versailles was closed due to the holiday so that optional excursion was not available, but Uniworld added a free excursion to Malmaison, which was interesting.

 

We did have high water on the Rhone so had an extra day in Lyon (not a bad thing -- lots to see there, but missed Arles at the end). The authorities decided the ship and crew could move to each port but we PAX had to be bused from port to port, with the usual port walking tours as well as extra included excursions all the way, including delicious lunches in upscale restaurants. Of course the high water was not Uniworld's fault, but we were each offered $2000 off a future cruise, so Egypt here we come!

 

Such is the nature of river cruising. You go with the flow (pun intended) and have adventures you didn't expect. As you can see, we are Uniworld fans. I'd be happy to answer any questions.

 

Bon voyage!

[jaw501]

Thanks so much jklc123 and cappricio - reassuring and informative.

 

We traveled with UW on our very first river cruise way back on an eastern European itinerary from Vienna to Bucharest and loved it. But it was fall and there were no issues with flooding or high water. So knowing how they handle it helps a lot. Great reviews and info, very much appreciated.