Tauck Unveils Names and Artist Renderings of New Riverboats

A world leader in upscale travel, Tauck has released the names and first renderings of two ships joining its riverboat fleet in 2026. 

The ms Serene will sail along the River Seine in France while the ms Lumière offers cruises along the Rhône.

Ship names were selected from more than 1,000 suggestions submitted by Tauck’s travel advisors, guests and employees.

Tauck CEO Jennifer Tombaugh said, “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.”

Lumière evokes images of light, inspiration and discovery, according to Tombaugh, noting that the Rhône is a faster-flowing and livelier river, “akin to a spark of inspiration.” 

She added that Lyon is home to the Festival Lumière, which celebrates classic cinema honoring the Lumière brothers, pioneers in cinema, raised and educated in Lyon. Each December the city hosts the Fête des Lumières, or Festival of Lights, featuring decorative and artistic light installations throughout the city.

New Renderings of Interior, Exterior Features

First artist renderings of the new ships detail the ship’s exterior, Sun Deck, wellness area and Category 5 suite. The rendering reveals an attractive, well-appointed space featuring a swimming pool, full-service bar, shaded day beds and more.

Dubbed The Retreat, the area includes a fitness center, massage treatment room and lounging area with coffee/juice/snack bar plus full floor-to-ceiling windows. Shifted from the lower deck to the upper Diamond Deck, The Retreat now offers full-length window viewing.

New ships feature 300-square feet of space. Category 5 suites on the Diamond Deck of the Serene offer 20 suites, while the Lumière boasts 22. The spaces offer airy, well-lit accommodations with two French balconies, a comfortable seating area and king-size beds with views of the passing countryside.

The ms Serene will also feature thirty 225-sq. ft. cabins (mainly on the middle Ruby Deck), and twelve180-sq. ft. Category 1 cabins on the lower Emerald Deck for 124 guests. The ms Lumière will have 34 roomy 225-sq. ft. cabins primarily on the Ruby Deck, and twelve 180-sq. ft. Category 1 cabins on the Emerald deck for 130 guests.  

Category 1 cabins on both riverboats will waive single supplements and cabins will be 20 percent larger than on Tauck’s other riverboats.

Ms Serene New Itinerary Along the Seine

In addition to Tauck’s family river cruise, Family Fun Along the Seine: Paris to Normandy, the ms Serene will host travelers on a new-for-2026 Tauck itinerary, Bordeaux, Paris & The Seine (11-days, from $7,240 USD).

The journey begins with a fully-guided, three-night exploration of Bordeaux and Saint Emilion with accommodations at the InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hotel. Guests will then travel by high-speed train to Paris to board the ms Serene for a seven-night cruise along the Seine. 

Highlights include sightseeing options during a full day in Paris, a full-day’s exploration at Chateau de Versailles and guided visits to the D-Day Beaches of Normandy, historic Rouen and scenic Les Andelys. 

Guests will enjoy an exclusive early morning visit to the Giverny home, studio and gardens of Impressionist painter Claude Monet, an exclusive reception and dinner at 16th-century Chateau du Taillis and a visit to a family farm in Tilly to sample regional specialties.

The price includes shore excursions, gratuities, onboard beverages (including all wine, beer and spirits), airport transfers, luggage handling, taxes, fees and more.

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