The market leader in European
river cruises has christened the
new MS Cyrano de Bergerac in
France.
French-owned CroisiEurope has added
a second vessel to operate cruises on the
Garonne and Dordogne rivers – a year before
two of its American rivals, Uniworld and
Viking, start up in the region.
CroisiEurope already runs the MS
Princesse d’Aquitaine in Bordeaux; while the
180-passenger Cyrano de Bergerac embarked
on its maiden cruise on 17 May.
Until November 2013, it will sail on itineraries
ranging from five to eight nights, and then
resume the next season between March and
November 2014.
Excursions, menus and daily programs are
offered in English.
The naming ceremony was attended by the
local mayor, French celebrities and a number
of godparents.
Breaking tradition, the ship has a godmother
(the wife of the mayor of a nearby town), a
godfather (an actor and TV presenter) and
“godparents of honours”.
Facilities include a main restaurant, lounge
bar, the smaller Pianorama Bar, sun deck, shop
and elevator.
Each cabin is equipped with an ensuite
bathroom, flat screen TV, hairdryer, safe, radio
and individually controlled air-conditioning
and heating.
The family-owned company operates fourstar
vessels, less than five years old, on 16
rivers across Europe, carrying more than 40%
of the market.
CroisiEurope is represented in Australia by
Cruise Abroad – www.cruiseabroad.com.au.
