The Princesse de Provence sails two French rivers: the Rhone and the Saone. She was built in 1992 and refurbished in 2002 by Peter Deilmann. She is a 363-ft river cruiser with a width of 36 ft and a three-foot draft. Her European crew of 65 attends to 148 mainly English- and German-speaking passengers on 7-day round trips from Lyon from late March to early November. With one crew member for every 2.5 passengers, the Princesse offers a high level of service. A high-speed TGV rail trip from Paris or Nice links passengers with the sleek white vessel with red trim.
The company, founded in 1968, is a family operation. When owner Peter Deilmann died in 2003, his two daughters took over running the company, which is headquartered in Neustadt in Holstein. The company's North America headquarters are in Alexandria, Virginia.
German-speaking passengers are usually in the majority on the Princesse de Provence unless there is an American affinity group aboard. English-language announcements are made throughout the cruise, and menus and daily programs are provided in English. The average age is from 50 up and children rarely venture aboard.
The Princesse de Provence ventures along the Rhone and Saone to the south of France and the vineyards, ancient cities, and picturesque villages of the wine country. Stops at Arles, Avignon, Vienne, Tournon, Trevoux, Macon and Chalon-Sur-Saone are highlights, and many are within walking distance of the landing. After a tour at Avignon and a drive out to the Pont du Gard, an after-dinner stroll through a gate into the floodlighted city is a real treat. Excursions by bus wind through beautiful countryside, where in many places, the villages and landscape have changed very little over many decades. The visit to the Camargue, a national park, presents a flat often mashy landscape populated by white horses and pink flamingoes. Burgundy and Beaujolais offer vineyard tours and tastings. An English-speaking hostess describes the tours on the first evening.
Elegantly furnished with lovely cherry decor, this low-slung boat has beautifully appointed public areas, a light and airy ambience, and a stunning art collection rom the Deilmann family collection. The dining room offers breakfast buffets, midmorning snacks, five-course luncheons, afternoon tea with delicious pastries, and elaborate dinners at one sitting. Selected evening meals run up to nine courses. The well-prepared food is both Continental and German. Two evenings call for dark suits and cocktail dresses. English-speaking passengers are seated together, and table reservations are made at boarding time. Huge windows provide great river views, and the ornate floral lighting fixtures create a soothingly artistic atmosphere.
Facilities include a bar, a beautifully furnished lounge, lower deck lounge for screening films, a conference room, library, beauty salon, boutique, and infirmary with a qualified doctor onboard. Laundry service is provided. Sun Deck offers great views and has plenty of deck chairs—and windscreens and blankets, if needed especially when the Mistral (a strong north wind) is blowing. Chamber musicians entertain, dance evenings get passengers animated, and the Captain's welcome and farewell receptions are festive.
Cabins are configured as twins and are identical in size: 128 sq ft. All 70 are outside cabins. Bedding consists of European-style duvets with feather pillows (synthetic materials available upon request). During the day, to create more floor space, one bed folds into the wall and the other acts as a settee. Upper-deck cabins have French doors to allow one to stand at a railing and to bring in the fresh air.
This Princesse treats guests to enough romantic castles, churches, royal palaces, medieval walls, Roman ruins, gastronomic feasts, and heady wine tastings to keep even the most jaded connoisseur awash in delighted memories for months, if not years, to come. It is one of the top European river cruises from a very long list of fine choices.
