Brilliant Bordeaux, A Founders Cruise 'Par Excellence'

There are some cruise holidays where you return home needing another break. This wasn’t one of them.

We recently had the pleasure of hosting twenty members of the Panache Cruises Founders Club aboard Uniworld’s elegant S.S. Bon Voyage for a week exploring the Bordeaux region.

From the moment we stepped aboard, life seemed to slow to the gentle rhythm of the river. With just over 100 guests on board, the ship felt intimate and welcoming, and the friendly crew immediately made everyone feel at home.

For us, hosting the Founders group added something very special to the experience. Some members already knew one another, while others were meeting for the first time, but it did not take long for conversations to begin and close friendships to form.

One of the real strengths of the cruise was the freedom it offered and it worked well for our Founders members. Every day brought a choice of expertly included organised excursions (by modern and comfortable coaches) to visit vineyards and chateaux, alongside more active options such as walking and cycling, or the chance to explore independently. From St Emilion to Pauillac and from Blaye to Bordeaux the ever changing landscape was a real feast to enjoy.

Feeling active we joined one of the excellent guided cycle rides through the Médoc vineyards, covering around ten leisurely miles along quiet country lanes lined with immaculate rows of vines. Other guests chose quality wine tastings, historic walking tours and immersive visits to some of the region’s best known chateaux.

The destinations and excursions were impressive, but the real pleasure often came from returning to the ship to relax, unwind and share stories of the day.

From the 360 degree Soleil ‘sun’ deck with its comfortable relaxing loungers, generous shaded areas and amazing infinity pool, afternoons were spent glass of quality wine in hand, watching villages, vineyards and church spires drift peacefully by. We could however not resist the excellently equipped Fitness Centre where you could choose to burn off those calories alongside enjoying amazing countryside views!

Dining quickly became a focal point for the group.The quality of the food throughout the week was exceptional, with beautifully presented French regional cuisine accompanied by carefully chosen Bordeaux wines. Dining felt refined without ever becoming formal, and the service was consistently warm, attentive and professional.

One particularly memorable evening marked Uniworld’s 50th anniversary with a special gala dinner in Le Grand Fromage. Our menu included quail breast, mushroom cappuccino with truffle foam, herb-crusted halibut and a golden jubilee chocolate and orange sphere that was almost too good to eat.

After dinner, the evening continued in Le Salon Champagne, the ship’s stylish observation and cocktail lounge, with live music and ‘Can-Can’ entertainment. Before long guests were on their feet dancing the night away before we headed back to our haven, a comfortable and well equipped ‘Classic' cabin.

Other evenings followed a similarly relaxed pattern: excellent food, good wine and plenty of conversation. What we enjoyed most was seeing the Founders members mixing so naturally, swapping stories and gradually becoming a close knit group.

The service on board deserves particular mention. From the restaurant and bar teams to the housekeepers, reception staff and chefs, everyone seemed genuinely committed to making our Founders cruise special. Nothing felt forced instead there was an easy warmth to the hospitality that suited the atmosphere of the ship perfectly.

By the final evening, that sense of connection had become very noticeable. During a heartfelt farewell reception, the captain introduced many of the crew who had looked after us so well throughout the week. It was a lovely opportunity for everyone to acknowledge the people working behind the scenes who had helped create such a memorable experience.

Our final dinner in La Brasserie was every bit as impressive as the first, with a multi-course regional menu prepared using locally sourced ingredients. Our choices included Plateau de charcuterie de région, Escargots Bordelaise, Salmon Brûlée and Fromages du Jour.

Later, with one last glass of Bordeaux in hand, we headed up to the sun deck for a nightcap beneath the stars. 

Looking around at the group, it was striking to think that only a week earlier many had arrived as strangers. Now there were friendships, shared memories and conversations about future cruises.

For us, that is what a hosted Panache Founders sailing is really about.

Of course, the ship matters. The food matters. The service, excursions and destinations matter too. But what makes the experience truly memorable is the opportunity to share it with like-minded travellers.

We had set out to host twenty Founders members. By the end of the week, it felt far more like travelling with friends.

And before we had even left Bordeaux, we were already talking about where our next Panache river cruise would take us. 

So we are now counting down the days to our next Founders river cruise sailing on the Danube in 2027 sailing once again with Uniworld on their brand new ship SS Marlene, we can’t wait !