Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

In Focus: F&B@Sea

Scenic will repeat F&B-focussed river cruises in 2023

CRUISE_Scenic_2023.jpg
Scenic Sapphire will again sail in France as part of a culinary cruise
Scenic will repeat this year’s ‘Tastes of Southern France’ and ‘Flavours of Bordeaux’ voyages in 2023, which offer a combination of truffle farming, cooking classes with local master chefs and chocolate tasting.

The 11-day Tastes of Southern France will see passengers sail from Lyon along the Saône and Rhône rivers, visit Tournus and learn the tricks and techniques of farming truffles from a local farmer before visiting the world-famous wine-growing region of Beaujolais.

Chef Didier Goiffon will step onboard to cook the regional specialty of Bresse Chicken, before the vessel journeys on to Chalon-sur-Saône, for sampling of acclaimed wines at a château located in the heart of the Burgundy wine region.

Those joining the cruise will be guided around the quaint town of Tain l’Hermitage and enjoy a tasting at Valrhona Chocolates during an exclusive Scenic Enrich experience. In Avignon, passengers can shop with a chef at a local food market before using the fresh ingredients to cook in Scenic Culinaire - Scenic’s onboard cooking school.

In the gastronomical heart of France, Lyon, passengers will indulge in a selection of fine French desserts from a local Pâtissier and take lunch at a traditional Bouchon restaurant.

The vessel, sailing roundtrip from Lyon, will also call Mâcon and Viviers.

Prices start from £3,790 per person based on a 7th August, 2023 departure onboard Scenic Sapphire.

Flavours of Bordeaux

Operating roundtrip from Bordeaux, passengers on the 11-day Flavours of Bordeaux sailing will traverse the Dordogne and the Garonne Rivers and indulge in the food and drink of Western France. They will learn about the French aperitif, Lillet, during a tasting session or visit a truffle farm to sample the French regional delicacy. At the Château de La Rivière, light food will precede a cocktail experimentation session; there will be a choice between wine tastings at the Château Rayne Vigneau or at the Château Lafaurie Peyraguey.

Cruising along the Gironde River, passengers can partake in Scenic’s Cheese of France experience, an onboard tasting session curated by the cruise director where the country’s celebrated cheeses are complimented with bread and wine.

Passengers can also shop with a chef in Bordeaux in order to prepare a dish in Scenic Culinaire.

On the shores of Arcachon Bay, freshly sourced oysters and seafood with champagne will be served before a tasting of renowned brandy, Remy Martin. 

Classical concert and light show

In addition to views of the Médoc countryside, passengers will be able to observe an exclusively crafted Scenic Enrich experience consisting of a classical concert at one of the world’s oldest winemaking establishments, Château d’Agassac.

A glass of champagne will be an accompaniment to an art show at the Les Bassins des Lumières, Bordeaux’s former submarine base.

Visits to Cadillac, Libourne, Pauillac, Bourg and Blaye are also on the itinerary. Prices start from £3,890pp based on an October 10, 2023 departure with Scenic Diamond.