Bordeaux river cruises

Cruise ships dock right in town, making it an easy starting point for excursions into the surrounding countryside. Most visitors head straight for Saint-Émilion, just 20 minutes away, but Libourne itself is worth a stroll, with its central square, old arcades and riverside market.Expect guided trips to nearby châteaux and vineyards, where Merlot is the star of the show. Many tours include tastings and walks through the vines. There’s often free time too, with the option to explore Libourne’s boutiques and cafés.

Ships dock just below the ramparts, so you can walk straight up into the fortress for panoramic views of the estuary and countryside. Inside the walls, you’ll find a small village, art galleries and a few shops.Excursions often include guided walks around the citadel and visits to nearby vineyards. This part of the Gironde is known for its Côtes de Blaye wines, less famous than neighbouring regions but often great value.Some cruises include the option to cross the estuary by ferry to Bourg or explore the Route de la Corniche, a scenic riverside road lined with limestone cliffs and wine cellars.

Ships dock in the lower town, and it’s a short uphill walk to the old centre. The town’s history stretches back to Roman times, and it became a key stronghold in the Middle Ages. Today, you’ll find a handful of wine bars, bakeries and craft shops tucked among its narrow streets.Some tours focus on Bourg’s role in the local wine trade, while others link it with nearby Blaye or offer tastings in the surrounding hills.

The port sits right on the Gironde estuary, and from here it’s an easy drive inland to the Route des Châteaux, where names like Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild line the vineyards.Most cruise excursions from Pauillac focus on wine: guided tastings, vineyard tours and cellar visits. Expect to hear about the terroir of the Médoc and the ageing processes behind Bordeaux’s iconic reds.The town itself is small but pleasant, with a marina, riverside promenade and several wine shops and cafés.

Ships dock close to the historic centre, which is still partly enclosed by old stone walls. There’s a château in town – the Château des Ducs d’Épernon – and a scattering of shops and cafés.Most visitors use Cadillac as a springboard for trips into the golden vineyards of Sauternes. These wines are among the world’s finest dessert wines, and cruise tours usually include tastings and cellar visits.Some itineraries also offer food pairings or cooking demonstrations themed around this part of southwest France.

The village is named after the 17th-century Fort Médoc, a stone fortress designed by Vauban to protect the river route to Bordeaux. Some cruise excursions include a guided tour of the site, with time to walk the grounds and learn about the fort’s military past.Other trips head inland for wine tastings and château visits. This is classic Médoc territory, with gravel soils and Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy blends, making great alternatives to Pauillac.

Ships dock close to the centre, making it easy to explore on foot. The UNESCO-listed old town is packed with neoclassical buildings, lively cafés and riverside walks. Landmarks like Place de la Bourse, the water mirror and the gothic cathedral are all within easy reach.Bordeaux is also home to La Cité du Vin, a futuristic wine museum with interactive exhibits and a panoramic tasting area. You can also hop on a tram to explore the Chartrons district, once home to wine merchants and full of vintage shop and galleries.Cruise excursions might include vineyard visits, bike tours or food tastings. Some itineraries even offer evening moorings here so you can enjoy dinner in town or take a night-time stroll along the Garonne.

Atlas Ocean Voyages offers intimate yachting expeditions of the highest quality, taking each passenger on the cruise of a lifetime. Founded in 2019, Atlas operates with three custom-designed ships – World Navigator, World Traveller and World Voyager – that each focus on famed cruising styles; expedition, classic ocean and epicurean. Regardless of whether you seek culinary excellence or a lesser-travelled paradise, Atlas has you covered with unrivalled comfort and unchallenged style.

With more than 175 years of know-how behind it, this heritage brand has the expertise to deliver quality cruising with strong, customer-friendly value. It's known for its ideally sized ships and caters to a broad range of guests, including couples, solo travellers and families. It also offers a wide selection of carefully curated itineraries, from no-fly mini cruises from the UK to mystery cruises in the Mediterranean.

When searching for a luxury yacht expedition cruise, there’s one name above all else that you need to know – Ponant Cruises. Founded in 1988 by former French Merchant Navy officers, Ponant combines succulent luxury with authentic adventures on all seven continents. From classic Mediterranean itineraries and Caribbean sailings, to bucket-list expeditions around Greenland and Antarctica, Ponant cruises proudly counteract the banality of mainstream voyages with a unique take on the concept of small-ship cruising. It’s the absolute trip of a lifetime.

Explora Journeys aim to create a relaxed energy within their passengers. Through exemplary service and high-quality surroundings, their itineraries are specifically designed to inspire exploration and discovery, broaden your horizons and trigger new connections. Your journey will be characterised by calm, unity, elegance, and joy – also known as The Ocean State of Mind, an elusive and sought-after mantra.

Swan Hellenic cruise line takes pride in providing elegant cruises that sail their guests to far-flung destinations across the world such as New Zealand and the Arctic. With over 70 years of experience, enjoy a sophisticated and comfortable atmosphere onboard Swan Hellenic cruises, with some truly remarkable visits to less-accessible polar regions and plenty of lesser-visited ports worth seeing.

Regent promises to deliver The Most Inclusive Luxury Experience, offering an all-inclusive, ultra-luxury experience that is Unrivalled at Sea™. Guests will be able to explore more than 550 destinations around the world while enjoying the unrivalled space, elegance, and comfort of The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet®. Regent will tend to every detail of their journey from start to finish, so guests can be pampered by the warm, Heartfelt Hospitality™ delivered by the crew. 

Oceania Cruises has built a reputation for its approach to small ship luxury. Onboard its intimate, upscale vessels, food sits firmly at the centre of the experience, with refined dining that ranks among the best at sea. Beyond that, the adults-only line is known for its destination-led itineraries, favouring lesser-visited ports and longer stays ashore.   

Wellness should be about balanced indulgence, not self-sacrifice - that's the philosophy behind Silversea's new programme called Otium, named after the Roman leisure time dedicated to bathing, talking, singing, drinking, eating and relaxing. The easygoing regime includes a 24-hour room-service menu of comfort food, as well as new spa treatments, relaxing baths and hot chocolate served on your balcony.

SeaDream led the industry down a path of post-lockdown recovery during a Norwegian cruise. However, the line's two 112-passenger ships are more at home in the Med and Caribbean, where they can offer a "champagne in the surf" experience. Dining and sleeping are offered on deck, thanks to an outdoor restaurant and a series of Balinese beds. Champagne, strawberries and towel swans add to the romance.

Holland America Line, which has been sailing for 150 years, visits 400 ports in 114 countries every year. Dutch heritage shines through in some of the $4million-worth of artwork to be seen onboard, complimenting the luxurious cruise experience. Live music remains HAL's forte, with venues including the Rolling Stone Rock room and BB King's Blues Club. For foodies, a wide range of restaurants serve the finest of fayre.

For decadent luxury that sails hand-in-hand with personalised experience and in-depth access to world heritage, may we introduce Seabourn Cruises. Blending nimble power and grace with beautifully designed spaces, Seabourn ships can be likened to lavish resorts. Except, uniquely, the staff already know you just as they also remember your favourite drink.

Almost everything is different on this brash new entry to the cruising market, including an emphasis on adult relations, gym time, and self-indulgent social activity. Sir Richard Branson's adults-only, bright red-liveried new ship also has a fantastic nightclub and a food court instead of a buffet. There are exciting plans for a fleet of new ships on the horizon, to join the already established fleet of cruise ships that go against the grain.