Enjoying the good life aboard the new River Royale

Therefore, it was no wonder that I was intrigued when I learned that Uniworld was planning to launch the 17th addition to their fleet with their new flagship, the River Royale. This ship will cruise at a leisurely pace along the Rhone and Saone rivers through the heart of Burgundy and Provence, starting on April 12 until November 1, 2006.Here are some statistics about the ship that I learned from Uniworld's President and Chief Executive Officer Brian Stevenson. The River Royale was built at the Vahali shipyards in Holland and is 460-square-feet long and 375-square-feet wide with a 132-passenger capacity. It has 64 staterooms varying in size between 155 and 162-square-feet, most with floor to ceiling panoramic windows and one suite that measures approximately 247-square-feet for those passengers who want more space. Each stateroom will have plush terry-cloth robes, European-fashion duvets and comforters, fine wool/cashmere blended throws, choice of down pillows and flat-screen televisions with CNN, more movie channels, Wi-Fi and Internet access, as well as a sophisticated hydraulic system that enables the upper deck railing and bridge to efficiently lower, allowing for passage through some of the oldest bridges in Europe. According to Brian Stevenson, "All indications point to the fact that river cruising is one of the fastest-growing trends in travel today. Somewhere between the little barges of Europe and the floating cruise liners plying the continents. This is a special phenomenon that has gathered steam and captured the imaginations of educated and experienced travelers and at Uniworld, we are redefining the experience and setting the benchmark."In addition to experiencing the awesome French landscapes that inspired the great artists Van Gogh and Cézanne, the interiors and decks of the River Royal are designed in the warm French provincial decor with extensive use of walnut paneling and luxurious marble. Even all the well-appointed bathrooms are handsomely adorned with white Thasos marble. The décor compliments the itinerary regions of Provence and Burgundy known for its world class cuisine, rich historical past featuring the life and drama of Joan D'Arc, artisans, and famous wines. Additionally, this area was made even more famous by readers of the best seller, "A Year in Provence" by Peter Mayle. It is also described as a treat for all the senses - the enduring vineyards, culinary delights, lavender-scented fields, enchanting landscapes, and the charm of Arles, Avignon and the small villages of Provence." The ship sails along the Rhone and Saone rivers from the cultural and historic city of Lyon, making port calls at Chalon in the heart of France's wine trade, Burgundy, with a visit to the Hospices de Beaune (founded in the 15th century) and Macon where you can meander along the "Heritage Trail" of old paved streets that highlights the architecture heritage of the town with stops for some wine refreshments to satisfy the thirst and wet the palate. I remember the city of Lyon from past visits (while motoring to Vichy) when I discovered its Gallo-Roman past history as well as its reputation as being the culinary capital of France with the only 3-star Michelin restaurants. Paris has fine restaurants, but the world's most renowned chefs invariably have trained in Lyon. Another treat in Lyon is a stroll through its famed Sunday local market, where I got to sample some of the wonderful cheeses of the area and, of course, the regional wines that were less costly than bottled water.A special delight in Tournon (one of France's oldest cities) is the Valrhona, a world famous chocolate factory dating back to 1924 that enjoys the reputation of producing the finest, mouth watering chocolate in the world. The Cotes de Rhone Hermitage vineyards in this region also has wonderful wine, making this stop most memorable.The seven-night cruise on the River Royale also made ports of call in Avignon, Provence and Arles. Avignon is also known as the "City of the Popes," since this picturesque Medieval walled city was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century when its "Palais des Popes" was actually comparable to the present day's Vatican. There is a special reserved wine tasting room in the Palais to make sure that you do not leave this region without imbibing their famous wines. Provence is an area in the south of France, set among the hills, connecting the sea to the Alps. It has been called one of the most beautiful places on earth and has served to inspire some of the world's greatest impressionist artists for centuries.The last destination of this river cruise is Arles (Described as "Little Rome of Gaul") which has the vistas and ancient monuments that inspired Van Gogh and Cezanne to produce some of their most important paintings. Strolling through the narrow winding streets of Arles is like stepping back in time and unfortunately ends seven nights of bliss before debarking from the River Royale for the return flight from Marseille back to New York.For additional information, contact your travel professional or call (800) 733-7820.© Copyright 2006 Marcia AbramsonE-mail: mascribe@verizon.net