Experience a better way to barge with the ALL INCLUSIVE 8-Passenger Savoir Vivre. Their unique format has been delighting guests for two years now. Savoir Vivre offers a more chic, relaxed, 
fun, authentic and ever-so-slightly adventurous gastronomic barge cruising experience. They cruise along one of France’s most beautiful canals, the Canal du Bourgogne.
When not enjoying the spectacular and charming scenery, you will explore hidden gems of French life, history and culture via an air conditioned van and the legendary guidance of your guide, Francois Everson.
The Savoir Vivre Difference
Each evening you will experience ‘real France’ dining experiences at a different authentic local restaurants. Lunch comes by way of private chef. Everything is included in the price. The Savoir Vivre offers some of the most experienced crew in barging. Captain Richard Megret has been involved in Barging his whole life and knows how to turn ‘vacation’ into a ‘life long memory!’
Unlike other barge hotels, the Savoir Vivre is not a conversion of a commercial barge. She is a brand new ship.
* modern, efficient and purpose built to cater for sophisticated, comfort seeking travellers.
* equipped with hotel-like amenities such as digitally controlled air conditioning, hot water circulation (providing instant hot water) and powerful showers. * The ENTIRE ship is for guest use.
There are no ‘back stage’ areas nor a formalized ‘master-servant’ feel on Savoir Vivre cruises. It is your ship and your crew are there to help you, simple as that. Savoir Vivre takes a innovative approach to her layout which makes her exceptionally space efficient and pleasant to be on: * Quad opening front doors create wonderful open plan ‘inside/outside’ space between the salon and foredeck.
* One wall of the salon conceals a beautiful solid cherry wood kitchen with Siemens/Miele appliances. When not it use it is covered to give the appearance of wood paneling. Guests are at liberty to help themselves to anything, anytime!
* The salon area converts in moments to a wonderful dining space. This means that a dedicated dining room doesn’t lay wasted when not in use. With the front of the ship opened up onto to the foredeck, well, lets just say there are few places nicer to enjoy lunch.
salon, dining, kitchen and foredeck… Look carefully and you’ll notice a second deck on the back of the ship. This is unique and only possible because of our innovative ‘no back stage’ layout. It is accessed via double doors directly off the wheelhouse. Why is this better? * It’s rare for everybody to want to be on deck at the same time doing the same thing. You are together all week don’t forget! * Having two decks gives you the opportunity to spend time alone or in private with others. * Regardless of the orientation of the ship you will always find warm sunshine or peaceful shade. * It’s exciting back there when the ship is underway!
The Savoir Vivre is designed to be accessible and safe for children and those who are less mobile.
* Her unique V-Shaped hull means that we moor directly next to the canal side. As such our gangway is the shortest of any barge.
* Her low foredeck makes the ship uniquely safe to board in locks as you simply step on/off the ship when the ship is stationary and before the lock is operated.
* Once aboard (two steps) all main areas of the ship are on one level. NOTE: There are three treads up to the wheelhouse which must be managed at one mooring.
* The electrically adjustable beds means that sitting up is a button-push.
Cabins
Each of Savoir Vivre’s four cabins boast:
* Full twin to queen bed convertability.
* Electrically adjustable orthopaedic beds, ample storage, digital climate control, fresh air fans, full height mirrors and desk & chair.
* Bathrooms with heated towel rails/mirrors, zero step wet floor showers with glass enclosures and storage.
* Full size windows! This is because the bedrooms are all above water.
* During the day the bedrooms are a lovely place to relax.
Accessibility
Each of Savoir Vivre’s four cabins boast:
* Full twin to queen bed convertability.
* Electrically adjustable orthopedic beds, ample storage, digital climate control, fresh air fans, full height mirrors and desk & chair.
* Bathrooms with heated towel rails/mirrors, zero step wet floor showers with glass enclosures and storage.
* Full size windows! This is because the bedrooms are all above water.
* During the day the bedrooms are a lovely place to relax.
Pricing for a 6 Night Cruise
Cruises are ALL INCLUSIVE with breakfast, lunch, dinner in local restaurants, all tours and transfers as well as a generous open bar.
whole boat charter (8 guests): USD $28,000 EUR €19,750
whole boat charter (7 guests): USD $27,000 EUR €19,000
whole boat charter (6 guests): USD $26,000 EUR €18,250
whole boat charter (5 guests): USD $25,000 EUR €17,500
whole boat charter (4 guests): USD $24,000 EUR €16,750
individual cabin weeks (pp): USD $3,500 EUR €2,500
single occupancy supplement: USD $2,000 EUR €1,400
(Please contact us for individual cabin week availability, we normally have a choice of two weeks available at any time).
Value season special rate – USD $2000 / EUR €1400 discount off all whole boat charters. See highlighted weeks in RED. PLUS!! NEW EARLY SEASON SPECIAL $22,000 for any charter between April 1st and May 5th – see weeks in BLUE!
2012 Cruise Dates -Cruises are Sunday to Saturday
April 1 – 7
April 8 – 14
April 15 – 21
April 22 – 28
April 29 – May 5
May 6 – 12
May 13 – 19
May 20 – 26
May 27 – June 2
June 3 – 9
June 10 – 16
June 17 – 23
June 24 – 30
July 1 – 7
July 8 – 14
July 15 – 21
2012 cruise dates
July 22 – 28
July 29 – Aug 4
August 5 – 11
August 12 – 18
August 19 – 25
August 26 – Sept 1
September 2 – 8
September 9 – 15
September 16 – 22
September 23 – 29
Sept 30 – Oct 6
October 7 – 13
October 14 – 20
October 21 – 27
Dining
Breakfasts are enjoyed in the traditional French way, lightly and unhurriedly. Normally we’ll already be underway as you enjoy a continental breakfast while we glide through calm waters. A fresh coffee or orange juice on the foredeck on a balmy morning is ‘up there’ in terms of pleasant starts to the day.
For lunch, we operate differently than any other barges. We do not have an on board chef! Instead lunch is provided through the services of private chefs who meet us along our route. The principle being that, while we are a ship, we are not at sea! Our guests love this high quality, casual and lighter style of lunchtime eating. It perfectly compliments the setting and the quality is without compromise.
Dinner
In the evening, instead of dining on the ship, you are able to explore real French dining in real french restaurants. The carefully selected restaurants offer a quality and variety of immersive dining experiences that are simply not possible when dining on board and eating food prepared by the same chef every evening. This fundamental improvement offers unheard of industry-leading value AND a much more enriched and authentic cruising experience. This is the ‘Savoir Vivre Way’ to cruise!
Sample Itinerary
What is included
* They will collect you from Dijon train station or local hotel and deliver you and your luggage aboard Savoir Vivre. We also return you after your cruise.
* A continental breakfast buffet is served every morning including village-baked croissants and breads, cereals, fruit, meats, cheese etc., with fresh ground coffee, tea and fruit juices.
* Local chef prepared lunches including a selection of salads, quiches, pates, cheese and desserts as well as a daily ‘pièce de résistance’. All fare is fresh and, most importantly to us, seasonal and authentic.
* Daily dinners off the barge at a different authentic local restaurant . This includes your selection from the ‘Menu’ carte and 1/2 bottle wine per person selected by the crew. You will be accompanied and settled in the restaurant and then collected later.
* A complimentary ‘Open Bar and Refrigerator’ stocked with soft drinks, wines, beers, house selected spirits and a selection of snacks.
* Daily chauffeured and guided excursions to local places of interest in our dedicated minivan.
* All entrance fees to places visited.
* Use of on board bicycles which have panniers for carrying any purchases
What is not included?
* Travel to the agreed pick-up point, normally Dijon train station at 4pm on Sunday.
* Highly recommended medical cancellation and travel insurances.
* Optional crew gratuities. The gratuity is given in one sum to the Captain, who distributes it to the crew. Gratuities should be given in Euros.
* Optional hot-air ballooning – please arrange at time of booking.
* All expenses associated with optional golf – please arrange at the time of booking.