Home » CRUISE NEWS » Viva Boutique Launches Viva Beyond Setting a New Standard for Luxury Seine River Cruises in France Starting May 2026
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Next year marks the debut of an exciting new luxury river cruise experience along the picturesque Seine River in France. Viva Boutique, a premium new division of the well-established German cruise company Viva Cruises, will introduce its first ship, Viva Beyond, in May 2026. This upscale vessel will offer travelers a refined and immersive way to explore French culture, art, and history, all while enjoying unparalleled comfort and personalized service.
Viva Cruises, already known for its nine-ship fleet sailing across Europe, has expanded its appeal by targeting English-speaking travelers with itineraries covering Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Portugal. Building on this momentum, the launch of Viva Boutique signals a move toward a more sophisticated segment of the market. This new sub-brand promises an elevated onboard atmosphere, blending elegant design with exceptional amenities.
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Viva Beyond, once part of the respected Scylla fleet, has been extensively refurbished to meet the high standards of Viva Boutique. The Scylla shipbuilding company has a legacy of creating luxury vessels for top-tier cruise lines such as Tauck and Riviera Travel. After a comprehensive makeover, Viva Beyond now stands as a boutique-style river cruise ship tailored to travelers seeking a combination of cultural enrichment and luxury.
The ship accommodates one hundred sixteen guests across fifty-eight well-appointed cabins, with suites making up more than half of these accommodations. Among them, ten Master Suites provide sweeping panoramic views of the river and come with exclusive perks, including in-cabin breakfast service, priority boarding, premium dinner seating, and invitations to special gatherings with the captain. These thoughtful touches enhance the overall travel experience and create a sense of intimacy and exclusivity.
Viva Beyond offers a variety of amenities designed to cater to both relaxation and active enjoyment. Guests can indulge in exquisite dining at three onboard restaurants featuring regional and international cuisine. A well-stocked bar allows passengers to enjoy complimentary drinks throughout their cruise. For those seeking wellness options, the ship includes a spa and fitness area. A spacious sun deck provides a peaceful spot to take in the stunning scenery that unfolds along the Seine.
The itineraries curated for Viva Boutique guests emphasize deep cultural and culinary engagement. Cruises vary in length from four to seven nights and highlight notable destinations along the river, allowing travelers to experience the best of French heritage:
- The Pure Culture Along the Seine itinerary spans seven nights, departing and returning to Paris. The itinerary features visits to La Roche Guyon, Rouen, Le Havre, Les Andelys, Vernon, and Poissy, providing an immersive journey through sites steeped in history and art.
- Culinary Delights of Normandy, also seven nights, focuses on the region’s renowned gastronomy, visiting classic Norman towns such as Les Andelys, Rouen, Le Havre, Vernon, and Poissy.
- In the Footsteps of Impressionism is a seven-night journey that follows the paths of famous Impressionist painters, stopping at places like Conflans, Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux, Le Havre, and Vernon.
- Seine in a Blaze of Light is a festive five-night cruise around the Christmas market season, perfect for travelers wanting to enjoy holiday magic along the river, with stops including Les Andelys, Rouen, and Conflans.
- The Elegance of Normandy offers a shorter, four-night cruise focusing on Poissy, Rouen, and Les Andelys, ideal for those seeking a brief yet immersive getaway.
Bookings for these exceptional voyages are now available on the Viva Cruises website. The first voyage of Viva Beyond, a seven-night roundtrip sailing from Paris, is scheduled to launch on May tenth, 2026. This maiden journey will highlight Normandy and Le Havre, inviting guests to experience the vessel’s luxurious offerings firsthand. Prices start at four thousand four hundred twenty-five dollars per person, based on double occupancy in a cabin with a French balcony, which features sliding glass doors that open onto beautiful river views.
The arrival of Viva Boutique and its flagship ship, Viva Beyond, marks an exciting evolution in European river cruising. By combining elegant accommodations, curated cultural itineraries, and personalized service, this new offering aims to deliver a memorable and enriching travel experience. Cruising the Seine aboard Viva Beyond will allow guests to discover France’s storied landscapes and charming towns while enjoying the comfort and exclusivity of a boutique luxury cruise. This launch reflects a growing demand for more intimate, immersive, and sophisticated river journeys in Europe’s most iconic waterways.
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