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4. MS Geoffrey Chaucer

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MS Geoffrey Chaucer

Swiss operated and truly world-class, we are absolutely delighted to present the five-star MS Geoffrey Chaucer.

It is extremely difficult to convey just how extraordinary this outstanding ship really is and exactly what distinguishes it from similar vessels. It would be very easy to just say ‘luxurious’ but it’s much more than that; we have deliberately avoided the current trend for a minimalist style where you could be anywhere in the world, creating instead a unique yet exquisite blend of understated taste, style and elegance at the highest level. Immediately striking is just how exceptionally spacious this new vessel is as you enter a gleaming, richly coloured marble-floored lobby flooded with natural light from a stunning atrium above. Moving inside, exceptional creativity from Europe’s finest design studio has produced a superbly balanced masterpiece of onboard style, utilising sustainable rich hardwoods, gleaming brass and polished copper, sparkling glass and intricate wrought iron. The ship is beautifully illuminated throughout – including the exterior and imaginatively furnished with harmonious colour schemes, all designed to create the serene atmosphere reflective of the golden age of cruising which time after time you tell us you adore.

The restaurant rivals the finest on shore establishments taking fine dining to another level complemented by delicate European porcelain, gleaming glassware and the intuitive service in which the Swiss excel. This superb vessel carries 44 in-house trained crew members serving just 167 guests (similar size vessels may carry well over 190 passengers) giving the ratio which our experience proves is concurrent with our first class service levels.

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Accomodation Types

A gleaming wood door opens revealing your exceptionally appointed suite. At 17 square metres (183 square feet), its generous dimensions are amongst the largest you will find on a cruiser gracing any European river. Imaginatively designed and appointed to the highest specification, with all the luxury you would expect to find in a smart ‘boutique style’ hotel, your comfort definitely won’t be compromised on any level!

The sparkling marble bathroom features a powerful fully glazed shower with a large ‘rainshower’ head, superbly refreshing after a hard day’s sightseeing. Clever design allows for ample space, and contemporary lighting, complimentary quality cosmetics and fluffy towels, makes preparing for the day ahead an absolute pleasure.

The chic styling of a talented designer’s eye extends to the entire suite with generous use of hand-crafted tropical hardwoods blended with premium fittings, discreet thoughtful lighting and a colour scheme of calming neutral tones, creating an ambience to put you in the most relaxed frame of mind from the very first minute! A full size bed assures a good night’s rest in crisp cotton linen of the finest quality - a turndown service each evening adds the finishing touch. Please note all suites have two twin beds with individual bedding which can be moved together or separated accordingly.

You will enjoy a particularly generous seating area with two chairs and a table, enabling you to unwind in comfort in the privacy of your own suite whilst a bow camera conveys live images of the ship’s progress to your flat screen TV, ensuring you won’t miss a thing. Careful consideration has been given to the tiniest details with individually controlled air-conditioning so you set the temperature that you desire, a hairdryer, safe, mini fridge, telephone and the convenience of tea (our meticulous planning even extends to familiar teabags!) and coffee making facilities ensure a home from home experience.

Suites on the Diamond and Ruby Decks have ‘French Balconies’ – panoramic floor to ceiling sliding glass doors bringing riverside life just that little closer! 

Deluxe Balcony Suite

Superior Suite

Stern Superior Suite

Standard Suite

Standard Suite

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Deck Plans

A gleaming wood door opens revealing your exceptionally appointed suite. At 17 square metres (183 square feet), its generous dimensions are amongst the largest you will find on a cruiser gracing any European river. Imaginatively designed and appointed to the highest specification, with all the luxury you would expect to find in a smart ‘boutique style’ hotel, your comfort definitely won’t be compromised on any level!

The sparkling marble bathroom features a powerful fully glazed shower with a large ‘rainshower’ head, superbly refreshing after a hard day’s sightseeing. Clever design allows for ample space, and contemporary lighting, complimentary quality cosmetics and fluffy towels, makes preparing for the day ahead an absolute pleasure.

The chic styling of a talented designer’s eye extends to the entire suite with generous use of hand-crafted tropical hardwoods blended with premium fittings, discreet thoughtful lighting and a colour scheme of calming neutral tones, creating an ambience to put you in the most relaxed frame of mind from the very first minute! A full size bed assures a good night’s rest in crisp cotton linen of the finest quality - a turndown service each evening adds the finishing touch. Please note all suites have two twin beds with individual bedding which can be moved together or separated accordingly.

You will enjoy a particularly generous seating area with two chairs and a table, enabling you to unwind in comfort in the privacy of your own suite whilst a bow camera conveys live images of the ship’s progress to your flat screen TV, ensuring you won’t miss a thing. Careful consideration has been given to the tiniest details with individually controlled air-conditioning so you set the temperature that you desire, a hairdryer, safe, mini fridge, telephone and the convenience of tea (our meticulous planning even extends to familiar teabags!) and coffee making facilities ensure a home from home experience.

Suites on the Diamond and Ruby Decks have ‘French Balconies’ – panoramic floor to ceiling sliding glass doors bringing riverside life just that little closer! 

Sun Deck

Diamond Deck

Ruby Deck

Emerald Deck

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Dining

Guests can enjoy meals in the main restaurant on the Ruby Deck, offering buffet breakfasts, lunches, and a four-course dinner. For lighter meals, the Main Lounge serves an early riser breakfast with small bites available at lunch.

For a more intimate experience, the Geoffrey Chaucer Bistro on the Diamond Deck offers seasonal menus in a casual setting. Dinners are complimentary, but reservations are required.

Main Restaurant

Riverview Kitchen

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Entertainment

Observation Lounge & Bar

Sun Deck

Souvenir Shop

Travel Desk and Reception

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Enrichment

We are a well-travelled collective - made up of our guests as well as our team. We'll admit it - we're obsessed with travel.

But that's not our only interest. We also love architecture, history, the arts, and gastronomy - everything that makes a culture unique. And we plan our itineraries to ensure we're catering to those interests. Perfecting every excursion to ensure you get the most out of your onshore adventures.

Most days are filled with full or half-day excursions. Whether that's a city tour, an introduction to a brand-new town or a more in-depth visit to a specific landmark or attraction. You'll see the very best of every destination. Not just the legendary locations, we'll uncover the top-secret local spots too.

World-famous landmarks

You'll get to experience some world-famous destinations in the company of our passionate local guides. Sites like the Benedictine Melk Abbey on the Danube, spectacular Pont du Gard on the Rhône, Keukenhof Gardens - the world's largest flower gardens - on the Dutch Waterways and Cologne with its cathedral, the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe.

A taste of your destination

Food has the uncanny ability to reveal the softer parts of the destination most tourists overlook. Recipes passed down through the generations slowly become ingrained within a culture, featuring fresh local produce and traditional cooking techniques. Our excursions often include delicious local produce perfected over centuries - sample cheese in Switzerland and chocolate in Germany (it's not a cruise for those watching their weight), wine tasting in the world-famous wine region of Burgundy and port in the port wine cellars of Porto.

For even more, why not choose one of our Gastronomy themed departures? 

Authentic cultural experiences

Our river cruise itineraries deliver authentic and engaging moments to fully immerse you in the culture. You'll remember being seduced by the fiery passion of flamenco dancing after a cruise along the Douro. Hold on to that feeling of wonder you felt as you watch the glassblower creating the most beautiful vase out of a glowing mass. And tell the stories you heard during a Hungarian folklore show to your grandchildren at bedtime. The memory of these authentic cultural experiences will last a lifetime. 

Excursions and activities

A daily programme is produced on board and delivered to your cabin each evening, detailing the following day’s activities.

On our river cruises we love to take you right into the heart of each town or city you visit along the way, and during your cruise local guides will offer a variety of guided walking tours, panoramic coach tours and/or visits to museums and local cultural favourites such as a wine tasting in Burgundy and a train journey through the Swiss mountains.

You will have a good mix of touring and free time to learn about the history and the little quirks of each place, with plenty of time to explore at your own leisure. Please check the itinerary of the cruise for more specific details.

Optional excursions

Visits to places of interest are organised for most of the days of your holiday, but it it is not compulsory that you go on all the included experiences that have been arranged.

Please note: entrance fees to museums are not usually included in the price of your holiday.

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Health & Fitness

Wellness

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Kids & Teens

Please note: There are no dedicated children's facilities on board.

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Useful Information

Dress Code

There is no requirement to bring formal dress - smart/casual is acceptable for both day and evening as there is no dress code enforced.

However, men are requested not to wear shorts for dinner or vest tops at any time in the dining room. You may wish to wear a jacket and tie for dinner.

The Chef's Dinner offers the opportunity, should you wish, for more special attire.

Water level impact on itineraries

Water levels on rivers can fluctuate on a daily basis.

In serious cases it is possible that the itinerary can be affected with little or no warning.

Should the ship be unable to follow the planned itinerary, we will do all we can to ensure all places are visited by alternative means, usually by coach.

See our River Cruise Assurance FAQs for more info on what happens if your trip is significantly impacted.

Passengers with reduced mobility

Do the coaches have wheelchair access?

• The coaches we use have not been adapted for wheelchair access.
• Please note: all of our tours involve coach travel. 

Can I arrange airport assistance?

We are able to arrange airport assistance for anyone with reduced mobility.

This is a free service which must be arranged with the airline prior to travel.

If you would like us to arrange this assistance for you, it needs to be pre-booked more than 48 hours before your flight departs.

Eurostar accessibility

If you have reduced mobility and are travelling on one of our Eurostar tours please contact us.

Should you need to travel in your own wheelchair, Eurostar does have specially adapted wheelchair spaces which need to be pre-booked.

If you would like assistance at St. Pancras we can make Eurostar Assist aware of this requirement, you would then need to make your way to the Eurostar Assist desk at St. Pancras at least 60 minutes prior to your departure.

Are the hotels accessible?

The hotels we use have been chosen due to their location and standard, the facilities offered can differ, it is therefore important that we make the appropriate enquiries with our suppliers on your behalf to ensure any special needs or requests can be catered for.

How do I make a special request regarding my mobility?
We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us.

If you have any concerns or special requests you would like to make regarding your reduced mobility, we encourage you to contact us 01283 688 206 to discuss these concerns. 

Will there be lots of walking required?

We include guided tours, however due to the natural terrain of the locations we visit these may be a challenge for anyone with reduced mobility.

Are there any accessibility challenges on the excursions?

We also sometimes use different modes of transport to complete our itinerary which includes, though not limited to: boats, trains and jeeps. These may also pose a challenge for anyone with reduced mobility.

Can I take my own wheelchair with me on board?

Our ships are not adapted for wheelchair access. If you are intending to take a wheelchair or mobility scooter with you, it is essential that you contact us to let us know.

Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be used on excursions but they cannot be used on board the ships due to safety reasons and must not be left in corridors, the lounge or restaurant or any other public areas.

They must be stored in your cabin.

Will I be able to get on and off the ship with ease?

Due to popularity of river cruising when there is more than one ship in port, the ships could be moored alongside each other.

If our ship happens to be moored away from the landing pier disembarking could involve walking across gang planks and the sun deck of other ships.

Passengers must be able to walk on and off the ship themselves, without the use of crutches or other aids, as gangplanks can be positioned at a steep angle.

Will there be assistance available on board?

River cruises operate with a smaller crew than ocean cruises and do not have the crew available to personally attend to passengers with reduced mobility, therefore a travelling companion would need to be able to help with any physical needs.

Are there any accessibility challenges on the excursions?

The itinerary we include with our river cruises involves shore excursions visiting places with cobbled streets which can be on an incline making navigation of these streets difficult for anyone with reduced mobility.

If you can’t do many shore excursions, river cruising in Europe can still be very enjoyable and worthwhile. Cruising down the Rhine, Danube or any of the European rivers we offer gives you the opportunity to take in the spectacular scenery and there is a lot to enjoy from the comfort of the ship. Please contact us with any concerns you may have.

Are there lifts between decks?

Whilst most of our ships have a lift on board, it does not operate to all decks.

We include mobility information regarding lifts between decks on each ship under the deck plan section of the page. You may wish to view all of our ships before booking.

Drinks Packages

All-inclusive drinks package

Available on 2026 European river cruise departures

Available from 10am to midnight each day:

• Red, white, rosé and sparkling house wine, including non-alcoholic​
• A choice of draught beer, including non-alcoholic​
• A selection of soft drinks and juices​​
• Our cocktail and mocktail of the day​
• House spirits and mixers including vodka, gin, rum, whisky, martini, sherry, brandy, port and Baileys (excluding liqueurs)
• Daily recommended wines ​
• Tea and coffee from the bar

View more about our drinks packages.

Dietary Requirements

We cater for most dietary requirements, please ensure you advise our sales team when making the booking.

Children

• The minimum age limit is 12 years old at the date of departure.
• We reserve the right to limit the number of children on any particular cruise.
• Any minor must be accompanied by and share a cabin with an adult aged 21 or over.
• If the adult is not the minor’s parent, a ‘Parental Consent Guardianship Form’ must be signed by a parent or legal guardian prior to sailing.

Smoking Policy

Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted anywhere on board except for designated areas on the sun deck.

More and more countries in Europe are adopting a stricter legislation on smoking in public places.

Smoking is not allowed on any public transport and there may be other restrictions in hotels, bars and restaurants.

Excursions

Will a daily schedule of excursions and onboard activities be provided?

A daily programme outlining the day’s activities will be available on board and updated each day. 

What excursions are offered, and do I need to take part in all to them?

Most itineraries include a selection of excursions, with additional optional experiences available to enhance your holiday at an extra cost.

Included excursions form part of your holiday package, with many destinations offering a choice of experiences—from active options to full day scenic journeys. Guests may enjoy a full day of exploration or combine guided activities with independent discovery.day scenic journeys. Guests may enjoy a full day of exploration or combine guided activities with independent discovery

Participation on excursions is entirely optional; guests are welcome to explore independently at their own pace or stay on board the ship.

Details of your included excursions are available on our website and within My Account, where you can select your preferred options.

We ask that you choose your preferred included excursions at least 4 weeks prior to departure. 

Where can I find information on additional excursions available?

Alongside the included excursions, we offer a range of optional ‘Personalise Your Holiday’ (PYH) experiences to further tailor your cruise to your interests.

Optional ‘Personalise Your Holiday’ experiences vary by itinerary. Full details, including availability and pricing, can be found on our website or within your My Account.

We ask that you book your optional excursions at least 4 weeks prior to departure. 

Can I go ashore whenever I like?

You are free to go ashore at your leisure when the ship is moored.

The Cruise Director or Concierge will inform the group when the ship is due to leave each mooring point.

Do all departure dates operate the same itinerary?

Some of our itineraries operate in a reverse order, and the sailing schedule is designed to offer you the same tours and visits as detailed in the brochure itinerary.

Water levels on rivers can fluctuate on a daily basis and in serious cases it is possible that the itinerary can be affected with little or no warning.

Should the ship be unable to follow the planned itinerary, we will do all we can to ensure all places are visited by alternative means, usually by coach.

Health & Safety

A safety briefing will take place at the beginning of your cruise.

All guests must attend this compulsory and important demonstration.

Medical Facilities

There are no on-board medical personnel, although specific crew members will have basic first aid training. However, the ship can stop at any time to transfer any passenger requiring emergency medical attention to local medical facilities.

If you have any concerns about your health whilst on tour, please see your Cruise Director or Concierge. They will be able to advise you about chemists and availability of doctors, etc.

In an emergency you could always phone our emergency number as issued on your itinerary. 

Laundry

A limited laundry service is available on board, except on the day of disembarkation.

A dry cleaning service is not available.