Some 50 guests attended the event in Lyon, including Tauck leaders, travel advisors, supplier partners and members of the media.
Purpose-built to expand Tauck’s presence on the Rhône and Seine, ms Lumière and her sister ship ms Serene incorporate new design elements to enhance the onboard guest experience and connection to the rivers and destinations they explore.
A separate, private christening for the ms Serene, took place a couple days later, christened by godmother and Tauck Vice Chair of the Board, Jennie Norman.
The celebration in Lyon was attended by the ms Lumière’s co-godmothers, Kristen Mack, Vice President of Tauck Director Operations, and Brenna Shay, Tauck Director Manager, who officially christened the new ship during a ceremony along the Rhône River.
“Our past river cruising patrons have played a meaningful role in shaping the evolution of our river cruise fleet,” said Jennifer Tombaugh, CEO of Tauck.
“Celebrating the christening of ms Lumière is a wonderful milestone and these new ships allow us to welcome more travellers to these beautiful rivers while incorporating ideas and insights we’ve gathered from our guests and teams over the years.”
Pictured: ms Serene Godmother Jennie Norman and Tauck Executive Team, L – R: Jon Franco, Julia O’Brien, Phil Crosby, Jennie Norman, Jennifer Tombaugh, Jeremy Palmer
Both new ships feature resort-style sun decks with pools and full-service bars, sky-lit atriums and panoramic lounges that maximise the connection between guests and the passing landscapes.
The 135-metre ms Lumière accommodates a maximum of 130 guests and features 22 spacious 28-square-metre Tauck Suites on the upper Diamond Deck.
Slightly smaller, the 125-metre ms Serene hosts up to 124 guests and offers many of the same design enhancements and expanded public spaces.
During their time aboard, guests enjoyed a preview of several of the ship’s new amenity spaces, including The Retreat, an expanded wellness area on the Diamond Deck featuring a fitness centre, massage treatment room and lounge space surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river.
“The addition of ms Lumière and ms Serene represents a significant step forward for our river cruising portfolio,” said Jeremy Palmer, President of Tauck.
“Demand for France continues to be exceptionally strong and these ships allow us to expand our presence on these rivers while welcoming more guests in the years ahead.”
Following her christening, the ms Lumière prepared to host Tauck itineraries along the Rhône River, including journeys such as Savouring France: Paris, Lyon & Provence.
The ms Serene operates along the River Seine on itineraries including Family Fun Along the Seine: Paris to Normandy and the new for 2026 Bordeaux, Paris & the Seine.
The addition of is part of Tauck’s broader river cruise fleet expansion that will increase river cruising capacity by more than 30% compared to 2025.
