Overview

Program Highlights
  • Cruise personally hosted by O’Brien Estate owners, Bart & Barb O’Brien
  • Wine Program featuring the wines of O’Brien Estate
  • Onboard events including O’Brien welcome dinner, seminar & tasting, dinner with the winemaker and farewell toast
  • Exclusive optional Food & Wine Trails pre-cruise land program
  • Food & Wine Trails optional private-to-the-group wine-themed Bordeaux shore excursion
  • $100 per person shipboard credit for already booked guests
  • Uniworld’s All Inclusive Experience
  • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell reception and dinner
  • Visit to 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Médoc wine tasting
  • Guided World War II Bunker Archaeology tour
  • Wine-paired lunch at Château Royal de Cazeneuve
  • “Village Day” with farmers’ market in Libourne
  • Free time to explore La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux wine and cultural museum
Includes
  • Government taxes
  • All meals & entertainment on ship
  • Unlimited wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee, tea and bottle water
  • All scheduled airport transfers on arrival / departure dates
  • Uniworld complimentary shore excursions
  • Complimentary Internet & WiFi
  • Complimentary use of bicycles & Nordic walking sticks onshore

Food & Wine Trails is excited to bring you the opportunity to cruise the Dordogne and Garonne rivers with O’Brien Estate and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.

This 7-night cruise through the Southwest of France is hosted by winery owners, Barb and Bart O’Brien.  Together you will explore France’s breathtaking backdrops, wines and cultural treasures across the region of Bordeaux, Fort Médoc, Cadillac, Blaye, Libourne and more.  Wander through archaeological marvels, historic landmarks and magnificent vineyards where you’ll be treated to a sampling of quintessentially French experiences.

Just in time for the fabulous adventure, Uniworld’s ship River Royal will be upgraded and transformed to a Super Ship, as the new S.S. Bon Voyage!  A fantastically French floating boutique hotel, she will emerge from design renovations and extensive upgrades with a dazzling new look and we can’t wait to share the details as they are announced.

And because you’re traveling with O’Brien Estate, you also will taste their impeccable wines at select dinners on the ship, plus enjoy a seminar and private tasting with Barb & Bart. Great wine, food, and scenery is the hallmark of any O’Brien Estate hosted trip, but don’t take our word for it. Here’s what some past O’Brien cruise guests said about their 2017 wine cruise:

“Bart and Barb were fabulous hosts and the wine was wonderful!”

“The experience was World Class.  The entire trip and everything involved was planned well and provided such a wonderful time”

“Bart and Barb were excellent hosts.  Enjoyed meeting the other wine club members and sharing the experience with them”

For reservations call Food & Wine Trails at 800-367-5348 or download the Registration Form below.

Download O'Brien Estate Registration Form
  • Cruise Line

    Uniworld's Boutique River Cruises'

  • Ports of Call

    Round-trip Bordeaux, France

Experts

BART & BARB O'BRIEN

Owners and winemaker, O'Brien Estate

Itinerary

O’Brien Estate 2019

Destination: Bordeaux, France
To & From: Round-trip Bordeaux
Dates: September 8 – 15, 2019
Length: 7 Nights
Ship: S.S. Bon Voyage

September 5-8
2019
Paris, France

F&WT Optional 3-Night Pre-Cruise Program: Meet me in Paris

September 8
2019
Bordeaux, France
Embark
Depart 7:00 PM

F&WT Onboard Event: Welcome Toast & Dinner with O’Brien Estate Owners

Transfer from Bordeaux airport to ship (included - approx. 25 minutes)
September 8
2019
Blaye, France
Arrive 9:30 PM
Overnight
September 9
2019
Blaye, France
Depart 2:00 PM

Uniworld Included Shore Tours, Choice of: Scenic drive along the Route de la Corniche Fleurie with Blaye Fortress (AM) OR “Let’s go” yoga in the historic heart of Blaye Fortress (AM) AND Bourg Walking Tour (PM)

F&WT Onboard Event: O’Brien Estate Seminar & Tasting

September 9
2019
Bourg sur Gironde, France
Arrive 3:30 PM
Overnight

Uniworld’s Welcome Dinner

September 10
2019
Bourg Sur Gironde, France
Depart 8:30 AM
September 10
2019
Cussac Fort Médoc, France
Arrive 11:00 AM
Depart 12:30 PM

Uniworld Included Shore Tours, Choice of: Médoc Château route with private wine tasting (PM) OR Bunker Archaeology tour (PM) AND “Let’s Go” bike in the Médoc Vineyards

F&WT Optional Shore Tour: Cru of the Haut Médoc – Left Bank

September 10
2019
Pauillac la Fayette, France
Arrive 1:30 PM
Depart 7:00 PM
September 10
2019
Bordeaux, France
Arrive 10:30 PM
Overnight
September 11
2019
Bordeaux, France
Depart 2:05 AM

Uniworld’s Included Shore Tours, Choice of: Sauternes vineyard with private artisanal wine tasting at Château de Cazeneuve OR The colorful life of Toulouse Lautrec at Château de Malromé

September 11
2019
Cadillac, France
Arrive 3:00 PM
Depart 6:00 PM

F&WT Onboard Event: O’Brien Estate Wine Paired Dinner

Sepetmeber 11
2019
Libourne, France
Arrive 9:00 PM
Overnight
September 12
2019
Libourne (Saint Emilion), France
Overnight

Uniworld Included Shore Tour: Saint-Emilion walking discovery tour with wine tasting (AM)

F&WT Optional Shore Tour: The Rising Reds of Bordeaux – Right Bank

September 13
2019
Libourne, France
Depart 2:00 PM

Uniworld Included Shore Tours: “Village Day” with farmers market (AM) Night stroll around Cité du Vin (PM)

Uniworld’s Farewell Dinner

September 13
2019
Bordeux (Cite du Vin), France
Arrive 8:00 PM
Depart 9:00 PM
September 13
2019
Bordeaux (Quai des Chartrons), France
Arrive 9:45 PM
Overnight
September 14
2019
Bordeaux (Quai des Chatrons), France
Overnight

Uniworld Included Shore Tours, Choice of: “Do as the Locals Do” Bordeaux walking tour (AM) OR “Let’s Go” biking in the Bordeaux backstreets (AM) AND Cité du Vin Museum visit

F&WT Onboard Event: O’Brien Estate Farewell Reception

September 15
2019
Bordeaux, France
Disembark 8:00 AM
Transfer from ship to Bordeaux airport

Per Person Pricing

CATEGORYDOUBLE OCCUPANCYSINGLE OCCUPANCY
French Balcony Stateroom$4,544 $6,994
Deluxe Riverview Stateroom$3,944 $6,094
Classic Stateroom$3,344 $5,194

Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include shipboard accommodations, all scheduled airport transfers, port charges of $170 per person, onboard meals, gratuities, unlimited beverages of select wines, beers, and spirits, unlimited soft drinks, specialty coffee beverages and tea, complimentary Uniworld shore excursions, wines served with dinners provided by host winery, onboard wine program and limited travel management services. Prices do not include roundtrip air, premium wine and spirits, Food & Wine Trails’ optional pre-cruise program and shore tour, travel insurance, or all items of a personal nature. F&WT reserves the right to correct pricing errors or omissions. Prices will not increase after deposit received, except for fuel surcharges and any taxes, charges or levies imposed by government agencies. Suite prices available upon request.

About the Ship

The NEW S.S. Bon Voyage

Voted #1 River Cruise Line in 2018 & 2019
by Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards

Download Deck Plan

Award-winning Uniworld—the world’s ONLY authentic boutique cruise line™—offers itineraries in spectacular destinations throughout Europe, Russia, and Asia. The company’s European fleet features luxurious ships with an average capacity of 130 guests, the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry, enticing shore excursions, world-class gourmet cuisine, impeccable hospitality, and numerous other all-inclusive benefits.

Uniworld elevates all-inclusive river cruising in Europe to an entirely new level. As we see it, our guests deserve the absolute best of everything and the difference is truly in the details. Included with all Uniworld cruises: all gratuities, airport transfers, in-suite butler service, all dining onboard and unlimited beverages, complimentary excursions, ship-wide Internet and Wi-Fi access, and onboard entertainment and signature lectures.

Uniworld is excited to welcome their newest Super Ship to the rivers of Bordeaux – the S.S. Bon Voyage (former River Royal)- designed to immerse guests in French culture, art and wine, from its stunning lobby clad in polished wood, subtle brass details and hand-crafted balustrade, to the stylish emerald tones found in bar Le Salon Champage, inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s personal abode, Villa Majorelle.

The dining venues also capture the essence of France. The quintessential La Brasserie, with its natural green and pops of yellow decor inspired by the famous Bouillon Pigalle, serves traditional bistro fare. Le Grand Fromage offers menus reflective of the local cuisine, prepared from locally-sourced ingredients. La Cave du Vin is an intimate space where connoisseurs can gather for expert food and wine pairing dinners upon request.

The stunning Soleil Deck, awash in vibrant fabrics, features the only infinity pool on the rivers and spectacular views of the French countryside. Poolside service at Le Café du Soleil offers casual French cuisine as well as open-air cooking demonstrations from Uniworld chefs.

In addition to the public spaces, the S.S. Bon Voyage features four new spacious suites, and every stateroom has received an exquisite redesign with cool marble bathrooms and unique features.

Soleil Deck & Infinity Pool

  

 

Suites & Staterooms

     
Suite 315                                                              Suite 302

Deluxe Stateroom

Ship’s Interior

Reception

Restaurants & Lounges


La Cave du Vin


Le Salon Champagne


Le Grand Fromage

Terms & Conditions

  • REGISTRATION FORM
    To book a stateroom on this sailing, you must submit a completed registration form with deposit. For your convenience the registration form can be completed and electronically signed online by all passengers traveling.

    For PC users the PDF form can be completed online, saved and returned via email to receptionist@foodandwinetrails.com.

    For MAC users, the process for properly filling in and saving a PDF form is slightly different than on a Windows machine. By default, the Mac’s Preview application is set to open all PDF files, but Preview will not save the data you put into the forms. Right-click on the pdf or hold down the Control key on your keyboard and click on it. A menu will appear, select “Open With”. Choose Acrobat Reader from the list of programs. From within Acrobat you will be able to fill in the fields and save the file with your text and submit the completed form via email.

    PAYMENT METHODS
    If you are paying for the deposit by check, mail to: Food & Wine Trails, 141 Stony Circle, Suite 260, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

    If you are paying for the deposit with a credit card, include your card information on page two of the registration form and FAX to (707) 526-9147.

    DEPOSIT
    Deposit: $875 per person is due at time of booking for all standard stateroom categories. Deposit amount varies by suite categories, see page 1 of the Registration form for details.

    FINAL PAYMENT DUE DATE: May 1, 2019

    REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
    All Guests will be required to check‐in online to complete and submit their PASSENGER INFORMATION FORM before final documentation will be processed. Check‐in online at www.uniworld.com/before‐you‐go/expresscheckin. Please complete Express Check‐in as soon as possible after making your booking.

    TRAVEL INSURANCE
    F&WT strongly recommends the purchase of (Allianz) travel insurance to safeguard your trip investment.

    FAQs


    Please note: Cruise escorts, experts scheduled to appear and onboard programming are subject to change with or without notice. For a complete listing of all tour conditions, please refer to page 2 of the registration form.