Douce France

Your Cabin/Suite

All cabins are stylishly decorated and feature individually controlled air-conditioning, private bathroom with shower, television, hairdryer, safe and wardrobe. Beds in all of the cabins and suite can be configured as twin or double with the exception of cabins 125 and 221 which feature a fixed double bed. All cabins measure 14.5 square metres and the suite on the Upper Deck measures 23.5 square metres. Cabins on the Main Deck have two windows including a large picture window which can be opened partially and cabins and the suite on the Upper Deck boast sliding floor-to-ceiling windows with a French balcony.

Your Space

The vessel offers plenty of space to unwind and watch the world go by. The Sun Deck is equipped with comfortable loungers and for those who prefer the shade, an awning, under which are tables and chairs. The lounge bar is situated on the Upper Deck. Stylishly decorated with clusters of armchairs and sofas set around tables, this area boasts panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows and is the perfect place to spend time at leisure and and socialise with new friends. The entrance to the ship is also on the Upper Deck, and you can find the reception desk here, manned from morning through evening and offering assistance when required. On the same deck is a small shop selling a selection of souvenirs. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the vessel.

Your Dining

Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are served in the stylish restaurant located on the Upper Deck which seats all passengers in one sitting. The excellent cuisine features delicious local and international dishes. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style with hot and cold items, and dinners are a served set menu with a choice of three main courses including a vegetarian option. House wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner on board.

Life On Board

The atmosphere on board is friendly and informal and after a day exploring ashore, you will return to the comfort and peace of a well-run and exceedingly comfortable vessel. Travelling with a maximum of 100 fellow passengers, you will find yourself amongst like-minded people in an English speaking environment and for those who seek peace and quiet, there will always be the opportunity to find a secluded spot on the Sun Deck or simply rest in your well-appointed cabin. The charming and friendly crew members provide a superb, personal service. In addition to our Cruise Director and Tour Manager, we will be joined by a Guest Speaker who will deliver informative and interesting lectures on board, adding to your enjoyment of the cruise.

Ship Directory

Please find below further details pertaining to the ship or click on the adjacent Directory to download. 

We are delighted you have chosen the MS Douce France for your upcoming voyage and hope this information answers any questions you may have pertaining to the vessel.

SHIP TECHNICAL DETAILS

Passengers: 106
Crew/Staff: 26
Length: 110 metres
Width: 10.40 metres
Year built: 1997
Number of cabins: 55

SHIP INFORMATION

AIR-CONDITIONING
All cabins have individually controlled heating and air-conditioning.

ALARM
An alarm will be sounded in the event of an emergency. Please follow the instructions provided on board for what to do should an emergency occur.

CABINS
All cabins have a bathroom with shower, television, hairdryer, safe and wardrobe. Beds in all of the cabins and suite can be configured as twin or double with the exception of cabins 125 and 221 which have a fixed double bed. All cabins measure 14.5 square metres and the suite on the Upper Deck measures 23.5 square metres. Cabins on the Main Deck have two windows including a large picture window which can be opened partially and cabins and the suite on the Upper Deck boast sliding floor-to-ceiling windows with a French balcony.

CURRENCY
The currency on board is the Euro. All passengers will have their own ship account, which allows you to sign for all purchases and services throughout your cruise. You may then settle your bill by Visa, Mastercard, American Express or cash (Euros only) at the end of the cruise. Personal cheques are not accepted. Regrettably, the ship is not able to offer a money-changing service on board as this would be contravening official regulations.

DAILY PROGRAMME
A Daily Programme, detailing the following day’s arrangements as well as any specific information about the day’s activities, is produced on board and delivered to your cabin each evening.

DRESS CODE
Comfortable and practical attire is recommended during the day and something dressier for the evening. You may like to wear smart casual clothing for the welcome and farewell dinners (black tie is not necessary).

DRINKS
Complimentary house wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner on board. Water is provided during breakfast, lunch and dinner and bottled water is available in your cabin and replenished daily. There is also a self-serve tea and coffee station in the bar area.

ELECTRICITY
Electricity onboard is 220v with 2-pin power outlets. We recommend you take an adaptor with you.

EMERGENCY & SAFETY PROCEDURES
Full details of the ship’s emergency and safety procedures will be provided following your embarkation. Please note there is no doctor on board the vessel.

FIRE SAFETY
On your cabin door is a deck plan displaying your closest (and all other) emergency exits. Emergency exits are marked in green and fire extinguishers are fitted in all corridors.

FIRST AID
A number of crew are fully trained and certified to provide First Aid. Further medical assistance can be sought from one of the hospitals along the river in the event of emergency.

GRATUITIES
Gratuities have been included in your holiday price.

GIFT SHOP
There is a small gift shop selling various souvenir items.

HOUSEKEEPING
Your cabin will be cleaned once a day and you will be provided with a ‘turn down’ service at night.

LAUNDRY
There are no laundry facilities on board.

LIFT
There is no lift on board.

LOST PROPERTY
Lost property can be handed in to the ship’s reception. Please ensure you have all of your belongings with you before you return home. Should you leave items on board the ship, please contact Noble Caledonia. If we are able to recover your item(s) we will contact you to arrange delivery or collection and to advise of any associated costs.

MEALS
Breakfast and lunch are buffet style with hot and cold items, and dinners are served as set menu with a choice of three main courses including a vegetarian option. House wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner on board.
If you have any dietary requirements such as vegetarian, low salt, gluten free and low cholesterol, please notify the Reservations Department. We regret that not all dietary requests can be guaranteed. If you have any specific or special foods that you require, we recommend that you take some with you although we will endeavour to accommodate your needs. Once on board, please speak to the Chef or the Maitre D’ at dinner on your first night on board to reconfirm your needs.

MOORING
Docking space is allocated by the local river authorities. On occasion other river cruise vessels may be required to dock alongside our ship. This may result in restricted cabin views and may also entail us being required to embark and disembark the ship through another vessel’s public area and/or for the other ship’s passengers to do the same.

POST
The vessel’s gift shop may sell postcards and stamps for you to purchase (subject to availability) and, items can be posted on your behalf by the ship’s crew (although as they are unable to do so at every port of call, this could take longer than if you were to post yourself).

QUESTIONNAIRES
We are always looking for ways to improve our holidays and the services provided and in order to do this we welcome feedback from our guests. Your comments are important to us therefore we request that you complete the questionnaire that will be provided to you on board.

QUIETVOX/AUDIO SYSTEM
Noble Caledonia has arranged for all passengers to have access to a ‘Quietvox’ audio system for shore excursions. Further details shall be provided to you following your embarkation.

RECEPTION
Reception is staffed throughout the day. A member of the crew can be contacted 24 hours a day.

SAFE
All cabins are fitted with a safe and we recommend you place your valuables inside the safe whenever you are away from your room.

SMOKING
Smoking within your cabin or any of the vessel’s public areas is strictly prohibited. Designated smoking areas are provided and can be advised by the ship’s reception upon embarkation.

SUN DECK
The ship has a Sun Deck which is available for guests to enjoy. There may be times whereby it is necessary to close the Sun Deck. Please listen carefully to the Captain and Crew for instructions. Please also note that the Sun Deck and its steps may become slippery if the weather is cool or dew forms.

TELEPHONE
A telephone is available in your cabin for internal calls only.

WI-FI
Wi-Fi is available without charge but please be advised that it is not possible to download large data files. There may also be times when the internet connection is slow or not available

Please note: These details should be used as a guideline only. Information is subject to change.