Scylla Welcomes the Arrival of Hybrid River Cruise Ship Lumière

Swiss transport operator Scylla has recently added a new river cruise vessel, named Lumière, to its fleet. Built by Vahali Shipyards in Serbia, this 135-meter ship was designed collaboratively with the luxury travel company Tauck, specifically for navigating the Rhône River in France.

Lumière is designed for a maximum of 130 guests, accommodated in 68 staterooms and suites. Among the accommodations, there are 22 suites averaging 28 square meters, 34 cabins around 21 square meters, and 12 cabins approximately 17 square meters. The two decks are adorned with floor-to-ceiling windows and French balconies, offering guests stunning views of the surrounding scenery.

With a crew of approximately 50 members, Lumière boasts one of the highest guest-to-crew ratios on European inland waterways. The crew includes a cruise director and local guides, ensuring a high level of service and security for guests both while cruising and when docked.

Public facilities on board include two restaurants, a sun deck with a small pool and a bar, as well as a gym, yoga studio, and massage room. To enhance energy efficiency, the vessel is fitted with LED lighting throughout.

In terms of design, the navigation bridge is positioned as far forward as possible for better visibility in the narrow river channels typically found on the Rhône. The Wheelhouse/Bridge was constructed by Kampers Shipyard in the Netherlands.

The hybrid propulsion system consists of two MAN D2682LE444 diesel engines, each rated at 1,000 HP, along with battery packs and generators. This setup not only drives the ship through twin Veth Z-drives with contra-rotating propellers but also allows the vessel to operate on electric power for short durations of around 45 minutes, ideal for situations where main engines cannot be utilized.

Advanced onboard technology includes Furuno radar systems and various navigation sensors from Radio Holland, alongside safety and communication systems supported by multiple European marine manufacturers.

Beyond its role as a river cruise ship, Lumière is also being utilized to test autonomous navigation technology. Its first demonstration in the Netherlands involved an autonomous lane-assist system that managed steering adjustments and propulsion while the captain supervised from the bridge. The system successfully maintained its course amid challenging weather conditions.

Following its delivery, Lumière is set to operate under Tauck’s river cruise program along the Rhône, joining Scylla’s charter fleet.

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