MS Geoffrey Chaucer

MS Geoffrey Chaucer is one of our classic five-star ships — Swiss-operated, comfortable and quietly elegant. The kind of ship our guests come back to.

Some ships are admired for being new. Others — like our Geoffrey Chaucer — are adored for being lovely. She's a proper classic: comfortable, well cared for and quietly elegant.

Step into the bright marble lobby with its atrium overhead and you'll see what we mean. Spacious, calm and thoughtfully designed, with rich hardwoods, polished brass, soft lighting. Familiar in the best sense, easy to enjoy.

The restaurant is one of our favourite spots on board: proper European porcelain, attentive Swiss service and food worth lingering over. With 44 crew for 167 guests, the pace stays relaxed.

Behind a smart wood door waits your suite — a generous 17 sq m (183 sq ft), among the larger you'll find on a European river ship. The marble bathroom has a rainshower, fluffy towels and complimentary toiletries. Inside, hand-crafted hardwoods, calming neutrals and a full-size bed in crisp cotton linen, with a turndown service as the finishing touch.

All suites have two twin beds with individual bedding, which can be pushed together or apart.

Suites on the Diamond and Ruby Decks have French balconies — floor-to-ceiling glass doors that bring the riverside that little bit closer.

Air-conditioning
Lounge & bar
Spa & wellness
Fitness area
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Bistro with open Kitchen
Laundry service (additional fee)
Boutique gift shop
Splash pool
Lift between accommodation decks

Dining on Board

In the main restaurant on the Ruby Deck, you'll find buffet breakfasts, lunches and a four-course dinner each evening. For a lighter start (or finish), the Main Lounge serves an early-riser breakfast and small bites at lunchtime.

For something a little more intimate, head to the Geoffrey Chaucer Bistro on the Diamond Deck, where seasonal menus are served in a relaxed setting. Dinners are included — just have a word with reception to book your table.

Deck Plan

Sun Deck

We're particularly fond of the Sun Deck and, judging by how popular it is, our guests are too. There's a second staircase midship to make it easy to reach and once you're up there, the question becomes which spot to claim.

A sun lounger, perhaps, under shade if the day is warm. There's a splash pool to cool off in and a putting green for those wanting to keep their swing in shape. At the front of the ship, a lovely terrace sits right in front of the wheelhouse, where you can watch the captain and his team work the twists and turns of the river — driving-seat views, you might say.

So pour yourself a long drink, find that book you've been meaning to start and settle in. This is what river cruising is for.

Interior of lounge area aboard the Geoffrey Chaucer ship

Diamond (Upper) Deck

The Diamond Deck is where you'll find the heart of the ship — our panoramic observation lounge and bar. A timeless lounge in every sense: comfortable leather armchairs, soft sofas, warm cushions, lovely fabrics and a thick wool carpet underfoot. The lighting is soft, and the service calm and unobtrusive. Settle in with a cocktail and let the view do the talking.

After dinner, perhaps it's time for a digestif and a tune from our resident pianist. Or for a quieter sort of evening, the Riverview Kitchen's large panoramic windows make for a mesmerising change of pace. Our chef cooks a curated menu of locally inspired dishes in the open kitchen each evening — reservable on board at no extra charge — and when the weather plays along, the windows open right out onto the terrace for an al fresco supper.

Interior of dining area aboard the Geoffrey Chaucer ship

Ruby (Middle) Deck

The Ruby Deck is home to the ship's main restaurant, and what a timeless and elegant space it is. Tables for four or six, crisp linen, warm wood panelling and deep wool carpets underfoot. The service is attentive without ever feeling fussy, and the food is something to look forward to each evening. Settle in with a glass from the carefully chosen wine list, and dinner can take as long as you like.

Interior of massage room at the fitness centre aboard the Geoffrey Chaucer ship

Emerald (Lower) Deck

Down on the Emerald Deck, you'll find the fitness centre, useful for working off some of those four-course dinners. Should you wish to relax instead, treat yourself to a pamper session at the wellness area also located on this deck.