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La Belle de Cadix is dedicated to the Guadalquivir River, Gulf of Cadiz and sometimes the Guadiana River, actively cruising through all but high-summer months. The Belgian-built vessel is capable of navigating ocean waves within a few miles of the coast in order to reach Atlantic ports just beyond the Guadalquivir River's mouth. That dual capability makes for an especially sturdy river cruise through Andalusia with its calm waters -- and therefore makes an ideal cruise for first timers and passengers more sensitive to motion.
While the ship's overall colour scheme is heavy on pastels and light wood tones more popular from decades past, the ship is in good shape, polished and well maintained. Furnishings are both practical and comfortable, and rooms and common spaces -- like the lounges, terraces and restaurants -- are clean and organised.
During the days, this cruise does not offer afternoon entertainment -- letting passengers enjoy leisure time that's perfectly suited to the mellow ambience of southern Spain. In the evenings, the dining room, lounges and sun deck are lively venues for conversation, cocktails and dancing on special entertainment nights.
Overall, CroisiEurope offers an experience aboard La Belle de Cadix that suits travellers who prefer a low-key holiday with comfort, calm and sociable experiences shared with easy-going fellow travellers and friendly crew members.
"Smart casual" are the key words aboard this ship. During downtime onboard and on excursions, passengers should dress for the arid, toasty Andalusian temperatures that prevail all year; though for winter cruises, a light jacket or scarf will come in handy especially after sunset. Hats and sunglasses are a must. Evenings on the ship can be more "casual dressy," and while most passengers don upscale attire for gala events, men are fine in a sport jacket, and a sundress or a nice blouse and slacks or a skirt are fine for women.
The all-inclusive cruise fare covers breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, and includes free beverages of wine, beer, juice, coffee, tea, and mineral water throughout the day -- as well as a selection of regionally appropriate Spanish wines at dinner. Drinks can be ordered from the Lounge Bar all day, and the only alcoholic beverage choices with an added charge are wines on the special menu. Wi-Fi on this ship is complimentary. Onboard entertainment like local singers, dancers and even a bingo night are all included, as is the gala dinner.
Life onboard is generally low-key, with plenty of free time to relax, socialise and take in the scenery. With only the Lounge Bar large enough for indoor gatherings, most passengers find themselves in interior common areas where they might play board games or browse the internet; or outside on the bow or stern terraces, or sun deck (which is half shaded) with a drink, friends or a good read.
The landscape along the Guadalquivir River is mostly flat and grassy, so binoculars or a camera with a long lens may be a good addition for bird-watchers or nature fans.
Shore Excursions
CroisiEurope offers guided tours in each of its port cities along the Guadalquivir River and Gulf of Cadiz, and a few that are reachable by bus. Every excursion is offered in English, French and Spanish, and separated into different tour groups.
For the most part, each excursion is led by a different local, licensed tour guide who will speak in one dedicated language. Announcements are made to help passengers gather and depart the ship on time, and all passengers are offered a water bottle to-go on their way out, and a welcome beverage upon their return. The excursions vary in length from a few hours, to a half- or full-day experience. They usually involve a few hours walking around historic cities, and the crew is conscientious about informing people about potential mobility issues that might limit access to attractions due to stairs, cobblestones, etc.
Daytime and Evening Entertainment
Afternoon group activities may include bingo, trivia and other games that work well for a ship of mixed languages. Evening entertainment is usually planned for one or two nights during a weeklong cruise, typically a musical guest and dancing. The main Lounge Bar and stern Panorama Bar are always open for cards, board games and socialising (though typically the Panorama Bar is more active after dinner).
Enrichment
Educational activities are found mainly during shore excursions, so this ship opts not to dedicate space and time for onboard lectures or workshops.
As a relatively compact river cruise vessel, the ship offers only the main Lounge Bar and smaller Panorama Bar on the Upper Deck stern for its wine, beer and cocktail social areas. Both lounges are lined with huge windows and offer plenty of comfy chairs and sofas. Passengers are welcome to order at the bar any time, and servers will gladly deliver their drinks to the outside patios including the full-ship-length sun deck.
Lounge Bar (Middle Deck): The Lounge Bar is located on the Middle Deck toward the bow, and serves as the ship's main gathering space hosting all of the onboard entertainment and crew introductions. It also offers a few tables and chairs on the bow's outdoor terrace. There is no set happy hour, but passengers generally gather there after shore excursions, and before and after dinner. Wine, beer and spirits are included; the only alcoholic beverage choices with an added charge are wines on the special menu.
Panorama Bar (Upper Deck): The Panorama Bar is quiet all day -- though passengers pass through it on their way to the stern's outside terrace. The space tends to come alive after dinner.
Perhaps it's the laid-back context of Andalusia, but the ship is outfitted more for relaxation than for action. There are board games and cards to be played, and lounge chairs perfect for reading and chatting; but no jogging track or exercise equipment onboard.
The friendly and accommodating crew members are welcoming from the moment passengers arrive, and make every effort to ensure basic and special needs are handled promptly. The guest reception team will hold luggage for those checking in early, answer questions in a variety of languages and share advice about the destinations along the itinerary. Wi-Fi on this ship is complimentary. As a smaller river vessel, La Belle de Cadix has very limited space and does not offer laundry service onboard -- so plan accordingly.
The ship offers only the Main Deck dining room for its restaurant, serving a buffet breakfast, plus lunch and dinner daily. The restaurant seats up to 178 passengers (the entire ship's guest capacity), serving a fine menu of French cuisine and a few locally inspired dishes, paired with Spanish wines to suit the Andalusian context. Passengers are alerted to the times meals begin, each one coordinated around the day's shore excursion schedule.
The chef and restaurant staff are efficient and helpful, and reliably accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free and other dietary restrictions; passengers can relay their specific dietary needs upon booking. Onboard, each meal's menu is posted in advance, and passengers are able to request alternatives to any dishes or ingredients. Dishes are a sophisticated and filling mix of proteins, vegetables and carbohydrates, with three courses served for every lunch and dinner (though a cheese course is sometimes added) with paired white, rose or red wines. Gala dinners are more involved, serving several more courses than usual.
Breakfast is a buffet of standard European-style items, including fruit, cheeses, cold cuts, yogurt, eggs made to order, breads and pastries, and standard beverages.
Lunch is generally served following morning shore excursions. It is a three-course, lighter meal often featuring salad or soup to start, and a filling entrée followed by dessert. Entrées may include a filet mignon with a sweet-and-sour sauce, with duchess potatoes and French beans; or perhaps a sautéed sole with stuffed agnolotti, spinach with garlic cream sauce; or wiener schnitzel with vegetables. Lunchtime dessert may be a simple strawberry cake, pineapple brochette or apple strudel.
Dinner is the most indulgent meal. Apart from the gala meal, dinner includes three courses finely prepared with French flair. Appetizers served may include a paté en croute, smoked salmon with horseradish sauce, or smoked ham. They would be followed with dinner entrees such as stuffed chicken with spaetzle, duck filet braised in pinot noir served with browned potatoes and Brussel sprouts, or a blanquette of veal with rice pilaf and carrots. Dinnertime dessert may include a selection of cheese, baked Alaska, raspberry cake or ginger biscuits.
The ship's cabins are clean and comfortable, if somewhat utilitarian. Along with perfectly cosy beds, linens and pillows, passengers will find the same amenities in each unit: hair dryer, satellite TV (though there are only a few English news channels), safe, shower and toilet, plus electronic audio guides assigned to each cabin number for use on shore excursions.
An lift connects each deck, as do staircases at the centre and aft of the ship, and most ports are accessed via upper-deck gangplanks.
All cabins in La Belle de Cadix are accessed from the centre of the ship, have windows and are the same size -- an economical 140 square feet -- with twin beds that can be connected to form a double. (Suitcases are easily stored in the roomy space beneath each bed.)
Bathrooms are compact, and limited to very slim showers enclosed by a curtain. While they are tight and elbows will likely make plenty of contact with the walls, the bathrooms are spick-and-span and include basics like Croisi-branded shampoo, conditioner, soap and hand lotion. Additional toiletry needs can be supplied at reception, though it's wise to pack your own essentials.
Cabins differ somewhat according deck.
Main Deck: 21 cabins, each with large portholes several feet above the water line. It's the lowest of the three passenger decks, on the same floor as the dining room.
Middle Deck: 27 cabins with large non-opening picture windows. On the Middle Deck, there's also one accessible cabin equipped for disabled passengers, convenient since the ship reception area, small gift shop and Lounge Bar are on the same level.
Upper Deck: 40 cabins each with a French balcony and large window that opens to the fresh air.
