Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape : Paddle Steamer Magazine

Lake Geneva in June 2007 : Savoie, refurbished 2004-2006

The Lake Geneva boats can be regarded as fairly spartan in comparison with those on Lake Lucerne or, for example, Goethe, on the Rhein and this has been recognised by the CGN. Seen below is the upper deck of Savoie, which came out of its major refit in 2006. Much of the deck is enclosed with high quality uPVC windows and is provided with a bar for drinks and light snacks and it follows the patters of PS Montreux, the previous vessel to undergo such improvement. The upper deck, like the main deck restaurant aft is reserved for first class passengers. Although there are open areas fore and aft on the upper deck, the CGN is definitely catering for those who wish to sit indoors with the occasional drink and view the scenery through the large plate glass windows. In their business plan, CGN clearly identify this market as essential to cater for, hence the money spent bringing the facilities up to date. Again following the example of Montreux, the catering aboard Savoie has been put in the hands of a specialist caterer, in this case the well-known Geneva chef and restauranter Phillipe Chevrier. In her modernised form, Savoie is clearly more suited to the prestigious lunchtime and evening dining cruises than her predecessor on the station, MPV Vevey. However, it is a measure of the target market that the meals are not cheap, and unlike for example, Scotland's PS Waverley, where a reasonably cheap and filling "galley" meal is provided to keep hunger at bay on a long cruise, dining aboard Savoie is definitely the central experience of the cruise rather than an essential requirement.

 Awaiting the departure of the 14:30 pm cruise to Yvoire on 11/6/2007, the upper deck is empty - but waiter and waitress service is on hand for those passengers paying the First Class fare who do eventually join the cruise