One-Day Visit on the Renaissance in May 2025 – CFC Cruise (page 2 of 3)

Conclusion

I think after experiencing the ear-splitting cruises with Costa, it must be nice to find this offer of calm and quiet cruises. The ship is old but has its charm—what bothers me are the smells and the questionable carpets.

When I asked our guide about the odors and whether anything was planned to fix this issue, which I believe has been recurring for some time, he was very surprised: "Odors? What odors? No, there are no bad smells."

And the ventilation? "No, it’s not noisy." Yet, it was already noisy during our cruises with HAL—we have some funny memories of that.

I noticed multiple times during this visit that every detail was managed on a very tight budget. Generosity and abundance aren’t part of CFC’s strategy.

I wanted to see for myself, and I did. I’m glad I did this visit instead of a cruise, even though the visit was paid and I find that a bit excessive.

After this visit, I’m definitely convinced that this ship is aimed at passengers disappointed and tired of Costa and MSC, tired of crowds and noise. But once you’ve experienced other companies, CFC doesn’t have enough potential to be appealing.

As they say, this is just my opinion. 😉 Because look what someone who posts a lot on Facebook wrote about this visit: "We had the pleasure of visiting the Renaissance ship from Compagnie Française de Croisières, and we can tell you that the charm works from the moment you step on the gangway. Warm atmosphere, refined gastronomy, carefully chosen stops... a real invitation to relaxation and discovery!" 😏 😏 😏

I hope you enjoyed this little share of my visit, and thank you for reading!

Thanks Catherine for your review! I completely agree with the first two lines of your conclusion. However, in December, maybe our noses were stuffy, but we didn’t notice any bad smells. As for the paid visits, it’s worth asking: Larguez les amarres and Planète Croisière often offer free visits, yet some "freeloaders"—after a great tour—wouldn’t sign up with Croisiland, for example, but went to destockages or So Croisière... just to save supposedly 50 €. Speaking of great cruises, there’s currently Rivages du Monde, where you’ll find our friend Frédéric Mathieu (for those who knew him). He’s still as impressive, but it’s true the budget isn’t the same. Personally, as soon as I get the green light from the oncologist, we’ll be back on the Renaissance!

Great review of this very detailed visit. After that, you’ve got to consider the value for money of a cruise on this ship. I think I got your conclusion between the lines.... 😉

Hi Catherine,

Thank you so much for this review, and on top of that, a fantastic conclusion!

As for me, I’m not at all drawn to this boat (even renovated).

I also saw that comment on FB. To each their own, I guess!

Thanks again for sharing! !

As for paid excursions, one might ask: Larguez les amarres and Planète Croisière often offer free visits, yet some "freeloaders"—after a great tour—wouldn’t book with Croisiland, for example, but went to destockages or so-called cruise deals... to supposedly save 50 €

Hi Agnès,

It’s great that you didn’t have any odor issues on the Renaissance. It can also depend on the cabin’s location. Some passengers have complained about fuel smells, or so I’ve heard. I agree with you about the freeloaders. As for Rivages du Monde, I tried them once and was terribly disappointed. It’s very expensive for the quality and services promised but not delivered. You can read my review of this experience HERE. Between RDM and the Renaissance, I’d still prefer the Renaissance. I hope you get to go very soon.

Thanks, Catherine, and happy future cruises to you!

Nice detailed review of this visit. After that, you’ve got to weigh the quality-price ratio of a cruise on this ship. I think I caught your conclusion between the lines...😉

Thanks, Michel,

You really can only compare what’s comparable. CFC’s offers are now very appealing, but the cancellation fees equal to 100% of the cruise price from day one of booking are a bit of a turn-off. I wonder if insurance can cover that risk...

Hi Catherine,

Thank you so much for this review, and what a fantastic conclusion! Personally, I’m not at all drawn to this ship (even renovated). I also saw that comment on FB. To each their own, as they say. Thanks again for sharing!

Thanks Alfred, It’s a good thing the cruise offerings are broad and diverse so everyone can find THE cruise that suits them. The main thing is being able to board a ship and live out your dreams.

CFC's offers are now very attractive, but the cancellation fees equal to 100% of the cruise price from the first day of booking are a bit off-putting. I wonder if insurance can cover this risk...

Hello, I’ve taken CFC twice, and the cancellation terms are "normal." 60 days or more before departure: 50 € per person, from 59 to 30 days: 25% of the total amount, from 29 to 15 days: 50%, and from 14 days to the day of departure: 100%. It’s only 100% of the total amount, regardless of the cancellation date, if it’s a promotional cruise or a Special Offer. Best regards

Hi Micax,

Here’s what I originally wrote: "The current promotions are presented to us, starting at 999 € for a 14-day cruise in Northern Europe, for example. On top of that, there’s the advantage of getting back the cost of today’s visit. The amount will be refunded as an onboard credit if the cruise is booked before the end of the month. What they don’t tell us is that these rates require paying the full cruise price at booking, and there’s a 100% cancellation fee if you back out."

When I write "CFC’s deals are now very attractive, but...", "are now" is an expression, an observation.

We both agree that these aren’t their usual sales conditions—this arrangement only applies to the promotions.

Good evening Catherine, I read your review of the Renaissance very carefully. We’ve been traveling on cruises for 25 years and, I think, know the cruise market well. We’ve taken over 20 cruises with MSC and just as many with COSTA. In 2023, we did 3 cruises on the Renaissance, and we really enjoyed the ports of call, the hospitality, and the buffet—with ice cream, coffee, and cakes at 4 PM included at no extra cost. We also loved the quiet (no kids shouting), the friendly staff, the evening shows, and the cabins. Since then, we’ve stayed loyal to CFC despite the switch to an English company!

We’re heading out from Marseille from September 10 to 20 for the Adriatic. If we find too many changes, I’ll be sure to mention it on the forum. Thanks for your story and your thoughts. Looking forward to reading more from you

Hi Jacky,

Thanks for your feedback and the details you’ve shared. You’ve confirmed what I was thinking—CFC really adds something extra after Costa or MSC. I hope you have a wonderful Adriatic cruise. The smaller ships make this destination even more beautiful.

Hi Catherine, I just discovered your trip report, which I read with great pleasure, as usual. We really wish you’d spent more than just a day on that boat! I wasn’t too keen on trying this company, and your report didn’t change my mind.

Of course, the price matters—you’ve got to decide your budget and weigh the value for money, which is key. I think some cruisers might appreciate this offer, especially if peace and quiet are a priority. As for me, the menu doesn’t appeal to me at all, and I’m not a fan of old boats. Thanks again, Catherine, for sharing your experience.

Hi Catherine,

I’m not surprised you’re hesitant about this ship—it’s really old, and I’ll admit that when I saw the state of the carpets... I had a little thought for you. 😉

Value for money is key, as you said, and with the discounted prices currently offered, it’s a great way to travel on a reasonable budget. But at full price, like it was just a few months ago, it’s way over what it’s worth compared to other companies. Maybe that’s one of the reasons the company has had so many struggles since it started?

Hi Catherine, I just read your review—your level of expertise makes it so engaging! Unfortunately, it confirms a lot of the feedback you can find on FB and other sites. Air conditioning, evacuation system, and elevator breakdowns are pretty common. I agree with you that it might be a good fit at first for those who want to escape the shouting Italians and kids on Costa and MSC, and probably for first-time cruisers too. You didn’t mention the language spoken on board—do they *really* all speak French? Have a great Sunday! 😊

Hi Poupou 10, I’m not Catherine, but we’ve taken several cruises on the Renaissance, including Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations. One of the big perks for us is that the entire staff speaks French—great for those of us who struggle with English!

That said, there *are* some downsides Catherine mentioned: the AC in certain cabins, rain leaking in during heavy storms (like in Volos in 2023), the spas by the pool breaking down often, the casino closing after just the first year, and all those management changes that leave the staff unsettled. Plus, their cruise pricing policy keeps shifting every few months!

But overall, we still find the value for money (restaurants, buffet, shows, shore excursions) pretty reasonable.

Hi Isa,

It’s hard to tell in just one day whether the staff is truly Francophone. We only interacted with one person—our guide.

However, at the restaurant, I got the impression (though it’s just an impression) that the staff understood French, similar to what we experienced (a long time ago) with Costa. Basically, they receive training that teaches them around 70 or 80 words in our language so they can understand what guests ask for.

I also noticed that some announcements over the PA were in English, but it was English spoken (I assume 😉) by a French person because it was very easy to understand. 😏

What’s certain is that the Francophone aspect of the Renaissance might take a hit with the Caribbean cruises, since those sailings will be shared with a large proportion of English and Dutch passengers (I’ve forgotten the exact number).

But the price-to-value ratio (restaurant, buffet, shows, shore excursions) still works for us.

That’s all that matters! May everyone find their own happiness and be excited to set off on their cruise! 😏

Hi Catherine, I can only confirm my previous opinion. Of course, it’s based on just one experience, which isn’t necessarily representative, especially since it benefited from particularly favorable conditions (including the weather). Regarding embarkation and disembarkation, which took place in Zeebrugge, there were very few passengers, so it was particularly quick. We did notice, however, that it was much more complicated in Le Havre. Still, I remember those procedures and the long queues with other cruise lines—just as problematic—from which we only escaped because, due to our seniority, we were "priority." As for any potential odors, I personally didn’t notice anything. As I mentioned, since the ship wasn’t full, the staff may have been more available. It’s worth noting that everyone I interacted with spoke French (many were of Mauritian origin or from the French overseas territories). At the second seating in the restaurant (which wasn’t full), the dishes—though modest in quantity—were of very good quality, served quickly, and hot, which isn’t always the case. Our servers also respected our cooking preferences. It’s true that the carpet in our cabin was a bit worn, but otherwise, there was nothing to complain about. The ship, with its slightly old-fashioned charm, was pleasant and comfortable. We enjoyed its many lounges and the theater. I don’t know if I’ll have the chance to repeat this experience, as departures from Dunkirk don’t suit me, and the proposed stops are places I’ve already visited many times. Maybe someday, a short Mediterranean cruise from Marseille—just a stone’s throw from home—just to get away without the hassle. It’s clear that this cruise line caters to a certain clientele who appreciate calm, French-speaking staff (at least for now), and a smaller-sized ship. Based on their feedback, with a few exceptions, the vast majority are delighted with their cruises. Best regards, Jean-Marie

Hi Catherine,

On our side, we’ve already done 4 cruises with them, including 1 themed one on the Renaissance, and we have 2 more booked for next year.

It’s a company that’s still finding its footing. And like any company, there are ups and downs.

It’s an older ship that’s been renovated, but it’s still an older ship with its charm and quirks.

For us, its biggest strength is offering ports of call that are different from what MSC or Costa offer. However, the flip side is that it’s dependent on the weather, the sea’s mood, and the lack of infrastructure to handle mass tourism. But the captain does what he can to adapt. For example, on New Year’s Eve in Barcelona, the plan was for the ship to stay docked until 1 a.m. without further details. The company’s gamble was to surprise passengers with Barcelona’s fireworks. However, the port decided to close and evacuate ships by 8 p.m. The captain informed the passengers and suggested staying offshore. Result: fireworks, a table with champagne and treats on the outdoor deck, and the symphony of surrounding boats at midnight.

The themed humor cruise was also excellent (aside from Boujenah’s behavior and his off-stage remarks). Gérald Dahan was exceptional. Worth doing again.

The shows were good, but they’ve been the same for 2 years. That said, things will change starting in October with the end of the artists’ contracts as Ambassador takes over. We’ll see how that goes.

The food at Vatel is good. The paid restaurants don’t seem to draw crowds. If the ship is full, the staff can get overwhelmed quickly. Deck 6 and the terrace cabins are very nice. As for the atmosphere, it’s pretty calm. There’s only 1 musician/group during the evenings. Board games attract way more people. Otherwise, you have to wait until late night at the panoramic bar/disco for a real party vibe. The movie theater concept is cool. One issue that still needs improvement is customs control for trips to England. It’s gotten better, but it’s still not great.

This is a ship to book when you find a good deal. Less risk of being disappointed if something goes wrong.

Have a great day! 🤗