Grand Circle Cruise Line has purchased the 90-passenger ship River Cloud II from Sea Cloud Cruises for an undisclosed sum.

The ship will be transferred to Grand Circle at the end of 2014 and will commence sailings under the new name M/S Chanson from March 2015.

The ship is part of the river cruise specialist’s expansion, and will be used to sail a new 13-day river cruise tour in Bordeaux, which takes guests to Paris, Chartres, Amboise, La Rochelle, Cadillac, Pauillac, Blaye, Libourne and Saint Emilion.

Chief executive Vince Cook said the line was keen expands its fleet with the small and versatile ship.

“With its capacity of just 90 passengers, our new ship can enter small ports that are inaccessible to larger ships, allowing our travellers to explore small villages and towns, engage with local people, and experience the daily life of a community,” he explained.

“They are the experiences our travellers want in small ship travel, and we are extremely happy to offer this in a brand new river cruise in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.”

The ship has 47 cabins, all featuring private baths, flat-screen colour TV with a DVD player, radio, telephone, in-room safe and air conditioning controls.

Public spaces include a lounge, bar, small library, dining room with information, single seating and English-speaking staff.

River Cloud II is currently part of Sea Cloud Cruises, which has two luxury sailing yachts, Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II.