Built in 1981, the 37,012-ton and 752-passenger Bleu de France sports decor that is decidedly less elegant than that of its original incarnation as Hapag-Lloyd's Europa, one of the highest-rated ships of the 1980's and 1990's. Nevertheless, it still offers bigger cabins and more space per passenger than almost any other mid-priced ship, and the Club Belvedere observation lounge is still one of the nicest at sea.

The Bleu de France offers all inclusive cruises from Marseille France with early booking discounts on a sliding scale depending on time of booking.