Advertisement

Introducing the most luxurious ship on the Seine

Joie de Vivre has just commenced her inaugural eight-day cruise to Normandy - 2016 Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Joie de Vivre has just commenced her inaugural eight-day cruise to Normandy - 2016 Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

The world's newest river ship was christened in Paris this week by star of stage and screen, Dame Joan Collins.

Against a backdrop of flower sculptures and with a brass band providing the soundtrack, Collins and the new ship, SS Joie de Vivre, gleamed in the Paris sunshine. 

It's not yet April, but it was definitely spring on the banks of the Seine.

"I have 13 Godchildren," said Collins. "And now I have a ship!' - Credit: ©2017 Steve Dunlop All Rights Reserved/Steve Dunlop Photographer
"I have 13 Godchildren," said Collins. "And now I have a ship!' Credit: ©2017 Steve Dunlop All Rights Reserved/Steve Dunlop Photographer

With grace and ease Collins hung the "key" to the ship around the captain's neck and proceeded to snip the red ribbon. "It gives me huge joy to christen and be Godmother to Joie de Vivre," said Collins to the small ensemble of guests gathered alongside her.

The 40 best river cruises for 2017

Dressed from head to toe in pristine white - nicely coordinated with the hundreds of balloons that bobbed around the ship's hull and upper deck - Collins appeared radiant and excited about her new charge.

"I have 13 Godchildren," she said. "And now I have a ship!'

Collins, who had arrived fresh from her suite at The Ritz Paris, had joined guests on board the previous evening at the ship's main restaurant, Le Pigalle. 

"I have been blown away by her beautiful decor and fantastic food," she said. "The venison I ate last night was simply divine."

Decor is designed to reflect 19th century Paris
Decor is designed to reflect 19th century Paris

The 128-passenger Joie de Vivre will be sailing from her mooring in central Paris on eight-night luxury cruises to Normandy. In addition to Le Pigalle, the ship has a Parisian style bistro at the front of the ship with river views, and a food and wine-pairing venue, Le Cave des Vins, stacked floor-to-ceiling with wines.

By way of a hydraulic platform the heated pool in Club L'Esprit, a wellness area with a small gym and indoor and outdoor seating turns into a night-time supper club venue called Claude's. Passengers can unwind at morning yoga, 'lap' the resistance pool, order a healthy smoothie and watch French film classics on film nights.

The ship’s smaller girth (she is 125 metres wide compared with her sister ships measuring 135 metres) affords her a mooring in the centre of Paris. Most river ships are docked outside the city.

There are Art Deco accents throughout
There are Art Deco accents throughout

Decor is designed to reflect 19th century Paris - with plush fabrics, marble-clad bathrooms, French-inspired furniture and art sourced from Sotheby’s. 

At a glance | SS Joie de Vivre

There are Art Deco accents throughout. The welcoming Le Pigalle has plump banquettes in on-trend pale pink, while gold palm-tree motifs are etched onto serving stations.

Bathrooms feature underfloor heating and the beds are by Savoir, a company famed for its no-expense-spared horsehair mattresses.

Bathrooms feature underfloor heating
Bathrooms feature underfloor heating

During the launch weekend in Paris experienced passengers got to sample some of the cruise line's exclusive excursions. These included a tailored tour of shops on Avenue Montaigne ending with an exclusive tea service at the Plaza Athénée Hôtel; behind the scenes tours of The Ritz Paris - including a visit to the famous Windsor Suite - the Eiffel Tower and decadent Opera Garnier; and a Parisian Rooftops tour.

Inclusive prices mean nothing extra to pay for drinks, excursions, tips and Wi-Fi.

Is this the worlds most extravagant cruise ship?

Collins is the latest high-profile personality to continue the time-honoured godmother tradition. Twiggy, Mary Berry, Dame Katherine Grainger and actresses Joanna Lumley and Sharon Stone have also christened river ships. Joie de Vivre’s sister ship SS Catherine, was christened by Catherine Deneuve in 2014. 

After a Champagne sailaway on the sun deck Joie de Vivre commenced her inaugural eight-day cruise to Normandy.

The SS Joie de Vivre will also sail on longer itineraries, including A Portrait of Majestic France, Grand France, Parisian Royal Holiday and Ultimate France. There are multigenerational departures for families. From £2,489 per person, uniworld.com).