Boutique Cruising on the River Seine with Uniworld

It was with great excitement that I embarked on my first ever luxury River Cruise, and my home for two nights was Joie de Vivre, one of Uniworld’s fleet of luxury boutique River Cruises, which resides in France. As such, Joie de Vivre was full of the joys of 1920s Paris chic with everything from the decor to the cuisine, down to the choice of fabrics, all representative of everything that is Parisian. This is unique to Uniworld as all their River Cruise ships are indicative of their home and each is distinctive of each destination’s style and character.

Having previously sailed on Ocean Cruises, the main difference between an ocean and river cruise is the size of the ships as a river cruise is sailing on much smaller and narrower waters, especially in Paris. Whilst smaller and with fewer facilities than their ocean counterparts, this does not detract from the experience or from the service onboard, and this is where Uniworld excels. The staff onboard were always attentive, nothing was too much trouble. A daily cup of tea in my stateroom before breakfast was with me within minutes. The food on a Uniworld ship is a real highlight – you will certainly not go hungry and I particularly liked the nod to their French location with typically French items on the daily changing menu. For the adventurous, there were frog legs and escargot, but for the less adventurous there were more typical cuisines available! The sommelier paired the courses with wine (yes this was French too!) and there was a superb choice of fine reds and whites available. The best part is that this is all included in the price of a Uniworld River Cruise.

I enjoyed a Deluxe French Balcony stateroom that had rich burgundy fabrics and wallpaper. Whilst intimate in size, you could enjoy the French air at the click of a switch as the full-length floor-to-ceiling windows lowered halfway so you had your very own inside balcony. It’s the perfect place to watch the charms of the riverside slowly pass by. Guests who prefer a little more space may prefer a Suite as it offers a small seating area, butler service and a larger bathroom with twin sinks. The Suites differ in décor also with blue fabrics and wallpaper, offering a completely different ambience. Personally, I found these a more comfortable space, and those who have sailed on one of the luxury ocean cruises would certainly benefit from staying in one of these.

The facilities onboard Joie de Vivre included a top deck that has a swimming pool with ample space and seating to watch the world pass by. It was from here we arrived back in Paris and saw the Eiffel Tower lit up in all its nighttime glory. A real standout moment. On board there was also a small spa, gym and inside pool where, at night, the pool area cleverly transforms into a cocktail bar, maximizing all the space to its full advantage. The main bar area is beautiful and French chic – the perfect place to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail or read a good book.

Entertainment on board is low-key but extremely enjoyable with different nightly singers from France that came on to the ship daily to entertain. Excursions, a huge part of the river cruise experience, are included daily and were also excellent. We visited Mal Maison, the former home of Napoleon and Josephine and our tour guide was both informative and engaging. I really did learn a lot from this. The following day was a choice of activities, from a cycling tour or a walking tour to a leisurely coach tour around Paris, there was a choice to suit all abilities and interests, each with a tour guide imparting insightful knowledge. Again, the tours are included as part of your Uniworld experience.

So who do I think would benefit from a Uniworld River cruise? I’d say anyone who would really like to learn more from their destination, whilst taking in magnificent scenery, and without compromising standards. A Uniworld River Cruise boasts excellent service, impeccable food, charming décor and immersive tour experiences. If you like the fact that this is all included in your river cruise price, then I’d say a Uniworld River Cruise is the one for you!