By
Rebecca Gibson |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is to introduce a new Super Ship, S.S. Joie de Vivre, on the Seine River in France, in March 2017.
Designed to reflect the French ‘joy of living’ philosophy and the country’s ‘profound appreciation for food, wine, art and music’, the vessel will feature interiors by Red Carnation Hotels, Uniworld’s sister company.
The French-inspired interiors will have handcrafted furniture, antiques, art, gilded and wrought-iron accents. The ship will also offer a Salon de Beaux-Arts lounge decorated with fine art and antiques curated from auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christies, and private collections. Meanwhile, Le Club l’Esprit will offer a cinema and a surrounding pool with a hydraulic floor, enabling the venue to transform into a dance floor or an outdoor cinema at night. Dining venues include Le Restaurant Pigalle and La Cave de Vins, a vinoteque for private dining and wine-pairing dinners.
S.S Joie de Vivre will accommodate 128 guests across two Royal Suites, eight Junior Suites and 54 staterooms. Each suite will have its own signature style and include custom-made Savoir of England beds and marble bathrooms in various colour schemes. Suite guests will also have access to a butler service.
“We are extremely proud to launch the S.S. Joie de Vivre in Northern France in March 2017,” said Guy Young, Uniworld president. “Uniworld was one of the very first river cruise companies to sail the rivers of France, and our parent company, The Travel Corporation, has been bringing travellers from all over the world to this amazing country for over 70 years as this has been one of our most popular destinations, so our commitment to France is unwavering.”
S.S. Joie de Vivre will sail Uniworld’s popular ‘Paris & Normandy’ itinerary, and when in Paris, will dock in the heart of the city.
“We made the decision to build a 125m ship instead of 135m, so she can dock conveniently in the heart of Paris,” said Young.