S.S. Joie De Vivre

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection’s new ship S.S Joie de Vivre offers an authentic French experience, says Deborah Stone, who joined the inaugural sailing from Rouen

- Deborah Stone

Uniworld’s new-build generation of boutique river ships have a reputation for being flamboyant and S.S. Joie de Vivre boasts plenty of ooh la la. The interiors are designed by Red Carnation Hotels founder and president Beatrice Tollman and daughter Toni, who has a self-confessed obsession with early 20th century France. So it’s no surprise that this ship, built to sail down the Seine from Paris, is full of Gallic-inspired fun.

S.S Joie de Vivre has the alluring, sophisticated curves of a grande dame – fitting as Dame Joan Collins is the ship’s godmother.

This is Uniworld’s first new ship for two years, following the success of S.S. Maria Theresa, which has an interior reflecting the opulence of the Austrian Habsburg Empire. And while 128-passenger S.S Joie de Vivre has similar luxurious details, it is completely different in style.