S.S. Joie de Vivre

Paris does not merely appear on the itinerary aboard S.S. Joie de Vivre; it follows guests onto the ship. Handcrafted furniture, antiques, original artwork and decorative influences stretching from the exuberance of the 1920s through the 1960s give the vessel the character of a floating Parisian pied-à-terre.

Its dimensions were deliberately chosen so the ship could dock in the heart of Paris. That practical detail profoundly changes the experience: the French capital is not a distant excursion reached after a long transfer, but an integral part of the Seine journey.

Only 128 guests travel aboard. Accommodation ranges from Classic and French Balcony rooms to Deluxe French Balconies, Suites and two 410-square-foot Grand Suites. Savoir beds, European duvets and marble-lined bathrooms reinforce the residential quality.

Then there is the Seine itself. Leaving Paris reveals Normandy's villages, countryside and history, with itineraries capable of combining artistic heritage, medieval architecture and important Second World War sites. The contrast between the capital and rural Normandy gives the journey far more range than its relatively compact geography might suggest.

Dining naturally leans into France. Bread, cheese, wine, regional ingredients and classic techniques provide endless inspiration, while meals become an important part of experiencing the destination rather than a break from sightseeing.

An enclosed heated swimming pool adds an unexpected element to the ship, joined by a fitness center, Serenity River Spa and the Deck de Montmartre. The latter provides open-air seating and a life-size checkerboard for relaxed afternoons above the river.

The ship can also form part of longer combinations, including journeys pairing Paris and Bordeaux or Uniworld's Cruise & Rail programs. This allows Joie de Vivre to become one chapter in a considerably larger European trip.

Among the vessels of Uniworld River Cruises, few are as inseparable from their home city. Joie de Vivre feels French before the first excursion begins, and that sense of place continues until the Seine eventually carries travelers back toward Paris.