They may seem small in comparison to their ocean-going cousins, but river cruise ships are getting bigger and better.
Their physical size is, of course, limited by the nature of the waterways they traverse — especially the bridges that restrict their height. But the onboard offering is improving all the time.
An example is the newly launched S.S. Joie de Vivre, which will ply the Seine from March 2017. According to its operator, Uniworld, the 128-passenger vessel “is a showcase for handcrafted furniture, sumptuous fabrics, beautiful antiques, gilded accents and every modern convenience”.
The salon features a full-service bar and art and antiques curated from renowned auction houses and private collections.
And there are three dining venues — Le Restaurant Pigalle, Bistro Saint-Germain and Café Flore.
The Joie de Vivre features two royal suites, eight junior suites, and 54 staterooms, “all with made-to-order Savoir of England beds and marble-lined bathrooms”.
It seems fitting that the vessel’s godmother is screen actress and British -born Francophile Dame Joan Collins.
The cost of a seven-day cruise starts at about US$2,800 per person twin share.
