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Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection | |
At a Glance | By the Numbers |
• Lifestyle: Luxury
• Launched: 2017
| • Passengers: 128
• Crew: 52
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Take a Bow (What to Like) | Pain in the Aft (What to Dislike) |
• Excellent Attention to Detail and Extras
• Super Comfortable Cabin Beds
• Welcome Alternative Bistro and Room Service
| • Missing Stateroom Verandas and Refrigerators
• Limited and Repeated Food Selections
• Less Than Ideal Observation Lounge Seating
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| Who Should Book | • Plush cruisers and foodies seeking a boutique hotel experience on the river.
| Who Should Skip | • Travelers looking for the greatest affordability and varied food choice.
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Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has found a fantastic design with its Joie de Vivre riverboat that future vessels for the brand would do well to be modeled after.
The ship's exterior is rather modern and swooping-even outlined in neon green light by night. On the inside, the aesthetic is a bit more like stepping back in time into classic French salons. The individual "boutique" nature of the ship really shines through with opulent appointments and fixtures (thankfully far less lavish than prior vessels in the fleet), vintage posters and photographs, richly-stained natural wood paneling and gold accents.
The layout employs four main decks that stretch the entire length of the vessel without the mezzanine staggering seen on others. The Salon Toulouse lounge and Le Restaurant Pigalle primarily occupy the front while staterooms and suites are positioned towards the back half. In the center is a grand atrium with elevator and reception and concierge desks.
Sitting in front of the salon is Le Bistrot, which itself is a handsomely designed space. However, it unfortunately blocks most of the lounge's forward viewing. Also curious are a number of the observation lounge's sofas that face inwards instead of out. For the best vistas, the sun deck is entirely uninterrupted.
As the ship sails along the Seine river, private cabins continue the Parisian design in boudoir fashion. All staterooms are spacious and feature excellent storage for a week or longer. Categories 4 and 5 are entry-level with a slit window at the top of the room, while Categories 1-3 and suites are larger with full windows that electronically open down to become marvelous French balconies.
Somewhat disappointingly, there are no exterior balconies featured in any accommodations. Also absent are refrigerators to cool the otherwise welcome included water.
Nonetheless, staterooms and suites are remarkably comfortable thanks in large part to the super plush Savoir of England beds. It is very easy to get a good night's rest in some of the very best vacation bedding anywhere.
Your electronics will also be well charged come morning with a pair of USB outlets at each nightstand as well as the dresser. One benefit to not having a veranda is a larger bathroom and shower.
Premium L'Occitane toiletries are always refreshing. A blue LED nightlight is also a thoughtful addition, as are switches to turn on or off the heated floor or towel warmer.
As you would anticipate on a riverboat, the activity focus is more ashore than onboard, and Uniworld includes many great tour options accordingly.
Yet, there is still more to do on the Joie de Vivre than one might at first realize. At the stern, the clever multipurpose L'Esprit/Claude's venue houses an interior pool with a floor that raises up to become a dining room and cinema during the evening.
There's also a great terrace overlooking the wake that has a small collection of games and magazines. Plus, there's an adjacent massage room and fitness center.
In fact, the pool itself features a powerful resistance jet that can be used for swimming simulated laps, (or it's nice to just wade relaxingly).
I didn't partake in any body treatments this time around. However, they are very reasonably priced, and others onboard had wonderful things to say about the effectiveness of the masseuse.
Joie de Vivre's dining rooms are impressively numerous. There's the main Le Restaurant Pigalle, Le Bistrot, Claude's and La Cave du Vin. By adding in room service and the progressive dinner option, the venues expand to your cabin and an interesting behind-the-scenes tour of the ship.
The latter choice and La Cave du Vin are the only ones that charge extra at 40 euros and 90 euros each per person. Everything else is complimentary-extending to all but the most top shelf beverages throughout the day-making Uniworld one of the most inclusive river cruise lines.
Another nice little bonus is the free candy bar at the stern terrace offering gummy bears, jelly raspberries and blackberries, fruit Mentos and marshmallows.
Food quality is altogether superb as French cuisine is on fine culinary display. Breakfast and lunch are available buffet style in the main dining room, where dinner is also fully served.
While it can be difficult to find something to eat outside of mealtimes on other riverboats, Le Bistrot is wonderfully open from noon to 9pm daily, and room service can be had 24 hours a day. Premium dishes may include Lobster Thermidor or Dover Sole, and guests even get in on the action of making the meal during an interactive lesson at La Cave du Vin.
Perhaps the only downside for pickier eaters is that there are seldom several course choices, and some dishes, especially Apple Tarte Tatin, repeat themselves across venues.
There is quite a large library of on-demand movies to enjoy in the cabins that are perfectly related to the itinerary and then some. Of course, there's also a decent selection of live television channels as well.
Otherwise, after dinner, Claude's becomes a cinema for watching some movies on a larger screen, and regional entertainers also come onboard to serenade guests in the lounge. The talent level of live performers varies from satisfactory to very good, but it's enough to pass the time, should you not be ready to call it a night until later.
Service is a highlight as led by the excellent charge of ace hotel manager Astrid. The crew are truly friendly and attentive, calling guests by name and picking up on personal preferences.
Altogether, the Joie de Vivre is a fine luxury ship from the Uniworld brand.
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