This was published 7 years ago
Uniworld's new 'super ship' Joie de Vivre is all about Paris
The lounge on the Uniworld river ship Joie de Vivre.
Every Uniworld river ship has a distinctive character and the newest member of the European fleet, SS "super ship" Joie de Vivre, is all about Paris. It docks within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower at the beginning and end of its eight-day Normandy cruises and the interiors of the ship are inspired by scenes from early 20th-century Parisian high life.
SS Joie de Vivre is Uniworld's 13th European river ship and was christened in Paris – naturellement – by the ageless star of screen and stage, Dame Joan Collins. The indefatigable dame has lifelong connections to France: "I hold France and its 'City of Light' close to my heart, and now, thanks to Uniworld, my ties to the beautiful country are even closer."
The Noodle Bar on the Norwegian Epic.
Work on the ship came to a halt when terrorists attacked Paris last year. At the christening ceremony, Stanley Tollman, head of the Travel Corporation (which owns Uniworld), said cancelling the construction was a mistake and he was happy to have reversed the decision. "Paris is resilient, and so are many travellers," Tollman said. "SS Joie de Vivre had to be built, as an homage to the City of Light. And it had to be Uniworld's best ship yet."
The ship sails from April to December and is already 90 per cent booked for the rest of 2017, which speaks volumes about the enduring popularity of France as a travel destination and travellers' ever-growing appetite for river cruising.
At 125 metres long, SS Joie de Vivre is smaller than its sister super ships and it accommodates a maximum of 128 passengers in considerable style. Antique furniture, framed prints and posters, and sumptuously upholstered couches and banquettes in the main lounge and dining room create a relaxing ambience similar to that in a beautiful French country hotel.
The annual Jelly Bean cruise on P&O's Pacific Explorer is for type 1 diabetics and their families and friends.
My favourite place on the ship is Le Bistrot, a small casual restaurant at the front of the ship, adjoining Salon Toulouse (the main lounge). It serves classic French bistro fare – croissants and pastries at breakfast, and French onion soup, pates, cassoulet and salads at lunchtime.
Restaurant Pigalle is the elegant main dining room and the food and wines are top-notch. A full vegetarian menu is available for dinner, which is open-seating so there's no rush at 7.30pm. Dedicated foodies can take dining to the next level with food and wine pairing events in Le Cave des Vins; bookings are essential as groups are limited to 12 and there's an extra charge.
Even more outstanding than the decor, fine wining and dining and lavish staterooms, is the service. Uniworld's motto is "no request too large, no detail too small" and everyone we met onboard was blown away by the amazing staff and crew. Bravo!
Norwegian Epic food and beverage director Stefan Antonescu.Credit: Tomo Galof
Sally Macmillan was a guest of Uniworld.
MEET THE CREW
NAME Stefan Antonescu, from Bucharest, Romania
POSITION Food and Beverage Director, Norwegian Epic
MY JOB I am in charge of provisioning three dynamic departments – the galley, restaurants and bars, with 894 people reporting to me. I co-ordinate all departments to ensure smooth service Harmony is our key to success.
A TYPICAL DAY At 6.15 I check that the breakfast set-ups and dishes are up to standard, which is a huge operation in itself for a ship of this size. We have daily briefings at 10am – ships have specific challenges such as passenger and crew safety – then I work on admin. Lunch prep starts at 11, so I oversee that – everything has to be ready 30 minutes before opening. If I can, I take a break in the afternoon before dinner prep and service starts.
FAVOURITE CRUISE MOMENT Meeting guests, helping them find their way around the ship and making them feel comfortable.
FAVOURITE CRUISE PORT Naples, in Italy. You can walk off the ship into town and it's amazing how much it has changed just in the past two years. The underground tunnels are really worth visiting.
INSIDER TIPS Treat yourself to dinner at the specialty restaurants; we have French, Italian and Japanese plus the Brazilian steakhouse Modern Churrascaria and traditional Cagney's steakhouse.
TIP
Save valuable packing space with Korjo's Compression Storage Bags. You don't need a vacuum to remove air – great when you're on the move. $19.95 for a pack of three, from www.gogogear.com.au [gogogear.com.au].
NEWS
Jelly Bean Cruise
The DANII Foundation runs an annual fun, educational cruise for type 1 diabetics (T1Ds) and their families and friends, and this year it is a 10-night Pacific islands voyage onboard P&O's newly refurbished Pacific Explorer. On the Jelly Bean Cruise there will be conferences and seminars about managing diabetes and plenty of free time to experiment with changes to a T1D's routine at sea. Experts will present info about the latest technology available to manage diabetes, particularly the initiative spearheaded by the DANII Foundation to introduce Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for under-21-year-olds in Australia. The round-trip cruise leaves Sydney on September 24 and calls at the Isle of Pines, Mystery Island, Port Vila, Lifou and Noumea. For bookings and more information about the DANII Foundation see www.danii.org.au.
Lyndey Milan
Australian home cook hero and TV food personality Lyndey Milan is joining Silversea's Silver Spirit as a guest lecturer for the 10-day cruise from Lisbon to Venice, leaving on July 7, 2017. "Not only do I love cruising, especially not having to pack and unpack, but this cruise goes to some amazing destinations," Milan says. "This gives me the opportunity to demystify all the cuisines with cooking demonstrations featuring the cuisines of Spain, Sicily and Greece." Milan relishes sharing her extensive knowledge and passion for Mediterranean food and wine and along with the cooking demonstrations there will be wine-pairing and recipes to re-create at home. Book by May 2 for free round-trip economy class airfares or a business class upgrade for $4998 per person. See www.silversea.com.
Viking voyages into the past
History buffs will be pleased to hear that Viking Ocean Cruises has introduced a Resident Historian program onboard its three ships, Viking Star, Viking Sea and the recently launched Viking Sky. Highly qualified historians will present lectures relating to the destinations visited on each cruise as well as conducting round-table discussions about, for example, women explorers; host history-themed dinner discussions; be available during "office hours" for one-on-one time with guests; and be around to answer guests' specific questions. Viking also has an exclusive partnership with Oslo's Munch Museum for its Munch Moments events and works with New York's Metropolitan Opera to bring Puccini's classic love story "La Bohème" to guests. See vikingcruises.com.au/oceans.
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Get in quick for MyCruises' top-value, eight-night Fiji fly/stay/cruise package with Blue Lagoon Cruises. This special offer includes a three-night island cruise aboard the boutique ship Fijian Princess, in an Orchid Deck cabin; a three-night stay at Paradise Cove Resort in the Yasawa Islands; two nights' pre or post-cruise accommodation at the Sofitel Resort & Spa, Denarau Island; and return airfares from Australia. From $2990, when booked by April 28. Phone 1300 69 2784. See mycruises.com.au.
MORE DEALS
ROYAL CARIBBEAN's annual family sale means kids can cruise from $39 a day and parents receive 30 per cent off fares, on cruises leaving Australia between September 2017 and April 2018. For example, fares start at $2059 for a family of four on Explorer of the Seas' six-night Tasmania cruise, leaving Sydney on December 9. Book by April 28; phone 1800 754 500. See royalcaribbean.com.au.
CRUISE TRAVELLER's new 17-night luxury rail/sail package combines a three-night gold-service Indian Pacific rail trip from Sydney to Perth with a 12-night cruise from Fremantle to Sydney onboard all-inclusive Crystal Symphony. Accommodation in Perth and transfers are part of the deal. Departing in February, fares start from $6995 when booked by May 31. Phone 1800 507 777. See cruisetraveller.com.au.
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