S.S. Joie de Vivre, 7 Night Magical Parisian Holiday ex Paris, France Return

For a holiday season experience that will truly take your breath away, embark on a luxury cruise on the Seine during Advent. It should come as no surprise that the City of Lights pulls out all the stops during the Season of Lights, yet Paris still manages to astonish locals and visitors alike with its festive displays. As we venture into the countryside, we’ll enjoy private visits to festively decorated chateaux, plentiful shopping opportunities, and even a few French Christmas markets.

Day 1 - Paris (Embark)
Arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

Day 2 - Paris
Embrace the holiday spirit as we ferry you around the best Christmas markets of Paris, where you’ll find delicious seasonal goodies and some excellent gifting opportunities waiting for you. Later, you’re in for a real treat: a private welcome to a beautiful château.

Day 3 - Paris, Mantes-la-Jolie (Versailles)
How did France’s rulers live over the centuries? Step into the private rooms of the Palace of Versailles, the lavish palace built by the Sun King, to find out.
* In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 4 - Rouen
Walk in the footsteps of greatness in Normandy’s medieval capital, a city with a historic quarter that remains amazingly intact. From the cathedral Monet painted dozens of times to the cross marking the spot where Joan of Arc was martyred, Rouen is a treasure trove for the culturally curious.

Day 5 - Caudebec-en-Caux
The Seine-Maritime is a breath of fresh air. An idyllic department tucked away between the Seine and France’s northwestern coastline, this area is replete with historic towns, seaports, and locals who are passionate about keeping the traditions of France alive.

Day 6 - Vernon
Fall even deeper in love with the Normandy countryside today. In addition to a private visit to “the Little Versailles,” you can spend your day sipping on farm-fresh Normandy cider.

Day 7 - Paris
Today is all about the glamor that makes Paris Paris, as we honor Parisian shopping culture with a walking tour of the city’s famous seasonal window displays, complete with a visit to the opera house.
* In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 8 - Paris (Disembark)
Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Charles de Gaulle Airport for your flight home.

S.S. Joie de Vivre brings the “joy of living” to the rivers of France. Step aboard your floating pied-à-terre in France, featuring handcrafted furniture and fine antiques, original artwork, and signature accents inspired by 20th-century Parisian design from the Golden Twenties to the free-spirited Sixties, all blending seamlessly with modern conveniences.


Note: Designated suites provide triple-accommodation options. Adjoining staterooms are available; please inquire at the time of booking.

Leading the Way since 1976
We were the first American company to set sail in Europe, and we’ve been revolutionizing the landscape of river cruising ever since. With more experience than practically any other line on the rivers, we spent our time developing deep local connections, destination expertise, and the most incredible crew in the industry. Over the years we’ve grown to offer unparalleled itineraries on the rivers of Europe, Egypt, India, Southeast Asia, and the Peruvian Amazon.

The Original Floating Boutique Hotels
We took everything travellers love about boutique hotels and made it float—think warm and personalized service, unique design schemes that highlight your destination, locally-inspired dining, thoughtfully curated activities, and ultra-comfortable furnishings. Each member of our fleet is one-of-a-kind, a work of art with its own bespoke details, custom fabrics, and local craftsmanship to bring the destinations outside in. Many of our ships even share a design team with the award-winning Red Carnation Hotel Collection. And the best part is, you’ll wake up to a wonderful new place to explore every day.

The Highest Quality in All-Inclusive Luxury River Cruising
Our all-inclusive itineraries are tailored to deliver authentic luxury. You can keep your wallet closed the entire trip, and still find everything you need and more to have a fantastic time. What truly distinguishes the meaning of “All-Inclusive” at Uniworld is our commitment to quality and passion for Tiny Noticeable Touches™. Handmade Savoir beds, a wide selection of premium wines and spirits, and delicious cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients—every piece of the Uniworld experience is hand selected to transform good experiences into exceptional ones.*

No Request Too Large, No Detail Too Small®
“No request too large, no detail too small”—that’s our driving ethos, and every member of the Uniworld crew lives by it. Our service is second to none. With a 2.4-to-1 crew-to-guest ratio and the longest tenured team in the business, our team starts to learn your name and your drink order from day 1. It’s little touches like this that make you feel like family onboard with us, and what makes returning for your next sailing feel like coming home.

Our Travel Family
We’re proud to be a part of The Travel Corporation (TTC) collection of award-winning travel brands—including Trafalgar Tours, Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Contiki, and African Travel. We share a collective ethos: treat your guests, your staff, and the local communities you visit like family, and you’ll create the most rewarding travel experiences out there.

*Note: Inclusions may vary in Egypt, Asia, and Peru.