ACWMom "Official" Trip Review-Uniworld SS Joie de Vivre-Paris to Normandy

[acwmom]

Dinner at Cafe Louise, then a nightcap at the hotel. We managed to stay awake until 9:30-not bad..

 

We slept 12 hours....and awoke to much colder temperatures, and snow!

 

We had considered using our museum passes Saturday and Sunday, but with sleeping late, and the snow, we took the advice of the ladies eating next to us at breakfast, and decided just to "saunter"

 

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[acwmom]

We had tickets to visit the Palais Garnier on Saturday. We also had another Eiffel Tower set of tickets (if Friday's weather was bad, we could go Saturday instead) since it was cold and flurrying, we started at the Carrousel Louvre. My husband likes to visit different Apple stores.

 

Our plan was to then take the metro to the Opera (on a warm day, we would have walked). It turned out that there was a public protest of the police that day, in the area near the Opera, and it was closed.

 

In addition, due to weather, the Eiffel Tower was closed, temporarily. We sauntered.....and spent some time at Galeries Lafayette, before taking the metro to Au Trappiste. (My husband was happy to find an IPA)

 

We ended the day with our private spa hour at the hotel. By this time, we had been notified of our new docking position, nearer the Eiffel Tower.

 

In the morning, we planned to have breakfast at Le Deux Magots......mainly for the hot chocolate:-) before proceeding to the ship

 

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[PNFL]

I will be doing this cruise in Aug so I am looking forward to your review. The hotel you stayed at sounds wonderful. We are planning to stay in Paris a few days before the cruise leaves.

[acwmom]

Embarkation day was finally upon us. We awoke at a more decent hour, as we knew we needed to pack up what little we had unpacked, then head to Le Deux Magot for breakfast, before heading to the ship.

 

And then, I looked at my phone.....I had received a message overnight from an Instagram follower, who happens to be a Uniworld captain. He told me that due to high water, the captain had decided to sail the ship to Mantes-la-Jolie. There would be a bus at the point of embarkation at 12, and again at 3, to transport passengers.

 

Due to this happening overnight, there was no time to contact Uniworld HQ or travel agents. Those who arrived at the airport that day, and those who were on a Uniworld pre-cruise package were informed. The rest of us were in the dark (well, not me) and the ship's staff hadn't been provided with contact info for us.

 

Suddenly, our breakfast was more hurried, as was our packing. My Instagram contact gave me the number of the hotel manager, and we were able to catch the 12pm bus. It was about a 30 minute ride to the ship (a 3 hour sail)

 

Moral of the story.....take your paperwork with the local ship contact info......if you are traveling independently. Confirm the morning of embarkation that the ship is where it is supposed to be:-)

 

Next up......the ship:-)

 

(after my visit to the optometrist)

 

Robin

[acwmom]

The bus ride was painless, and we arrived at the ship. There were between 15 to 20 of us. The crew was eagerly awaiting our arrival. We were escorted to reception, to have our photos taken, and our passports copied.

 

We initially had a middle deck French balcony room, and about a week prior to sailing, our TA was able to get us upgraded to the top deck.

 

When it was our turn to check in, we were assisted by Daniela, the hotel manager. After going through the formalities, she looked at us and said.....

 

"We have you in room 407. Ian is you Butler, and will show you to your room."

 

I was dumbfounded. The look of shock on my face was certainly obvious. A suite?!?!? I wanted to cry. And, not one, but 2 butlers!

 

So, without further delay, welcome to suite 407

 

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[jpalbny]

Wow, a suite on a Super Ship!?! That is awesome!

 

We had a suite on River Beatrice (before she was remodeled into the SS Beatrice) and it was pretty nice, but I am impressed with your upgrade. Hope you enjoyed it!

 

Good job adjusting to the docking change. :D

[acwmom]

And, the bathroom. No tub, but that's fine for us. The dual sinks were great, and we did watch the TV (show on Normandy and Mont St Michel) and used the phone:-). Just....because

 

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[SOShrink]

Robin, not to skip to the end of your essay, but I take it you docked in the normal place (Quai de Grenelle) upon return to Paris at the end?

[acwmom]

Robin, not to skip to the end of your essay, but I take it you docked in the normal place (Quai de Grenelle) upon return to Paris at the end?

 

Yes, we made it back, but that was up in the air until 1-2 days prior? We cleared the bridge by 40cm. It looks like the 4/1 departure also left from Mantes-la-Jolie, so don't know if the cruise which ended on that date made it back to the city.

 

The water was high all along our route. I'll post some pictures of how high it was in a bit.

 

Robin

[Lois R]

Congrats on the upgrade to the suite:D

[SOShrink]

Robin, This Sunday we will board and will be in 406 across the hall from your room! I will duck in to make sure you left it in one piece! Thanks for the photos of the suite. Why do women love dual sinks? Are we men really that messy!? I have another question about the end of the cruise. About when do they actually arrive back in Paris? I have been hearing conflicting things and we are trying to figure out some free time there. Steve

[acwmom]

Robin, This Sunday we will board and will be in 406 across the hall from your room! I will duck in to make sure you left it in one piece! Thanks for the photos of the suite. Why do women love dual sinks? Are we men really that messy!? I have another question about the end of the cruise. About when do they actually arrive back in Paris? I have been hearing conflicting things and we are trying to figure out some free time there. Steve

 

We took a quick peek in there. All the suites are decorated differently, and have different furnishings. We had the sofa, which pulled out to a single bed. Others had 2 chairs and a small round table, others, a desk. Please send my regards to Ion and Vi, the butlers. They were fabulous! (And, to Daniela-hotel director, and Pierre, cruise director-equally fabulous....we're the Warners, not too high maintenance:-) )

 

Sorry I've taken so long to get this review done, but work has been nuts!!! Dual sinks? More room for "stuff"....and my husband has more than me!

 

We were hoping to arrive in Paris late Friday night, so we could see the Eiffel Tower light show both nights, but we arrived in the wee hours of Saturday morning, so you will have all day Saturday. If you want to do the Moulin Rouge dinner, there are only 12 slots, and they went fast (we didn't, but the couple we were traveling with did, and had to settle for the Crazy Horse)

 

Safe travels, and...enjoy!

 

If you have any other specific questions before arrival, ask.

 

Robin

[acwmom]

Since we weren't in Paris at embarkation, we decided to stay warm, and check out the ship . First up, the lounge. I will say that the liquor selection has grown substantially.

 

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[Got2Cruise]

That lounge is gorgeous. I admit I’m one who avoided Uniworld because of the decor but it seems like they took the concept but made it more modern now. Now this ship is on my radar

 

 

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[acwmom]

Next up, The Bistro. The Bistro is adjacent to the bar, but separated by glass on each side. From 2-6 each day, light French fare is served. It is prepared in the booster itself, and cooler to order.

 

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[Lois R]

Good morning, Robin, the pictures are just awesome:D.....you may remember I went to Disney last month for my birthday..........we ate in France one evening (in Epcot);)..............had a Beef Bourguignon dish:)

 

The more I read your review, the more I want to go on this cruise:D

[PNFL]

Your review has me so excited about my trip in Aug. Time for me to start planning for my days in Paris.

[acwmom]

Next up, Club L'Esprit. I will say, I wasn't a fan of this space. A pool by day, and secondary dining venue on some nights, and a secondary bar on all nights, after completion of the Tasting Dinners. I think they also held fitness classes there in the morning.

 

The space was grossly underutilized. We did take a dip, as you can see.

 

I feel this area would do much better without the pool. perhaps have pastries and the serve-yiurself coffee bar here, instead of the hallway, in addition to the full bar.

 

We ventured there one night, and it was dead, and lacked a welcoming environment

 

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[ShyOne60]

Thank you so much for this dialogue. We are going in September, and I'm beyond excited. First time on Uniworld!

[acwmom]

Next up, the main dining room. IIRC, there were four 2-tops, a mixture of round and rectangular tables for 6 along the windows, and round booths centrally.

 

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[jklc123]

Can't tell this is a Uniworld ship from the dining room photos. Very different. Was the sound of conversations muted by the treatment of the ceiling?

[acwmom]

Can't tell this is a Uniworld ship from the dining room photos. Very different. Was the sound of conversations muted by the treatment of the ceiling?

Absolutely helped mute the sound.

 

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[acwmom]

After exploring the ship, it was time to have the muster drill and welcome meeting. Then, it was off to dinner. I remain consistent in forgetting to take a pic of the menu the first night. I'll try to wing it!

 

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[acwmom]

We spent some time in the lounge, before heading to bed. It had been a long and adventurous day, with the bus ride to the ship. The next morning.......Vernon!

 

I awoke at about 2am, and looked out the window. We were sailing through a blinding snow storm! It was crazy how much snow was falling......We must have passed under some low bridges, as well, as the sound of deck material being flattened was quite loud above our heads.

 

We woke up the next morning in snow covered Vernon. From there, we took about a 30 minute bus ride to La Roche Guyon, to see the Chateau there. On the way, we passed through Monet's gardens in Giverny. Obviously nothing was blooming, though our guide said it was due to open the following week.

 

Pictures in next post.

 

(Oh, I also forget to bring our Quietvox systems........the guide had extras:-) )

[acwmom]

Snow in France! Apparently it hadn't snowed this much here in 4 years, so we enjoyed the abberation

 

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