The
Uniworld
River Royal Ship:
I was invited to the naming ceremonies on April 7th and inaugural sailing of the Uniworld River Royale which will be traveling the rivers of Province in
Southern France .We flew a direct Air flight 8 hours from
Atlanta to
Paris . The plane was almost full. Whenever we fly I book the two outside seats of a group of three as these are the last to be filled. Out and back we had an empty seat between us. The plane was a 777 with a video system including music movies video games and much more. The meals were excellent for airline food with drinks, wine and liquors included in economy. The service was very pleasant and efficient.
We stayed in
Paris about 2 blocks from the
Eiffel
Tower and could see the top from our hotel window. A wonderful area which included Bistros, Boulangeries and many specialty food stores within one block. There was a shop across from the hotel that sold nothing but pates and had been doing so since 1884. Because of the decline of the dollar the cost of living to us tourists in
Paris is high. Café au lait with no free refills about $5. A simple lunch for two sharing a salad $32. We did manage to visit Givernay and Versailes along with a few
Paris museums.
We took the TGV from Gare de Lyon station in
Paris to
Lyon to pick up the ship. Be warned; do not change currency in the train station! The train trip was a little under 2 hours to cover 400 kilometers at a cost of $40. It was a very comfortable journey. There are assigned seats and plenty of room to store suitcases at the end of the carriage. On the return we were able to take a train directly to the Charles De Gaule airport. Even though for reasons beyond our control we missed our assigned trains twice it was very simple to exchange the ticket for the next train with no extra charges. In the station there are signs above certain windows that say “we speak English.”
The naming ceremony took place on a beautiful spring day. A group of renaissance musicians and dancers paraded the ship.
The staff gathered. The ship was blessed and the bottle of champagne was cracked on the hull by Victoria Stevenson wife of Brian Stevenson President and CEO of Uniworld
The
Uniworld
River Royal Ship:
This is the “state of the art” river cruise vessel.
- Flat Screen TV’s
- Bow thrusters
- Elevator
- Chair Lift to Upper Deck
- WiFi throughout the ship
- Internet café
- Ice machines available to guests
- Library
- Fitness center
- Beauty Salon and massage therapy
- Currency exchange
- Four Lounges
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A Beautiful design. “Tres Chic” as the French say. The colors fabrics and designs fit perfectly for the
Provence area famous for fine wines and gourmet food. You will find deep, comfortable chairs and sofas along with elegant furnishings, custom leathers, walnut paneling and marble used throughout the ship.
Staterooms, up to 162 square feet, offer generous storage space for clothes and belongings. French-style balcony doors (Category 1) and wide picture windows (Category 2) let you enjoy the sights of the ever-changing scenery.
Stateroom highlights
· Flat Screen TV with CNN/BBC/Ships Camera/Route Map/Travel Channel and Sports programming.
Many lights, 110 plugs for computer and electric razors. Telephone with ship to shore satellite calling, Heating and cooling.
Huge windows, sliding floor to ceiling windows on upper levels.
Cotton Robes, down comforters and a selection of pillow varieties.
Safety Deposit box
Hotel style bed with separate or together configurations available in many cabins
Self service launderette
The Restaurant:
Breakfast and Lunch excellent buffet style setting:
Breakfast includes fruits, cereals, yogurts, meats and cheeses along with cooked to order eggs.
Lunch: Many salads, cold cuts and cheeses along with hot plated food service.
Dinner: Many courses with a main course selection of meat, fish or vegetarian option.
Seating: tables available from four to eight seating. Eat with who you want.
Excellent selection of local and international wines.
Young and very pleasant wait staff from
Eastern Europe who try very hard.
Night time activities: As dinner is taken at a leisurely comfortable pace there is not a lot of time for entertainment. There is some type of musical ensemble playing with one night taken by an exotic French Cabaret
I think that Uniworld has hit a home run with this ship. The company president stated that this is the first of a new breed of river cruise ships. They will have upgraded amenities and sophisticated shore excursions.
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The Shore excursions: Each night there is a port talk for the following day. The shore excursions had been very well organized and above the norm for most river cruises. Here are the ship’s shore excursions with my notes regarding my “Special Item Favorites”
Located in the heart of
Burgundy , Châlon is an important center for ’s wine trade. From Châlon, journey to Beaune to visit the famous Hospices de Beaune. Founded in the 15th century, the hospices were given vineyards so they could make wine to support charities, and today the tradition continues. Join us for wine tasting and indulge in some fine vintages of the region.
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Enjoy a walk through Mâcon along the old paved streets of the “Heritage Trail,” highlighting the town’s architectural wealth. Witness its long and rich history as one of ’s major commercial wine centers.
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Lyon is best known for its Gallo-Roman history, as well as its reputation as the culinary capital of . Explore the beautiful Renaissance quarter and shop at many luxurious boutiques. Stroll through the famous local market, open on Sundays, and sample regional food and wine. Indulge your culinary yearnings at an exclusive dinner ashore. Bon appetite!
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Visit one of ’s oldest cities, Tournon, set amidst a beautiful landscape of vineyards and fruit trees. This lovely place is also home to Valrhona, a world-famous chocolate factory that dates back to 1924 – the perfect way to indulge your sweet tooth. The chocolate tasting included a lesson in the “Art of Chocolate at Valrhona the first to offer chocolate with 70% cocoa guanaja” This facility trains more than 200 specialists each year in the “Art of Chocolate” Taste the wonderful wines of Côtes du Rhône Hermitage vineyards. The wine tasting included samplings of local cheeses, meats, breads and sausages of the region.
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Located in one of the most beautiful areas in
Southern France , Viviers has retained its
Old World charm. The town was developed around its Romanesque cathedral, with facade, porch, and solitary tower that still survive today. Enjoy a privately-arranged organ demonstration. The concert was excellent with a 1 hour selection of non church music in a perfect acoustical setting. We bought the CD of the artist
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Nestled in the lush hills of the
Rhône
Valley lies the Medieval walled city of
Avignon . Named the “City of the Popes,” it was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century, when its “Palais des Papes” was the equivalent of today’s . Inside the Palais, a room is reserved for tasting the wonderful wines of the region.
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Its lush vineyards, delicious wines and colorful scenery have inspired great artists for centuries. Discover the beauty and warmth that makes
Provence one of the most beautiful places on earth.
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Discover sun-drenched vistas and ancient monuments that inspired Van Gogh including Night Café, The Yellow Room, Starry night over the
Rhone . He painted more than 300 paintings here before cutting off his ear and being asked to leave. Known as the “Little Rome of Gaul,” a stroll through the narrow and winding streets of Arles is like stepping back in time. Enjoy the many cafés located by the Place du Forum and the Place Voltaire, as well as designer boutiques.
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This is a great way to experience
Southern France . The river cruise including meals and shore excursions offer an exceptional value. Contact me at mike@riverdiscounts.com
South Of France Review
