We had the opportunity to visit Provence aboard on the SS Catherine, Uniworld’s newly built river vessel christened by Catherine Deneuve. Gathering in Avignon, we immediately took notice of the boat’s serene, palace-like atmosphere. Pictures do not do justice to the opulence and grandeur that we experienced.
As we entered the SS Catherine, we were assisted by impeccably-dressed attendants who whisked our luggage away to the cabin. The hallways are replete with museum-quality art collections hung on silk padded walls, and as we strolled passed them, we began to anticipate our stateroom décor.
Our stateroom cabin in the primary interior color of verdant green had ample white built-ins, closets and surrounding mirrors. The lushly appointed cabin included upscale amenities by L’Occitane, luxurious bed linens, towels and robes, plus heated floors and towel racks in the marble bathrooms. Many stateroom cabins have balcony windows that electronically open to the breeze, yet have remote screening for maximum enjoyment, as you glide through the picturesque river and its numerous locks.
The stateroom cabin beds–custom made by Savoir of London–are sheer opulence and added to our dreamy experience. The Murano glass chandeliers and trim–found throughout the public rooms and the distinctively exotic design of Bar Leopard and its adjacent indoor swimming pool–add a personal designer touch, making this vessel as unique as every other in the Uniworld Fleet, all decorated by the owner, Mrs. Tollman and her daughter to suggest the grandeur of another era.
For health-conscious guests like ourselves, the state-of–the-art fitness center, swimming pool, sundeck– fit for walking, morning exercise classes, bicycles, Nordic walking sticks and “Active Excursions” — make this ideal for counteracting the caloric intake of the irresistible cuisine.
Food on board Uniworld’s SS Catherine is a virtual cornucopia of Provence and Burgundy’s most beloved classics—all done with contemporary flair. From ratatouille, fresh fish, foie gras, lamb, duck confit, quail, escargot, local fruits and vegetables to soufflés, home-made ice cream, decadent desserts and an endless array of carefully chosen and aged French cheeses. This boutique ship has something for everyone— with special requests graciously accommodated.
The daily dinner menu always includes a “Traveling Light” selection to further the resolve of guests who are determined to keep fit, while indulging in the Good Life.
Wines are selected by the Master Sommelier to showcase the region and compliment the cuisine. The complimentary wine and spirits represent the French cruising region of Provence and Burgundy. There were different wine selections each day, carefully explained by the knowledgeable Sommelier. Wine tasting on board and complementary vineyard visits, as well as optional in-depth wine tours—round out this thorough exposure to the wines of the Rhone and Burgundy.
Every port offers a wide range of complimentary excursions– taking into account various interests, activity levels and mobility issues. The guides are local and know their areas. The specially designed “Vox Box,” allows for easy access to the tour guide’s commentary, while allowing for hands-free photo ops and closer inspection of an area.
Some of the highlights of our voyage included an in-depth walking tour of the medieval village of Viviers. On this tour we had the unique opportunity to visit a local resident’s home and local artisan potter’s studio and experienced a live organ concert in St. Vincent’s Cathedral—an intimate cultural experience, organized exclusively for Uniworld guests.
Additional memorable moments included a crepe suzette demonstration by the Master Chef on board, and a breathtaking “Night Tour” of the Lyons illuminations, that were the reason that Unesco made the Historic City District of Lyons, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
In addition, the onboard guest lecturer–who elucidated the life and art of Vincent Van Gogh, a renowned artist resident of the town of Arles, which we visited
— provided meaningful insight into this famous artist’s life and times while he was living in Provence.
The staff aboard Uniworld’s SS Catherine is professional, yet informal, engaging and eager to address your every request– including complimentary laundry service, which is a rarity aboard this type of cruise. The cruising staff were particularly helpful to a distressed guest who lost her passport just before starting the cruise.
Onboard entertainment included nightly dancing to an upbeat jazz piano player and a hip singer– with local guest performers invited aboard several evenings. These local performing artists brought the “Spirit of France”– with all its cultural, local- color, grace and elegance to life via music and song.
Every port offers a wide range of complimentary excursions– taking into account various interests, activity levels and mobility issues. The guides are local and know their areas. The specially designed “Vox Box,” allows for easy access to the tour guide’s commentary, while allowing for hands-free photo ops and closer inspection of an area.
Feature Image by Michael Reiss