S.S. Antoinette

Renowned for their fleet of boutique vessels that boast opulent exuberance, Uniworld is a name to be reckoned with when it comes to river cruising. Their first purpose-built ship was launched in 2011 and given the designation s/s which stands for ‘super-ship’. Based year-round on Germany’s Rhine, this unique vessel is whimsical and daring in equal measure. The inspiration for the interiors was a vision of the Palace of Versailles during the time of Marie Antoinette.

The lobby is dominated by a 10ft blue Strauss Baccarat chandelier with huge sapphires. The theme of flamboyant elegance continues throughout, with Brazilian marble representing the colours of the French flag which adorn the floors and walls. In a final nod to the palace made famous by Louis XIV, this 154-passenger vessel includes a 19th century Venetian glass mirror set above the reception desk.

There are five stateroom categories and two suite categories, each boast an eclectic colour scheme, incredibly comfortable Savoir beds and large marble bathrooms for a river vessel. Staterooms and suites on Princess Deck feature full balconies, while staterooms on Duchess Deck feature French balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows that can be opened or closed by the touch of a button. All suites are uniquely decorated with silk wall fabrics and original artwork and have enhanced amenities and services, including butler service.

Ornate is an understatement when it comes to the public rooms. The very name of the main lounge – Salon du Grand Trianon – hardly does justice to this plush room with silk taffeta curtains. The gloriously camp Bar du Leopard is decorated in muted leopard print and dove-grey velour seating. Opposite the bar is the mosaic-encrusted pool enclosed in auto-frosting glass for privacy. There’s a dedicated galley when this room becomes a reservations-only dining venue. A 1930s-style, 22-seat cinema with Dolby Surround Sound shows recently-released films after dinner.

The sumptuous Restaurant de Versailles in tones of green and white serves superb cuisine inspired by the locality of the ship. Breakfast and lunch are selected from the buffet while dinner reflects culinary virtuosity at every turn. There’s also an indoor/outdoor L’Orangerie on the Sun Deck for more casual dining with superb views. When it comes to excursions we are particularly impressed that Uniworld uses enough guides so that groups are small and sorted by activity level, so you never feel like you're part of a herd.