Because the solar gleamed on the reproduction Statute of Liberty, overlooking the River Seine, in Paris, the band started to play There Is Nothing Like A Dame.
Big crowds jostled for the very best view as digicam bulbs flashed and TV cameras whirred.
Dame Joan Collins was making a sometimes flamboyant entrance. Wearing white from high to toe – the gleaming buttons on her swimsuit embossed with anchors ‘ the star was formally christening the SS Joie de Vivre.
Hollywood stylish: Joan Collins christens the SS Joie de Vivre, which has 54 luxurious suites, eight junior and two royal suites
‘I’m godmother to 13 kids,’ declared Dame Joan. ‘Now, for the primary time, I’m godmother to a ship.’
The river cruise ship, with its 54 suites, eight junior and two royal suites, has lavish decor that features antiques and artworks from Sotheby’s and Christie’s public sale homes.
Minutes after the champagne bottles smashed into the facet of the 128-passenger Uniworld ship, it glided previous the Eiffel Tower on its strategy to the wonderful Palace of Versailles after which Normandy seashores.
River cruising has enormous benefits and, at 125 metres in size moderately than the usual 135 metres, the Joie de Vivre can dock effortlessly within the coronary heart of cities akin to Paris, making journeys into the centre a cinch.
The river cruise ship has lavish decor that features antiques and artworks from Sotheby’s and Christie’s public sale homes
Style of the excessive life: All the rooms are completed to a excessive spec, with polished wooden ending and marble counter tops
I walked, others jogged or cycled. Whereas some took a guided journey behind the scenes at The Ritz and Rodin Museum, I disappeared to the highest of the Eiffel Tower for fabulous views.
Others stayed on board, having fun with lunch al fresco.
By breakfast the following day, we have been moored for the journey spherical Versailles.
The information saved speaking as we walked into the royal bedchamber and my thoughts drifted to BBC Two’s bawdy drama about Louis XIV’s extravagant palace.
The room abruptly took on an entire new which means.
To Normandy the following day, and the eerily quiet Utah Seashore the place U.S. troops have been hit by lethal enemy fireplace throughout the D-Day landings.
S S Joie de Vivre was constructed at 410 ft versus the usual 443 ft, permitting it to dock within the coronary heart of Paris
Arising roses: The bogs within the cabins are gentle and ethereal, with plush white towels and opulent toiletries
Match for a king or queen: All rooms are decked out with made-to-order Savoir of England beds
The 170-acre American cemetery – the primary on European soil – is particularly transferring, containing the graves of 9,387 troopers.
We additionally moored on the lovely metropolis of Rouen.
Then the ship set off once more, purring by means of the water hardly making a noise.
I gave Monet’s backyard at Giverny a miss to take pleasure in Le Membership l’Esprit, an space devoted to well being and well-being with a day spa, health centre and indoor heated pool.
By night time, hydraulic flooring flip the pool right into a dance flooring or out of doors cinema.
As Joan Collins was nonetheless with us, we opted for dancing to but extra refrains of There Is Nothing Like A Dame.
