16 Night Edinburgh Cruise on S.S. Joie de Vivre

Arrive at Edinburgh Airport. If you have arranged a Uniworld arrival transfer, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to the Kimpton Charlotte Square for a 2-night stay. This vibrant city escape offers beautifully designed rooms, exquisite dining, and a lively glass-roofed courtyard—perfect for unwinding in the heart of Scotland’s capital. Tonight, toast the start of your journey with your fellow guests at our Welcome Dinner.

Explore the grounds of Edinburgh’s “castle on the hill,” as your guide unlocks more than 900 years of history. This afternoon, meet a former bagpiper to the royals. Additionally, you can personalize your day with a choice to either visit the 17th-century Mary King's Close or participate in a stimulating whisky tasting.

Visit Alnwick Castle with a Local Expert, uncovering its storied legacy and cinematic allure. Journey onward through the picturesque English countryside to the Lake District, where you’ll enjoy dinner and a magnificent stay at a charming country house hotel overlooking Lake Windermere.

Let the rugged beauty of the Lake District inspire you as you cruise across shimmering Ullswater. Pause for lunch at a traditional English pub before continuing to York. Stroll the cobbled lanes of The Shambles with your Travel Concierge, soaking in the city’s rich medieval charm.

Step back into the Middle Ages in York, where you’ll join an expert-led tour of the York Minster or a walk on the 13th-century city walls. Enter the stately Castle Howard through landscaped gardens before sitting down to a traditional English afternoon tea and private tour of the house.

Trace the footsteps of Shakespeare with a stroll around Stratford-upon-Avon, the playwright’s birthplace. Continue through the honey-colored villages and rolling hills of the Cotswolds before arriving in the elegant Georgian city of Bath.

Uncover the elegant history of Bath on a guided city tour, admiring its Georgian architecture and Roman legacy. Then indulge in a Michelin-starred lunch at The Olive Tree, where refined British cuisine is served in a beautifully relaxed setting. Personalize your day with a choice to either visit the Jane Austen Centre or visit the Roman Baths and Georgian Pump Room, Britain’s only natural hot springs.

Savor a relaxed start to your day before standing in awe of mysterious Stonehenge, Britain’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to London and experience the centuries-old Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London, before settling in for the evening at The Rubens at the Palace.

Hear the bells of Big Ben and admire London’s iconic landmarks, from the Houses of Parliament to Westminster Abbey. Take in the energy of Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus before visiting the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. This evening, toast your journey with a Celebration Dinner at The English Grill, a refined dining experience in regal surroundings.

Transfer via high-speed train to Paris, where your Floating Boutique HotelTM awaits. As you settle into your new home for the week, we’ll begin our cruise on the Seine River.

Today is a celebration of northern France’s natural beauty, with an excursion to a splendid château and gardens situated in an equally grand setting, plus a chance to immerse yourself in the very landscapes that inspired Impressionist master Claude Monet. In the morning, choose between a scenic hike or a visit to the hilltop Château de La Roche-Guyon, which is surrounded by beautiful gardens and offers sweeping views over the Seine. Later, explore the beautiful gardens of Monet. You'll have the opportunity to take in the French countryside on your way there with an invigorating bike ride, or opt to arrive by coach instead.

Walk in the footsteps of greatness in Normandy’s medieval capital, a city with a historic quarter that remains amazingly intact. From the cathedral Monet painted dozens of times to the cross marking the spot where Joan of Arc was martyred, Rouen is a treasure trove for the culturally curious. The roll call of famous people who lived or died in Rouen is long and varied—Richard the Lionheart, Joan of Arc, Gustave Flaubert, and Claude Monet are among them.

Caudebec-en-Caux, a lovely little town on the right bank of the Seine Estuary, is your base for one of two very different excursions. From here, drive through the beautiful Calvados countryside to Honfleur, a delightful seaside harbor and city of painters.

There are moments when we travel that move us on an otherworldly level—experiences that stir a profound emotional connection. The Normandy beaches certainly have that effect. On your full-day outing, you’ll visit Normandy’s beaches, with a choice to venture to either the American, British and Commonwealth, or Canadian beaches. After, partake in a private memorial ceremony for a sentimental remembrance of Operation Overlord.

How did France’s rulers live over the centuries? Step into the private rooms of the Palace of Versailles, the lavish palace built by the Sun King, to find out.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the “City of Light” or you’ve been here many times before, there’s something for everyone today in Paris. Enjoy a panoramic overview of the city, or join a local expert for a walk through two much-loved neighborhoods.

Disembark the ship. If you have arranged a Uniworld departure transfer, you will be transferred to Charles de Gaulle Airport for your flight home.