Immaculately dressed in a pink pants suit and topped with a pink hat, veteran actress Joan Collins poured a glass of champagne over the ship’s bell and officially christened Uniworld’s newest ship Joie de Vivre in Paris.

Ms Collins could not hide her delight – after all, she is the godmother of the ship as it set sail on her maiden voyage on the Seine River yesterday.

“Godmother Dame Joan epitomises the same “joy of living” philosophy embodied by SS Joie de Vivre ,’’  Uniworld President and CEO, Ellen Bettridge says.

The 125-metre ship can accommodate 128 guests. It has two royal suites, eight junior suites and 54 staterooms. The design of the ship’s interiors is French inspired with rich and colourful fabrics and handcrafted furniture.

Farm-to-table cuisine is offered at the ship’s Restaurant Le Pigalle, Salon Toulouse and Le Bistrot.  There is also a private dining speciality restaurant, Le Cave des Vins where guests can select fresh ingredients and prepare a seven-course meal with onboard chefs.

The ship’s pool has a hydraulic floor which transforms the space into a French supper club called Claude at night. Here guests can dine on a tapas menu while listening to live music.  For a few nights during a journey, Claude will turn into an open-air cinema.

Sailings on the Joie de Vivre this year will run from April 2 to December 27.