The next time you’re considering cruising, a river cruise is an ideal choice. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, our sister company in The Travel Corporation, takes guests on all-inclusive, luxury tours in Europe, Asia, Egypt and Peru onboard gorgeously appointed floating hotels.
Grand Suite on the S.S. Joie de Vivre in Northern France
Traveling on small ships with fewer guests, you enjoy more personal space and more personalized service. Your fellow passengers will number in the dozens instead of the thousands, and you’ll never find yourself waiting in those long embarkation and disembarkation lines.
What we find most attractive about river cruising, however, is how well it immerses travelers in their destinations. Small river ships can travel far past the coastline to places ocean liners can’t reach and bring you to both major cities and hidden gem towns along the way. You’ll also find yourself in constant proximity to land, immersed in your destination through river views at all times. The best part? River ships can dock in the heart of town, so you can step right off the boat and into the action.
The S.S. Bon Voyage, docked on the banks of Libourne in France’s Bordeaux region
If you’re planning to take a river cruise, you’ll find the Luxury Gold standard of excellence met only by Uniworld. Many lines will offer “all-inclusive” amenities, but only Uniworld delivers the highest degree of luxury inclusions. A variety of carefully curated excursions at every port, daily fitness classes, all onboard gratuities, 3 meals a day with regionally inspired dishes and fresh, local ingredients, plus unlimited fine wines, beers and spirits are just the start of it.
Sommelier-lead wine tasting onboard the S.S. Maria Theresa, sailing the Danube River
Uniworld’s claim to fame is its fleet of floating boutique hotels. Inspired by the destinations through which they cruise, every ship is beautifully decorated down to the finest details. Each stands apart with elegant color palettes, sumptuous furnishings, original artwork, custom fabrics and spacious suites with all-marble bathrooms. No two Uniworld ships—or even suites for that matter—are alike. And everything onboard is crafted to reflect your destination, from the design to their included onboard experiences (think cooking classes, local entertainment, fascinating lectures, and more).
Suite onboard the new S.S. La Venezia, sailing the Venice Lagoon and Po River
You’ll find the highest standards of service onboard with Uniworld. The crews are passionate about going the extra mile to give guests an unforgettable experience, with friendly and dedicated teams that live by the motto “no request is too large, no detail is too small”. Suite guests enjoy the service of butlers trained by the same rigorous team that prepares butlers for work at Buckingham Palace.
Butler delivering room service to a suite guest onboard the S.S. Maria Theresa
Onshore experiences with Uniworld are all about getting to know your destination intimately, and they offer a wide range of excursions aimed at helping you do just that. “Village Day” outings bring you to charming small towns and introduce you to the people who call them home—perhaps a local potter in their shop, or a winemaker ready to take you on a tasting tour through their vineyards. On “Do as the Locals Do” tours, you’ll follow an expert local guide through their cities to see the less touristy sides of major destinations like Paris or Venice. And if active adventures are more your style, “Let’s Go” excursions take you on hikes, bike rides and more through picturesque locations.
Vineyard tour and Riesling tasting at Castle Vollrads in the Rheingau
As our sister company in The Travel Corporation (TTC), we know Uniworld well, which is why we’re so excited to introduce this experience to you. While Luxury Gold is the TTC brand led by the experienced hand of Stanley Tollman, our Chairman, Uniworld is guided by his wife. Her elegance and dedication to personalized service for every guest form the backbone of the Uniworld ethos.
And, of course, as a TTC brand, we are pleased to be able to guarantee to you that Uniworld operates with the same commitment to environmental and community welfare that we have. In partnership with the TreadRight Foundation, Uniworld works to make travel matter for the planet, for wildlife and for the people whose communities they visit.
Visiting the Iraq Al-Amir Women’s Cooperative in Jordan
Plus, after spending over a year at home, now’s the time to go big. Make the most out of your cruise with Uniworld on a journey to bucket-list destinations like Machu Picchu or the Mekong River. Or enjoy an extra-long vacation abroad on an “Ultimate” river cruise that combines multiple trips for up to 25 days of travel! Here are some of our favorite Uniworld itineraries:
PERUVIAN AMAZON & MACHU PICCHU EXPLORATION
15 days from Lima to Lima
Explore Lima’s colorful architecture, the bohemian district of Barranco and the San Francisco Monastery before journeying into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Admire the diverse flora and fauna as you kayak, swim and hike through the Peruvian Amazon. After your cruise, you’ll discover Cusco and the Sacred Valley, the heartlands of the Inkan Empire, and the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu.
Skiff ride in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
Your ship for this journey is designed to explore the Peruvian Amazon in luxury and comfort. An all-suite ship with floor-to-ceiling windows, the Aria Amazon gives you a full view of the majestic rivers and rainforest. The top deck features a jacuzzi, indoor lounge & bar and an outdoor observation deck. With all-inclusive amenities and five-star cuisine by top chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, this luxurious ship is guaranteed to give you an intimate and immersive experience.
Suite with floor-to-ceiling windows onboard the Aria Amazon
MILAN, VENICE & THE GEMS OF NORTHERN ITALY
10 days from Milan to Venice
Food, wine, art, architecture and, of course, romance—this itinerary has it all. Northern Italy is a region that will delight all your senses. Sample rare Amarone wines during a paired lunch at the estate run by the descendants of Dante, soak in the serenity of Chioggia on a traditional bragozzo ride and learn to make pasta with an Italian chef in Bologna.
The canals of Venice
Guests sailing this itinerary in 2021 will be the first to step onboard Uniworld’s newest Super Ship, the S.S. La Venezia. Her design drew influence from the fine Fortuny fabrics displayed prominently onboard. Murano glass, gilded accents and artistic etched elements pay homage to popular Venetian aesthetics of the early 20th century, creating an onboard atmosphere that is at once elegant and nostalgic.
Restaurante Rialto onboard the S.S. La Venezia.
TIMELESS WONDERS OF VIETNAM, CAMBODIA & THE MEKONG
13 days from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap
Vietnam and Cambodia are two countries rich in stories and overflowing with breathtaking sights. This cruise will take you to the famous temples of Angkor Wat and the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh, while also introducing you to locals in smaller villages. Supporting local communities is an integral part of this experience, and you will have an opportunity to make an impact as you tour villages, are welcomed into homes and help teach local school children English.
Ha Long Bay
The Mekong Jewel is the newest and most luxurious ship on the Mekong river. This all-suite Super Ship includes two dining venues: one main restaurant and an al fresco eatery on the upper deck. It was constructed with sustainable, eco-friendly materials, and features a swimming pool, spa, sauna and steam room, gym, hair salon, nail bar, two lounges and a library.
Sundeck pool onboard the Mekong Jewel
Suite onboard the Mekong Jewel
ULTIMATE FRANCE
22 days from Bordeaux to Avignon
This triumvirate of France brings you the very best of each region—Paris and the Normandy coast in the north, vineyard-rich Bordeaux in the southwest and the Mediterranean delights of Burgundy and Provence. You’ll tour glamorous capital cities, explore ancient villages still unspoiled by modern life and walk in the footsteps of famous artists such as Monet and Van Gogh. All the while, savor the renowned wines and cooking traditions that have made French cuisine the most revered in the world.
Village in Provence
You’ll stay onboard a trio of stunning Super Ships for this voyage. The S.S. Catherine boasts opulent interiors including a two-story lobby with a specially commissioned Murano glass chandelier and whimsical life-size glass horse.
Mosaic-enclosed pool inside the Bar du Leopard onboard the S.S. Catherine
The S.S. Bon Voyage is designed to immerse guests in French culture, art and wine, from its stunning lobby clad in polished wood, subtle brass details and hand-crafted balustrade, to the stylish emerald tones found in bar Le Salon Champagne, inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s personal abode, Villa Majorelle.
The main lounge, Le Salon Champagne, onboard the S.S. Bon Voyage
And finally, the S.S. Joie de Vivre features handcrafted furniture and fine antiques, original artwork, and signature accents inspired by 20th-century Parisian design from the Golden Twenties to the free-spirited Sixties, all blending seamlessly with modern conveniences.
Bistro dining venue onboard the S.S. Joie de Vivre.
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