5 days ago
Five things to know before you board a Uniworld Boutique River Cruises ship
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises (to give the company its full title) is the stately doyenne of the river cruise world, known for its fleet of lavish ships brimming with extravagant touches and decorative themes inspired by the countries they sail through.
The Los Angeles-based line revels in its reputation for flamboyant luxury: original artworks by Picasso, Chagall and Matisse adorn elaborately decorated walls, while immaculately uniformed staff and white-gloved butlers add to an ambience of exquisite exclusivity.
To some, such ostentation may seem over the top, but impressive attention to detail and haute cuisine dining add flair to sailings, which are described as the most all-inclusive on the rivers.
Having been founded in 1976, Uniworld is one of the longest-established river cruise operators and claims to have been the first American company to debut on Europe's waterways that same year.
In 2004, Uniworld joined the Tollman-family owned The Travel Corporation (TTC) and launched new Super Ships, whose décor was inspired by its then sister company Red Carnation Hotel Collection.
As the company grew, Uniworld expanded geographically and added the rivers of Egypt, Asia and South America to its portfolio in addition to adding zing to itineraries with mystery cruises, river and rail combinations, plus cruise-and-stay holidays. The line has even launched its own river equivalent of a world cruise.
Uniworld was one of the first to offer family-friendly river voyages with its Generations family programme aimed at tempting younger guests onboard.
The outfit also debuted a Make Travel Matter programme of sustainable shore experiences for guests as part of an overall eco-friendly strategy that also involved cutting food waste and eliminating single use plastics.
In summer 2024, TTC and brands, including Uniworld and sister companies Trafalgar Tours and Insight Vacations, were sold to asset management firm Apollo. A few months later the line announced plans to expand its fleet further with three new Super Ships set to debut in 2027.
1. Where does Uniworld sail?
It covers 17 rivers in 26 countries, though European heavyweights the Rhine and the Danube are the mainstay of Uniworld's programme, with classic sailings between Amsterdam and Basel that take in the castles of the spectacular Rhine Gorge along the former.
On the Danube, Uniworld offers quintessential cruises between Budapest and Passau that feature the European capitals of Vienna and Bratislava, and sail beyond Budapest to follow the Danube's eastern stretch through Serbia and Bulgaria to Romanian capital Bucharest.
Some sailings feature the Main and Moselle rivers, following routes between Belgrade and Nuremberg or Vienna. There are also voyages to the Dutch bulb fields and Christmas markets.
In France, Uniworld cruises the Seine on round-trip voyages from Paris to Normandy, and the Rhone between Lyon and Arles and the wine-rich waterways around Bordeaux.
Elsewhere in Portugal, voyages through port country are offered along the Douro.
Uniworld is one of the few lines to offer sailings through the Venetian lagoon, visiting its lesser-known corners among the islands of Chioggia, Burano and Mazzorbo.
In India, Ganges cruises are combined with the Golden Triangle tours or the Maharajas' Express train, while Nile cruises are twinned with stays in Cairo.
Uniworld also cruises the Mekong through Vietnam and Cambodia – with sailings between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi – and in South America there are packages that combine the Peruvian Amazon with Machu Picchu.
Themed cruises focus on golf, music, families and Jewish heritage, and there are women-only sailings too. There are also themed experiences on regular voyages with Village Days (whereby guests can meet locals); Let's Go, an active programme of pursuits including hiking, biking and kayaking; and Nights Out with evening entertainment ashore.
Uniworld is increasingly adding tours and hotel stays to river cruises for its 'Spectacular Journeys' series and is twinning more cruises with trains for luxury rail-and-sail packages. Its Rivers of the World cruises generally last around 50 nights, and incorporate at least four rivers across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
2. Who does Uniworld appeal to?
Its upscale ambience appeals to a sophisticated and moneyed set of mainly Americans, followed by a growing number of British and Australian cruisers.
Guests are generally retired (the average age of British guests is 65), well-travelled couples, but this mix changes on family-friendly Generations departures when the age range varies from four years upwards with a number of multi-generational family groups.
The line is also increasingly popular with solo travellers.
3. The fleet
This currently stands at 17 with the lion's share accounted for by Uniworld's Super Ships. These are described as floating boutique hotels but are arguably more reminiscent of pocket-size palaces owing to their grand chandeliers, elegant antiques, voluminous drapes and marble-swathed staircases.
Super Ships
Sails to: Europe and Egypt (SS Sphinx)
SS Antoinette (152 passengers)
SS Beatrice (148 passengers)
SS Bon Voyage (124 passengers)
SS Catherine (158 passengers)
SS Elisabeth (110 passengers)
SS Joie de Vivre (128 passengers)
SS La Venezia (126 passengers)
SS Maria Theresa (150 passengers)
SS Sao Gabriel (98 passengers)
SS Victoria (110 passengers)
SS Sphinx (84 passengers)
There are currently 11 Super Ships (with a 12 th, SS Emilie, due in 2026), representing what Uniworld terms as 'unsurpassed luxury.'
Hallmark features include larger public areas, multiple dining venues and lavish décor that is inspired by the style of the destinations they sail through.
Some Super Ships have ornate swimming pools; others have pocket-size spas or small cinemas.
When it comes to show-stopping features, SS Antionette's reception is dominated by a stunning chandelier that used to hang in New York's famous Tavern on the Green restaurant, while the SS Maria Theresa is said to be the only ship on the rivers with hand-painted ceiling frescos.
Rest of the fleet
Sails to: Europe (River Duchess and River Princess); Egypt (River Tosca); Vietnam and Cambodia (Mekong Jewel); India (Ganges Voyager II); South America (Aria Amazon)
River Duchess (130 passengers)
River Princess (128 passengers)
River Tosca (82 passengers)
Mekong Jewel (68 passengers)
Ganges Voyager II (56 passengers)
Aria Amazon (32 passengers)
These smaller ships in Uniworld's fleet are similarly luxurious and imaginatively decorated with the River Duchess and River Princess in particular having striking colour palettes.
River Tosca and Mekong Jewel both have more of an exotic flavour, each with a sun-deck and swimming pool, while Ganges Voyager II and Aria Amazon are equally luxurious, reflecting the countries they sail through. All four are chartered by Uniworld.
4. Loyalty scheme
Guests are automatically enrolled into the River Heritage Club after their first sailing where, following a welcome gift, they are eligible for special savings on all sailings and other perks that include an invitation to the captain's cocktail party, complimentary laundry and savings with TTC sister brands.
5. Access for guests with disabilities
Some Uniworld ships have elevators and the line does its best to accommodate guests with varying medical and mobility needs. Passengers are asked to contact Uniworld on 0808 168 9231 to discuss their needs prior to booking.
About our expert
After finding her sea legs 20 years ago, Sarah has gone with the flow on around 200 voyages across the world's oceans and rivers, with Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands scoring as her all-time favourites.
