Written By: Guy Young, President, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
For over four decades, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection—the world’s only authentic boutique cruise line—has been transporting guests in luxury and comfort. Rated the “Best River Cruise Line” by Cruise Critic, Uniworld is committed to delivering exceptional river cruise experiences around the globe.
In Europe, Uniworld’s all-inclusive voyages offer unrivaled convenience and value with everything included in the fare—airport transfers, all meals onboard with unlimited beverages, hosted excursions with personalization options, all gratuities onboard and onshore, and Wi-Fi access. Guests cruise onboard ships designed to be as inspiring as the destinations visited, featuring the finest furnishings, original art and modern luxuries. They also enjoy the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry and dine on exquisite cuisine that earned Uniworld the recognition of “Best Culinary Cruise Line” from SAVEUR Magazine.
In more exotic locales—India, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Egypt—Uniworld provides an up-close view of some of the world’s oldest civilizations. Exploring ancient treasures by day with hosted small-group excursions and enjoying five-star hotels and all-suite ships at night, our guests can be treated to the unsurpassed Uniworld experience worldwide.
YOU DESERVE THE BEST
There’s a moment on every Uniworld boutique river cruise when it becomes clear. Maybe it’s while luxuriating in the comfort of an exceptionally appointed stateroom or suite. Or savoring yet another culinary masterpiece prepared by our master chefs. Or while experiencing the jewels of Europe from a perspective only the river can provide. A moment when your clients realize that this journey is unlike anything they’ve ever experienced and beyond anything they could have expected.
That’s because everything we do is focused on a singular goal: giving your clients the uniquely unforgettable experience they’re seeking, with the individualized, industry-leading service they deserve. From creating the only one-of-a-kind ships grand enough to provide the perfect setting for their voyage, to ensuring every detail, every flavor, every modern convenience and every moment of their time with us is designed to deliver the highest level of excellence. An excellence only Uniworld, the world’s most renowned river cruise line, can provide.
UNRIVALLED EXPERTISE
When unrivalled luxury, exceptional service, extraordinary cuisine and nautical excellence come together, the result is unmistakably Uniworld. Our connection to our sister company, the five-star Red Carnation Hotel Collection, has enabled us to tap into the expertise gained from over 50 years of owning and operating luxury boutique hotels worldwide. This expertise, combined with our four decades of experience in river cruising, enables us to deliver the same luxurious hotel experience—only on the rivers of Europe. And by maintaining full control over our entire nautical, hospitality and culinary operations—which means not outsourcing to third parties like most river cruise lines do—we can ensure a consistently exceptional experience for every guest on every cruise.
ONE-OF-A-KIND SHIPS
When exploring the great sights of Europe, it isn’t often one can say that the ship one travels on truly rivals the destinations themselves. And yet, this is more than true for Uniworld’s fleet of luxurious “floating boutique hotels.” Each ship is a work of art designed to be as unique and inspiring as the destinations it visits. Once aboard one of our award-winning ships, your clients will immediately notice the touches, artistry and amenities that set Uniworld apart. A simple walk from their sumptuous stateroom to breakfast will reveal countless original works from famous painters, master craftsmen and furniture designers commissioned exclusively for Uniworld ships.
Every element of Uniworld’s category-defining staterooms and suites are ideally suited for lazy mornings, afternoon naps, relaxing moments on the French balcony and nights of peaceful slumber. From the hand-crafted Savoir® of England bed—the same beds found in the finest hotels in Europe—complete with the highest quality linens, fluffy duvets and your choice of pillows, to the Italian marble-lined bathroom, these staterooms and suites provide all-encompassing comfort and luxury. Plus, guests staying in suites onboard each company-owned ship in Europe will enjoy special benefits, including in-suite butler service. Trained under the tutelage of Zita Langenstein of England’s Ivor Spencer Butler School, Uniworld butlers provide the unsurpassed level of service found at the finest hotels and royal houses throughout Europe.
A LEGACY OF SERVICE
Your client likes her eggs poached with the sunrise or breakfast served in her suite. She prefers a twist to a cherry, her chocolate dark and her conversation light. At Uniworld, we believe providing exceptional service begins with knowing each and every guest. By developing knowledge of their interests, their preferences and their style, we’re able to anticipate their needs. With fewer staterooms and more onboard staff than any other river cruise line, there is always a highly trained, dedicated person ready to answer any request and exceed every expectation.
Every journey is orchestrated by an experienced Cruise Manager, Hotel Manager and Restaurant Manager. All staff undergo rigorous, ongoing training to ensure the highest standard of service, and all butlers— available to guests staying in suites onboard all European company-owned ships—are trained to the same exacting standards required by Buckingham Palace. Plus, our certified onboard wellness instructors offer yoga classes, a variety of massages, personal training and more.
CULINARY EXCELLENCE
Recognized by SAVEUR Magazine as the “Best Culinary Cruise Line,” Uniworld has crafted a culinary program for the most discerning of palates. The culinary journeys experienced onboard every Uniworld river cruise are every bit as rich, varied and flavorful as the voyage itself. Working with only the freshest, highest-quality local ingredients from every destination along the river, our onboard chefs flawlessly bring to life the culinary vision and signature recipes developed by Mrs. Beatrice Tollman, founder of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Our dedication to farm-to-table culinary experiences leads us to uncover the finest foods sourced from regional farms, farmers’ markets and artisanal producers to ensure every meal embodies the unique character of each region and season.
Our culinary staff is devoted to creating the ultimate dining experience perfectly tailored to your clients’ personal palates. We do this by getting to know their tastes and preferences to ensure every meal is a memorable one that constantly exceeds expectations. This means whether they like their filet rare or well-done, have dietary restrictions or like to be a little adventurous, we provide a grand selection of menu items for even the most discerning of palates. We also provide a variety of dining venues and experiences, including early-riser breakfast, afternoon tea in the main lounge, al fresco dining in the Sky Lounge or on the Sun Deck, all-day bistro menu and more.
PERSONALIZED SHORE EXCURSIONS
Uniworld believes every traveler is unique, so we offer your clients a broader range of onshore experiences with a higher degree of personalization than any other river cruise line in Europe. Our shore excursions, ranked “Best Shore Excursions” by Cruise Critic, are tailored to match your clients’ interests and lifestyle. With a variety of personalized experiences to choose from, we are confident your clients will always find the experience they are looking for.
Our “Choice Is Yours” included excursions offer a range of activities designed to please first-time visitors and veteran travelers alike. From Vienna to Amsterdam, Paris to Avignon, your clients will be treated to multiple choices in every city that help them personalize their experience even more, with options to please even well-traveled guests.
“Go Active” hiking and biking excursions, led by local naturalists or sports guides, are the perfect way to stay fit while learning about the local history, flora and fauna. If your clients prefer to blaze their own trail, our complimentary bicycles and helmets, and Nordic walking sticks, are always available. Life tends to move a bit slower along the river, so we also offer our “Gentle Walking” excursions, which provide your clients with the chance to explore at a more relaxed pace. Whether they’re dealing with mobility issues or are simply in the mood to meander, these excursions give them plenty of time to contemplate a beautiful painting or enjoy a quiet moment at a quaint café.
To truly get to know a destination, one must become immersed into the local life. “Do as the Locals Do” excursions provide authentic encounters wherein guests walk in the shoes of local citizens—from exploring favorite meeting places to tasting beloved regional foods. Similarly, our exclusive “Village
Day” program provides an up-close look at rural European and Russian towns. Visits to local homes and workshops will provide your clients with an intimate view of modern village life.
THEMED CRUISES
Do your clients feel like indulging their inner gourmand? Have they ever imagined themselves living the life of royalty? Our all-inclusive themed cruises give them the opportunity to live out their travel fantasies through a series of once-in-a-lifetime experiences exclusive to Uniworld guests. “Monarch Collection” cruises provide exclusive insider access to Europe’s rich aristocratic heritage. Guests will be hosted at a private reception by a Habsburg princess at her castle, and go behind the scenes at Vienna’s Spanish Riding School to discover a 450-year-old equestrian tradition.
In France, “Connoisseur Collection” cruises delve into the world of French cuisine, declared a UNESCO “word intangible heritage.” Excursions include an homage to Julia Child at the famous La Couronne restaurant where she had her first French meal, a delightful visit to Château de Cazeneuve for a food and wine pairing meal and a guided search for the “black diamond” at a truffle farm with the owner and his trusted canine companion.
GENERATIONS FAMILY RIVER CRUISES
Uniworld’s Generations Family River Cruises have been voted by the readers of Travel + Leisure as #1 in the “World’s Best River Cruising for Families” category for the past four years in a row. These specialized cruises, available on select summer and winter departures of popular Uniworld itineraries, are the ideal way for your clients to introduce their children and grandchildren to Europe’s most spectacular cities, while also making memories together that will last a lifetime.
Every Uniworld Generations cruise offers a full range of onshore excursions and onboard activities—some geared for children and others tailored for tweens and teens. Two dedicated Family Hosts supervise and coordinate the onboard activities, while select local guides onshore lead the tailor-made, family-friendly excursions. As with all of Uniworld’s European cruises, Generations cruises are all-inclusive, and feature all meals onboard with kid-friendly menus, unlimited beverages, all gratuities, all scheduled transfers, and much more. Each child aged 4 through 18 can also receive 50% savings off the cruise fare when traveling with an adult.
EXPLORING THE GLOBE
Your clients can venture to the far corners of the globe in unsurpassed Uniworld style with our enticing journeys in Asia and Egypt. They can find divine inspiration in India amid the splendors of the Taj Mahal and along the sacred Ganges River, or discover the East-meets-West allure of China—from the Great Wall and the grand Yangtze to modern Hong Kong. In Southeast Asia, where lush jungles meet the shores of the Mekong and the chants of the Buddhist monks humming can be heard, they can explore the wonders of Vietnam and Cambodia. While stepping ashore to visit the myriad unforgettable sites in Egypt, your clients will be transported to an ancient world they’ll never forget. These cruise and tour itineraries feature immersive excursions hosted by English-speaking local guides, accommodations onboard all-suite ships, onshore stays in deluxe hotels, and much more.