Welcome to the first 2025 issue of RiverViews . Our crews are busy preparing our European fleet to start welcoming our lovely guests onboard soon.
Have you heard that Uniworld was recently named Cruise Critic’s Best River Cruise Line for Luxury? Not only that, we were also named #1 for Romance! We can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a Romance-themed issue of RiverViews. Keep on reading to see a few of our suggestions for romantic destinations to visit in 2025, learn about a new Holiday Season Cruise in Paris, discover Chef Robert’s recipe for chocolate lava cake, and more. Don’t forget to flip all the way to our back cover, where we’ve added a fun new word game to test your wits.
Warmest regards,
ELLEN BETTRIDGE CEO, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
FEBRUARY 2025
1 ELLEN’S 360° 2 UNIQUELY UNIWORLD: THE #1 RIVER CRUISE LINE FOR ROMANCE 3 ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS FOR 2025 5 A DAY WITH UNIWORLD IN PARIS 7 MAGICAL PARISIAN HOLIDAY 9 DATE NIGHT WITH UNIWORLD 11 THE WORLD IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES 12 CHEF ROBERT’S CORNER: CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE
#EXPLOREUNIWORLD UNIWORLD.COM
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
THE # 1 RIVER CRUISE LINE for Romance
According to Cruise Critic’s 2024 Best in Cruise Awards, “Uniworld’s 17 individually decorated ships provide the perfect backdrop for romance.”
We couldn’t agree more, and we’re thrilled to have been honored by the cruise experts who judge these awards. At the same time, Cruise Critic also named us the Best River Cruise Line for Luxury, owing to our elegant fleet of floating boutique hotels. Every ship we build is a passion project, designed to enhance the destinations in which it sails through its unique design scheme, custom furnishings, and bespoke details. We believe that the care we put into our ships creates an intimate, luxurious travel experience from the moment you step onboard—whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with friends and family.
ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS FOR 2025
VENICE
A candlelit dinner might be peak romance to some, but we take this concept up a notch on a visit to Saint Mark’s Basilica, which opens just for us to see the golden tiles of the church ceiling glow during a lighting ceremony without the crowds.
AMSTERDAM
While the tulips peak each spring, our affection for Amsterdam blooms yearround. Our choice date night? Stepping off the ship and into the rooftop bar of A’DAM, which offers an unparalleled 360° panoramic view of Amsterdam and its surroundings.
VIENNA
If music be the food of love, in Vienna it truly plays on. A strong musical heritage of residents like Beethoven, Mozart, and Strauss shows that Vienna has long been a desired locale for passionate people. We think the perfect evening with someone special might just be at a private Mozart & Strauss concert hosted for Uniworld guests in a historic Viennese venue.
AGRA
The Taj Mahal is a love story wrought in marble. If you’ve ever thought that “till death do us part” was not a big enough promise, then you have something in common with Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
BORDEAUX
Is wine your one true love? Bordeaux—affectionately nicknamed “Little Paris”— is France’s best-kept secret. Quaint villages and rolling vineyards are a pictureperfect backdrop for a getaway with your significant other. Think oyster tasting, sipping wine in chateaus, and strolls through medieval towns.
February is a season to celebrate love, and we want to commemorate this month by showing some affection to a few of our favorite romantic destinations. Whether your heart is fluttering for these destinations for the first time, or you are falling for them all over again, they all hold a special place in our hearts.
BRUSSELS
Chocolates & waffles, need we say more? This city has so many iconic treats, it’s impossible to choose. Good thing you don’t have to. Wander arm in arm through the streets of Brussels, stopping for every sweet treat you find along the way.
PRAGUE
While many around the world are familiar with Valentine’s Day, did you know Prague has its own holiday to celebrate love? On May 1, couples meet under trees—traditionally blossoming cherry trees—to seal their relationship with a kiss.
BUDAPEST
One of the most famous marriages might be that of Buda and Pest to become Budapest. Whether gazing up at the hills of Buda from the Danube in spring, admiring the iconic Parliament building in summer, tasting strudel in the fall or splitting a chimney cake with someone special in winter, our love of this destination is year-round.
PORTO
We are always smitten with the stunning city of Porto, where rolling hills stacked with colorful buildings are bisected by the Douro River on its way to the Atlantic Ocean, marked by a series of bridges along the way. The most romantic place to take in this view? On the deck of the S.S. São Gabriel over a glass of port.
THE NILE
Make a pilgrimage to honor the ancient Egyptian goddess of love, Hathor, at her temple in Dendera. Thanks to its remarkable preservation, you can still view a bas-relief of Cleopatra and the son she bore to Julius Ceasar—we can hardly think of a more famous couple in history.
A Day with Uniworld in PARIS
Nobody is denying it: Paris is for lovers. Whether you’re on a honeymoon trip, celebrating your anniversary, or just enjoying the opportunity to see the world with your favorite person, we think you’ll enjoy these suggestions on how to spend a romantic day in Paris during Uniworld’s Paris & Normandy river cruise.
BREAKFAST
Start your day with breakfast aboard the S.S. Joie de Vivre. When in Paris, a coffee & croissant might be tempting (especially when our pastry chef does such a wonderful job with them), but for a whirlwind of a day like this one, we’d recommend taking advantage of our gourmet breakfast buffet to fuel up.
MORNING
Join a local guide on an included tour of the Latin Quarter, where artists, writers, philosophers, and students have long found inspiration in the district’s famously bohemian feel.
LUNCH
Instead of returning to the ship for lunch, why not take the opportunity to picnic like a local? You’ll likely see plenty of them sitting on the banks—or quais —of the Seine, legs dangling over the river while they eat. After your tour of the Latin Quarter, pop into the nearest grocery store to pick up a bottle of wine, a baguette, and some delicious French cheese.
AFTERNOON
Take in the view from Sacré-Cœur—literally the “Sacred Heart” of the city. As you look down on Paris from above, share a pair of earphones and listen to Edith Piaf’s “Sous le Ciel de Paris.”
DINNER
Return to the ship for our Captain’s Farewell Reception & Dinner. It’s optional to dress up, but we think it adds to the romance of the day. Join us in the lounge for a cocktail party and disembarkation talk, then sit for a showstopping meal.
EVENING
Want to end your day in Paris in spectacular style? Book a Masterpiece Collection Retro Sidecar Illuminations Tour. Departing after dinner, this tour will take you and your partner around the city via motorbike and sidecar. Ride past the Bir Hakeim Bridge, Trocadero, and more, with a stop to toast Champagne while admiring the glittering lights of the Eiffel Tower at night.
MAGICAL PARISIAN HOLIDAY
Learn about our new cruise coming this winter
If you love the City of Light, you’ll be utterly enchanted by the way Paris flaunts its holiday spirit. From the dazzling store displays of the Haussman Boulevard shopping district—which a team of creatives spend a year developing—to a collection of Christmas markets with a French twist, Paris makes for a delightful winter getaway. Follow France’s Noël traditions further down the Seine, and you’ll find a series of cute little towns and dazzling chateaux pulling out all their seasonal finery.
WHERE DOES IT GO?
This itinerary will sail the Seine River through Paris and the Normandy countryside, but with a few points of difference from our typical Paris & Normandy itinerary, such as a deeper exploration of the Seine-Maritime region and the charming port town of Fécamp.
WHICH SHIP WILL SAIL THIS CRUISE?
Why, the S.S. Joie de Vivre, of course. We can’t wait to deck the halls of this beautiful ship, whose red palette and dark wood finishings already imbue the ship with a warm and nostalgic atmosphere.
WHO DID WE DESIGN THIS CRUISE FOR?
Past Christmas market cruisers looking for a different take on a European holiday, romantics, shoppers, or anyone who really understands the magic of Paris. Certain experiences, like the Christmas displays at the Galeries Lafayette, are really iconic elements of Parisian culture that don't occur during our typical season.
WHAT ARE WE MOST EXCITED ABOUT?
The châteaux! Home to the rulers of France for centuries, Paris and its surrounding countryside villages are replete with decadent palaces. In addition to a tour of the secret apartments at Versailles, guests on this itinerary can join private visits to Château Bizy, Château du Champ-de-Bataille, and Château de Vaux le Vicomte. It’s an itinerary built for royalty.
@chateauvlv
DATE NIGHT WITH UNIWORLD
BY TINA KISTINGER
The date night concept is universal. It’s the opportunity to break away from your daily routine and responsibilities to have a good time enjoying a social activity.
In the Uniworld universe, Nights Out range from a Swiss brewery visit and beer tasting to a private Mozart & Strauss concert to an after-hours visit of Saint Mark’s Basilica.
To me, the most incredible and unique excursion in the Uniworld collection is a visit to the Bassins de Lumières during the Brilliant Bordeaux sailing.
It’s an immersive light experience on a monumental scale. Staged at a former submarine base built in WWII, you instantly know you’ll be forever changed by this exhibit due to the building’s massive scale. This base was a strategic location for the German occupying forces and was built in the record time of 19 months.
Fast forward decades. What do you do with a building that has a deeply troubled past and is unable to be demolished because of the exorbitant expense to do so? Showcase art.
Artists saw its potential as they were fascinated by its atmosphere. Bassins de Lumières encompasses 4 wet docks and is the largest digital art center in the world. The digital exhibition is reflected on every surface including the water in the docks, which adds a whole new dimension to the visual experience.
You’re immersed in a digital exhibit that showcases major artists in the history of art and contemporary art. It will consume and fascinate you. Even if you’re not an art lover like I am, you’ll be entranced by the colors, shapes, and imagery dancing before your very eyes.
When a venue with a tortured history is transformed into a beautiful space bringing iconic works of art to life, it is truly not to be missed.
Have you spent any time browsing our new blog site yet? The article on this page is just one of the many stories you can find there. You can even write an article about your own Uniworld experiences and send it to rhc@uniworld.com for a chance to be published on Sincerely, Uniworld
SACHERTORTE
A staple of the Viennese café, a sachertorte is made by stacking two layers of rich chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam in between. The entire cake is then coated in dark chocolate. Enjoy with a side of unsweetened whipped cream and a coffee.
BLACK FOREST CAKE
Known as Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte in German, Black Forest cake consists of heavenly layers of chocolate sponge cake, whipped cream, and cherries. The most traditional versions also incorporate Kirschwasser, a spirit made from cherries.
LES GUINETTES DE CHOCOLATS
Pass by the window of a chocolatier in Bordeaux and you’ll see an eye-catching display of sweets. Amongst the most popular and enigmatic of the city are guinettes de chocolats , brandy-soaked cherries dipped in chocolate.
Chef Robert’s Corner: CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE
Surprisingly simple to make, and always a showstopper, chocolate lava cake is a great way to add a touch of romance to your next dine-in date night. Rich, chocolatey, and a touch whimsical, it’s a dish that will make anyone fall in love.
INGREDIENTS
6 eggs
1 cup sugar
6 ½ ounces dark chocolate
1 ½ sticks butter (12 tablespoons), softened
½ cup flour
PREPARATION
1. Mix eggs with sugar.
2. Melt the chocolate. Add in the butter. Add in the eggs. Add in the flour.
3. Pipe the mixture in desired forms, which should be coated with butter and sugar.
4. Refrigerate at least one hour.
5. Bake straight from the fridge in a 375° F preheated oven for 7 to 9 minutes.
6. Remove immediately from the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes, then turn the mold to remove the cake. Serve right away with fresh berries and mint garnish.
AN OUTSTANDING LOYALTY PROGRAM FOR OUR EXCEPTIONAL GUESTS
To show our appreciation for our past guests, we automatically enroll you in our River Heritage Club loyalty program, so you can begin receiving exclusive benefits, savings, and rewards reserved exclusively for our loyal guests.
EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS ON ALL CRUISES, COMBINABLE WITH ALL PROMOTIONS
An exclusive WELCOME GIFT to commemorate your membership
Complimentary IN-ROOM TREAT
waiting onboard upon arrival
Complimentary LAUNDRY service
Visit UNIWORLD.COM/RIVER-HERITAGE-CLUB for more information. plus
Members-only onboard COCKTAIL PARTY
PRIORITY NOTIFICATION on new cruises and programs
Dedicated PHONE NUMBER
Exclusive RiverViews E-NEWSLETTER
Special MEMBERS-ONLY OFFERS
Additional savings when you REFER FRIENDS OR FAMILY
*River Heritage Club savings and amenities are available to guests after completing their first Uniworld cruise. Exclusive savings are based on the cruise or cruise/tour-only price (including any upgrades and single supplement) after other cash discounts are applied. Savings are combinable with all current Uniworld promotions. Restrictions may apply.
CAN YOU GUESS THE UNI WORD ?
We’re excited to introduce a new game for our River Heritage Club readers! The rules are simple: We’ve picked a word from each article in this issue of RiverViews, in order, and arranged them vertically below. Complete all of the vertical words to guess the horizontal theme word in blue (hint: it will relate to our February theme, Romance). The first reader to submit the correct theme word to rhc@uniworld.com will be featured in our next issue!
LAST ISSUE’S VICTOR
Congratulations to Cora Fanning for being the first to identify the December 2024 Mystery Photo: S.S. Catherine Elevator
