The Uniworld River Heritage Club E-Newsletter
March 2022
In This Issue
March 2022
1 Ellen’s 360°
5 Meet our Egyptian Super Ship
2 Cruise Back into Travel on The Rhine, Main and Danube
7 Uniquely Uniworld: Our Family of Luxury Brands
3 Top 22 Experiences of 2022
8 From the Kitchen of Bea Tollman: The Best Dover Sole in London
#ExploreUniworld
ELLEN’S
360° Greetings to all of our River Heritage Club members! I’m so excited for all the travels on which we’ll be embarking together this year. There’s so much to look forward to in the coming months, from our ongoing voyages on the brand-new S.S. Sphinx to the return of our Rhine, Main & Danube sailing season. Take a closer look at this issue of RiverViews to get inspired for your future vacations! Also in this issue of RiverViews, you’ll get to meet one of our amazing sister-brands, Luxury Gold, and see our Top 22 Experiences of 2022. And of course, we’ll be sharing another delicious recipe from Bea Tollman, a guest-favorite at one of her Red Carnation hotel properties in London. Our Europe sailing season kicks off on March 13, and we hope to see you onboard with us soon. Until then, enjoy your reading! Happy travels,
ELLEN BETTRIDGE CEO Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
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CRUISE BACK INTO TRAVEL ON
The Rhine, Main & Danube Central Europe makes for the classic river cruising journey, which finds its best iteration with Uniworld. Our floating boutique hotels, each a reflection of the rivers and regions through which they sail, help you make the most of these incredible destinations with delicious, locally inspired cuisine sourced from nearby farmers, a variety of immersive onshore experiences and a crew passionate about giving you an experience to remember.
THE RHINE
The longest river in Germany, the Rhine extends to flow through Switzerland, France and the Netherlands as well. A sailing along the Rhine is as blissful as it gets, characterized by quaint villages, plenty of vineyards and the hundreds of castles dotting its hills. Featured itineraries: Dutch Delight Castles Along the Rhine Rhine, Moselle & Blissful Baden-Baden
THE MAIN
Connecting the Rhine and the Danube, the Main cuts across Germany to link many of its most enticing locales, from the big cities to the storybook-esque towns. For travelers looking to visit the quintessential Christmas Markets this year, this is the river you won’t want to miss. Featured itineraries: Classic Germany & Amsterdam Classic Christmas Markets Grand Christmas & New Year’s
THE DANUBE
Home to charming Bavarian towns, the scenic Wachau Valley and the showstopping cities of Eastern Europe, it’s difficult to pick our favorite part of our Danube river cruises. Sailing into Budapest with the reflection of the famed Parliament building on the water, might just take the cake. Featured itineraries: Enchanting Danube Delightful Danube & Prague Highlights of Eastern Europe
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Visit the Schönbrunn Palace after hours and without the crowds so you can stroll its beautiful rooms and gardens at your leisure on Enchanting Danube.
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Take a private train to Istanbul on the ultimate journey by land, river and train: Cruise & Rail: Milan, Venice & Istanbul.
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See the world-famous Passion Play in the Bavarian town of Oberammergau, another once-in-a-decade opportunity.
Make this year one to remember by joining Uniworld on an allinclusive, luxury river cruise, during which you can expect a plethora of wonderfully unique travel experiences. Curious to know our favorites? Keep reading to get to know our Top 22 Experiences of 2022!
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Hike vineyard-covered hillsides rising above the Rhône River, stopping to sample the worldfamous Hermitage wines grown there, on Burgundy & Provence.
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See if you can count the Castles Along the Rhine as you relax on the top deck, cocktail in hand as you sail one of the world’s most serene riverscapes.
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Soak in the healing waters of Baden-Baden at the Caracalla Spa or breathe in the mineralrich air of the Sea Salt Grotto for a relaxing experience unlike any other.
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Follow an expert guide through the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, listening to stories about the Inkas and all the theories surrounding this singular piece of history.
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Decide for yourself whether the great Taj Mahal is more striking by sunrise or sunset on India’s Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges.
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Dance the night away at a Roaring 20s Party—come prepared with 1920s-themed attire or don some of the accessories we’ll provide for the occasion.
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Enjoy some Nights Out on the town with our new line of exciting evening excursions, from private after-hours tours to local nightlife experiences.
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Sit at the Chef’s Table onboard the S.S. Beatrice, where each dish is individually paired with the perfect wine and everyone has a hand in making their masterpiece.
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On Paris & Normandy, test your golfing skills in Étretat, with two nine-hole loops that take golfers right to the cliffs’ edges for fantastic views and an exhilarating game.
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Sample specialty vinegar aperitifs made from premium wines at a family-run vineyard during your Rhine Holiday Markets cruise.
Biking the charming island of Chioggia before heading into the countryside to visit a local estate to lunch on the cheeses, cured meats, wines and more grown on their farms.
Walk amongst the ancient stones of Angkor Wat, gaze at the monumental carved faces of Angkor Tom and climb the “Jungle Temple” of Ta Prohm in Cambodia.
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Join a bird-watching expedition on the Nile River as you make your way to afternoon tea at the home of a local Nubian family on Splendors of Egypt & the Nile.
Discover a new favorite meal amongst one of the many Signature Dishes from Uniworld’s very own celebrity chef, Bea Tollman, served on our ships.
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Wind down in your riverview suite after a day’s activities with fresh canapes and your favorite drink, brought by your personal butler.
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Dive deep into Europe’s Jewish history and culture on one of our Jewish Heritage cruises.
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Treat yourself to a soothing massage, facial or other service at our onboard spa.
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Experience Floriade, the spectacular Dutch World Horticultural event held once every 10 years, on our new Dutch Delight itinerary.
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Get to know destinations in a unique way on MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences that give back to local communities.
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Meet our Egyptian Super Ship
THE S.S. SPHINX
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The Lobby
The Top Deck
All of the marble for the S.S. Sphinx, including the swirling tiles of sand and blue that make up this beautiful lobby, comes from a company local to Egypt and the Middle East.
We made sure to create the perfect top deck oasis for sailings down the sundrenched Nile River, complete with a plethora of comfortable chaise lounges, a turquoise tile pool and airy cabanas inspired by ancient Egyptian barges.
One of two all-suite river ships sailing our Splendors of Egypt & the Nile itinerary, the S.S. Sphinx is our latest workof-art! Over the past couple of years, our design team worked tirelessly to continue to achieve the unexpected with yet another gorgeous member of the Uniworld fleet. Working in such unprecedented times as these, through lockdowns and travel restrictions, we partnered extensively with local artisans in sourcing and creating the bespoke elements that make the S.S. Sphinx special. The result? An incredibly authentic Egyptian design with unsurpassed elegance.
The Dining Room
The Suites
We partnered with a family-run business in designing much of the ship’s furniture, who also helped us discover these copper lighting features. Their brilliant glow adds a warm ambience that pairs well with the hand carved shutters we’ve used in place of heavy drapery.
The fabric lining these walls is a brilliantly blue Egyptian cotton. This hue was popular in Ancient Egypt because it symbolized the blue waters of the Nile River, fertility, life and the god of Wisdom.
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U N IQU ELY U N I WOR LD
OUR FAMILY OF LUXURY BRANDS Wherever you wish to go, you can do so in unsurpassed luxury with our family of award-winning travel brands. Next time you’re looking to explore the places our river ships don’t reach, consider traveling with our sister company, Luxury Gold, which specializes in crafting extraordinary guided journeys all over the world.
JUST A FEW LUXURY GOLD HIGHLIGHTS
VIP Experiences Discover unique VIP Experiences included in the journey you choose, such as after-hours visits to famous landmarks, so you can explore without the crowds. And on select Chairman’s Collection departures, you’ll take advantage of Luxury Gold’s local connections to meet legendary people in your destinations—think famous artists, athletes and even royalty. 7
Your Traveling Concierge and Well-Being Director Relax and let your Traveling Concierge personalize your journey, crafting touches to your itinerary in real-time. Luxury Gold also employs Well-Being Directors, an industry first, who take a proactive approach to your welfare.
Perfectly Planned Experience truly exceptional dining and stay at the most magnificent hotels, including acclaimed properties from our sister brand, Red Carnation Hotels. A team of experts ensures that all experiences, restaurants and hotels on your vacation meet their high standards of excellence for quality, service and more.
From the Kitchen of Bea Tollman
THE BEST DOVER SOLE IN LONDON Our sister-brand, Red Carnation Hotels, has been delighting diners with this popular Dover sole recipe at The Chesterfield in Mayfair for years. As with all the best fish dishes, the key is to find the best possible raw materials. The rest is simple in theory, but takes practice to perfect—to get this dish just right, be careful not to overcook the fish.
Ingredients 1 freshly caught Dover sole, cleaned and descaled Olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Lemon for garnish
Preparation 1. Lightly season the sole with salt and pepper, then dust with flour. Brush both sides of the fish with about a tablespoon of olive oil. 2. Place on a hot char-grill (or a ridged cast iron pan) for about 90 seconds, then carefully turn the fish at a 90° angle on the same side for another 90 seconds to achieve a lovely diamond cross hatch marking. Turn it over with a metal spatula and do the same again on the other side. 3. Place the fish on a baking dish and transfer to the oven at 350° F for 8-10 minutes. The fish is done when the bones move easily away from the flesh when delicately inserting a fork.
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Bring a piece of your Uniworld river cruise home Find authentic, handmade items from our destinations and exclusive Uniworld merchandise in our online shop, such as these hand-painted beer steins from Koblenz. Decorated with motifs representative of Germany and the Rhine, these steins are an excellent way to bring a bit of Europe into your home—especially if you fill them with a good German beer. Start shopping here.
An outstanding loyalty program for our exceptional guests After your first Uniworld cruise, you will be automatically enrolled in our River Heritage Club loyalty program and begin receiving benefits, savings and rewards reserved exclusively for our loyal guests.
EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS ON ALL CRUISES, COMBINABLE WITH ALL PROMOTIONS* plus An exclusive WELCOME GIFT to commemorate your membership
PRIORITY NOTIFICATION on new cruises and programs
Earn credit toward your next cruise with our REFERRAL PROGRAM
Special MEMBERS-ONLY OFFERS
Complimentary LAUNDRY service
Dedicated PHONE NUMBER
Exclusive RIVERVIEWS E-MAGAZINE
EXCLUSIVE TTC LOYALTY SAVINGS of 5% on select trips across our family of more than 40 award-winning brands
Complimentary IN-ROOM FRUIT PLATTER waiting onboard for you upon arrival
Join the Captain for a members-only COCKTAIL PARTY onboard
Can you name this ship?
Each ship in our fleet is a one-of-a-kind floating boutique hotel, designed to be an extension of the destinations it sails through. If you can name which Uniworld ship this is, email us at RHC@Uniworld.com. The first to answer correctly will be featured in our next issue of RiverViews.
LAST ISSUE’S VICTOR Congratulations to Cora Fanning for being the first to identify the November 2021 Mystery Photo, Vintage Bar on the S.S. São Gabriel, and winning for the fourth consecutive issue!
Visit Uniworld.com/River-Heritage-Club for more information. 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.
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