The Uniworld River Heritage Club
THE ONLY THING MORE STUNNING THAN STEPPING ONBOARD...IS STEPPING OFF. pg 02 EW! OBERAMMERGAU 2020 N pg 05 GUEST SPOTLIGHT: SUSAN BLAKE’S EXPERIENCE IN INDIA pg 07
October 2018
PICTURED: A scene from Oberammergau’s worldfamous Passion Play.
E-NEWSLETTER
RIVERVIEWS
1 ELLEN’S 360°
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2 UNIQUELY UNIWORLD 3
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2019?
5 NEW! OBERAMMERGAU 2020 6 October 2018
TREADRIGHT FEATURE: CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF MAKING TRAVEL MATTER
GUEST SPOTLIGHT: SUSAN BLAKE’S EXPERIENCE IN INDIA
9 UNIWORLD Q&A WITH WESLEY BOSNIC, VICE PRESIDENT OF CHARTER & INCENTIVE SALES
11 FROM THE KITCHEN OF BEA TOLLMAN #ExploreUniworld
Ellen’s 360° There’s never a shortage of exciting news to be shared— and this month, I’m delighted to give you a preview of a few of the things you’re sure to enjoy in 2019 and beyond. In this issue of RiverViews, discover our five new itineraries for 2019, a delicious Bea Tollman recipe perfect for the fall months and an incredible interview with one of our guests about her experience in India. Plus, get to know Uniworld’s Vice President of Charter & Incentive Sales, and hear from him about what goes into planning a fully customized journey for these unique clients. We’re also proud to share how Uniworld, The TreadRight Foundation and The Travel Corporation are celebrating 10 years of making travel matter. You’re also one of the first to hear about some very exciting news for 2020. We’ve just finalized details for a new pre-cruise extension in Oberammergau for the 42nd production of the world-renowned Passion Play. You won’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime event, so read on for all the details!
Warm regards,
It’s never too early to plan your next masterpiece and we have plenty of captivating new adventures waiting for you.
Ellen Bettridge PRESIDENT & CEO, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
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THE ONLY THING MORE STUNNING THAN STEPPING ONBOARD is stepping off.
Every Uniworld cruise is meticulously crafted to be an experience you won’t find anywhere else—filled with moments that are each more breathtaking than the last. We’ve gone the extra mile to ensure our excursions immerse you in the authentic culture, sights and cuisine of the places you’ll visit on your cruise. Did you know...
We offer many included Exclusive Experiences that are unique to our guests and are offered by no other river cruise line.
Experience life just as a local would with Do as the Locals Do excursions, designed to give you an authentic look at your destination.
Lace up your hiking shoes and head out on a vineyard hike or hop on a bike for a ride along riverside esplanades as part of our Let’s Go excursions.
If extraordinary is what you’re after, you are sure to enjoy our assortment of new Masterpiece Collection experiences. We’ve carefully curated a menu of optional excursions, available for an additional charge, for guests searching for experiences that go above and beyond our included excursions. Taste cheese with a cheese affineur in Rüdesheim, tour Budapest via e-bike, tee off at Europe’s #1 golf resort in Passau, see the world’s most complete collection of Fabergé eggs in St. Petersburg and much more.
A MOMENT BECOMES A MASTERPIECE WHEN IT WAS MADE JUST FOR YOU.
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WHAT’S NEW FOR 2019? Get to know our five new itineraries for 2019—all specially crafted to show you iconic destinations in a whole new way. So whether you’re a first-time or seasoned traveler to these regions, there won’t be a shortage of exciting new adventures to uncover.
01. HOLLAND & BELGIUM AT TULIP TIME
8 Days | Amsterdam to Brussels | River Queen Back by popular demand, Holland & Belgium at Tulip Time adds a contemporary flair to the classic tulip time experience, where you’ll find an ideal mix of old and new, historic and modern in some of Europe’s liveliest cities. You’ll stay overnight in Amsterdam and get the chance to spend the day at the famous Keukenhof Gardens—an extraordinary sight in the spring with millions of tulips and other flowers in bloom. Then, set sail onboard the 1930s steamshipinspired River Queen and explore Belgium’s rich culinary tradition, Maastricht’s countless national heritage sites, Kinderdijk’s 19 well-preserved windmills and much more.
01. 02. ME TO WE & THE SACRED GANGES
12 Days | New Delhi to Kolkata | Ganges Voyager II
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On ME to WE & the Sacred Ganges, enjoy the same cruise portion of India’s Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges, but spend your pre-cruise/tour with our partner ME to WE for a one-of-a-kind adventure through India’s countryside. ME to WE is an immersive and transformative experience where you’ll explore India’s vibrant and fascinating culture through unforgettable encounters within a local community. Then, you’ll board the lavish Ganges Voyager II and head to magnificent temples, architectural marvels, artisan villages, Mother Teresa’s former home and more. Onboard, you’ll also enjoy our new Wellness Program, led by a certified and resident yogi, and an accompanying “Nutrition and Wellness Food” menu.
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03. ALLURING AMSTERDAM & VIENNA
15 Days | Amsterdam to Vienna | River Princess
Delight in the full spectrum of Europe’s culture, history, art and architecture along the world’s most legendary rivers on the new Alluring Amsterdam & Vienna itinerary onboard River Princess. On this new itinerary, we’ll dock in Vienna longer, enabling you to add a preor post-cruise extension—which you’re sure to enjoy, considering Vienna is consistently voted as one of the best cities in the world to live in. You’ll also revel in an exclusive “Morning with the Masters” at the Vienna Art History Museum, where the doors will open early for you as you join an art historian for a one-of-a-kind tour.
03. 04. MAGNIFICENT MOSELLE & RHINE
10 Days | Frankfurt to Cologne | River Queen Enjoy the amazing opportunity to bask in the brilliance of the most beautiful parts of the Rhine and Moselle rivers—which are largely considered the most beautiful in Central Europe—on our Magnificent Moselle & Rhine itinerary onboard the stunning River Queen. On this cruise along two captivating rivers, you’ll be introduced to some of Europe’s most serene, vineyardclad landscapes. Under the spire-dotted skyline of Cologne, you’ll revel in a tour of the astounding Cologne Cathedral. Experience the city like a local with visits to Kölsch beer halls, the stylish Belgian Quarter or one of the many Art Nouveau cafés.
04. 05. AUTHENTIC DANUBE & PRAGUE
10 Days | Vienna to Prague | River Princess We’ve taken our one-of-a-kind Jewish Heritage Program and brought it to the Danube for 2019, where you’ll explore some of the world’s most fascinating and historic cities. It’s all part of our new Authentic Danube & Prague itinerary. From Vienna to Prague and every idyllic village in between, we offer a variety of Jewish-themed excursions available on all departures. Interested in a shorter trip? You can enjoy the same immersive opportunities on our cruise-only option, 8-day Authentic Danube.
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A ONCE-A-DECADE MASTERPIECE awaits in Oberammergau in 2020.
We are pleased to announce a new pre-cruise extension on select sailings of S.S. Beatrice’s Delightful Danube in celebration of the 42nd production of Oberammergau’s world-famous Passion Play, which runs May 17 – September 9, 2020. Oberammergau is an enchanting German town ideally situated in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, where this special performance depicting the last days of Christ on earth has occurred once a decade since 1634. Today, the Passion Play has over 2,000 actors, singers and instrumentalists who are all residents of the village. Guests who book this four-day pre-cruise extension will experience a morning of leisure in Oberammergau, followed by the Passion Play. During the show’s break, they’ll also be treated to a three-course dinner. This exclusive package includes a hotel transfer from Munich Airport, a one-night stay in Munich, a two-night stay in Oberammergau, premium reserved seating to the Passion Play, two dinners, transportation to and from the show and more. The Oberammergau pre-cruise extension package will be open for bookings starting November 1, 2018.
For more information, please visit Uniworld.com/Oberammergau.
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Giuditta Brozzetti
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS of making travel matter.
Founded in 2008 by Uniworld’s parent company, The Travel Corporation, The TreadRight Foundation’s mission is to safeguard people, wildlife and the planet for generations to come. Alongside The TreadRight Foundation, we’re proud to have spent the last decade making tourism a force for positive change around the world. The Travel Corporation (TTC) marked World Tourism Day 2018 by reflecting on TTC Chief Executive Brett Tollman’s vision to make travel matter. Over the past 10 years, The TreadRight Foundation has worked to help support more than 50 sustainable tourism projects across the globe. To celebrate this milestone, TreadRight and TTC released a new #MakeTravelMatter video.
A f a m i ly of br a n d s
ttc.com
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Varanasi, India
Seasoned world traveler Susan Blake has gone on countless trips around the globe and recently ventured to India on our India’s Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges itinerary. We had the pleasure of speaking with Susan and hearing about her trip to one of the most colorful countries on earth. Hi Susan, how did you first hear about Uniworld? Was this your first trip with Uniworld? We actually heard about Uniworld by Googling river cruises. We had wanted to go on a Ganges river cruise and when we saw that Uniworld did the Golden Triangle as well, we chose them. It was our first trip with Uniworld and it was absolutely amazing!
Have you always wanted to travel to India? What made you choose India’s Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges?
I’ve always wanted to travel to India because I was born in the Far East and we traveled by Kolkata and Pakistan when we were flying back to the UK where I grew up. Plus, my best friend of over 40 years is of East Indian descent and I’ve always been fascinated with the Ganges and Mother Teresa. We had done a cruise down the west coast of India a couple of years ago and loved it, so it was a neat thing to be able to go to a different area of India that had always held a fascination for me. The opportunity to go to Varanasi as an extension to the trip was a bonus we just couldn’t miss.
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Can you describe the land portion of the trip? What were your favorite experiences and what did you think of the Oberoi Hotels & Resorts? The entire trip was stunning because there were so many different and fascinating things to look at. As Gandhi was always someone I’ve admired greatly, we went to the Gandhi memorial in New Delhi and that was very emotional for me. We went on a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi, which was amazing. These men were taking us through countless narrow streets filled with people and it was something you wouldn’t want to miss. Then, of course, Agra—the big thing there is the Taj Mahal. We got to go into the Taj Mahal in the afternoon and then we got up early and went for sunrise. It was magical. After, we went to Jaipur and saw the Palace of Winds and the world’s largest sundial. That was really fascinating. The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts were phenomenal, they treated us like royalty. The three different Oberois we stayed in were all really different, which was a treat. At the one in Agra, we were able to
get a room that overlooked the Taj Mahal, and at night we could see its outline against the sky. The food was awesome. My husband didn’t like curry, so he was a bit leery about the food, but he loved every bit of it throughout the trip.
down to the river in the evening to see the sunset and again in the morning so we could see the sunrise. It was gorgeous. All of the destinations were so different—if you’re going over there you have to do them all. Amazing!
Can you describe the cruise portion of the trip? What was it like cruising along one of the holiest rivers in the world and what did you think of the Ganges Voyager II? The ship was very nice, clean and comfortable. The staff would bend over backwards to treat us like royalty and the food was also great. Cruising along the Ganges was magical—we saw so many picturesque things and the red sunsets were just beautiful. Along the way, we saw the new temple that’s being built, which we were told will be in competition with the Vatican in terms of size when it’s complete. It had a gold-leaf dome that was absolutely mind-boggling. They brought turbans onboard for the men and saris for the women, it was so beautiful to see.
Did you feel like Uniworld made it a stress-free experience? Uniworld, in terms of making it stress-free, was so well organized. You couldn’t fault them on anything…it was brilliant.
We went to lots of temples, took a number of electric rickshaw rides and had the privilege of hearing a bunch of different musicians onboard every night. We were also delighted by the henna paintings the crew did for us. The crew is most talented and even showed us how to look after the henna so we could keep it for a while. We felt absolutely immersed into the local culture. What aspect of the cruise/tour did you find most appealing? The cruise in itself was very, very appealing. Additionally, flying to Varanasi for the extension was incredible. We were taken
What surprised you most about India? The colors, music and dancing. I had told our tour guide that I really didn’t like Indian music, but after this trip, I couldn’t stop talking about how much I enjoyed it. It was great! Also, how welcome we were made to feel by locals…people were genuinely overjoyed to see you. If you had to pick, what is your favorite memory from your trip? How can you pick just one? From before I went, I had read a lot about Gandhi—he’s one of my heroes. So, seeing his memorial and also Mother Teresa’s memorial meant a lot to me. There were so many things that were so amazing that it is truly hard to pick just one. I could go on! Any plans for a future Uniworld cruise? We’re not sure where yet, but we do plan on it!
Safe travels, Susan! Do you have a story or photos to share from your Uniworld cruise? Email RHC@uniworld.com if you’re interested in being featured in a future Guest Spotlight.
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UNIWORLD Q&A: Vice President of Charter & Incentive Sales, Wesley Bosnic
Wesley Bosnic, Vice President of Charter & Incentive Sales, has been with Uniworld for 20+ years— and over that time, has become a key member in growing Uniworld’s charter and incentive group business into the success it is today. Hi Wesley, what is your title and role within Uniworld? I am Vice President of our Charter & Incentive Sales. I manage the department with the goal being to grow our charter and incentive group business. I work with both our sales team in the U.S. and internationally to ensure that we communicate these opportunities to our corporate customers and Travel Advisors, and to identify the specific needs that customers may have.
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What initially brought you to Uniworld? I was looking for a job with a tour operator and had the opportunity to interview with Uniworld. I was able spend a week there and I felt that it would be a good fit. Now I’ve been here for quite a few years.
and onshore. Finally, we work with our team to make all of this happen. What makes a Uniworld river cruise an especially enticing option for charters and incentive groups? We work with the customers and really spend time to figure out what their specific needs are and work on quotes based on those needs and desires to put a program in place that they will accept. These beautifully designed ships are truly what set us apart and the ability to provide these incredible experiences makes us an especially enticing option for our customers. You’ve been with Uniworld for 20+ years. How have you seen the company and brand develop over that time? As you can imagine, over those 20+ years there’s been so many changes in the industry itself, but also within the company. Around the time I had started, we had just started operating river cruises specifically for the North American market. Plus, at the time, river cruising was a very niche product and it was not nearly as popular as it is today, but groups and charters were a big part of the business. In 2004, The Travel Corporation purchased Uniworld, which brought a completely new dynamic and elevated the brand into what it is today.
Uniworld has quite a few things in store for the 2019 sailing season. Is there anything you’re particularly excited about? The renovation of the River Royale and her becoming S.S. Bon Voyage is very exciting. That’s absolutely something I am very much looking forward to and it’s going to be fantastic for charters. We already have charters and groups that are booking and are so excited to hear about the changes that are coming to the ship in the Bordeaux region. From your own personal experiences, what would you say is your favorite feature of a Uniworld river cruise? I’ve been on several of our cruises on several of our ships and without a doubt, it’s the amazing staff we have onboard. They love what they do and their interaction with guests is always professional, friendly and supportive. It’s always a pleasure to see the many kind comments guests leave across our social media channels that rave about how amazing our staff and crew are.
Can you tell us a little bit about Uniworld’s Charter & Incentive Groups program? We’ve had our charter and incentive department now for two years and we’re focusing more on developing charter business. We are out there more aggressively looking for the business and working with customers closely on their planning needs. We’ve identified new opportunities, new channels and new ways to reach different segments of the market and those have all When you’re not busy overseeing Uniworld’s seen really positive results. Charter & Incentive Sales, how do you like to spend your free time? Travel partners typically come to us and want really My wife and I like to spend as much time as we can with detailed information promptly, so we’re able to be family, getting together with our son and daughter as extremely responsive there. We also have a dedicated much as possible. Right now, it’s volleyball season and group department that helps with administration and our daughter is a senior in college on the team, so we try operation of the charter once everything has been to make it to as many games as we can. Other than that, booked and the charter agreement has been signed. we like to go for walks, enjoy our garden or see a movie. As Vice President of Charter & Incentive Sales, what aspect of your position do you enjoy the most? Getting to work with all of the people along the way and to hear that the guests are happy onboard is the most satisfying part. We start by working with advisors and travel planners on identifying the itinerary, ship and departure date that would work best for the group. Then we work on special requests for customization, tailoring the experiences onboard
If you could trade places with any other Uniworld staff or crew member for a day, who would it be? It would have to be someone on the ship. Again, I’m just so impressed with everything they do and how they interact with guests. Who wouldn’t like to be in the bridge and be captain for a day—and sit in that fancy chair surrounded by all of that equipment? It was a pleasure speaking with you, Wesley!
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from the kitchen of Bea Tollman
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Nowadays I refer to this as ‘Nana’s Chicken Soup,’ because my grandchildren are always asking for this simple but deliciously comforting dish. It is a staple in our home, and also one of the most popular items in all of the hotels and ships.”
–Bea Tollman
BEA’S CHICKEN SOUP This seasonal delight is sure to “wow” at fall gatherings, holiday parties or at a cozy dinner in.
INGREDIENTS
PREPARATION
3 2-lb chickens, halved and quartered, with necks, gizzards and feet if possible (or 2 boiling fowl, if available) 4 large whole carrots 4 stalks celery 2 medium onions, whole 4 large whole leeks, cut in half 3 bay leafs 8 peppercorns 2–3 organic chicken bouillon cubes (in lieu of any salt) 6 sprigs parsley ¼ lb fine fig noodles, cooked separately
Put the chicken pieces, carrots, celery, onions, leeks, bay leaf, peppercorns and parsley in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and add two chicken bouillon cubes. Skim, then simmer for about six hours. Strain the soup into a clean pan. Dice a handful of the chicken meat (½ inch) and carrot from the soup and set aside. Bring the soup back to a boil and adjust the seasoning for saltiness. If required, add another bouillon cube. To serve, add a few cooked noodles with a little of the diced chicken and carrots previously set aside. It is always nice to serve a crispy, warm, small minced chicken or meat pie with this soup. This recipe also forms the base for a really good, strong stock.
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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.
Join the Captain for a members-only COCKTAIL PARTY onboard.
Special MEMBER-ONLY OFFERS.
Complimentary LAUNDRY service.
Exclusive RIVERVIEWS E-MAGAZINE.
Enjoy exclusive access to our dedicated, members-only reservations line: 1-800-307-4699.
Complimentary IN-ROOM FRUIT PLATTER waiting onboard for you upon arrival.
NOTE: Benefits in China may vary.
EVEN MORE VALUE COMES TO THOSE WHO PLAN AHEAD. It’s never too early to begin thinking about your next adventure, and if you do, you’ll enjoy added savings. When you book your next voyage while onboard, you’ll save AN ADDITIONAL 3% ON TOP OF YOUR EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS FOR RIVER HERITAGE CLUB MEMBERS.†
WHERE IN THE WORLD….??? This striking blue palace features Late Baroque architecture and was constructed to rival France’s Palace of Versailles. If you can name where in the world this place 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, Elaine Cheng, for being the first to correctly identify Château des Rudel in Citadel of Blaye as last issue’s mystery destination. Explore this former French outpost for yourself and experience the region’s incomparable scenery on our Brilliant Bordeaux itinerary.
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 .†This offer is combinable with the River Heritage Club Member Benefit and Early Booking Discount. Onboard savings are calculated on the cruise-tour price (including any upgrades and single supplements), after all applicable flat-rate discounts are applied. Bookings must be created and full deposit processed while onboard to qualify for 3% onboard savings. Other restrictions apply. See Uniworld.com for complete terms and conditions.