The Uniworld River Heritage Club E-Newsletter
December 2020
In This Issue 7 TreadRight Feature: How We Tread Right
1 Ellen’s 360° 2 Uniquely Uniworld: Self-Sanitizing Ships
9 The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs
3 Guest Spotlight: A Hero Among Us 5 Artist Spotlight: Pino Signoretto
December 2020
10 From the Kitchen of Bea Tollman: Meringue Layer Cake
#ExploreUniworld
MISSING THE HOLIDAY MARKETS THIS YEAR? Visit our virtual holiday market to find authentic handmade gifts and exclusive Uniworld merchandise. Start shopping here.
ELLEN’S 360° This unprecedented year is finally coming to a close, and I speak for everyone at Uniworld when I say that I am so looking forward to 2021, returning to travel and seeing our lovely guests again. In the meantime, the holidays are upon us, and I wish you all the warmth and joy the season has to offer. In this last issue of RiverViews for 2020, we’ll be talking all about some of the carefully crafted elements that take a Uniworld river cruise above and beyond the ordinary. Innovative health and safety solutions, world-renowned chefs and fantastic works from famous artists gracing the halls of our ships—it’s only the best for our guests. Additionally, read an interview with one of our Heroes Among Us finalists, then learn about the new strategy for sustainable travel our team developed alongside our parent company, The Travel Corporation, and The TreadRight Foundation. Have a happy and healthy holiday season, I hope to welcome you back onboard soon! Warm Regards,
ELLEN BETTRIDGE
CEO Uniworld Boutique River Cruises 1
SELF-SANITIZING SHIPS U N IQU ELY U N I WOR L D
At Uniworld, our guests and crew are like family, and we always want the absolute best for them. Over the past year, we’ve continued to elevate every aspect of our cruises, even down to the cleaning solutions we use onboard. We’ve become the only river cruise line so far to partner with ACT.Global to coat every ship we own with the antimicrobial ACT CleanCoat™ solution. CleanCoat™ renders all surfaces it is sprayed on capable of selfdisinfecting 24/7, which means the entire ship is constantly in
the process of purifying its own air and ridding its own surfaces of bacteria and all known human and animal viruses—including those in the coronavirus family. Odorless and non-toxic, ACT CleanCoat™ is the safest cleaning system for guests and crew. Since it is activated by a saltwater solution, no harmful chemicals are introduced into the process. We are thrilled that this also makes it the most environmentally friendly way to keep our ships clean.
ACT CleanCoat™ is transparent and odorless and can be applied to all surfaces, including surfaces with direct food contact. Once exposed to light, it starts a photocatalytic reaction that decomposes microbes and purifies the air. 2
T H E H E R OE S A MONG U S
WE ARE PROUD TO HONOR AMARA ELLIS Read more stories from our Heroes at Uniworld.com/Heroes-Among-Us
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We had the pleasure of chatting with Amara Ellis, one of the essential workers we are proud to honor as part of our Heroes Among Us campaign—and she’s a River Heritage Club member too! Read her inspiring story below and hear what she has to say about our Burgundy & Provence itinerary.
As the Nurse Manager at a busy Wound and Limb Salvage Clinic, Amara’s dedication to her work is an inspiration to everyone. In addition to the long hours she’s spent making sure patients are well taken care of, Amara was able to coordinate a donation delivery of over 300 N95 masks that she distributed to those in need and personally assembled and donated gift bags to staff to express appreciation and build spirit. She even writes a comprehensive newsletter for her staff, including inspirational messages to keep their spirits up.
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT UNIWORLD? WAS BURGUNDY & PROVENCE YOUR FIRST UNIWORLD RIVER CRUISE? It was! My mother, sister and I love to travel together, and our travel agent recommended Uniworld as the cruise line she felt we would most enjoy. She felt Uniworld offered the most luxurious amenities and the most appealing itineraries. We also appreciated their commitment to excellent service, and the food and wine options sounded so enticing.
WHAT ASPECTS OF YOUR UNIWORLD CRUISE DID YOU FIND MOST APPEALING? We loved the various tour options and stops along our cruise, and we had some fabulous tour guides. The tour itineraries were very much designed to allow for us to truly experience the region’s sights and stops along our journey. On the ship itself, we enjoyed the 24-hour service, as well as the absolutely lovely guest rooms. Another special touch which we found so charming were the different little gifts left for us to discover in our rooms each night!
OUT OF ALL THE TOWNS YOU VISITED IN SOUTHERN FRANCE, DID YOU HAVE A FAVORITE? As I think back to each stop, it’s so hard to choose! They were all so beautiful and unique. Lyon was particularly gorgeous and fun to explore, and it was such a moving experience to visit Arles and travel in Van Gogh’s footsteps.
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE S.S. CATHERINE? We loved her! My sister and I would end each day’s adventures with a catch-up and calisthenics session in the gorgeous on-board swimming pool. We kept marveling at the fact that we were both in water, and on water. It was the perfect routine to end to each day, and the perfect way to reset for the evening!
IF YOU HAD TO PICK, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TRIP? The tour excursions were delightful. Our guides were so animated and informative, and we learned so much about each place we visited. One of our happiest afternoons was spent at the private home of one of our guides in Viviers, where we simply enjoyed some rosé, basked in their roof garden and hospitality, and delighted in the gorgeous weather and our incomparable surroundings. Truly though, there were too many magical moments to name.
WHERE DO YOU PLAN TO GO WITH YOUR HEROES AMONG US CRUISE CERTIFICATE? Not being able to travel abroad this year has left my mind brimming over the options! At the top of my list right now are Venice & the Gems of Northern Italy or Tulips & Windmills.
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PINO SIGNORETTO
Murano’s celebrated glassblower When you sail on the S.S. La Venezia with us, you have the opportunity to visit the renowned glassblowing island of Murano, where you learn about the meticulous craftmanship that creates glass artworks of brilliant colors and seemingly impossible shapes. Each of our ships are floating museums in their own right, with original works from great artists lining their walls. So of course, we had to bring these Murano masterpieces onboard. We’re especially fortunate to have several pieces by the great Pino Signoretto. Hailed during his lifetime as one of the greatest glassblowers in Murano—or indeed, the world—Signoretto was known for creating such spectacular sculptures as the life-sized glass horses that can be found onboard a few of our Super Ships. Born just before the end of World War II, Signoretto’s family faced such economic hardship that he had to begin work at the Murano glass furnaces from the early age of nine. He worked with some of the period’s greatest glass artisans, who became his mentors and helped him to become a master in the field by the age of 16. He went on to open his own atelier and collaborate with such artists as Dali, Picasso and Koons. We’re proud to have such remarkable pieces onboard and to be able to continue to support the glassblowing artisans of Murano. Take a look around this page for some of our favorite Signoretto pieces onboard our ships. Note the elegant colors and lifelike energy suggested in each horse, as if frozen in action. Clockwise from top-left: Example of a signature Signoretto colossal sculpture; S.S. Joie de Vivre; S.S. Catherine; S.S. Beatrice; S.S. Catherine; the late great Pino Signoretto.
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HOW WE TREAD RIGHT Making Travel Matter
Founded in 2008 by Uniworld’s Parent Company, The Travel Corporation (TTC), The TreadRight Foundation’s mission is to safeguard people, wildlife and the planet for generations to come. At Uniworld and TTC, we take the privilege and responsibility of world travel to heart. In partnership with The TreadRight Foundation, we’re launching a new strategy centered on specific and measurable How We Tread Right Goals, each anchored to Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. Learn more at TTC.com/HWTR
A Few of Our New Goals
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GOAL 1
GOAL 2
GOAL 3
Climate Change
Climate Change
Sustainable Food Production
Achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
Source 50% of our electricity from renewable resources by 2025.
Reduce food waste by 50% across all ships by 2025.
GOAL 4
GOAL 5
GOAL 6
Sustainable Food Production
Responsible Consumption
Responsible Consumption
Increase use of local and organic food products by our supply chain by 2025.
Reduce printed brochures by 50% by 2025.
Eliminate unnecessary single use plastics across our operations by 2022.
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THE CHAÎNE DES RÔTISSEURS A guild of distinguished culinary masters
Our restaurant teams aren’t just self-acclaimed experts, they’re actually recognized by one of the world’s most exclusive international culinary guilds, The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Not only are several of our crew members official ribbon holders in the Chaîne, but our entire Uniworld-owned fleet has been awarded their seal of approval for our “outstanding quality of food and service.”
From left to right:
Mr. Ciprian Ghitulescu Maître Rôtisseur Ms. Raluca Toma Chef Rôtisseur Mr. Daniel Miksic Maître Rôtisseur Mr. Bernhard Zorn Offizier Maître Rôtisseur Mr. Manuel Marquez Maître Rôtisseur Mr. Peter Struhar Maître Rôtisseur
From left to right:
Mr. Ben Wirz Maître Hôtelier Ms. Joke de Bruyn Maître Hôtelier Mr. Valentin Gradescu Maître Hôtelier Ms. Irma Erdeji Maître Hôtelier Mr. Jean Marie Queriaud Maître Hôtelier Ms. Laurentia Panayotov Sommelier Mr. Yann Roche Maître Hôtelier 9
From the Kitchen of Bea Tollman
MERINGUE LAYER CAKE
This recipe is the perfect holiday dessert showstopper. Enjoy!
Ingredients MERINGUE: 4 egg whites 1 cup fine white sugar, sieved Powdered sugar for topping FILLING: 2 egg whites ½ cup fine white sugar 2 tbsp cocoa powder 1 cup softened butter 4 oz melted milk chocolate
Preparation Preheat oven to 285°F. Whisk the egg whites in a large bowl with an electric whisk on low speed for 45 seconds until they are foaming. Switch to medium and whisk for a further 2 minutes, then turn the whisk to high speed until the whites are stiff. Still on high speed, slowly stream in the sugar. Spread the mixture onto parchment-lined baking sheets in 4 circles of 6-inch diameter. Bake for 30 minutes, then turn the oven off and leave for at least 4 hours. Waiting overnight or leaving the meringue to “ripen” under covering for approximately 24 hours prior to icing is best. In the top of a double boiler, beat the egg whites for the filling over hot—but not boiling—water until foamy. Gradually beat in the sugar, cocoa, butter and chocolate. When fully combined, remove from the heat and leave to firm as it cools. When the filling is firm enough, make a tower of meringue layers with chocolate mix spread over each. Dust with powdered sugar. To replicate the cake shown here, make a latticework of ½ inch wide strips of parchment paper on top of the top chocolate spread layer first. Remove the paper to reveal the design.
“This is one of the prettiest dessert dishes. Meringue always looks so lovely and is the perfect accompaniment to fruit or chocolate.” – BEA TOLLMAN
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2021 Groups Offer Traveling in a group of 10 or more? Contact your preferred Travel Advisor or call Uniworld to learn about our group discounts and amenities. Plus, for every nine full-paying guests, the tenth guest sails for free!
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 NOTE: Benefits in China may vary.
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.
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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