Recently, I’ve been traveling all over the world to catch up with our global teams and share our visions for our 2025 river cruises, and I have to tell you how excited I am for next year. We have so many new things coming your way—such as new itineraries, new extensions, and a new ship—and I just know you're all going to love it.
With this issue of RiverViews , you’ll dive into some of our most anticipated 2025 launches, including seaside escapes to tack onto your next river cruise, a grand exploration of Central Europe, and an unbelievable new Cruise & Rail route that connects Paris and Istanbul.
Happy reading, and I hope to see you on the rivers with us next year!
Warmest regards,
ELLEN BETTRIDGE CEO, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
AMAZING EXTENSION OPTIONS
At Uniworld, we put careful consideration into every aspect of your travel experience. It should come as no surprise, then, that one of the elements that sets us apart is something that doesn’t even happen onboard: cruise extensions. No other line offers the same variety and quality options for extending your vacation. And in 2025, we are incredibly excited to announce a trio of new extensions that can only be found with Uniworld.
BIARRITZ BASQUE COUNTRY
3 Nights | Hôtel du Palais Biarritz
This beautiful resort town, known affectionately as “queen of the beaches, and beach of the kings,” will be your introduction to the rich cultural heritage of Basque country.
Available on:
Brilliant Bordeaux
A Portrait of Majestic France
Ultimate France
Wine Roads of France & Portugal
MADEIRA ISLAND
3 Nights | Hotel Savoy Palace
Madeira beckons visitors looking for a blissful island escape with its temperate climate, lovely natural environment, and unique local culture.
Available on: Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley Douro River Valley
MEDITERRANEAN CASSIS
2 Nights | Hôtel les Roches Blanches
Sunny, scenic, and situated right on the Mediterranean coast, this charming fishing port is the ultimate Provençal getaway.
Available on: Burgundy & Provence
Grand France
Ultimate France
Debuting in 2025...
THE S.S. ELISABETH
The Royal Suites offer 506 ft2 of space and can be combined with the Suites next door to create a 2-bedroom, 759 ft2 suite.
Kick back and enjoy the breathtaking view with water-facing beds.
The rooftop bar stays hidden for low bridges and pops back up to create a snazzy hangout spot for scenic sailings. Nightcaps on the sun deck, anyone?
Our latest Super Ship™ vessel is getting ready to set sail next year! Sister ship to the S.S. Victoria, the S.S. Elisabeth exudes contemporary luxury with some of the largest suites on the rivers of Europe, a soothing color palette, and accents of brass and velvet. Join her in the Rhine River Valley next year, on such popular itineraries as Castles along the Rhine and Rhine Holiday Markets
There are no less than 18 gorgeous suites onboard, and every one of them comes with round-the-clock personal butler service.
Get your workout in at the fully stocked gym or at the indoor pool.
Book a reservation at the Vintage Room, an elegant venue for private meals and wine-pairing dinners.
Our Grand Journey of Central Europe Dive Into
If we were to put a theme to the amazing work our product development team completed in the last year, it would be “GO BIG.” Our new extensions got longer and added more excursions, and our much-loved set of Venetian itineraries expanded to include two new options with Rome—including a 13-day Grande Italia trip. And then there is this dream vacation: a 15-day Rhine, Moselle & Belgium Grand Discovery . Keep reading to learn why we’re so excited about this offering.
WHERE DOES IT GO?
Get onboard and unpack once for 15 days of sailing throughout Central Europe. You can explore cities in up to six different countries on this trip, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and Switzerland.
WHO DID WE DESIGN THIS CRUISE FOR?
In recent years, we’ve seen our guests go for longer trips that allow them to really relax and experience as much as they can on their vacations. This is for travelers who are eager to do just that, or who already have and are looking for an exciting new opportunity for a long trip with Uniworld.
WHAT ARE WE MOST EXCITED ABOUT?
We’ve packed this itinerary with tucked-away destinations that often go overlooked, and we expect guests to leave with a whole new list of favorite places in Europe. The Moselle River is like a hidden-gem cousin to the Rhine, pictureperfect with its vineyard-covered hillsides and storybook towns. Trier stuns visitors with excellently preserved Roman ruins, and Maastricht captures the hearts of anyone lucky enough to walk its beautiful streets.
SIP & SAIL
The ultimate itinerary for wine lovers
BRILLIANT BORDEAUX
THE WINES: The best-known product of this region is the classic Bordeaux Blend, which is typically some combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Carmenère, and/or Malbec. White blends of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc are also popular, as are the sweet Sauternes made with noble-rot grapes.
THE SHIP: The S.S. Bon Voyage boasts all the glamor of a luxury yacht, with a salon inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s personal abode and an infinity pool on the sun deck.
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS: The Médoc and its elegant châteaux wineries, medieval Saint-Émilion, and the stunning blend of modern and historic architecture in the city of Bordeaux.
For a luxurious getaway like no other, we’ve combined our cruises of Bordeaux and the Douro into one 18-day exploration of some of Europe’s finest wines—Wine Roads of France & Portugal. Why are these two the perfect pairing? Because the products of Bordeaux and the Douro appeal to similar preferences. Lovers of strong reds, dessert wines, and/or crisp whites will all be delighted by what these regions have to offer. And to top it off, each ship has an onboard wine cave stocked with regional bottles handpicked by our expert sommeliers.
PORTUGAL,
SPAIN & THE DOURO RIVER VALLEY
THE WINES: Sweet and fortified Port wines may be this region’s claim to fame, but the dry reds produced at many of the same quinta wineries pack just as powerful a punch. The top red grapes are Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Cão, and Tinta Barroca. Some very nice dry white wines and sparkling varieties are also produced.
THE SHIP: The S.S. São Gabriel captures the beauty of Portugal with a summery palette and accents of the country’s famous tilework.
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS: The UNESCO-designated scenery of the Douro River Valley, the sun-kissed city of Salamanca, and the lively streets of Lisbon.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
Add our stay in Biarritz Basque Country at the beginning for a stellar 3-week trip, starting off in style in a lavish hotel originally commissioned as a palace for Empress Eugénie of France, the Hôtel du Palais Biarritz
Take a trip back to
THE of
GOLDEN AGE
TRAVEL
What’s it like to take a luxury train journey? To imagine it, you must first forget any concept of high-speed commuter trains or sleeper cars. What we love about luxury train journeys like the ones in our Cruise & Rail program is the sense of nostalgia they evoke. It’s reminiscent of beloved classic movies, old-school luxury, and the wistful journeys of simpler times. These trips harken back to an era when the journey was the appeal, the focal point, and not the destination.
There is a certain romance to sitting in a train car as it speeds through the world—especially in the cozy elegance of a train like the Golden Eagle Danube Express. Perhaps you’ve brought a book, found a friendly face to strike up a conversation with, or are just enjoying the view with a drink in hand. Anything could be outside your window: the rolling green of the countryside, snowy alpine mountains, or a bustling city.
The latest addition to our Cruise & Rail lineup captures that romantic essence perfectly. We board the Golden Eagle Danube Express in the fabled city of Istanbul and wind our way through Central Europe to enjoy a private concert in Vienna, venture into the Postojna caves, and visit the beautiful vineyards of Champagne, France. Finally, we disembark in Paris and transfer to the chic S.S. Joie de Vivre for a week of exploring Paris & Normandy.
So, is a Cruise & Rail journey right for you? It depends. Do you consider yourself a romantic? A history lover or a travel buff? Do you have a taste for grandeur? Do you want to experience it all? Or are you someone who sees their vacations as an opportunity to indulge and take it slow? If you answered yes to any of the above, then a Cruise & Rail journey might be just the thing to add to your wish list.
Chef Robert’s Corner: SURF & TURF
A classic upscale pairing, this Surf & Turf dish is served to guests who book private dining experiences in select Uniworld Captain’s Libraries or Leopard Bars. For home cooks, it makes for a nice opportunity to bring a touch of luxury to your dinnertime experience, impress friends, or go all out for a date night.
INGREDIENTS
1 filet mignon
1 lobster tail
1 potato sliced
Baby spinach
One small onion
4 tbsp butter
2 sprigs of rosemary
1 sprig of thyme
1 clove garlic
Lemon zest
2 tsp Himalayan salt
1 tsp of pepper
3 tbsp olive oil
PREPARATION
1. Clean the lobster and marinate with lemon zest and olive oil. Start caramelizing onions in butter on a back burner while the potatoes are cooking. Turn off heat when golden brown.
2. Season the sliced potatoes with butter, salt, pepper, and chopped rosemary from one sprig. Take a silicon or ceramic form and place potatoes in a circle like a rose. Cover and bake at 325° F for about 20 minutes then take off the cover and bake for another 14 minutes at 350° F to get a nice golden color.
3. Tie your filet with rope to keep a nice round shape. Season well with salt and pepper. Sear well on a hot pan with thyme and rosemary. Add the butter and cook, turning all sides until it reaches medium rare temperature. Set the meat aside to rest while you cook the lobster.
4. Place the lobster in the pan and cook for 5 minutes to get a nice red color.
5. Reheat caramelized onions and add chopped garlic, then add spinach just for 20 seconds. Season with salt and pepper.
CHEESE SOUFFLE
INGREDIENTS
1 cup of shredded Gruyere
5 eggs
3/4 cup butter
1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup of shredded Langres cheese (or another strong cheese to substitute)
1 cup chopped fresh figs
½ cup chopped shallot
3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Salt, pepper
PREPARATION
1. In a mixer beat the eggs until you get a nice foamy texture. Then add the shredded Gruyere and melted butter then fold in the mixture of flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Mix all together slowly and place in silicon forms. Fill up of the form and bake in a preheated oven at 375° F for about 7-8 minutes.
2. Add the Langres cheese to the heavy cream. Cook together while stirring to not burn the mixture. Strain the sauce through a fine strainer. Keep hot until served.
3. Caramelize the butter and add the chopped fresh figs and chopped shallot. Stir and add apple cider vinegar. Cook until it is a nice chutney texture. Balance taste with salt and pepper.
4. Serve the hot souffle with cheese sauce and chutney and finish with one fresh fig.
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 PROMOTION S
An exclusive WELCOME GIFT to commemorate your membership
Complimentary IN-ROOM TREAT waiting onboard upon arrival
Complimentary LAUNDRY service
Members-only onboard COCKTAIL PARTY
PRIORITY NOTIFICATION on new cruises and programs
Dedicated PHONE NUMBER
Exclusive RiverViews E-NEWSLETTER
Can you name this ship?
Each ship in our fleet is a 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
Congratulations to Robert Rankin for being the first to identify the June 2024 Mystery Photo: S.S. Joie de Vivre Le Bistrot plus
Special MEMBERS-ONLY OFFERS
Additional savings when you REFER FRIENDS OR FAMILY
LAST ISSUE’S VICTOR
*River Heritage Club savings and amenities are available to guests after completing their first Uniworld
(including any upgrades and single supplement) after other cash discounts are applied. Savings are combinable with all
