RiverViews Newsletter December 2024 (US and CAD)

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ELLEN’S

Happy Holidays River Heritage Club,

I hope this letter finds you well, and that this season brings you plentiful moments of joy. From the entire Uniworld Family, I’d like to extend our deepest gratitude to you, our cherished River Heritage Club members. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to treat you to luxury journeys around the world. We hope to see you onboard again soon!

In the meantime, please enjoy our final RiverViews issue of 2024! Tucked away inside these pages, you’ll find a countdown to the much-anticipated release of our next Super Ship™ vessel, a luxury fashion collection inspired by our Egypt cruise, a look back on the year through the eyes of our guests, and more!

Warmest regards,

DECEMBER 2024

With my daughter and Camilla Franks, founder of CAMILLA

COUNTDOWN TO THE S.S. ELISABETH

3 months to go!

The newest addition to our Super Ship fleet, the S.S. Elisabeth, is getting ready to welcome her first guests onboard this spring! This new ship will wrap you in an ambience of modern refinement, with luxurious touches of velvet, brass, and marble. If the popularity of her sister ship, the S.S. Victoria , is anything to go on, we know you’ll love her inviting public spaces, indoor swimming pool, and chic rooftop bar.

Sail the S.S. Elisabeth in 2025!

CASTLES ALONG THE RHINE

8 Days • Amsterdam to Basel

March 23, 30 April 6, 13, 20, 27

May 4, 11, 18, 25 June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

July 6, 13, 20, 27 August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

September 7, 14, 21, 28

October 5, 12, 19, 26 November 2

RHINE HOLIDAY MARKETS

8 Days • Basel to Cologne

November 25

December 2, 16

Introducing the

HOUSE OF THE SUN

Collection

Uniworld and iconic Australian fashion label CAMILLA have partnered to capture the spirit of Egypt. Camilla Franks, the creative force behind CAMILLA, was inspired by her recent Splendors of Egypt & the Nile journey aboard Uniworld’s S.S. Sphinx. This unforgettable experience led to the creation of the exquisite House of the Sun collection.

How the Collection Came to Life

Egypt's breathtaking scenery and astonishing architecture inspired CAMILLA's House of the Sun collection. Uniworld's 12-day journey here explores ancient temples, the Great Pyramids, and hidden gems. Expert Egyptologists and local guides provide an authentic and enriching experience from the start. Camilla even consulted with Egyptologists on the creation of her new line to truly and respectfully honor Egypt through her work.

A Collection Inspired by Ancient Egypt

The vibrant House of the Sun collection features pieces adorned with rich motifs and colors inspired by Egypt's ancient wonders, architecture, and culture. From kaftans to blazers and coats, the collection offers something for everyone.

Who Is Camilla Franks?

Camilla Franks is a leading Australian fashion designer, known globally for her artisanal prints, beautifully cut silk designs, and precision-applied embellishments. Camilla is an avid explorer and has a passion for bringing stories from her travels to life through the magic of print.

A YEAR IN PICTURES: LOOKING BACK ON 2024

Winter

Whether we are embracing sweater weather in Europe or exploring the wondrous sites of our Extraordinary Destinations, we love a winter getaway. We kick off our look back at 2024 with a glimpse of moody fog resting above a hilltop castle. For those who dream of winters in warmer locales, enjoy this snapshot in front of Abu Simbel in Egypt or this adorable sloth in Peru. This year also brought the launch of our newest ship, the S.S. Victoria, who brought our guests to towns and cities along the Rhine River in style!

Spring

In April, our guests tried their hands at rowing in Venice on one of our newest MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences and took leisurely strolls through charming towns like Melk on the Danube. Further south, we were honored to have Travel + Leisure Editor-in-Chief Jacqui Gifford experience our Egypt itinerary. Throughout it all, our expert chefs crafted delicious meals, like this lamb shank aboard the S.S. Antoinette. We tip our hats to their knack for taking local ingredients and turning them into mouthwatering masterpieces.

uniworld_matias Venice, Italy aubonpain27 Melk Abbey En Donau, Austria
jacquigiff Karnak Temple, Luxor
uniworld_jamie S.S. Antoinette

As the days of 2024 wind down, we reflect on the joyful travel memories each season has brought us this year with our guests and crew. For us, every part of the year brings something special to look forward to. Winter is the perfect time to seek the sun in bucketlist destinations. Spring brings beautiful blooms, and summer brings activity and excitement. Then in autumn, the riversides come alive in shades of red and gold. From the President’s Cruise hosted by our very own Ellen Bettridge to our 55-day Rivers of the World voyage, 2024 has been one for the books!

Summer

The Eiffel Tower wasn’t the only shimmering sight in Paris this year, the "City of Light" also became home to star athletes during the Summer Olympics. Speaking of gold medalists... one of our most frequent cruisers has been on well over 60 cruises with us so far, and here she is on Ellen’s President’s Cruise in June! Even in such a buzz-worthy year, we took the time to sip cocktails in the Parisian bistro aboard the S.S. Joie de Vivre and admire the way the Taj Mahal glows in shifting colors during sunrise and sunset.

Autumn

As the leaves turn for the season (see the S.S. Joie de Vivre catching some autumn sunlight), the sun deck is the perfect place to take in the views and warm up with a hot drink like Rüdesheimer Kaffee—thanks, bar team! This fall, our epic 2024 Rivers of the World cruise took a group of adventurous guests on a 55-day journey through South America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Finally, one of our favorite traditions returned to wrap up the year: the Christmas markets began to pop up across Europe for a magical holiday season.

uniworld_taniamirao
S.S. Joie de Vivre
bvrobinson2 Paris, France
milliewindeler Agra, India
uniworld_rik Germany
uniworld_louisa Rhine Gorge, Germany
uniworld_louisa Cologne, Germany uniworld_anthony Angkor Wat, Cambodia
melindazolde Caudebec-en-Caux, France

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Have you finished planning your trips for next year yet? Here, let us help you with that. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most exciting, memorable, and fulfilling travel experiences out there.

01 TRAIN TRAVEL

If you like trips that prioritize leisure, introducing you to a multitude of fascinating destinations while still giving you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery (and really, what river cruiser doesn’t?), then a luxury train journey is an experience you’ll adore.

02 ROWING A GONDOLA IN VENICE

Venice has its own characteristic style of rowing you won’t find almost anywhere else. Gondoliers and regatta racers row standing up, a tricky technique you can learn for yourself on our Veneto Region cruise.

03 STAND AT THE TOP OF EUROPE

Add our Interlaken extension to a Remarkable Rhine & Historic Holland cruise to find yourself at the “Top of Europe,” also known as Jungfraujoch. These peaks reach 11,361 feet above sea level and offer dazzling views of alpine glaciers.

04 THE BASSINS DES LUMIÈRES

Have you ever been to an immersive light and sound exhibition? If yes, you know they are stunning. If no, you’re in for a treat. The one held at Bordeaux’s Port de la Lune submarine bunker is one of our favorites for the beautiful reflections the light casts upon the water.

05 A WOMEN-ONLY CRUISE

We’re hosting our first ever Women-Only Cruise next year, and we couldn’t be more excited! On this enhanced edition of our Burgundy & Provence itinerary, we promise a week of camaraderie, laughter, adventure, delicious bites, and so much fun.

06 BIARRITZ BASQUE COUNTRY

This new extension to Brilliant Bordeaux includes a 3-night stay at a palace-turned-hotel, originally commissioned by Napoleon III for Empress Eugénie. A few days here, and you’ll understand why this charming seaside town was Eugénie’s favorite place in the world.

07 DINE WITH A LOCAL

During our Highlights of Eastern Europe cruise, you’ll have the chance to visit a Croatian villager in their home. Enjoy a traditional meal and listen to authentic stories from the people who bring Croatia to life.

08 SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL

One of our passions is finding ways to make travel give back to local communities—like our visit to a women’s cooperative where you can learn about traditional crafts and purchase handmade souvenirs, available on the Jordan extension to Splendors of Egypt & the Nile

09 PRIVATE CONCERTS

Our new Music of the Danube themed cruise, launching next year, is ready to take our guests on a deep dive through the enchanting musical heritage of Central Europe, and it includes multiple musical appreciation experiences arranged privately for our guests.

10 THE NETHERLANDS IN BLOOM

Sail our Tulips & Windmills itinerary in 2025 to see one of the most eye-catching events Europe has to offer: the annual tulip bloom in the Netherlands. Neatly manicured tulip fields, colorful gardens, and overflowing flower markets await!

DUTCH & BELGIAN HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

Learn about our latest Christmas cruise

Some of our favorite sailings of the year are our Christmas and New Year’s cruises, during which we get to celebrate the holidays with our beloved guests. Up until now, we’ve only offered two of these incredible itineraries per year, both on the Danube River. Now, we’re very excited to offer a third program, this time sailing through the Netherlands and Belgium to offer a new twist on the traditional European holiday experience and active adventures in scenic settings.

WHERE DOES IT GO?

This itinerary sails between Brussels and Amsterdam, hitting towns like Ghent, Maastricht, and Rotterdam in between. The towns of Belgium and the Netherlands have their own take on holiday traditions, with different food and festivities than you’ll find at the classic German markets, and we think it’s just as delightful. Festivities continue longer here, often running into the first few days of the new year, making it a great choice for a late-December trip, when most of Europe has already closed their markets.

WHICH SHIP WILL SAIL THIS CRUISE?

One of our newest ships, the S.S. Victoria, will sweep guests away with her luxe, contemporary feel. Royal Suite guests will love the cozy look of the fireplaces in their cabins, which will bring a warm glow to winter evenings.

WHO DID WE DESIGN THIS CRUISE FOR?

This itinerary is perfect for people who have done Enchanting Christmas & New Year’s or Grand Christmas & New Year’s before and loved the experience but would like to do it again somewhere new. It’s also a fantastic way to spend a magical holiday without the stress of planning or hosting one for yourself. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, with friends, or bringing the whole family abroad, you’ll be wrapped in the warmth of a festive Christmas and New Year’s with the crew you know and love.

WHAT ARE WE MOST EXCITED ABOUT?

Sipping hot cocoa made with real Belgian chocolate, heading into the caves of Valkenburg for an atmosphere unlike any other, and shopping for authentic Delftware after watching skilled artisans handcraft the famous Dutch pottery—what a great gift to bring home with you!

Chef Robert’s Corner: A HOLIDAY FEAST

Looking to wow your party guests Uniworld-style this year? Chef Robert’s cranberry baked brie bites and roast ham are the perfect, no-fuss, dinner party dishes for an easy holiday dinner that will have every guest asking you for the recipe.

To start...

CRANBERRY BAKED BRIE BITES

INGREDIENTS

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

1 cup Brie cheese, cut into small cubes

½ cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)

¼ cup chopped pistachios or walnuts

Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs, for garnish

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a mini muffin tin.

2. Roll out the puff pastry sheet and cut it into 12 equal squares. Press each square into the cups of the mini muffin tin.

3. Place a cube of Brie cheese in each pastry cup, followed by a small spoonful of cranberry sauce. Sprinkle chopped pistachios or walnuts on top.

4. Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden and the Brie is melted.

5. Remove from oven, and garnish with a small sprig of rosemary or thyme for a festive touch. Serve warm.

DID YOU KNOW:

Brie, a cheese from Seine-et-Marne in northern France, is known for its impressionable character and color. It even graced the tables of royalty in the Middle Ages. It's milder than Camembert, with lighter cream and butter tones, and is covered in iconic white mold rinds.

The showstopper...

SPICED ORANGE & HONEY ROAST HAM

INGREDIENTS

1 spiral-sliced ham (about 7–10 lbs)

½ cup honey

¼ cup Dijon mustard

Zest and juice of 1 orange

½ tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp ground cloves

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.

2. Place the ham in a roasting pan, cut side down, and cover loosely with foil.

3. In a small saucepan, combine honey, Dijon mustard, orange zest, orange juice, cinnamon, and cloves. Warm the mixture over low heat, stirring until smooth and well-combined.

4. Brush a generous layer of glaze over the ham, then cover with foil and bake for 1 hour.

5. Remove foil, apply another layer of glaze, and bake uncovered for an additional 30–45 minutes, brushing with glaze every 15 minutes.

6. Remove ham from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh rosemary and orange slices for an elegant holiday presentation.

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

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

Exclusive RiverViews E-NEWSLETTER

(including

Congratulations to Catherine Low for being the first to identify the October 2024 Mystery Photo: S.S. Victoria Royal Suite plus

Special MEMBERS-ONLY OFFERS

Additional savings when you REFER FRIENDS OR FAMILY

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