Welcome to our October 2024 issue of RiverViews! This is a big month for Uniworld, with our 2024 Rivers of the World cruise having launched on October 3rd. Follow along with our intrepid adventurers on the next page! In this issue, you’ll also get to read about our new-for-2025 Limited-Edition Cruises, dive into the Rhine with us, and more!
Lastly, I’m excited to tease something special coming soon. As our treasured River Heritage Club members, you are the first to hear that we’re bringing back Uniworld’s 12 Days of Christmas, a fun-filled series of incredible offers. Past years have seen 50% savings, free suite upgrades, and other unbelievable deals. Who knows what we’ll have in store this time?
Warmest regards,
ELLEN BETTRIDGE CEO, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
OUR RIVERS OF THE WORLD CRUISE has begun
Did you know our 55-day cruise kicked off on October 3rd? By now, our little troupe of intrepid world travelers has already sailed the lush waterways of the Peruvian Amazon, seen the “Lost City” of Machu Picchu, listened to the roaring cascades of Iguazu Falls, and walked the sands of Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach. Now, they’re making their way through the historic towns of Germany! Take a look on this page for an inside look at how the world’s farthest-reaching adventure in river cruising is going.
CLICK HERE to join the waitlist of our 2026 Rivers of the World cruise, a 50-night journey from Belgium to Jordan! For more information, please contact your Travel Advisor or call the exclusive River Heritage Club members-only line at 1-800-307-4699.
New for 2025!
OUR LATEST LIMITED-EDITION CRUISES
Over the last few years, we’ve noticed our travelers looking for more specialized trips and trusting Uniworld to provide them with unique experiences. It’s what drove us to create itineraries like our Rivers of the World and Mystery Cruises, expand our Holiday Season offerings, and more. Now, we’re excited to be launching three completely new themed programs in 2025, each with just a limited number of spots available.
PREMIUM GOLF PACKAGE
Departures: June 1, June 22, July 13, July 27, August 10, August 24
Sailing on: Brilliant Bordeaux
You asked, and we listened! Uniworld is now offering an add-on package for golfers looking to take their passion abroad. On select 2025 dates of our Brilliant Bordeaux cruise, you can add this package to experience two of the region’s most beautiful courses, with golf carts, lunch on the courses, and more convenient inclusions.
WOMEN-ONLY CRUISE
Departure: August 24
Sailing on: Burgundy & Provence
Designed by women, for women, this one-date-only cruise will sail the S.S. Catherine for an enhanced version of our Burgundy & Provence cruise. Highlights include wine tasting in local vineyards, truffle hunting, a candlelight concert, a build-your-own scent session with a local perfumer, and a performance from a surprise celebrity guest!
MUSIC OF THE DANUBE
Departures: August 3, November 2
Sailing on: Enchanting Danube
The “Blue Danube” inspired many more musicians than just Johann Strauss II. For two special sailings of our Enchanting Danube cruise, we’ll explore classical, modern, and folk music. From learning to yodel to getting lost in an immersive light-and-sound show dedicated to the life and works of Mozart, the experiences you have on this cruise will leave you with a deeper connection to the culture of this storied region.
The Rhine branches into a many-armed delta when it reaches the Netherlands. This creates a maze of charming little rivers to explore on cruises like Holland & Belgium at Tulip Time or Remarkable Rhine & Historic Holland
THE RHINE GORGE
This famous stretch of the Rhine River is UNESCO designated for the astounding series of medieval castles arranged across its hilltops. On Castles along the Rhine, we invite our guests up to the sun deck for drinks as the Cruise Manager tells stories about the dozens of castles along this route.
THE MOSELLE TRIBUTARY
Considered something of a hidden-gem destination, the Moselle is everything we love about the Rhine distilled into one postcard-worthy package. You’ll find fewer riverboats here than on the Rhine thoroughfare, fantastic Rieslings, and some of the best views you’ll ever see.
Your Guide to THE RHINE RIVER
One trip down the Rhine, and it’s clear this destination was made for river cruising. Its castle-studded hills, rolling vineyards, and quaint towns make for the picture-perfect trip, enjoyed best when you can float from one destination to the next aboard a river ship. The Rhine and its tributaries have many distinct regions though, each worth a visit in their own right. Take a look around this map to get to know them better.
English Channel
ENGLAND
WALES
SPAIN
FRANCE
RHINE DELTA
THE HIGH RHINE
North Sea
Amsterdam
THE NETHERLANDS
Rotterdam
Moselle River
Düsseldorf
Cologne
Rhine River
Braubach
Rüdesheim Trier
Strasbourg
THE LOWER RHINE
Basel
SWITZERLAND
Frankfurt
Speyer
GERMANY
Main River
Bamberg
Nuremberg
LIECHTENSTEIN
THE MAIN TRIBUTARY
Cutting a path straight through the center of Germany, the Main is home to Franconian wine country and some of the country’s best Christmas markets. It’s also the waterway that connects the Rhine to the Danube, making trips like our Ultimate European Journey possible!
CZECH REPUBLIC
AUSTRIA
SLOVENIA
POLAND
CROATIA
HEIDELBERG CASTLE
This red castle represents one of the most important examples of Renaissance architecture north of the Alps.
RHEINSTEIN CASTLE
This excellently preserved medieval fortress still has a working drawbridge and portcullis.
Sites where
ABBEY EBERBACH
Though this abbey is no longer an active monastery, it has preserved its centuriesold winemaking tradition.
ARCHITECTURE ENTHUSIASTS
You may have been warned not to judge a book by its cover, but sometimes great stories really do come in beautiful packages. That’s certainly the case when it comes to these historic sites, where stunning architectural achievements transport you back in time. These walls can’t talk, but our local guides are experts at translating the tales of intrigue they have to tell.
WÜRZBURG RESIDENCE
Even the UNESCO committee couldn’t deny that this building is one of the finest examples of German Baroque style.
HET LOO PALACE
A summer residence for the House of Orange-Nassau, illustrating the pleasant symmetry of Dutch Baroque buildings.
COLOGNE CATHEDRAL
This Gothic monument is the tallest twinspired church in the world—and the third tallest church of any style.
FELDSCHLÖSSCHEN BREWERY
A 19th-century castle that’s actually one of Switzerland’s best breweries? Now that’s the best of both worlds.
BADEN-BADEN CASINO
Corinthian columns, Neo-classical design, and gorgeous chandeliers—this casino is a James Bond movie brought to life.
THE ROMAN RUINS OF TRIER
For the best-preserved Roman architecture in Germany, head to the UNESCO-designated city of Trier.
& HISTORY BUFFS UNITE
REICHSBURG CASTLE
This 17th-century Neo-Gothic castle was incorporated into the ruins of an 11th-century castle that had been destroyed in the War of the Palatine Succession.
A NATURE-LOVER'S PARADISE
The best Rhine cruises for the outdoorsy traveler
One of the wonderful things about a river cruise is immersing yourself in the landscape outside your ship during sailing. Whether you’re enjoying a slow wake up with your curtains drawn or relaxing on the sun deck, you can get lost in the meandering flow of the river and never lose interest in the ever-changing scenery. But for those who really love the great outdoors, we’ve selected our top two Rhine River sailings for enjoying natural phenomena, beautiful gardens, and active adventures in scenic settings.
TULIP & WINDMILLS
Of course, the yearly tulip bloom is reason enough to put a springtime visit to the Netherlands on your bucket list, but it’s not the only treat for nature lovers in this region. Join us on this cruise and you'll visit one of the largest flower gardens in the world, head to a sustainable farm to sample Dutch cheeses, and bike through the charming Dutch countryside to admire dams and windmills.
RHINE, MOSELLE & BELGIUM GRAND DISCOVERY
This trip has no shortage of spectacular experiences in nature. From Basel, we’ll take you on a hike in the Swiss Alps, complete with a picnic lunch. When we’re on the Moselle tributary, we’ll take advantage of the plentiful vineyards for a bike ride along the vines that includes a wine tasting. And for the brave at heart, we offer a hike across the suspension bridge of Geierlay, which dangles high above a dense forest.
A VIRTUAL TASTING MENU OF
THE FLAVORS
The countries of the Rhine—the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland—are river-rich and therefore fertile ground for farming. Our chefs love taking advantage of the local produce, transforming them into the rustic, hearty dishes that make up Rhineland cuisine. This region is often a little chilly, even in the summer, which makes warming roasts and stews appealing. You’ll find these dishes balanced with pickled side dishes and washed down with local wines and beers.
In contrast to the rich food, the wines and beers of the Rhineland are most famously light. White wines, primarily Riesling, are produced in abundance. Notably, European Riesling has a tendency to be drier than the Rieslings served in the States, following local preference. Light and hoppy beers are popular, with many towns boasting their own distinct brews: Kölsch in Cologne, Altbier in Düsseldorf, and so on.
Similarly, you’ll find a favorite local variety of sausage made in many towns across the Rhine. Whether you’re eating Bratwurst or Frankfurters, though, we enjoy them best with a good German pretzel, mustard, and sauerkraut.
@thegrubfather
OF THE RHINE
The rolling green pastures of this region make excellent roaming grounds for dairy herds. The cheeses produced here are commonly creamy and nutty, such as gouda and gruyere—though the flavor profiles of these cheeses tend to vary widely with age. The latter is used in a popular variation of Alsatian flammekueche, a flatbread traditionally topped with crème fraîche, onions, and lardons.
We believe every meal should end in a sweet treat, and you’ll have plenty of options by the Rhine. For sweetly spiced breads, you’ll find Basler Läckerli in Switzerland and lebkuchen in Germany. Pancakes are beloved all along the Rhine, sometimes served with apples, as the Rhine offers ideal conditions for these fruit trees.
Don’t make the mistake of discounting the Rhineland from your list of foodie destinations. While not known for its haute cuisine—perhaps unfairly, as the bigger cities abound in world-class restaurants—the traditional foods of this region are rich in flavor and intricately tied to the landscapes and cultures they come from.
Chef Robert’s Corner:
AN EVENING WITH THE CHAÎNE DES RÔTISSEURS
The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is the world’s oldest and largest culinary guild. Uniworld is proud to not only have several chefs designated as Maîtres by the association, but also to have been holistically recognized for culinary excellence by this prestigious group. Uniworld’s Culinary Director, Chef Robert van Rijsbergen, recently welcomed the Dutch Delegation of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs for a gala dinner aboard the S.S. Victoria, treating its members to an opulent evening of fine wine and gourmet bites. Take a look at the menu to the right, and learn how to make the amuse-bouche below at home!
L'OEUF D'OR POULE AU CAVIAR "SURPRISE"
INGREDIENTS
Hollow eggshell (if unavailable in your area, an egg dish is a good alternative)
Chopped fresh salmon
Chopped smoked salmon
Fresh chopped parsley
Tablespoon of sour cream and mayonnaise, mixed
Egg Salad: boiled egg chopped with mayonnaise, chopped chives, salt and pepper
Crostini (thin sliced French baguette, oven baked, golden brown, with olive oil until crispy)
1-ounce tin of caviar (Sevruga or Beluga) chilled for the topping
Edible flowers (or greens)
PREPARATION
1. Mix 1-part fresh and 1-part smoked salmon with some mayonnaise and sour cream. Add fresh chopped parsley, salt, and pepper to taste.
2. Fill up half of the egg with the salmon mixture, then top off with the egg salad.
3. Top the egg salad mixture with the chilled caviar.
4. If using a hollow eggshell, fix it to a white plate using a little bit of extra egg salad (as pictured). If using an egg dish, simply place it in the middle of a the plate.
5. Garnish with edible flowers (or greens) and place the crostini on the side.
Tip: Serve with a non-metal spoon (we use mother-of-pearl), as metal will affect the flavor.
Banyuls Rimage, M. Chapoutier Languedoc – Roussillon, France
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 PROMOTIONS
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
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
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