What’s new from Uniworld: Record bookings, new Super Ships, and luxurious land-based adventures
Luxury river cruise line Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is riding a wave of record demand from UK travellers, with bookings for 2026 up 32% year-on-year and 2027 bookings already 63% ahead of the same point last year.
The growth comes as Uniworld launches a host of new experiences, ships and itineraries for 2026 and 2027, including a brand-new generation of Super Ships, a new series of luxury cruise-and-tour holidays, and an inaugural programme of immersive, land-based journeys around the world in partnership with sister brand, Luxury Gold.
NEW SHIPS Uniworld welcomed the first of its next-generation Super Ships, the S.S. Emilie, this season, operating two brand-new itineraries: Vineyards & Palaces Along the Danube(eight days, Vienna to Nuremburg, from £2,399pp), and Capital Cities of the Danube (eight days, Belgrade to Vienna, from £2,159pp).
Upgrading its entire fleet to Super Ships by 2027, Uniworld will launch three additional vessels in 2027: The S.S. Audrey, sailing the Rhine, Main and Moselle rivers The S.S. Marlene, sailing the Danube River The S.S. São Rafael, sailing Portugal’s Douro River
PARTNERSHIPS Via its partnership with Aqua Expeditions, Uniworld will introduce Aqua Blu into the portfolio in 2027, as it expands into Indonesia with the 14-day Bali, Singapore & Indonesia Expedition cruise from Bali to Singapore (from £15,864pp) After a sell-out 2026 launch season, Uniworld is expanding its 2027 partnership with Seabourn, offering three new, ultra-luxury river and ocean cruise sailings that combine the Venetian Lagoon with Adriatic and Aegean Sea cruising (from £7,424pp for the Best of Italy, Croatia and Malta itinerary) All European ships now feature a fleet of Brompton bikes, replacing previous onboard bicycles and providing guests with greater flexibility to explore independently.
ULTIMATE JOURNEY COLLECTION Uniworld continues to expand beyond river cruising with its first Ultimate Journeys of the World collection for 2026/27. The programme introduces new Cruise & Touritineraries in Europe that pair eight-day luxury river cruises with small-group land touring with Luxury Gold. Land experiences woven into these trips include a journey on the Glacier Express, a private after-hours museum visit in Lucerne, Michelin-starred dining, truffle hunting in Tuscany and stays in top brand name hotels like the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski in St Moritz and the Mandarin Oriental in Lucerne. Also included for the first time in the Uniworld portfolio are Luxury Long-Haul Land Journeys featuring destinations such as Japan, South Africa, and Eastern Canada. The programme also features Uniworld’s Spectacular Journeys of the World Collection, offering longer, more immersive multi-day itineraries comprising land, river and rail across South America, India, Egypt, Jordan, Vietnam, Cambodia, and – new for 2027 – Indonesia and Singapore, with journeys lasting up to 25 days.
NEW FAMILY-FRIENDLY ITINERARIES IN FRANCE THIS SUMMER Uniworld’s popular Generations Collection – dedicated sailings aimed at multi-generational families, featuring a tailored programme of activities for children – is launching in France for the first time in 2026. On two special departures setting sail on the Burgundy & Provence itinerary on 19 and 26 July 2026, families will enjoy enriching experiences such as a kayak on the Gardon River to the famous Pont du Gard aqueduct, a tour and chocolate workshop at the Cité du Chocolat in Tain L’Hermitage, a Van Gogh-inspired painting class designed for young artists in Arles and a scavenger hunt through the cobblestone streets of Beaune. On board, activities include dessert-making with the pastry chef, crafting workshops, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the ship including the Captain’s wheelhouse. Testament to the growing demand for multi-generational river cruising, these new family-friendly departures are almost sold out but will return in 2027, alongside Generations departures on the Rhine, Danube and Nile.
Beyond family travel, Uniworld offers a wider collection of themed cruises, designed for guests who want to explore a particular passion or interest while travelling. Available on select sailings, these specialist itineraries feature exclusive excursions and onboard activities built around a central theme – from music to Jewish heritage, LGBTQ+, and Holiday celebrations.
EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES Uniworld Boutique River Cruises offers a range of exclusive onshore experiences, many of which are new for this year and unavailable through any other travel provider, giving guests private access to hidden gems and cultural encounters across Europe. From a private concert by the Regensburger Domspatzen – the world’s oldest boys’ choir – in their Gothic cathedral, to meeting the residents of a 16th-century Austrian castle, tasting AOC-designated Camembert at a sustainable Normandy farm, and enjoying wine-paired picnic lunches at a Saint-Émilion estate, these curated moments immerse travellers in local culture away from the crowds. Many experiences form part of Uniworld’s MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® programme, supporting local communities, heritage preservation and sustainable tourism.
NIGHTS OUT PROGRAMME Uniworld’s expanded Nights Out programme offers exclusive after-dark experiences that bring destinations to life in unexpected ways, seeing one of the sights at a different time and with a different ambience. These excursions range from private after-hours tours to local nightlife encounters, including a mesmerising light show at Bordeaux’s Bassins des Lumières projected onto a reclaimed WWII submarine base, a private Mozart and Strauss concert in Vienna’s Albert Hall, and craft beer tasting in a castle-like Swiss brewery. New for this year is a visit to Marksburg Castle on the Rhine in the evening, without the crowds.
With record demand, a new generation of Super Ships, and an expanded portfolio that now spans river cruises, luxury touring, and immersive land journeys across the globe, Uniworld is redefining what a boutique river cruise company can offer.
QUOTE Chris Townson, Managing Director of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, commented: “The record bookings we’re seeing are hugely exciting, but what really drives us is the innovation behind them. Whether that’s a new Super Ship, a truffle hunting excursion in Tuscany, or an after-hours experience in an iconic sight, we’re constantly finding new ways to surprise and delight our guests. We’re also investing in making our proposition clearer and easier to sell for our trade partners – because a well-informed agent is the best ambassador we have.”
Lead in prices above are per person, based on a twin share, and includeluxurious accommodation, gourmet dining and unlimited drinks onboard, local transfers, immersive sightseeing, port charges and gratuities. For more information, visit www.uniworld.com.
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What’s new from Uniworld: Record bookings, new Super Ships, and luxurious land-based adventures
What’s new from Uniworld: Record bookings, new Super Ships, and luxurious land-based adventures
Luxury river cruise line Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is riding a wave of record demand from UK travellers, with bookings for 2026 up 32% year-on-year and 2027 bookings already 63% ahead of the same point last year.
The growth comes as Uniworld launches a host of new experiences, ships and itineraries for 2026 and 2027, including a brand-new generation of Super Ships, a new series of luxury cruise-and-tour holidays, and an inaugural programme of immersive, land-based journeys around the world in partnership with sister brand, Luxury Gold.
NEW SHIPS
Uniworld welcomed the first of its next-generation Super Ships, the S.S. Emilie, this season, operating two brand-new itineraries: Vineyards & Palaces Along the Danube(eight days, Vienna to Nuremburg, from £2,399pp), and Capital Cities of the Danube (eight days, Belgrade to Vienna, from £2,159pp).
Upgrading its entire fleet to Super Ships by 2027, Uniworld will launch three additional vessels in 2027:
The S.S. Audrey, sailing the Rhine, Main and Moselle rivers
The S.S. Marlene, sailing the Danube River
The S.S. São Rafael, sailing Portugal’s Douro River
PARTNERSHIPS
Via its partnership with Aqua Expeditions, Uniworld will introduce Aqua Blu into the portfolio in 2027, as it expands into Indonesia with the 14-day Bali, Singapore & Indonesia Expedition cruise from Bali to Singapore (from £15,864pp)
After a sell-out 2026 launch season, Uniworld is expanding its 2027 partnership with Seabourn, offering three new, ultra-luxury river and ocean cruise sailings that combine the Venetian Lagoon with Adriatic and Aegean Sea cruising (from £7,424pp for the Best of Italy, Croatia and Malta itinerary)
All European ships now feature a fleet of Brompton bikes, replacing previous onboard bicycles and providing guests with greater flexibility to explore independently.
ULTIMATE JOURNEY COLLECTION
Uniworld continues to expand beyond river cruising with its first Ultimate Journeys of the World collection for 2026/27. The programme introduces new Cruise & Touritineraries in Europe that pair eight-day luxury river cruises with small-group land touring with Luxury Gold. Land experiences woven into these trips include a journey on the Glacier Express, a private after-hours museum visit in Lucerne, Michelin-starred dining, truffle hunting in Tuscany and stays in top brand name hotels like the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski in St Moritz and the Mandarin Oriental in Lucerne. Also included for the first time in the Uniworld portfolio are Luxury Long-Haul Land Journeys featuring destinations such as Japan, South Africa, and Eastern Canada. The programme also features Uniworld’s Spectacular Journeys of the World Collection, offering longer, more immersive multi-day itineraries comprising land, river and rail across South America, India, Egypt, Jordan, Vietnam, Cambodia, and – new for 2027 – Indonesia and Singapore, with journeys lasting up to 25 days.
NEW FAMILY-FRIENDLY ITINERARIES IN FRANCE THIS SUMMER
Uniworld’s popular Generations Collection – dedicated sailings aimed at multi-generational families, featuring a tailored programme of activities for children – is launching in France for the first time in 2026. On two special departures setting sail on the Burgundy & Provence itinerary on 19 and 26 July 2026, families will enjoy enriching experiences such as a kayak on the Gardon River to the famous Pont du Gard aqueduct, a tour and chocolate workshop at the Cité du Chocolat in Tain L’Hermitage, a Van Gogh-inspired painting class designed for young artists in Arles and a scavenger hunt through the cobblestone streets of Beaune. On board, activities include dessert-making with the pastry chef, crafting workshops, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the ship including the Captain’s wheelhouse. Testament to the growing demand for multi-generational river cruising, these new family-friendly departures are almost sold out but will return in 2027, alongside Generations departures on the Rhine, Danube and Nile.
Beyond family travel, Uniworld offers a wider collection of themed cruises, designed for guests who want to explore a particular passion or interest while travelling. Available on select sailings, these specialist itineraries feature exclusive excursions and onboard activities built around a central theme – from music to Jewish heritage, LGBTQ+, and Holiday celebrations.
EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises offers a range of exclusive onshore experiences, many of which are new for this year and unavailable through any other travel provider, giving guests private access to hidden gems and cultural encounters across Europe. From a private concert by the Regensburger Domspatzen – the world’s oldest boys’ choir – in their Gothic cathedral, to meeting the residents of a 16th-century Austrian castle, tasting AOC-designated Camembert at a sustainable Normandy farm, and enjoying wine-paired picnic lunches at a Saint-Émilion estate, these curated moments immerse travellers in local culture away from the crowds. Many experiences form part of Uniworld’s MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® programme, supporting local communities, heritage preservation and sustainable tourism.
NIGHTS OUT PROGRAMME
Uniworld’s expanded Nights Out programme offers exclusive after-dark experiences that bring destinations to life in unexpected ways, seeing one of the sights at a different time and with a different ambience. These excursions range from private after-hours tours to local nightlife encounters, including a mesmerising light show at Bordeaux’s Bassins des Lumières projected onto a reclaimed WWII submarine base, a private Mozart and Strauss concert in Vienna’s Albert Hall, and craft beer tasting in a castle-like Swiss brewery. New for this year is a visit to Marksburg Castle on the Rhine in the evening, without the crowds.
With record demand, a new generation of Super Ships, and an expanded portfolio that now spans river cruises, luxury touring, and immersive land journeys across the globe, Uniworld is redefining what a boutique river cruise company can offer.
QUOTE
Chris Townson, Managing Director of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, commented: “The record bookings we’re seeing are hugely exciting, but what really drives us is the innovation behind them. Whether that’s a new Super Ship, a truffle hunting excursion in Tuscany, or an after-hours experience in an iconic sight, we’re constantly finding new ways to surprise and delight our guests. We’re also investing in making our proposition clearer and easier to sell for our trade partners – because a well-informed agent is the best ambassador we have.”
Lead in prices above are per person, based on a twin share, and includeluxurious accommodation, gourmet dining and unlimited drinks onboard, local transfers, immersive sightseeing, port charges and gratuities. For more information, visit www.uniworld.com.
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