Uniworld
| File:Uniworld River Cruises Logo.jpg | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cruise line |
| Founded | Los Angeles, California, 1976 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California, California, United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Ellen Bettridge, President & CEO |
| Products | River cruises |
Number of employees | 115 |
| Parent | The Travel Corporation |
| Website | www |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is a premier river cruise operator based in Los Angeles, California, with additional offices located in the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, and China. Its fleet of 19 vessels navigates rivers throughout Europe, Egypt, India, Peru, and Southeast Asia. As a division of The Travel Corporation, Uniworld is affiliated with other travel brands such as Trafalgar Tours and Contiki Tours.
History
Established in 1976, Uniworld became part of The Travel Corporation family in 2004. The company currently offers more than 500 river cruises annually across upwards of 20 countries. These journeys range from 8 to 55 days and include options for pre- and post-cruise extensions through hotel accommodations, land excursions, or luxury train experiences.
In 2021, Uniworld launched its Cruise & Rail initiative, collaborating with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains in Europe and The Maharajas’ Express in India to merge river cruising with exclusive multi-night private train adventures.
The year 2023 marked the introduction of the first authentic “world cruise” on rivers by Uniworld—a comprehensive itinerary combining multiple river voyages with included airfare. The 2023 Rivers of the World expedition spanned 47 days from Cairo to Lisbon, while the 2024 journey extends over 55 days from Lima to Ho Chi Minh City.
All-Inclusive Policy
On European river cruises, Uniworld’s base fare encompasses three daily meals, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, shore excursions, onboard entertainment, fitness amenities, snacks, and round-the-clock room service. Suite passengers benefit from dedicated butler service. Services and amenities vary on ships chartered in regions such as India, Southeast Asia, Egypt, and Peru.
Guests can enhance their experience with optional upgrades including additional excursions, spa services, celebration packages, and an exclusive “Diamond Menu” featuring premium wines and spirits.
Ships
The majority of Uniworld’s European vessels are owned and operated directly by the company and are distinguished by their boutique-style design. Other ships—including the S.S. São Gabriel (Portugal), S.S. Sphinx and River Tosca (Egypt), Ganges Voyager II (India), Aria Amazon (Peru), Mekong Jewel (Vietnam and Cambodia), along with S.S. Victoria and S.S. Elisabeth (Central Europe)—are operated under charter agreements through affiliated partners.
Themed Cruises
Uniworld curates a variety of themed cruises each year that cater to specialized interests. These include Jewish Heritage Cruises across Central Europe, Holiday Season sailings, family-oriented trips under the Generations Collection brand, as well as active travel itineraries developed in partnership with Butterfield & Robinson—broadening the scope of its offerings.
Fleet
| Vessel Name | Construction Year | Renovation Year | Length | Passenger Capacity | Number of Cabins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Duchess | 2003 | 2012 | 361 feet (110 m) | 130 | 65 |
| River Princess | 2001 | 2011 | 361 feet (110 m) | 130 | 65 |
| River Queen | 1999 | 2010 | 361 feet (110 m) | 128 | 64 |
| S.S. Antoinette | 2011 | 443 feet (135 m) | 152 | 76 | |
| S.S. Beatrice | 2009 | 2018 | 430 feet (130 m) | 148 | 74 |
| S.S. Bon Voyage | 2006 | 2019 | 361 feet (110 m) | 124 | 62 |
| S.S. Catherine | 2006 | 2019 | 361 feet (110 m) | 124 | 62 |
| S.S. Joie De Vivre | 2016 | 410 feet | 128 | 64 | |
| S.S. La Venezia | 2002 | 2020 | 361 feet (110 m) | 126 | 63 |
| ' 'S.S. Maria Theresa | ' '2015 | ' '[convert: needs a number]'443'ft'm' | ' '150 | ' '57 | |
| ' 'S.S. São Gabriel | ' '2020 | '262 feet' | '100' | '50' | |
| ' 'S.S. Victoria | ' '2017 | '110' | '55' | ||
| ' 'S.S. Elisabeth | ' '2017 | '110' | '55' | ||
| ' 'River Tosca | ' '2009 | '[convert: needs a number]236'ft'm' | '82' | '41' | |
| ' 'S.S. Sphinx | ' '2020 | '236 feet (72 m)' | '84' | '42' | |
| ' 'Mekong Jewel | ' '2020 | '[convert: needs a number]262'ft'm' | '68' | '34' | |
| ' 'Ganges Voyager II | ' '2016 | '[convert: needs a number]185'ft'm' | '56' | '28' | |
| ' 'Aria Amazon | ' '2010 | '2019' | '[convert: needs a number]147'ft'm' | '32' | '16' |
Uniworld is affiliated with Cruise Lines International Association.
Recent Awards
Uniworld has consistently been honored with numerous accolades that highlight its influential position and competitive edge in the industry. In the year 2023, it received the distinction of “Best River Cruise Line” from Virtuoso, Telegraph Awards, Globe Travel Awards, and the Irish Travel Industry.
In 2022, Uniworld maintained its streak by winning the “Best River Cruise Line” award from Global Traveler’s Leisure Lifestyle Awards for the fifth year in a row. It also garnered recognition from the Wave Awards, Irish Travel Trade Awards, Travel Weekly Asia Reader’s Choice, Tripzilla Excellence Awards, and achieved a #3 ranking in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best River Cruise category.
Past years demonstrate ongoing excellence: Travel + Leisure named Uniworld “World’s Best River Cruise Line” in both 2018 and 2019; Cruise Critic acknowledged the company for outstanding service and vessel renovations; and in 2017, its S.S. Joie de Vivre earned the title of “Best New River Ship.”
These honors emphasize Uniworld's strategic leadership within the luxury river cruising sector and reinforce its prominent brand reputation on the international cruise stage.