Traveling from Basel to Amsterdam on the 8-day ‘Castles Along the Rhine’ itinerary, guests of Uniworld visit towering castles that were once mighty fortresses; explore historic cities and tale-like towns; and sample fine wines in the villages where winemaking traditions date back centuries. In Belgium and The Netherlands with the 8-day ‘Holland & Belgium at Tulip Time’ tour, they get the classic Amsterdam tulip and windmill experience, coupled with plenty of Belgian waffles, beer, pralines, and chocolate on a walking discovery tour.
But their adventures aren’t restricted to dry land. With Uniworld and its suite of all-inclusive, destination-inspired river cruises, guests continue their discovery of hidden gems after their shore excursions, all from the comfort of Uniworld’s luxury ships. And with the launch of two new Super Ships, the S.S. Victoria and S.S. Elisabeth, travelers who revel in the luxury river cruise experience have even more to look forward to onboard.
Think: Full-length windows directly in front of king-sized beds for panoramic view of the passing scenery; five-star-hotel furnishings and luxurious amenities like all-marble bathrooms and handcrafted furniture within some of the largest suites on the European river cruises; gourmet cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients; and impeccable service with the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the industry.
Collectively, these provide the perfect setup for guests to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of picturesque towns and rolling landscapes as the ships sail down some of Europe’s most iconic rivers. With just 55 luxurious suites and staterooms accommodating 110 guests, guests are also guaranteed an intimate and highly personal experience.
While the S.S. Elisabeth is scheduled to only set sail for the 2025 season, a variety of itineraries for the S.S. Victoria is already available for booking for the 2024 season. Besides the ‘Holland & Belgium at Tulip Time’ cruise and ‘Castles Along the Rhine’ itinerary, the ship will also sail along the alluring Moselle and Rhine rivers aboard the ‘Magnificent Moselle and Rhine’ itinerary over the course of 10 days.
This offers an in-depth exploration of some of the region’s most beautiful towns and takes guests on a panoramic walking tour of Trier, Germany’s oldest town, to visit ancient structures like the Emperor Bath and Constantine Basilica and learn about its rich Roman history; enjoy a tasting of locally grown Riesling wine at Abbey Eberbach, one of the most significant architectural sites in the region with its Roman and early Gothic influences; and a day trip to the luxe spa town of Baden-Baden, known for its indoor and outdoor pools and spa facilities.
Or, book ahead for the 8-day holiday-themed ‘Belgian Holiday Markets’ sailing round-trip from Brussels, featuring a mix of famous and under-the-radar Christmas markets in charming small towns at the most magical time of year. In Brussels, guests will visit the Brussels Christmas Market, the largest in the city with over 200 stalls offering everything from Christmas crafts to hot chocolate and wintertime treats like warm liege waffles and spiced gingerbread. In between all the Christmas markets, get a dose of history on a walking tour of Bruges, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe; or go cafe hopping and get a taste of Jenever, a juniper-flavored spirit that’s deemed the ancestor of modern gin, in the charming and quaint town of Hasselt.
And when guests are ready for some down time, a luxuriously-outfitted lounge and three dining venues – a main dining room, a private venue for smaller groups, as well as a rooftop bar – are welcome spaces to unwind over a glass of wine or a quick meal. Just the thing to help recharge the batteries before the next adventure in the days ahead. For more information or to book a river cruise with Uniworld, click here
