2026 is going to be a banner year for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises as it celebrates its 50th anniversary with new offerings, including the debut of the S.S. Emilie, a brand-new build and unique addition to the fleet, inspired by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt.
Additionally celebratory offerings include a 50-night Rivers of the World sailing, three new Mystery Cruises, a new family-friendly Generations Collection offering and more.
“As we look to celebrate our 50th anniversary next year, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished,” says Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld, in a press release statement. “Uniworld debuted in 1976 as a tour company that soon became the first North American company to offer cruises throughout Europe. During our five decades in the industry, we’ve strived to continuously innovate and delight our guests with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Through it all, the heart of who we are has remained the same, and we’re excited to offer new journeys next year to celebrate our history, our future and our treasured guests.”
In 2026, the S.S. Emilie will debut on the Danube River across eight different itineraries throughout Europe. The 154-passenger ship is the brand’s first new build since 2021, with a design inspired by the artist Gustav Klimt and named after his life partner and muse, Emilie Floge. The new river ship’s aesthetics will weave in hues of green, blue and yellow, gold accents, and plenty of Art Nouveau touches. Unique experience: The S.S. Emilie will allow guests to book a 2-bedroom suite when reserving a Grand Suite with the adjoining Deluxe French Balcony stateroom.
Next year will see the return of Uniworld’s popular Mystery Cruises. With two cruises departing April 26 and one departing May 3, guests can book now to secure their preferred date. The April Mystery Cruise is also the second leg of the 50-night 2026 Rivers of the World cruise.
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Uniworld will host its third Rivers of the World cruise in 2026 for a fitting 50 nights, offering travelers an adventure across three continents. Departing on April 16, 2026, the journey will begin on the S.S. Emilie, making guests of the Rivers of the World cruise some of the first passengers to experience the new Super Ship. The journey begins in the city of Brussels, where guests will sail to Amsterdam, before joining a Mystery Cruise to experience a surprise destination. Following the Mystery Cruise, guests will board the S.S. Joie de Vivre in Paris for a French river cruise along the Seine, with stops throughout the heart of both the city and the countryside, before taking a first-class train to Lyon. There, passengers will sail to Avignon aboard the S.S. Catherine before enjoying a few nights in the quaint Mediterranean fishing port of Cassis. Guests will then fly to Cairo for five nights at a luxury hotel and then sail the iconic Nile River on board the S.S. Sphinx for an adventure throughout Egypt, including a trip to Abu Simbel exclusively for the world cruisers and a visit to the much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). The final leg of the journey will be spent in Jordan, where guests will visit iconic spots like Petra and the Dead Sea.
On the July 19 and July 26, 2026 departures of the Burgundy & Provence itinerary, Uniworld will offer a Generations Collection sailing, which are designed with families in mind, featuring an array of activities, amenities and excursions tailored specifically for children. In addition to a lounge just for young travelers, the Generations sailings have two family hosts on board who organize kid-centric dining options and special social events like movie nights.
In 2026, Uniworld will also launch additional itineraries throughout Europe, including three Danube itineraries on the S.S. Emilie. These trips combine a cruise with land stays, which are available to book as a cruise-only itinerary. Across all European itineraries, Uniworld guests will also enjoy a new Black & White Party where passengers will dress in their best black and/or white attire for an evening filled with music, dancing and magical lights. The itineraries include the 10-day Vineyards & Palaces Along the Danube; the 10-day Vienna & Capital Cities of the Danube; and the 17-day Danube Grandeur & Prague.
New 2026 Uniworld University Course
Travel advisors can now complete the newly revamped “What’s New for 2026” certification course, available on the Uniworld University online training portal. This updated course provides an in-depth look at Uniworld’s offerings for 2026. Advisors who complete the course gain exclusive perks, such as a featured spot in Uniworld’s online directory of preferred advisors, a personalized certification badge for their email signature, and eligibility for savings of up to 60 percent on Uniworld cruise fares. To access the course, advisors can visit uniworlduniversity.com.
