Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will expand its fleet to 22 ships in 2028 with the addition of three new vessels, eight new itineraries and a new Mystery Journey concept, extending its river routes beyond Europe’s Rhine and Danube corridors into new territory along the Mekong and deeper into Eastern Europe.
“2028 is shaping up to be an incredibly exciting year for Uniworld,” says Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, in a press statement. “We’re giving our guests the opportunity to see more, travel farther and experience some of our favorite destinations in entirely new ways. That could mean journeying from Amsterdam all the way to the Black Sea, experiencing the traditions and flavors of France during the holiday season, or exploring the Mekong aboard our newest ship. And for guests who loved our Mystery Cruise, we’re doing something a little different this time with our new Mystery Journey, because sometimes the best part of travel is not knowing exactly what comes next.”
Uniworld’s Newest Lineup
The three new ships joining the fleet are the S.S. Helen, sailing the Danube; the S.S. Clara, joining the Rhine fleet; and the Mekong Mystique, expanding Uniworld’s presence on the Mekong. The S.S. Helen and S.S. Clara are named for Helen of Troy and Flemish Golden Age painter Clara Peeters, respectively, with each ship’s design drawing on the history and landscapes of the regions it sails.
Five of the eight new itineraries extend across multiple countries. The 30-day Amsterdam to the Black Sea traces the Rhine, Main and Danube through nine countries between Amsterdam and Bucharest, following the route opened by the Main-Danube Canal in 1992. The 25-day Eastern Europe Exploration runs from Prague to Bucharest across nine countries with multiple overnight stays. The 18-day Danube East and West connects Vienna and Bucharest across seven countries and the 9-day Empires of the Lower Danube sails between Belgrade and Bucharest through Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. The 8-day Dutch and Flemish Treasures covers the Netherlands and Belgium, including Amsterdam’s canals and the windmills of Kinderdijk.
Three itineraries center on the winter holiday season. The 15-day Grand France Holiday combines the Rhone and Seine to connect Provence and Paris with a high-speed train transfer between the rivers. The 8-day Rhone Winter Holiday sails from Arles to Lyon with stops at Christmas markets in Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Valence and Lyon. The 8-day Moselle Holiday Markets journey runs from Dusseldorf to Trier, with stops at Christmas markets in Cochem, Bernkastel and Koblenz.
Uniworld will also debut a new Mystery Journey beginning June 15, an 11-day sailing that reveals only two details in advance: guests arrive through Luxembourg Airport and depart from Zurich Airport, with the destinations and itinerary kept undisclosed until departure.
For more information, visit uniworld.com.
