Uniworld
 |
| File:Uniworld Boutique River Cruises Logo.jpg | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cruise line |
| Founded | Los Angeles, California, 1976 |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Guy Young, President & CEO |
| Products | River cruises |
Number of employees | 115 |
| Parent | The Travel Corporation |
| Website | www |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is located in Los Angeles, California and the company operates a fleet of 21 river cruising cruise ships along the rivers of Europe, Russia, Egypt, and China. Uniworld also has operational offices located in the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, and China. The company is part of the The Travel Corporation group, which also includes businesses such as Trafalgar Tours and Contiki Tours.
History
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, established in 1976, is a luxury river cruise company based in Los Angeles, California. From its start over 30 years ago, Uniworld has expanded both its fleet and the scope of its efforts, currently operating over 500 departures annually and covering more than 20 countries. Its cruises range in length from a week to a month and are designed to appeal to a variety of interests and guests. Along with its primary operations in Western and Central Europe, the company now also works in partnerships with affiliated groups in Portugal, Russia, Egypt and China.[1]
For nearly four decades, Uniworld has taken guests to the most spectacular destinations in Europe, Russia, Egypt, Vietnam, Cambodia, and China. In 2006, Uniworld was acquired by The Travel Corporation, a highly successful international travel group with over 25 award-winning brands such as Trafalgar, Insight, Brendan, and Contiki, as well as Red Carnation Hotels—the award-winning five-star luxury hotel collection. The Travel Corporation has made major investments in Uniworld's ships and its people. The ultimate goal of these investments is to provide guests with a first-class European boutique cruise experience. Combining their sister companies’ expertise in tour planning and in first-class hotel management with their own decades of superior nautical experience has enabled Uniworld to create a new standard in luxury river cruising.
Uniworld employs an all English-speaking, professionally trained staff, so there are no language barriers and no problems with understanding what is being said or what's going on when you're onboard. All announcements are made only in English. Unlike many companies offering river cruise programs in Europe and elsewhere, Uniworld is an American company focused on North American travelers and other English-speaking clientele (as the trips are popular with Australians, British, Canadians, and South African travelers as well).[2]
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, the world’s only authentic boutique cruise line™, is recognized among the “World’s Best River Cruises” by Travel + Leisure. Uniworld was voted the“#1 River Cruise Line in the World” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, was named to Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious Gold List and their Platinum Circle for having made the list consistently for the past five years, and won “Best River Ships” in their Readers’ Poll, which ranked River Queen and River Beatrice #1 and #3 of all cruise ships in the world, respectively, along with eight other highly ranked ships in the top 40 river ships category. Uniworld’s cabins and dining are also ranked among the top three in the world by Zagat Survey®, with Uniworld being the only river cruise line named in the Zagat Survey® amongst the best of the best in the cruise industry. Uniworld features luxurious boutique ships with an average capacity of 130 guests, included shore excursions fully hosted by local experts, world-class gourmet cuisine, and award-winning, personalized hospitality. Uniworld offers over 500 departures sailing on over 13 rivers in more than 20 countries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia.[3]
Fleet
| Ship name | Year built | Length | Guests | Staterooms | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S.S. Antoinette | 2011 | 443 feet | 164 | 80 | Wireless Internet Connection (Wi-Fi) available, floating art museum, first movie theater on a river cruise ship, heated swimming pool with underwater music. | |
| S.S. Catherine | 2014 | 443 feet | 164 | 80 | To be determined. | |
| River Beatrice | 2009 | 410 feet | 162 | 80 | Ultra-luxurious, all-suite ship launched in 2009 | |
| River Ambassador | 1996 (remodeled in 2010) | 360 feet | 128 | 66 | ||
| River Baroness | 1997 (remodeled in 2010) | 360 feet | 128 | 66 | ||
| River Countess | 1999 (remodeled in 2012) | 360 feet | 134 | 67 | ||
| River Duchess | 2003 (remodeled in 2012) | 360 feet | 134 | 67 | ||
| River Empress | 2002 (remodeled in 2010) | 360 feet | 134 | 67 | ||
| River Princess | 2001 (remodeled in 2011) | 360 feet | 132 | 67 | ||
| River Queen | 1999 (remodeled in 2010) | 360 feet | 132 | 63 | Only ship with a fireplace on the rivers of Europe | |
| River Royale | 2006 (will be remodeled in 2014) | 360 feet | 132 | 66 | Wireless Internet Connection (Wi-Fi) available |
Uniworld is a member of Cruise Lines International Association furthering CLIA's river cruise and niche membership base.[4]
References
- ^ "Uniworld Review". Cruise Critic. 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- ^ "About Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection". Uniworld. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
- ^ "Uniworld Continues to Deliver on Their Commitment to Put Travel Agents at the Forefront". Uniworld. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
- ^ http://www.cruising.org/