More to Come
AS THE OWNER OF PREMIER RIVER Cruises in Los Angeles, a travel agency specializing in river and small ship cruises, Rick Kaplan has seen river cruising evolve from simple vessels with bunk beds and linoleum floors to the sleek river ships of today, and he predicts river cruising is in for another major transformation.
“The industry is moving to embrace a new demographic — younger people and families — and with that shift will come more levels of fitness and more variety with excursion programs,” said Kaplan.
In fact, Uniworld announced the addition of U by Uniworld, a new brand for youthful adventure seekers that is set to begin sailings in early 2018. The new brand’s goal is to offer immersive, authentic, and adventurous experiences for the next generation of river cruisers along the rivers of Europe.
“U by Uniworld will offer a new way for exploratory, younger travelers to experience the pulse of Europe,” said Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of Uniworld. “We are targeting an active traveler between the ages of 18 and 40, with everything from the décor, dining, and cocktail service to the land activities thoughtfully curated to appeal to, and meet the needs of, this audience.”
For active travelers contemplating river cruising, Kaplan suggests taking advantage of the exceptional service found on today’s river ships. Tell the staff that you’re interested in having an active vacation and they will suggest things to see and do, provide directions and maps, and maybe even get the galley to pack you a picnic while they’re at it. The service is there, says Kaplan, you just have to ask for it.
For example, running maps, which are a relatively new feature on river cruise lines, were adopted after Kaplan and other avid runners continually asked for them. And with every request for hiking maps, walking sticks, canoes, and bikes, the ships are changing course, bound for a more energetic future.
Cruise lines are meeting the demand for more active experiences by partnering with specialized tour companies.