U by Uniworld Makes Waves with First-Ever River Cruise Brand for Younger Travelers
U by Uniworld —a groundbreaking brand from Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection—is now available for bookings, allowing travel enthusiasts aged 21 to 45 to experience nine enticing European itineraries beginning in spring 2018. The firstever cruise brand of its kind, U by Uniworld transforms the travel industry paradigm with a fresh approach to experiential travel, introducing a whole new audience to cruising, on some of the most interesting rivers of Europe. U by Uniworld offers fun, immersive, authentic and adventurous itineraries and a seamless way to experience Europe from city to city.
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“Uniworld has always strived to lead innovation in the river cruise industry and we saw a great opportunity with U by Uniworld to reach an entirely new audience,” said Ellen Bettridge, President & CEO of Uniworld. “River cruising is the best and most comfortable way to experience all that Europe has to offer, in an affordable way, and we’re incredibly proud to create a brand that will broaden the interest in this type of experiential travel.”
“The U by Uniworld brand is built on a foundation of Uniworld’s river cruising expertise and the leadership in youthful travel of its sister brands Contiki and Busabout,” said Brett Tollman, Chief Executive of The Travel Corporation (TTC). “The official sales launch of U by Uniworld reflects the unwavering determination and drive of The Travel Corporation to continue to innovate in and contribute to the travel & tourism industry. We look forward to seeing this exciting new TTC brand becoming established, successful and growing in the coming years under Ellen’s dynamic leadership.”
Four eight-day itinerarie
Rolling On The Rhine, Germany’s Finest, The Danube Flow and The Seine Experience— sail the Rhine, Main, Danube and Seine Rivers, with overnight stops and longer stays in major cities like Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam and Budapest. Three Super Cruise options combine two or more U itineraries into one 15 or 22-day bucket list journey. U by Uniworld also offers two five-day holiday itineraries– Dashing Through The Danube and A Merry Little Christmas Cruise– for those who want to experience the magic of Christmastime in Europe and a special New Year’s Eve celebration. Available only on The A, these festive itineraries include a trek through a Bavarian Forest to Passau’s Christmas Market; a Viennese “Taste of Christmas” excursion; and an exclusive, classic Christmas concert in Klosterneuburg Abbey.
With a maximum capacity of 120 adventurous travelers, the first two U by Uniworld ships – The A and The B – will be all black outside and feature a sleek, cool interior design with open communal spaces and rooftop lounges, where guests can enjoy scenic river views while sipping on craft cocktails and mingling with like-minded travelers when they start cruising in April 2018. The A and The B will serve as a fully-equipped waterfront contemporary hotel, taxi, bar, restaurant, café, nightclub and yoga studio, all in one. U by Uniworld ships provide the perfect balance between local authenticity and the comfort of home, offering travelers the hassle-free ability to tour multiple cities and countries while only unpacking once.
U by Uniworld’s lineup of onboard programming includes Wine & Paint Classes, where passengers can sip on a glass of local wine while painting the scenery before them; Mixology Classes taught by the master bartenders onboard; and Chef’s Table Cooking Classes, a tasty way to experience the culinary riches of each destination.
Onshore experiences are designed for those with a passion for exploration and a taste for authenticity, allowing ample time for passengers to meet locals, discover restaurants and bars in each city and enjoy both independent discovery and guided excursions. Each day on U by Uniworld, guests are given the flexible options to explore in one of three ways—included excursions and activities, optional “U
Time” outings, or a self-guided tour of the cities. Curated programming is tailored to individual travel personalities, such as foodies, culture buffs, adventure seekers, explorers, solo travelers, romantics, and night owls, with itineraries to satisfy every individuals’ passions.
Foodies will salivate over local market shopping with the ship’s chef in Rouen while culture buffs will delight in a guided bike tour of top World War II sites in Nuremberg. Adventurers can rock climb at 6,500 ft. or white water raft, explorers can kayak through UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and solo travelers will love creating a custom drink to their tastes after meeting a Master Distiller at the world’s largest hands-on cocktail exhibit in Amsterdam. Couples can reconnect with romance on a horse-drawn carriage ride in Vienna, and night owls can sample the abandoned buildings of Budapest which have been transformed into the city’s trendiest bars and clubs.
When nighttime falls, “U Hosts” are on hand to bring guests the local hotspots and hidden gems in each city. Experiences range from visiting a U Host’s favorite nightclub in Amsterdam to wandering along the banks of the Seine on a midnight stroll in Paris, where travelers will experience Paris at one of the most magical times of the evening before venturing off for a night out. There will be DJ’s onboard both ships as well as other nighttime entertainment for fun.
The A and The B offer three room categories—Studio, Balcony and Suites—all with river views. Suites featuring French balconies and a living room area are perfect for honeymooners and those celebrating a special occasion. Balcony rooms are ideal for pairs, and groups of friends traveling together can enjoy Studio rooms that can accommodate up to three passengers. Solo travelers can take advantage of single rooms or special room share rates.
Eight-day itineraries on The A start at $1,699 per person and include sailings along the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. Pricing for The B, which sails exclusively on the Seine River and throughout France, starts at $1,999 per person. Starting rates are based on double occupancy and are inclusive of gratuities; port charges are not included.
To book a U by Uniworld itinerary, please visit: ubyuniworld.com or call 800-883-8785.
ABOUT U BY UNIWORLD
U by Uniworld – a new brand from Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection – is the first river cruise dedicated to travel enthusiasts aged 21 to 45, offering immersive experiences along popular rivers across Europe. U by Uniworld will begin sailings in spring 2018 with nine itineraries on the Seine, Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, among two renovated ships with a maximum capacity of 120 passengers. U by Uniworld river cruises will deliver the same authenticity and personalization that Uniworld is celebrated for, while offering a new way for younger travelers to go from city to city or even country to country. Experiential itineraries focus on longer stays in destinations to connect explorers to local experiences and vibrant nightlife scenes. The A and The B ships feature a contemporary look and feel in all public spaces and guest areas. Communal dining tables will complement a local fare and street food-inspired culinary program, with creative mixologists and international DJ’s onboard. U by Uniworld is collating personalized suggestions and requests for all aspects of the experience, encouraging participants to use the #AllAboutU hashtag on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. For more information, please visit www.ubyuniworld.com
ABOUT UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISE COLLECTION:
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection —the world’s most luxurious all-inclusive river cruise line - features luxurious ships with an average capacity of 130 guests, exclusive excursions, gourmet cuisine, and one of the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry. Based in Los Angeles, California, Uniworld offers truly all-inclusive itineraries in Europe, as well as voyages in Russia, China, Vietnam and Cambodia, India, and Egypt—a total of 23 rivers in 24 countries worldwide. Uniworld is a member of CLIA and is highly regarded by discerning travelers, media, and cruise industry experts, having most recently been named the #1 River Cruise Line in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2016 readers’ survey. ( www.uniworld.com )
ABOUT THE TRAVEL CORPORATION
The Travel Corporation (TTC) is a highly successful international travel group. Our philosophy is simple – To create enriching experiences for our travelers by combining an unbeatable mix of exceptional service and quality at great value, driven by a passionate global team who are driven to deliver memorable experiences. No matter what your taste, whether you are a family or a couple, a group or traveling solo – TTC offers something for everyone. Our multi-awardwinning portfolio ranges from luxury hotels and boutique river cruises, to independent holiday package companies and a variety of guided travel experiences. ( www.TTC.com )
ABOUT THE TREADRIGHT FOUNDATION
Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands, the TreadRight Foundation is a notfor-profit that works to help ensure the environment and communities we visit remain for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has supported some 40 sustainable tourism projects worldwide.