A Look Back at 2023

“Time flies when you’re having fun” may be a cliché, but, hey, things become clichés because they are so true. That’s how it was for our 2023 cruise season: it was so full of fun that it went by in a flash.

That was by design. When we planned the season we knew that what you love about Uniworld are the things that never change: authentic service, delicious food, and carefully designed experiences.

But then we thought, what if that delicious meal with the elegant local wines served by our attentive crew was only the beginning of a legendary evening? We challenged ourselves to amp up our after-dinner experiences. The first idea was to bring destinations to life in a new way—at night. So we added off-board evening experiences to many of our itineraries. They ranged from starlight canal cruises to private after-hours tours of popular attractions. For example, guests on our Bordeaux cruises could enjoy the unique digital art displays and beautiful music of the Bassins des Lumières in relative privacy.

But you didn’t have to leave the ship to have fun. In 2023 we added a 70’s party on every European cruise. Guests showed up in the grooviest attire and danced the night away to the hits of the 1970’s hits. They were such huge hits that we have decided to keep the party going into 2024.

Perhaps our biggest debut of 2023 was the inaugural Rivers of the World cruise. The mammoth itinerary spanned five cruises over 46 nights, nine countries and two continents. It was not only a first for Uniworld but for the river cruise industry. I wasn’t one of the 44 intrepid cruisers who made the whole trek, but I was on hand to host the launch in Egypt. My youngest daughter, Abigail, had just graduated from Gonzaga University and I brought her along to celebrate the milestone. And she added her own brand of collegiate fun, organizing a one-off beer pong tournament. I can’t promise beer pong on every cruise, but you never know what might happen.

The guests who sailed the entire Rivers of the World cruise got other surprises, such as visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum (another experience unique to Uniworld as the GEM hadn’t opened to the public yet) and enjoying an incredible gala dinner in Lisbon at the stunning Palacio Fronteira, a 17th-century palace in Lisbon. Several other Masterpiece Collection excursions were included for these determined travelers as well.

The group had its own Traveling Concierge, Anthony, to make sure this monumental experience went smoothly. He took such good care of the Rivers of the World guests every step of the way for almost seven weeks that they called him their “genie” and surprised him with a lamp. He was that magical.

The maiden voyage of Rivers of the World was such a success that we have introduced one for 2024. This time it will cross three continents and 10 countries over 55 days and involve four Super Ships. Are you ready to sign up?

Mystery Cruises were another part of the fun. Introduced in 2022, the concept is that guests book a cruise with no idea of what the itinerary will be. The only thing you know in advance is that we will do our utmost to curate an outstanding journey—and that you will have fun.

For 2023, there were two Mystery Cruises. one in the Netherlands and one in the south of France. My husband Jack and I had the pleasure of hosting the one in France. A few highlights included dinner at the famous Hermitage Hotel in Monte Carlo, an evening at the Pope’s Palace in Avignon, a cigar night hosted by Jack (who is the Sr. Editor of Cigar Aficionado), and lunch in a local restaurant amid a seasonal lavender field. My favorite moments had to be dancing all night at the 70’s Party, hosting a quirky Uniworld version of the Newlywed game, and enjoying great food and drinks with old and new friends.

The element of surprise isn’t the only thing at the heart of a Mystery Cruise. There is also the element of trust. Our guests knew nearly nothing about the trip, but they could be sure they’d have an amazing time. What surprised me the most was that 24% of the guests who sailed with me were cruising with Uniworld for the first time.

Of course, at Uniworld we always have eyes on the future… and it looks bright. Included among the several new cruises and rail journeys for 2024 is a Milan, Venice, Istanbul & the Balkans itinerary. After a beautiful cruise of the Venetian Lagoon, it will take travelers along the Greek seafront and to historic villages in Eastern Europe. The highlight: two nights in Istanbul. I am also very excited about Grand Alpine & the Enchanting Danube, which matches the beauty of Budapest, Vienna, and the Wachau Valley with a string of memorable experiences in the Swiss and Italian Alps.

In 2025, we’re launching a new holiday program in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as a wine lover’s trip that combines Bordeaux and the Douro River Valley, and a new Italian itinerary that goes to Rome. The biggest new addition will be a grand tour of central Europe that winds its way from Brussels to Basel, visiting no less than 6 different countries in over 2 weeks.

At Uniworld, we never stop evolving and always stay focused on delivering the finest hospitality, the best experiences, and fun. I am fortunate to have an incredible team, both on the ships and in our offices around the world, who care about the customer experience and make it happen. Thank you for your confidence and trust in us.