Uniworld’s newest line of ships is redefining the idea of nautical travel, in the form of intimate vessels for the boutique hotel crowd. Designed with the elite traveler in mind, every room on board is a suite.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has unveiled two new itineraries that combine one of the company's river cruises with a journey by land and rail in 2021. The company has partnered with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains to create journeys that will travel through Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.

One of four Super Ships launching next year as part of the brand’s continued expansion, the new S.S. São Gabriel will join fellow new Super Ships S.S. Sphinx, Mekong Jewel, and S.S. La Venezia for the 2020 season.

This 43-year-old company offers cruises on the Danube, Ganges, Mekong, Nile, Po, Rhone, Volga, Yangtze, and more — and it’s only growing its footprint. Following the launch of two new France-based ships (Joie de Vivre, in 2017, and the Bon Voyage this spring), Uniworld will add new ships next year in Egypt, Italy, Portugal, and Vietnam. Respondents noted Uniworld’s “beautiful, one of a kind ships,” “excellent food,” and “impeccable service” (it claims the highest staff-to-guest ratio in its class). One reader simply commented, “Uniworld sets the standard.”

The ship’s chic real estate is the headline here, and rightly so. But many of the ship’s fresh new shore excursions — such as climbing 154 steps in the dark to the top of the highest sand dune in Europe to watch the sun rise — deserve a shout-out.

The new ship was designed specifically to immerse guests in a gastronomic journey through France’s wine region. Of course, everything else about it will appeal to any Francophile in search of oo-la-la. Being on the ship is actually the next-best-thing to actually being in France! (For we Francophiles, this is a great thing.) The ship itself is a seaworthy version of Versailles, filled with marble, silk, flowers, jewel tones, and gorgeous accents that Marie Antoinette herself would love.

Uniworld’s guests will have the option to witness this traditional performance [of the Passion Play] that takes place in Oberammergau, Germany every 10 years. Situated in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, this special performance began in 1634 and now includes over 2,000 actors, singers and instrumentalists who are all residents of the village.

The new ships will launch on the Nile in Egypt, the Douro in Portugal and the Mekong in Vietnam in 2020, followed by a new ship on the Volga in Russia in 2021.

Visit tumultuous Cairo and sail the Nile River, experiencing the silence of the desert and the timelessness of the pyramids on a 12-day Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection tour.

While many river cruise ships have a bland aesthetic, the Beatrice’s nautically-inspired blue-and-white palette is bold. Throughout, you’ll find monochromatic spaces that mix blue patterned curtains and wallpaper, eye-catching artwork (from the likes of Picasso and Calder), and gleaming marble floors. Look for a white Murano glass chandelier (topped with little blue lampshades) in the foyer, alongside the signature nickel and wrought iron central staircase.

For landlubbers yearning for tranquillity, Uniworld, voted ‘No. 1 River Cruise Line’ at Travel and Leisure’s 2018 World’s Best Awards, offers the ultimate retreat for lovers of art and architecture and for ardent food and wine connoisseurs.

Uniworld received honorable mention in the 2015 Saveur Good Taste awards when pitted against its larger, ocean liner-cousins, and its menus include highlights from noted Chef Bea Tollman’s repertoire (can you say honeycomb ice cream?).

Described by Cruise Critic as regal in its 18th century décor, this homage to the former Austrian empress resembles a floating palace. All accommodations include made-to-order Savoir of England beds, Egyptian cotton sheets, and marble-lined bathrooms. There's also a Viennese café and an enclosed, heated pool.

River cruise line Uniworld adds user-generated content to its website so that potential guests can see the ships and trips from another traveler’s point of view.

Uniworld has already eliminated all plastic straws, water bottles, and related single-use plastic from its fleet. In addition, they have taken the efforts even further by publishing an annual sustainable river cruising guide to provide recommendations on best practices. Now in its fifth year, the publication of this guide is being celebrated with the announcement that Uniworld will become entirely single-use plastic free by 2022.

“Luxury is never static, but an evolving concept that considers not only the aesthetic, but also the way service is delivered. For example, there was a time not so long ago, when one would never dream of bringing the chef front of house to cook with guests, but today, immersion is part of the luxury experience,” said Ellen Bettridge, Uniworld president and CEO.

Bon Voyage will provide a higher staff to guest ratio, lowering the guests from 128 to 124 and adding staff. The renovations will also change all the bathrooms from tile to marble and reconfigure the gym and spa. The top deck will receive a remodel, adding a new outdoor pool, a relaxed outdoor lounge and banquette seating.

Uniworld CEO and President Ellen Bettridge said that the line and PBS are a good match. “As a brand and an experience, we [Uniworld] are dedicated to the highest standards of service and believe PBS cares for their audience with a similar passion and respect. Trust is very important to our customers and in large part, it’s why we chose to make our television debut here,” said Bettridge.

In one of it's most popular river cruises, Uniworld's chic super-yacht Joie de Vivre takes guests from Paris to Normandy and back in eight days of history, food and wine, art, architecture and hertiage estates.

I doubt Austrian empress Maria Theresa lived this well, however. No chamber pots nor chilly draughts disgrace my cabin, just a lot of mod cons beneath the 18th-century veneer, including Egyptian cotton sheets, gushing showers, heated bathroom floors and high-tech touch buttons that produce pleasing lighting effects.

The recent redesign and upgrade of Uniworld’s River Beatrice to a Super Ship (now fittingly named the S.S. Beatrice) serves as the perfect completion of what is already an ultimate immersive experience along the Danube.

At a time when the future of hotel commissions is uncertain, one river cruise company has made two travel agent-friendly moves to further facilitate the selling process for their most valued distribution channel.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection debuted its fifth Super Ship, a top-to-bottom renovation that turned the River Beatrice into a sleek, modern ship that dispels any notions of pretentious luxury that might still be associated with the brand.

Uniworld’s one-of-a-kind vessels are inspired by the locales they visit, making their luxurious ships a destination in themselves.

Uniworld’s newly renovated S.S. Joie de Vivre strives to make passengers feel as though they are on a floating pied-a-terre in France.

High art and imperial history make Vienna a capital of culture, but that doesn't make visiting a chore.

If traveling on water is a favorite of yours (and it should be), cruise through the region on Uniworld’s Gems of Northern Italy for a leisurely, boutique experience.

Uniworld is planning a wide variety of enhancements for its river cruise fleet in 2019, including new and amended itineraries, extra inclusions, new pre and post cruise options, a refurb of its Bordeaux ship and new cabin allotments on a vessel on China's Yangtze River.

Couples can set sail with Uniworld on a romantic river cruise—perfect for a honeymoon or intimate getaway. It doesn't get much more amour-inducing than the Tulips & Windmills voyage.

In fact, on Uniworld's cruises there is constant vigilance and security in place at all times, even if it is so seamless that it might not be seen by guests.

Most Distinctive Ambience, Best For Active Travelers: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

Joie de Vivre is certainly a devoted homage to Paris. Not only is it designed to dock in the centre of the city – within easy walking distance of the Eiffel Tower – its interior design is a visual love letter to France's glory days in the 19th and 20th centuries.

AFAR co-founder Greg Sullivan boarded his first river cruise expecting to enjoy his time ashore. What surprised him was how much he enjoyed the journey itself.

The 40-year-old boutique cruise company is fully, truly all-inclusive—covering everything from airport transfers and gratuities to room service and top-shelf open bar—and its elegant ships voyage down 22 rivers in 26 countries.

A first look at the newest, most luxurious river cruise ship to sail from Paris.