New Uniworld Luxury Ship, Six New Itineraries, New Add-Ons

For travelers seeking a luxurious, pampering river cruise in Europe for 2025, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has some great new offerings. First, its latest river vessel, the Elisabeth will set sail on its maiden voyage from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in March.

Second, Uniworld will also introduce six new itineraries next year. They’ll encompass rivers in Italy, France, Portugal and beyond. Third, new vacation extensions have been rolled out.

“We’re looking forward to another exceptional year of travel ahead at Uniworld, with a variety of innovative itineraries, extensions and the addition of another beautiful Super Ship that we know our guests will love,” says Ellen Bettridge, Uniworld’s president and CEO.

So, let’s learn a bit more about what’s planned. (Photo above shows the Elisabeth, Uniworld’s new ship for 2025. Photo by Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.)

Uniworld Growth: The Luxurious Elisabeth 

The Elisabeth will join its sister ship the Victoria next season. By way of background, those river ships were nearly new Crystal Cruises’ river vessels. They were purchased by the Seaside Collection, Riverside Luxury Cruises’ parent company, in 2022.

But now they’re on a long-term charter to Uniworld, which is spending both time and money to turn them into its own lovely river ships. So, Uniworld’s guests can anticipate a pampering, luxurious river cruise from start to finish.

Each ship accommodates up to 110 guests in 55 luxurious suites and staterooms. Did you know that Elisabeth will offer some of the largest suites on European rivers? It’s a fact.

Plus, guests will find an onboard pool, gym, massage room, sundeck bar and more.

Elisabeth’s 2025 Itineraries

Elisabeth will set sail on an eight-day “Castles Along the Rhine” itinerary in March 2025. At press time, fares started at $2,959 per person, double occupancy.

Later in the year, a “Rhine Holiday Markets” itinerary will be on tap during Uniworld’s 2025 holiday season. Fares for that itinerary currently start at $3,599 per person, double occupancy. 

“Be sure to click on both of those links to learn all about each itinerary,” says Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel. “Then give us a jingle to learn more, ask questions, select accommodations and reserve your spot aboard.”

One good piece of “intel” from Steudle? She says that Uniworld is currently running an Early Booking Savings Offer.

Essentially, travelers who book and pay in full by September 30, 2024, can save up to 20 percent on select 2025 cruises. Among them is “Grande Italia,” outlined below. But be sure to ask your personal travel planner about the discount and whether your selected itinerary may qualify.

Six New European Itineraries

In 2025, Uniworld will launch six new cruise itineraries in Europe. Here’s a brief snapshot look…

“Cruise & Rail: Paris to Istanbul“: On this exciting river cruise and rail vacation, guests will visit seven countries in 14 days by both methods of exploring. The itinerary will take guests to such iconic cities as Paris, France; Vienna, Austria; and Istanbul, Turkey.

Guests will travel in pampering comfort on Uniworld’s Joie de Vivre as well as the Golden Eagle Danube Express private train. Highlights include a vineyard tour and tasting in Champagne, live saxophone music in the stone halls of the Postojna Cave and more.

It’s the trip of a lifetime. Fares at press time started at $22,798 per person, double occupancy.

“Wine Roads of France and Portugal“: This 18-day vacation is great for those travelers who prefer much more than a week or even two on vacation. Ideal for wine aficionados, it combines two of Uniworld’s highly popular shorter itineraries — “Brilliant Bordeaux” and “Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley.”

Guests will meet local vintners and sample everything from bold reds to dessert wines. They’ll also bike among the vineyards. And they’ll sail on two luxurious vessels, the 124-passenger Bon Voyage and the 100-passenger Sao Gabriel. At press time, fares started at $9,269 per person, double occupancy.

More New Itineraries

“Rhine, Moselle and Belgium Grand Discovery“: This spectacular, 15-day journey between Basel, Switzerland, and Brussels, Belgium, takes guests to Central Europe’s vibrant cities. Plus, guests experience the cultures along the way in six countries!

Guests will sail on the 110-passenger Victoria with fares starting at $8,909 per person, double occupancy.

“Grande Italia“:  Guests sailing on Uniworld’s 126-passenger La Venezia will visit three enticing Italian cities — Milan, Venice, and Rome. They’ll enjoy cultural experiences, as well as stops in hidden-gem Venetian towns.

In Venice, for instance, guests can head out on a walking tour, learn about the cultural traditions of mask making or try their hand at rowing a gondola. One enticing Venice excursion option without the crowds? It’s an early morning visit to The Dorsoduro, a Venetian district with an authentic, easygoing aura.

Fares for “Grand Italia” start at $6,209 per person, double occupancy, at press time.

Even MORE New Itineraries

“Rome, Venice & the Jewels of Veneto“: Guests will begin this 11-day journey in Venice onboard La Venezia. The ship will dock in the heart of Venice in the Venetian Lagoon, only accessible via a small ship.

The tour will also include land touring in Rome, complete with a visit to Vatican City. Fares start at $5,129 per person, double occupancy.

“Dutch & Belgian Holiday Celebration“: This is a new 11-day holiday itinerary for Victoria in 2025. Guests will spend Christmas in Belgium and New Year’s in the Netherlands. 

Highlights include chocolate tasting in Brussels and a tour of Valkenburg’s underground holiday market. Pricing starts at $6,569 per person, double occupancy.

Uniworld’s Exclusive Added Extensions

But there’s more! In 2025, Uniworld will also add six new cruise extensions (click this link for all extensions and sample pricing) to its Europe itineraries. Six new ones include:

• Madeira Island, Portugal: This is now available as a pre-cruise extension for Uniworld’s Portugal itineraries. Guests can spend four days enjoying Madeira’s temperate climate, eco-beauty and local culture.
• Mediterranean Cassis, France: Guests can start or end their Uniworld experience on select itineraries in France with a three-day adventure to Cassis. That’s a lovely fishing port along the Mediterranean coast.
• Biarritz Basque Country, France: Uniworld’s travelers on select France itineraries can start with a four-day adventure in the Biarritz Basque Country – a beautiful resort town, known affectionately as the “queen of the beaches, and beach of the kings.”
• Engelberg, Switzerland: Guests can opt for this new pre- or post-cruise extension of a “Rhine Holiday Markets” cruise. They’ll spend four days in the charming Swiss alpine village of Engelberg.
• Kitzbuhel, Austria: Guests can book this as a pre- or post-cruise extension of Uniworld’s “Danube Holiday Markets” itinerary. They’ll spend four days in this alpine town. It has shops and cafes lining the streets of its medieval center.
• Zurich, Switzerland: On select Uniworld European itineraries, guests can start or end their vacation with three added days in Zurich. This bustling spot is known for Lake Zurich, contemporary art, cultural sites and shopping.

To learn more about Uniworld and all its options, visit its official website page. To smooth the travel process, get answers to your questions and to book (getting all pricing discounts or options available), follow the Pavlus Travel contact details below.

Important Notes from Pavlus Travel