RiverViews February 2026

ELLEN’S 360°

Dear River Heritage Club,

I’m pleased to present you with the first RiverViews issue of 2026, Uniworld’s Golden Anniversary year! This 50-year milestone represents an important moment for all of us here at Uniworld— and carries a special sentimentality for me, as it coincides with my 10th year at the company.

While I had heard of Uniworld before I joined on as CEO in 2016, I didn’t fully grasp the meaning of the company’s “boutique” modus operandi until I became part of the team. Far from just a marketing term, it speaks to a truly extraordinary standard of care that goes into everything we do here. Every customer, every itinerary, every ship receives individualized attention. The result is a level of quality and intimacy that simply cannot be matched. I immediately fell in love, and am so proud of how far Uniworld has come since.

I’m excited to be joining you, our beloved guests, on several cruises this year. First on my agenda: the inauguration of the S.S. Emilie. I can’t wait to launch our first, company-owned, newly-built ship since 2019. This one was a passion project of mine, as I worked with our team at every stage to craft a ship from the bottom up to wow our guests with thoughtfully curated spaces, a unique design scheme, and our most sustainable technologies to date. If you’re joining me for that March 21 sailing of Tulips & Windmills, I’ll be seeing you soon!

Next, I’ll jet off to Brussels to welcome our Rivers of the World cruisers to the start of their 50-night odyssey in honor of 50 years of Uniworld. And later, I’ll host our Golden Anniversary Cruise aboard the October 23 departure of Vienna & Capital Cities of the Danube. I have a surprise or two up my sleeves for that trip, but you’ll just have to wait and see for yourself what that may be! Even when I’m back at our offices in Los Angeles, know that I’m traveling with you in spirit and hope you have the time of your lives whenever you sail with us.

As I rejoice in the success of our first 50 years, I already have my eyes on the horizon. What I can see there fills me with anticipation of bigger and better things coming for Uniworld’s next 50. Indeed, 2027 is off to an incredible start. We look forward to inviting more guests than ever to experience firsthand the warmth, joy, and indulgence of a trip with Uniworld. Some gorgeous new ships—more on that later in this issue—are getting to ready to join our Super Ship™ fleet. We’ll also be offering a new way to explore: Cruise & Tour journeys that combine the best experiences on river and on land for a multifaceted, deeply immersive vacation.

Whether you join us this year or in the future, I wish you a very sincere bon voyage

Warmest regards,

ELLEN BETTRIDGE CEO, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

We take our first guests on European river cruises, becoming the first U.S. brand to do so.

Our world grows! Portugal, India, Venice and more welcome our ships. We also begin building our own ships from the bottom up, revolutionizing the river cruise industry with hotel-style luxury.

We join The Travel Corporation (TTC) alongside brands like Luxury Gold and Trafalgar Tours. Our new travel family helps us establish our signature style, and we go forward to create the industry’s only true Floating Boutique Hotels™ .

We introduce the first Personal Butlers on the rivers, trained to the same exacting standards as those who serve royalty— but with the warmth and personalization that set Uniworld apart.

Uniworld is born.

The building of the Main-Danube Canal allows us to offer the first grand river cruises, stretching as far as Amsterdam to the Black Sea.

Our first Super Ship™—the S.S. Antoinette—stuns guests with her grand décor, paving the way for a fleet that came to include such iconic vessels as the S.S. Catherine, S.S. Maria Theresa, S.S. Joie de Vivre, and more.

A CRUISE THROUGH HISTORY

What Does 50 Years of

Brilliance Look Like?

There’s nothing like a milestone to take a chance to pause, look back, and appreciate how far you’ve come. We take pride in our 50 years of transforming the river cruising industry—a period that saw us introduce several “firsts” to the format, leaving new standards in our wake with every passing year. Care to join us in a bit of nostalgia?

ALAN & JUDY GRIMES

Quick Facts

HOME COUNTRY: Canada

UNIWORLD CRUISES: 20

NEXT UP: The 2026 Grand Mystery Cruise

As we’ve geared up to celebrate our 50 th anniversary, we have had the opportunity to talk to several of our frequent travelers to learn why they love Uniworld and what keeps them coming back year after year. Today’s spotlight: 20-time Uniworld cruisers Alan and Judy Grimes. Keep reading for their story, and stay tuned for more from River Heritage Club members like yourself throughout the year!

You’ve spent years with Uniworld. What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had with us onboard?

In the over 20 cruises we have done, there are too many to choose just one, so we have to include a couple more. One of the most memorable is the New Year’s Eve celebration in December 2022 on the Grand Christmas and New Year’s cruise. After a fantastic meal we were treated to entertainment by a couple brought in from Paris who were absolutely wonderful. The evening was capped off with champagne on the top deck at midnight as we watched the fireworks all around Vienna. Another is the afterhours tour of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, a truly special evening. And the third happened on one cruise to the Normandy Coast. As the only Canadians on the cruise, we were taken by the Cruise Director personally to the Canadian War Monument and then a Canadian War Cemetery while all the rest of the people on the tour went on to the American sites. It was indeed a wonderful, emotional experience, and we were very appreciative of the extra effort put forth on our behalf.

What do you love most about life onboard that hasn’t changed over the years?

Without a doubt it is the warm, comfortable environment and service provided by your consistently wonderful staff and crew. We often recognize and are recognized by staff members as we embark on our cruises. Our staterooms have been comfortable and well serviced. We have been kept healthy with wonderful meals. We have enjoyed the onboard lectures and the musical entertainment brought on. The parties and dances are just plain fun. We really love the all-inclusive aspect of Uniworld. And all that is why we have never even considered cruising with any other company.

What personal milestones have you celebrated onboard?

We traveled on one cruise with Judy’s sister and her husband, and she was surprised and touched by the birthday cake baked for her as she celebrated onboard.

Have you made lasting friendships with other guests over the years? Any stories of traveling with people you met through Uniworld?

A huge “YES” to this question. In 2017 we met up with two Australian couples and one New Zealand couple on the European Jewels cruise and had a lot of fun sharing experiences with them. The four men loved the bike tours. In 2019 we did a “reunion” cruise [...]. Since then we have done a number of cruises with Joy and Paul, the New Zealand couple, the last being Wine Roads of France & Portugal in 2025, and have become fast friends. We still keep in touch with the Australian couple as well as an English couple we met on the Christmas and New Year’s cruise. We’ve met other wonderful people as well along the way.

Has Uniworld changed the way you see the world?

Our travels have certainly opened our eyes further to the European world. Although we are both well educated, we understand so much more about the history of all the countries and have a greater appreciation for the cultures we have experienced. School learning did not provide us with the deeper understanding of the contributions of all those countries and cultures and the foundations they laid for our lives in Canada. The home visit tours Uniworld provides have allowed us to gain wonderful insights into the lives of the people in the communities we have visited.

If you could wish something for Uniworld for the next 50 years, what would it be?

Our wish is that Uniworld continues to provide the five-star cruises they are known for. Keep hiring the best people to provide that outstanding service we love. Keep the ships small and intimate. And continue to provide wonderful cultural and entertainment experiences for your clients, changing the itineraries and many of the tour choices so that people like us who repeat cruises always have new and interesting options for learning and enjoying.

We think Alan and Judy will be very pleased with everything we have planned!

INTO THE UNIWORLD ARCHIVES

SHIPS THAT BUILT OUR LEGACY OF LUXURY ON THE WORLD’S RIVERS

RIVER AMBASSADOR (1993)

River Ambassador set sail in 1993 with panoramic windows, perfect for viewing the stunning landscapes of Central Europe. Communal spaces onboard were finished in classic shades of white, gray, and black, allowing for our guests to be surprised by pops of colors in their staterooms and in artwork adorning the walls.

RIVER BARONESS (1994)

River Baroness began cruising the Seine in 1994 with a completely different design approach from her sister ship River Ambassador, using bold colors in communal spaces. Think shades of coral, salmon, and pink along with patterned fabrics that brought French flair onboard. Still looking for a little more sparkle? How about a Swarovski crystal display onboard?

RIVER QUEEN (1999)

One of the most unique ships cruising Europe’s rivers, the River Queen’s exterior resembled steamships of the 1930s with an elegant interior textured in blue and white fabrics. River Queen was rated the #1 ship in the entire cruise industry (both river and ocean) in the 2012 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Cruise Poll. Fun fact: the River Queen was the only ship on the rivers of Europe with an interior fire pit.

RIVER EMPRESS (2001)

The cosmopolitan style of River Empress featured rich jewel tones and a vibrant atmosphere. The ship’s glamorous mirrored lobby, minty blue lounge, and sleek restaurant—reminiscent of a New York jazz and supper club—made for an ultra-chic way to travel through the scenic heartland of Europe.

RIVER PRINCESS (2001)

The stunning foyer of the River Princess set an indulgent tone for European journeys. Throughout the ship, jewel-tone greens, warm browns, and a mix of black and white created a sophisticated ambiance. Looking for another reason to fall in love with this ship? River Princess featured art by Pablo Picasso, Jean Miro, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse and more.

The distinct approach we bring to the design of each of our ships has set Uniworld apart over the decades, elevating the river cruise experience for our guests. Always striving for the highest standards, we consistently refine our designs and innovate our fleet. In honor of our 50th year in luxury travel, we’re cruising down memory lane with a look back at some of the ships that were once part of our fleet and forever integral to our story.

RIVER COUNTESS (2003)

River Countess launched in 2003, first cruising the rivers of Central Europe before making her way to Italy to cruise in the Venetian Lagoon. Muted shades of turquoise complemented shades of cream, taupe, and white accents onboard. Look familiar? River Countess underwent an extensive redesign and still cruises the Venetian Lagoon today as the S.S. La Venezia.

RIVER ROYALE (2006)

River Royale launched in 2006 navigating the waterways of southern France with design elements inspired by the region. She later became the 6th vessel in our Super Ship™ fleet, relaunching as the S.S. Bon Voyage with a completely new design in 2019. The Claret Room, a private dining and wine tasting space aboard the River Royale, has been redesigned into the gorgeous La Cave des Vins aboard the S.S. Bon Voyage.

RIVER BEATRICE (2009)

River Beatrice launched in 2009, establishing a new floating boutique hotel on the Danube. If this name sounds familiar, River Beatrice has remained in our fleet, transformed with design influence from Red Carnation Hotels into the stunning S.S. Beatrice River Beatrice was selected as the Cruise Critic’s Editor’s Pick for "Best New River Ship" in 2010.

QUEEN ISABEL (2013)

Queen Isabel began sailing the serene Douro River Valley in 2013. Fun fact: This ship was christened by actress Andie McDowell in a launch ceremony that also featured a performance by Michael Bolton and concluded in fireworks over the Douro! Unique features of this vessel were a helicopter landing pad and photovoltaic solar panels.

MEKONG NAVIGATOR (2019)

Before the Mekong Jewel began transporting our guests through stunning landscapes and local villages across Vietnam and Cambodia, the Mekong Navigator was a luxurious home to our guests. Whether enjoying a peaceful moment in a lounge chair on the sundeck or a quiet moment in the library onboard, the Mekong Navigator brought moments of tranquility between bustling cities.

2027 FLEET ADDITIONS

Our anniversary is as much about the last 50 years as it is about the next 50—and we’re ready to start our next chapter in style with 4 new ships in 2027! Discover the European destinations you know and love aboard our newest additionas to the fleet—S.S. Marlene, S.S. Audrey, and S.S. São Rafael. Then explore somewhere new aboard the Aqua Blu in Southeast Asia.

AQUA BLU

The 60m Aqua Blu is able to cover vast distances in a short span of time and with utmost comfort. On board, 15 individually designed cabins and refined social spaces are accompanied by innovative cuisine curated by renowned chef Benjamin Cross, drawing inspiration from Indonesia’s fabled spice trade route.

The vessel enables explorers on board to experience the most varied, enjoyable, and rewarding coastal cruise itineraries in East Indonesia. Explore the world’s most biodiverse marine habitats, embark on adventurous hikes across active volcanoes, and explore relics from centuries-old history in small groups led by highly experienced crew and guides.

S.S. SÃO RAFAEL

When Portuguese navigator Vasco de Gama set sail aboard the São Gabriel in 1497, his fleet was joined by the São Rafael, a matching ship captained by his brother, Paulo de Gama. Likewise, our new S.S. São Rafael will join S.S. São Gabriel on the Douro River in 2027 to introduce even more guests to the rich flavors and wonderous landscapes of Portugal’s famed winegrowing region. While we might not have a villa or estate, we enjoy the postcard worthy views, colorful buildings, and charming streets with shops and restaurants.

S.S. MARLENE

The  S.S. Marlene is an homage to German-born actress and singer Marlene Dietrich. Launching in 2027 and sailing through the waterways of Central Europe, the ship is sure to impress travelers with Dietrich’s distinctive flair, drawing inspiration from her time as a Hollywood film star and, later, a cabaret artist.

S.S. AUDREY

The S.S. Audrey is launching in 2027 and set to sail the Rhine River and its Dutch tributaries. In honor of the acclaimed actress born in this region, the ship is named after the beloved 1960s film star Audrey Hepburn. Expect beautiful onboard spaces inspired by Hepburn’s life and works, with elements of her iconic style imbued throughout.

Postcards Representing 50 Years of Traveling the World

WITH LOVE, FROM UNIWORLD

Our itineraries have been delivering the quintessential European river cruise experience along the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, and more for decades. These waterways are where we launched our “floating boutique hotel” concept that transformed the industry. 50 years later, and we are still in awe of hill-topped castles, fairytale towns, rolling vineyards, and much more that awaits in Central Europe.

There might be no destination better tailored to a floating hotel than the Venetian Lagoon. Introducing our cruise in Venice has offered our guests the best location to explore the iconic sites of this enchanting city, but also unique access to gems many visitors only visit briefly, or miss entirely such as Chioggia and Burano.

Uniworld’s expansion into the rivers of France has allowed the opportunity to bring guests to the landmarks of Paris, historic Normandy landing beaches, prestigious vineyards and châteaux, quaint villages, Roman ruins, lavender fields of Provence, and even the former home of the Papacy, while serving delicious cuisine and delectable wines along the way.

Photogenic Lisbon and Porto are must-stops on a visit to Portugal, but our cruises take guests a little deeper, sailing beyond these famed cities and into the scenic Douro River Valley. To meet the growing demand for this rising star destination, we're launching a new ship on the Douro in 2027: the S.S. São Rafael .

In 1976, Uniworld started sharing hidden gems of Europe with guests on curated journeys. Discovering river cruising to be the ultimate way for guests to experience a region in comfort and convenience, we began introducing our boutique approach to river cruising to destinations around the globe. While we still explore the towns and cities of Europe that have been captivating us for 50 years, our thirst for adventure has inspired us to expand our collection of cruises into new rivers of the world.

Our immersive, carefully curated itinerary along the legendary Nile River gave us the unique opportunity to take guests on a truly transformative, once-in-a-lifetime adventure through breathtaking ancient wonders while providing the absolute pinnacle of modern luxury and comfort.

Complex and beguiling, India is a country unlike any other. To craft the perfect itinerary, we paired the cultural landmarks of the Golden Triangle—Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur—with a peaceful voyage along the sacred Ganges River, giving our guests the rare opportunity to truly immerse themselves in this special region.

With buzzing cities, rural villages, and stunning landscapes, the Mekong Delta should be on every traveler’s bucket list. With this in mind, Uniworld designed an itinerary for our guests to experience the most historic, beautiful, and friendly locales in Vietnam and Cambodia.

We have continued our forays into the world's most legendary rivers by adding Peru to our map. The waterways of the Amazonian rainforest invite our guests to discover the flora and fauna of one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions.

Chef Robert’s Corner: A PEAK AT OUR CELEBRATION MENU

Executive Chef Robert is thrilled to share a taste of the special menu he’s curated for our 50th anniversary celebration dinner, which will happen on every European sailing in 2026. Try this Cognac Lobster Bisque, an appetizer that will set the tone for any delicious, flavorful meal you make. And for a real showstopper, we hope you enjoy this Filet Mignon in Morel Cream Sauce, a main course that is rich in flavor and pairs perfectly with your favorite root vegetables.

COGNAC LOBSTER BISQUE

This creamy lobster bisque is gently seasoned and uses the Cognac to create a balance of richness and lightness while enhancing the natural flavors of the lobster.

INGREDIENTS

2 whole lobsters

4 cups water

Salt to taste

2 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

1 celery stalk, chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tbsp tomato paste

cup Cognac

1 bay leaf

1 sprig thyme

3 tbsp butter

1 shallot, finely chopped

1 tbsp flour

1 cup heavy cream

Cayenne pepper (to taste)

Salt & white pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Prep the lobster: Bring salted water to a boil and cook the lobsters for 6–7 minutes, just until done. After, remove the meat from tails and claws and set aside for later. Crack the shells roughly and set aside. Reserve the water.

2. Make the stock: Heat olive oil in a large pot and add the lobster shells. Sauté until deep red and aromatic, then add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic to cook for another 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook until slightly caramelized. Deglaze with Cognac, careful to mind the flame. Finally, add bay leaf, thyme, and the reserved water to simmer for 35-40 minutes, then strain, pressing to collect as much of the liquid as possible.

3. Build the bisque: In a clean saucepan, melt butter and sauté shallot until soft. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the hot lobster stock and simmer gently for 15 minutes.

4. Blend the bisque: Add the bisque to a blender and blend until perfectly smooth. Pass through a fine sieve for extra silkiness. Add cream, cayenne, salt, and white pepper. If the bisque has cooled too much, warm it gently in a pot, but do not let it boil.

5. Serve: Dice or slice reserved lobster meat and warm gently in butter before placing the meat in serving bowls. Then pour the bisque over and finish with a few drops of Cognac.

FILET MIGNON IN MOREL CREAM SAUCE

The filet mignon with a rich morel sauce is beautifully caramelized for a savory bite. It pairs well with roasted root vegetables such as golden potatoes and sweet carrots.

INGREDIENTS

Filet Mignon

4 filets mignons

Salt & freshly ground black pepper

1 tbsp neutral oil

2 tbsp butter

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 sprig thyme

Morel Cream Sauce

2 tbsp dried morels (may substitute with other dried mushrooms)

1 cup hot water (for soaking)

1 shallot, finely chopped

2 tbsp butter

3 tbsp dry white wine

cup chicken stock

cup heavy cream

Salt & white pepper

Optional: lemon juice (to taste)

What does nappe mean?

Nappe refers to a specific consistency of sauce that is not too thick and not too thin, that allows it to coat food evenly. Do the “spoon test” to see if your sauce is ready! Take a spoon, immerse it in the sauce and turn it over with the back of the spoon facing you. Run your index finger down the spoon, and if you end up with a clean line down the middle, your sauce is ready.

DIRECTIONS

1. Season filets generously with salt and pepper and rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. In the meantime, preheat oven to 350° F. And soak the dried morels in hot water.

2. Heat pans with oil until hot, then sear filets for 2–3 min per side until well caramelized. Add butter, garlic, and thyme, then baste for 30 seconds.

3. Finish the steaks in an oven for 5 minutes (medium-rare). Rest the meat for an additional 5 minutes, loosely covered.

4. While the steaks are resting, strain the morels through a fine sieve. Set the liquid aside for later, then cut each of the morels in half.

5. Sweat shallot in butter until soft, then add morels and sauté briefly. Deglaze with white wine. Reduce the sauce by half and add the chicken stock and ½ cup of the reserved liquid.

6. Reduce gently, add cream, and simmer until nappe (see box for definition). Season carefully; balance with lemon juice if needed.

AN OUTSTANDING LOYALTY PROGRAM FOR OUR EXCEPTIONAL GUESTS

To show our appreciation for our past guests, we automatically enroll you in our River Heritage Club loyalty program, so you can begin receiving exclusive benefits, savings, and rewards reserved exclusively for our loyal guests.

EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS ON ALL CRUISES, COMBINABLE WITH ALL PROMOTIONS

plus

Complimentary IN-ROOM TREAT waiting onboard upon arrival

Complimentary LAUNDRY service

Members-only onboard COCKTAIL PARTY

PRIORITY NOTIFICATION on new cruises and programs

Dedicated PHONE NUMBER

Exclusive RiverViews E-NEWSLETTER

Special MEMBERS-ONLY OFFERS

Additional savings when you REFER FRIENDS OR FAMILY

Visit UNIWORLD.COM/RIVER-HERITAGE-CLUB for more information.

*River Heritage Club savings and amenities are available to guests after completing their first Uniworld cruise. Exclusive savings are based on the cruise or cruise/tour-only price (including any upgrades and single supplement) after other cash discounts are applied. Savings are combinable with all current Uniworld promotions. Restrictions may apply.

CAN YOU GUESS THE UNI WORD?

Have you tried your hand at our new game for River Heritage Club readers? The rules are simple: We’ve picked a word from each article in this issue of RiverViews, in order, and arranged them vertically below. Complete all of the vertical words to guess the horizontal theme word in blue (hint: it will relate to our February theme, Anniversary). The first reader to submit the correct theme word to rhc@uniworld.com will be featured in our next issue!

LAST ISSUE’S VICTOR

Congratulations to Armando de Pala Jr. for being the first to solve the December 2025 UNIWORD: JETSET

DID YOU TRAVEL WITH UNIWORLD IN THE 90S?

We've thoroughly enjoyed digging into our archives to share stories from our 50 years of travel—and now we want to hear from you! If you have stories from Uniworld trips in the 1990s or earlier, send them to rhc@uniworld.com for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue of Riverviews.