U by Uniworld Makes Waves with First-Ever River Cruise Brand for Younger Travelers
Bookings Now Open for Nine Enticing European Adventures on the Rivers
for 21 to 45 Year-Olds
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–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 first-ever 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.
“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 itineraries—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-award-winning 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 not-for-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.
To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please
visit us at TreadRight.org.
Contacts
EVINS Communications
Harley Landsberg
Uniworld@evins.com
