- Uniworld has planned year-long celebrations for its 50th anniversary.
- The line is also offering 30 per cent off select 2026 departures.
- President and CEO Ellen Bettridge will be visiting Australia.
Uniworld is celebrating its 50th year, marking five decades of transforming river cruising.
And in honour of its Golden Anniversary, the luxury line will be celebrating throughout 2026 with a collection of exclusive experiences and commemorative moments designed to surprise and delight guests, from elegant onboard celebrations to a special 50th Anniversary Sale.
“Everything we do begins with our guests,” says Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld. “For 50 years, we’ve listened closely, evolved alongside our travellers and continually raised the bar for what luxury river cruising can be. This anniversary is both a celebration of how far we’ve come and an exciting look at where we’re headed next, and we’re thrilled to be celebrating with our guests all year long.”
Celebrations on and off the ships
For the 2026 season, every European sailing will feature an onboard ‘Golden Party’ – an elegant evening celebration commemorating 50 years on the rivers, along with other anniversary-inspired moments throughout the year.
To mark the milestone, Uniworld has also launched a 50th Anniversary Sale, offering up to 30% off select 2026 departures, inviting both loyal guests and first-time river cruisers to be part of this landmark year.
Sailing into the next 50 years
Uniworld is ushering in this milestone year with the debut of the S.S. Emilie, the brand’s first new build since 2021, sailing the Danube across eight European itineraries. The 154-passenger Super Ship is inspired by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt and named for his muse, Emilie Flöge, with Art Nouveau design elements, dramatic jewel tones, gold accents, a one-of-a-kind restaurant and lounge and an innovative two-bedroom suite option.
The anniversary year will also introduce two new Mystery Cruise sailings, plus the brand’s first-ever Grand Mystery Cruise combining both departures, a fitting 50-night Rivers of the World cruise spanning three continents and four ships and additional Generations Collection family sailings, among other new itineraries.
Looking ahead to 2027, Uniworld will unveil four ships and six itineraries in its biggest expansion to date. Additions include three brand-new Super Ship builds – the S.S. Audrey, S.S. Marlene and S.S. São Rafael – as well as exclusive sailings aboard the Aqua Blu, marking Uniworld’s debut in Singapore and Indonesia.
