Sponsored by Uniworld
Drawing on the exquisite elegance of Hollywood legends, Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has unveiled new film star-inspired super ships and itineraries for 2027.
The new super ships, S.S. Audrey, S.S. Marlene will showcase interiors influenced by the screen legends and will pay homage to the stars’ cinematic glamour taking guests back to the golden era of the screen goddesses who were both born in Europe. The third ship, S.S. Sao Rafael, which has been earmarked to sail the popular Douro River in Portugal, will draw on the legacy of the country’s maritime history.
It will be a big year for Uniworld as she steps up her fleet of super sleek ships as they sail the popular European rivers from the Seine, Rhine, Danube to the Douro.
Uniworld’s six new itineraries will give guests a flavour of what life is like on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers with an 11-night voyage visiting Paris, Prague and Germany’s hidden gems such as Heidelberg Castle and Cochem on board S.S. Audrey.
Alternatively, you can choose to cruise the Rhine and Moselle Rivers sailing through Germany, France and Switzerland onboard S.S. Audrey on an 11-night journey which combines luxurious hotel stays in Paris and Zurich. Here you will be able to taste freshly baked bread at a historic mill, hike through perfectly manicured vineyards and savour great wine and Swiss cheese on the way.
You can also sail a 14-night, European Gems itinerary onboard S.S. Marlene on the Danube taking in fairytale towns of Austria’s Wachau Valley, Budapest and soak up the classical music scene with a private concert in Vienna.
Uniworld will also head to Singapore and Indonesia with a 13-night journey combining three nights stay in Bali, a seven-night expedition aboard the intimate 15-suite Aqua Blu, ending the adventure with a three-night stay in Singapore. This much-coveted journey will reward guests with super-close encounters with whale sharks, manta rays and Komodo dragons. You can also dive and snorkel in some of the world’s most untouched waters – an experience you will talk about for a long time to come.
All Uniworld cruises in 2027 are part of their Early Booking Savings with up to 20% savings on almost all itineraries.
S.S. Audrey and S.S. Marlene
Imagine you are Audrey Hepburn. Now imagine you are sailing on Uniworld’s new super river ship, S.S. Audrey. What can you expect? Sheer Hollywood glamour.
S.S. Audrey will play host to only 154 guests. Suites will have French balconies and attended by liveried butlers – trained to the same standards stipulated by Buckingham Palace.
Each suite will have handcrafted Savoir beds, sateen sheets, marble bathrooms, bespoke toiletries, plush towels and robes. There will be a range of dining venues with a private dining room for specially arranged dinners, a panoramic lounge, a bar overlooking the back of the ship, a fitness centre and spa.
The ship will have three passenger decks served by an elevator and stairs leading to the sun deck.
S.S. Marlene will accommodate the same number of guests but the vibe will be different – think Marlene Dietrich in her famous movies such as The Blue Angel and Shanghai Express. Both ships will be elegant, well designed and chic.
One of the new itineraries that S.S. Marlene will offer in 2027 is the 16-night Grand Highlights of the Danube which will include a 14-night cruise on the Danube calling at the vineyard hills of Austria’s Wachau Valley to the treasures of Budapest and beyond. Guests will be able to choose a private evening of classical music in Vienna, watch where the three rivers meet in Passau and peddle through the postcard-perfect landscapes of a guided cycling excursion.
S.S. Audrey will offer an 11-night sailing which combines hotel stays in Paris and Zurich with a Rhine and Moselle sailing across France, Germany and Switzerland. Guests will be able to taste freshly baked bread at a historic mill, hike through vineyards, cycle along the rivers and explore Roman ruins in Trier. Along the way, there will be plenty of opportunities to taste some of Moselle’s amazing Rieslings and nibble on a variety of Swiss cheese.
There’s also an 11-night voyage aboard S.S. Audrey which blend stays in Paris and Prague with a cruise on the Rhine and Moselle through the heart of Germany. Guests will be able to explore the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, canoe through a scenic nature reserve and enjoy tasting pretzels straight from ovens in centuries-old bakeries. In Cochem, they can indulge in some wine tasting experiences, explore the medieval lanes in Wertheim and end their journey in Prague known for its world-famous beer.
S.S. Sao Rafael
Uniworld’s newest ship, S.S. Sao Rafael sailing the Douro in 2027, will be like no other ship in the region. It will be designed with azulejos tilework, polished wood, with interiors painted in bright summer colours bringing in Portugal’s vivacity onboard. The regal ship can only accommodate 94 guests staying in lavishly appointed suites complete with butler service. There will be a sundeck pool and three dining venues to taste the fine wines and local cuisine of the Douro River Valley.
S.S. Sao Rafael will offer an eight-day Porto to Porto cruise which will sail past steep terraced hillsides, quaint villages and vineyards. Guests can enjoy private tastings of port, explore Porto’s historic Ribeira district, savour the country’s cutting-edge cuisine and experience its thriving art scene. As you wind down the picturesque Douro Valley, you will also visit charming quintas and meet winemakers who run the vineyards. There’s also be visits to the famous university in Salamanca, Spain and the mountaintop village of Castelo Rodrigo.
S.S. Sao Rafael will also offer an amazing 11-day voyage sailing through Portugal, Spain and the Douro River Valley from Porto to Lisbon. After spending sometime exploring Porto historic Ribeira quarter, home to the iconic rabelo boats, stop by Bolhao Market which produces one of the city’s biggest industries: canned fish.
Put on your hiking boots when you visit the medieval town of Castel Rodrigo on a hilltop. The region is known for its honey. Make sure you sample the local treats like candied almonds, honey, olive oil and cheese.
At Salamanca, called the Golden City because of its tawney, sand-coloured buildings, you will notice many historic churches including two cathedrals. As you stroll through the shops on Rua Mayor and Salamanca’s food hall (one of Spain’s best) take some time to try the typical tapas lunch – it’s delicious.
When S.S. Rafael calls at Regua, it will be a day devoted to wine, vineyard hikes and tastings at a local quinta. Go on a vineyard hike to pretty Pinhao where you will head up the hills to a family-owned quinta and learn about the vineyard and how the grapes are harvested. More than 80 varieties of grapes have been approved for the making of port, although six grape varieties dominate. You will learn which ones are grown here and why. There will, of course, be lots of opportunities to taste the local wine.
When you disembark at Porto you will travel by coach through Portugal’s picturesque countryside to Lisbon where you will spend two nights discovering the wonders of the capital city.
Save up to 20% on 2027 Uniworld Early Booking sailings
