Uniworld’s Newly Remodeled Ships Grace European Waterways
Uniworld’s Newly Remodeled Ships Grace European Waterways
Two of Uniworld’s boutique river cruise ships, River Queen and River Empress, sailing the Rhine River were recently remodeled for the 2010 season, and when Uniworld remodels a ship, it is not simply putting a new coat of paint on the walls or resurfacing the floors. It’s a major production led by Mrs. Beatrice Tollman, Godmother and namesake of Uniworld’s ultra-luxurious River Beatrice, and President of Uniworld’s sister company, Red Carnation Hotels (RCH)—a collection of award-winning, luxury boutique hotels.
The RCH team personally oversees every aspect of all of Uniworld’s new ships, as well as all their remodels. Borrowing the same concepts when decorating the Red Carnation Hotels, Uniworld’s guests can always expect the ship’s interior design, décor, and art selection to be infused with the same thoughtful signature touches the RCH team masterfully creates when decorating their boutique hotels. And “boutique” is at the core of what they bring to Uniworld. Being a boutique, hotel-style cruise company means all of Uniworld’s ships have a totally different look and feel, yet they all share the same common threads of distinction, warmth, and intimacy. Unlike other conventional “cookie-cutter” ships, Uniworld deliberately designs all of their fleet to stand out from the ordinary as with Uniworld’s River Beatrice—honored by the Editors of Cruise Critic as the Best New River Ship in 2009.
With that in mind, the legendary River Queen, the only river cruise ship in the entire world to have a working fireplace, has been totally transformed to be in vogue with timeless chic. Inviting blues and white tones paired up with warmer browns and creams can be found throughout the ship. In the main lounge, for instance, an eclectic selection of furniture, some of which is draped in rich Turnell & Gigon fabrics in St. Tropez navy and white provides beauty and comfort—a real five star home away from home atmosphere—and the bar top in Caesar white stone makes this public space shine.
The River Queen’s staterooms have different patterns, color schemes, and various eye-pleasing accent pieces to give each category of st aterooms their own distinct flair. The 400 category of staterooms have blue and white fabric walls, and curtains in a leaf design by Bernard Thorpe. The 300 category of staterooms have red and cream fabric walls with a traditional crewel design, and Roman shades in cream fabric from Marson with fine stitching; and the 200 and 100 category staterooms have green and cream pinstripe fabric walls and Roman shades in a cream corduroy fabric by Warwick.
The newly remodeled River Empress is also dressed to impress with its own inviting color schemes throughout the different category of staterooms with category 400 comprised of a very attractive cream and grey fabric with a floral sway band from Marson called Jasmine, and carpet with a scallop traditional trellis design. Category 300 staterooms have James Hare blue and beige silk pavilion stripe fabric walls, and Roman shades in light blue with grosgrain ribbon bands; and 200 and 100 category staterooms have been adorned in Jasmine color aqua and cream fabric walls, and Roman shades in aqua.
All staterooms on both ships have custom-made-to-order English Savoir beds with unique headboards of various designs, and bathrooms with special marble in various color-schemes. Added high-end amenities such as L’Occitane bath products, thick towels from Christies of Manchester – the oldest towel maker in Europe – and cozy bathrobes can be found throughout the entire Uniworld fleet.
Every element that goes into designing a Uniworld ship is to provide guests with a pleasing atmosphere comprised of inviting décor and a warm ambience. So whether it is enjoying Uniworld’s new Springtime Along the Rhine itinerary while sailing on the River Empress, or discovering the Legendary Rhine & Moselle while onboard the River Queen, Uniworld’s guests are certain to feel truly special, so every time they venture off on their shore excursions, they will be excited to return back to their “home-away-from home.”
About Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Los Angeles-based Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, the premier river cruise company, is recognized in: Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Top Small Ship Cruise Lines; Condé Nast Traveler's prestigious Gold List and their Readers’ Poll for Top 50 Small Ships, and their Readers’ Choice Awards for World's Top Small Ship Cruise Lines; Cruise Critic’s Editors’ Pick for Best River Cruise Line and Best New River Ship for the River Beatrice; Zagat’s ranked in the category of Top Cabins and Top Dining, and is the only river cruise line represented in their cruise survey with the best of the best in the cruise ind ustry. Uniworld features elegant, boutique hotel-style cruise ships designed for the experienced traveler, with an average capacity of 134 guests, expertly planned itineraries with custom-blended, included shore excursions, world-class cuisine, and award-winning hospitality from an all-English speaking staff with a ratio of one staff member to every three guests. The company offers over 500 departures on 35 itineraries sailing on 9 rivers in 16 countries throughout Europe, Egypt, and China.
