 |
Contact Information:
Uniworld
17323 Ventura Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 91316
1-800-733-7820
|
Why Uniworld?
 All cabins are outside, comfortable and well appointed
Cruise Manager coordinates tours, demonstrations, entertainment
Cruises directed toward younger spectrum with biking, hot-air ballooning
River cruises in Western and Central Europe, Egypt and China
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
About Uniworld
2009 Editors' Picks Awards Winner!
Best River Cruise Line, Best New River Ship (River Beatrice)
2009 U.K. Editors' Picks Awards Winner!
Best for River Cruising
From its start over 30 years ago, Uniworld, a global river cruising line, has continuously expanded both its fleet and the scope of its efforts, operating over 500 departures annually and covering more than 20 countries. Its cruises range in length from a week to a month and are designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and guests. Along with its primary operations in Western and Central Europe, the company now also works in partnerships with affiliated groups in Portugal and China as it seeks to bring the Uniworld experience to other areas of the world. In 2010, it debuted a ship to sail on the Nile River in Egypt.
That does not mean that it has forgotten its origins, and even now the company is diversifying its offerings in Western Europe where it all began.
The current Uniworld fleet consists of 10 privately owned river cruisers, all operating in Europe (with the exception of River Tosca in Egypt) and accommodating from 132 - 140 passengers. Additionally, the company jointly operates one river cruiser (Douro Queen) in Portugal. In China, space is booked through an affiliation with the river ships of Victoria Cruises.
The company itself was founded in 1976 by Serbian-born Serba Ilich, who had previously served as an executive with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. While there were other river cruise lines out there, most marketed internationally. Ilich's approach was different: He very specifically targeted his line to meet the needs and preferences of North American travelers by hiring English-speaking staff and creating dining options more in line with American tastes.
In 2004, controlling interest in the company was sold to The Travel Corporation, a Bermuda-based organization with varied travel interests (Contiki Holidays, Trafalgar Tours, Insight Vacations, etc.) This company, which also operates gorgeously deluxe hotels that are part of Red Carnation (among our favorites are London's Chesterfield Mayfair, Palm Beach's Chesterfield, Dorset's Summer Lodge and London's Rubens at the Palace), has transformed the onboard ambience of many of the river ships it acquired. And new ones have a decidedly more upscale feel about them (as noted in our review of River Royale, the first river ship to ever have scored a top rating of five on Cruise Critic).
From its Los Angeles headquarters, the company remains in touch with its worldwide operations, and it has opened subsidiary offices across Europe and in Egypt. Uniworld also maintains a close relationship with its large repeat clientele through the Grand River Cruise Club, a loyalty program that also acts as a sounding board for the company as to possible changes and requests (it's why the ships are now non-smoking).
Read more
|
|
|
|
|
Read More About Uniworld Ships:
Douro Queen • River Ambassador • River Baroness • River Beatrice • River Countess • River Duchess • River Empress • River Princess • River Queen • River Royale • River Tosca
| |
|
|
|
)
)
)
)
