- Idea originated at Irish travel agent conference
- Two black boats launched programme for younger rivercruisers
- Seine itineraries for 2019 announced

Carol Hurley, Paul Melinis, Sharon Jordan, Marissa Beck, Charlie McCarthy and Eilish Wall of The Travel Corporation at the Travel Corporaton event for the trade in the Residence, Dublin, December 1 2017
U by Uniworld is offering travellers a 10pc Early Booking Discount, if booked and paid in-full by 31 September 2018.
U by Uniworld’s latest itinerary is Northern France at a Glance, eight days on the Seine River from 21 April 2019 with stops in Paris, Vernon, Les Andelys, Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, Rouen and Caudebec-en-Caux on The B ship.
The itinerary will begin and end on Sundays, allowing guests to spend a Friday and Saturday night in Paris.
Details include U’s chef to Rouen’s fresh local market to choose ingredients for dinner; climbing to the top of the Étretat’s legendary cliffs for breathtaking views of France; and tea time at Château du Champ de Bataille. Rates start at €1,499 per person including accommodations, daily farm-to-ship meals, select offshore excursions, two dedicated U hosts, onboard activities, rooftop fitness classes and more.
Further excursions and onboard amenities will be added across the fleet in 2019. U Time excursion options along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers in 2019. For example, guests can paddle board, canoe or swim in the Ilz River near the Danube bridge; hike through Regensburg or to Germania Monument; visit World War II sites in Linz; take a walking tour through Budapest and taste Hungarian street food from a local market; and much more. Rates for The A’s sailings start at €1,299 per person.
Inclusions include mixology classes, silent discos, paint & wine, drum circles, and sunrise rooftop yoga, and new onboard activities such as rooftop BBQs, karaoke nights, giant board games, themed parties and more. For an additional cost, guests can camp on the rooftop, complete with a nightcap cocktail and breakfast picnic basket; experience a U Wine Talk; or purchase a romance package.
The U by Uniworld river cruising product for younger people, emerged during a discussion at the 2016 ITAA Conferenceon board SS Antoinette. As a result, Uniworld introduced a youth focussed rivercruise offering immersive experiences, longer stays in destination and nightlife experiences.
The U fleet offers two, 120-passenger matte black ships – The A and The B, each boasting two rooftop venues, a spa, mixologists, international DJ’s, communal tables for dining and locally-inspired, farm-to-table cuisine. Onboard accommodations include four Suites, 26 Balcony Bedrooms, 29 Studio Bedrooms and two Studio Bedrooms with triple occupancy, all with waterfront views, built-in Bluetooth speakers and BeeKind amenities.
Ellen Bettridge& CEO of Uniworld said “we have introduced river cruising to a completely new segment of travellers this year with the launch of U by Uniworld. Our first year was all about disrupting the industry – quite literally ‘testing the waters’ as we debuted a never before seen product, receiving awards and rave reviews from guests, travel partners and media alike. Entering into our second season, we’re following the ever-evolving consumer trends and listening to feedback from guests as we seek new ways to push the limit on the river cruise experience from the launch of a brand new itinerary to enhanced excursions to new onboard activities. We look forward to continuing the buzz and success of our inaugural season as we continue momentum into 2019.”