I gleefully joined team Uniworld and 14 travel professional from Dublin including Brefni Tiernan, Laura Pirkl, Robert Byrne, Feraghal Sullivan of Trailfinders, Paula Cross from Frosch, Sharon Moore and Olivia Ward from Navan Travel, Shirley Webster and Michelle Clarke from Cassidy Travel, Suzanne Moran from Abbey Travel, Sonia Ferreira from O’Hanrahan Travel, Carmel Kehoe of Best for Travel and Sinead King from Tullys Travel on a luxurious trip onboard Uniworld Boutique River Cruise, SS Victoria from Amsterdam to Brussels starting in the early hours of Friday and ending in the late hours of Saturday. It was a whirlwind trip that delivered at every turn.
As I always say, setting sail on a Uniworld cruise is like entering a luxurious hotel, where every aspect of the experience is meticulously designed to make sure you feel special from the moment you step aboard. I was curious to visit this ship, in particular, as she is not one of the company owned vessels, so my eagle eye was out to play ‘Spot the Difference’ and while, yes, she is definitely not a typical Uniworld ship, it quickly became clear to me, that the hardware is just hardware, it’s the Uniworld software, or tiny noticeable touches that make a Uniworld experience ooze 5 star.
It’s the team onboard, it’s the food, which is outstanding at every meal, it’s the touches like the blankets on deck, the beds and the bed spreads, it’s the product, Asprey, it’s the included beverages and the excursions tailored to every type of guest, from either young to the young at heart, this is a cruise line that takes making you feel spoilt personally.
Accommodation
The lead in cabin on this ship, is unusually one that boasts a French Balcony as standard, definitely not normal in the river world, and allows this to become a very affordable cruise for your clients. The Delux French Balcony is located on the higher deck to the French Balcony, while the Signature French Balcony Rooms are slightly bigger in size. The Suites and the Royal Suite (the largest suite on the Rivers) boast an exceptional butler service. All the cabins maximise space and style, and on this ship the furnishings are more contemporary than on other Uniworld ships, yet include all the luxury Uniworld amenities – plush bedding, marble bathrooms, and expansive open and close electronic windows. There are also multiple interconnecting cabin rooms on each floor – which is great for families travelling together.
Culinary Delights
Dining aboard the SS Victoria is as per every Uniworld Cruise, early buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea and then the highlight of the day – the A la Carte dinner, which focuses on flavours of each region. The main dining room is a modern and bright room that encourages mingling with other guests or simply sitting with your own group. The onboard chef takes great pride in curating menus that reflect the culinary heritage of the river and of course on the menu, weather you pick and choose your own courses or if you choose the chefs selection, there is the always available section which typically includes a steak, salmon or pasta.
The coffee dock space is always open for snacks and beverages and leads into the main lounge area.
For those seeking a more intimate dining experience, the private dining room aptly named ‘The Vintage Room’ offers a cozy and relaxed atmosphere, serving seriously exquisite fare in a more casual setting. Guests can indulge in thoughtfully selected wine pairings from local vineyards, and at only €100 per person this is definitely worth treating yourself to at least once on your cruise.
All-Inclusive Experience
Uniworld is well known for providing a genuinely all-inclusive experience, which alleviates any unexpected expenses during your holiday. Shore excursions are thoughtfully included in the cruise package. These excursions are expertly guided, offering invaluable insights into local history and culture, and which will make sure you get to experience something you wouldn’t find typically if you travelled on your own.
Additional inclusions such as onboard entertainment, wellness programs, and complimentary beverages served throughout the ship further enhance the journey, making it one of the most comprehensive and enriching river cruise experiences available. The pool area located at the back of the ship offers air conditioned respite from the hot sun in the summer and boasts a fireplace for the winter itineraries!
This is the space you’d find me – unless it was eating time…
In summary, the Uniworld SS Victoria stands out as an exceptional choice for discerning travellers seeking a luxurious and immersive river cruise experience. With its luxurious accommodations, exceptional culinary offerings, outstanding service, and thoughtfully curated itineraries, it promises an unforgettable holiday.
Uniworld are currently running a trade incentive offering 20 spaces on their next mini FAM to Irish agents. The FAM takes place on the 13th/14th September on the beautiful S.S Victoria as it sails from Brussels back to Amsterdam. All you need to do is sell any Uniworld cruise before the 31st of July to be in with a chance of winning your spot on the trip. And trust me – this fam was well worth the journey, luxury mixed with fun. If I could, I’d be back on it myself too!!
For more details on a Uniworld cruise or to book training contact Head of Sales for Ireland Brian Hynes on [email protected]
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