Uniworld has announced the debut of its newest, company-owned ship — the 42-suite River Tosca — which will debut on the Nile in April 2009.
The new ship boasts plenty of amenities and cabin space. Most of the River Tosca’s wood-paneled suites are more than 300-square feet. Presidential cabin suites are more than 650-square feet, with large, adjoining private terraces; beds are fitted with Egyptian cotton sheets and duvets. A swimming pool lined with cabanas and a fully equipped gym, spa, salon and library, and boutique are also onboard.
Uniworld will also debut a new European vessel, the River Beatrice, in March. The Beatrice will offer two itineraries: the nine-day Enchanting Danube from March through Nov. 2009 and the nine-day Danube Holiday Markets with departures in Nov. and Dec. 2009. Both include ports in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany.
Onboard the River Beatrice, approximately 80 percent of its 80 staterooms have French balconies. Room appointments include hotel-style beds with fine Egyptian cotton sheets and European comforters, plush terry robes, soothing bath amenities, bottled water, individual air conditioning and flat-screen televisions with a selection of viewing choices. The ship also has a lounge with panoramic views, a restaurant, library, sundeck, massage services and fitness center and complimentary use of bicycles.
In 2009, Uniworld is offering Pay-In-Full and Early Booking Discount programs for its European itineraries. Travelers who book and pay for all or a portion of their Europe cruises in advance will get an early booking discoutn. Couples who book a 2009 Uniworld Europe river cruise and pay in full for their trip before Sept. 30 can save up to $2,000, or $1,000 per person, on select itineraries. Clients who place a deposit on a 2009 river cruise can save up $600 per couple, or $300 per person, if they book and deposit by Nov. 30.
The company’s 2009 schedule in Europe ranges from nine-day to 32-day itineraries, priced from $1,799 excluding early booking discounts. Nine-day options include Castles Along the Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam, with calls in Strasbourg, Speyer, Rudesheim, Koblenz and Cologne. The Danube Discovery from Vienna to Nuremberg visits ports in Krems, the Wachau Valley, Melk and Regensburg. An Enchanting Danube itinerary from Budapest to Passau, calls in Bratislava, Vienna, Durnstein, Melk and Linz (Salzburg). The nine-day Rhine Discovery from Nuremberg to Basel, calls in Bamberg, Wurzburg, Miltenberg, Aschlaffenberg, Rudesheim, Speyer and Strasbourg.
A nine-day Paris and Normandy route should have strong appeal with its World War II associations, calling in Les Andelys, Rouen, the Normandy Beaches, Caudebec (Honfleur) and Vernon (Giverny). Another nine-day route, Burgundy and Provence, travels from Arles to Chalon, calling in Avignon, Viviers, Tournon, Tain L’Hermitage and Lyon.
The 16-day Eastern Europe Explorer, sailing from Vienna to Bucharest, calls in ports that include Bratislav, Budapest, Batina, Vukovar, Belgrade, Kostolac, Vidin and Rousse. The 16-day European Jewels itinerary travels from Budapest to Amsterdam, visiting Vienna, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Wertheim, Miltenberg, Rudesheim and Cologne. Uniworld’s third 16-day itinerary, Grand European Discovery, combines the Rhine Discovery and Danube Discovery.
Uniworld’s longest cruises are its 30-day Grand European Explorers, starting in Basel and ending in Budapest, and the 32-day Paris and Grand European Waterways sailing from Paris to Bucharest.
www.uniworld.com
