The Mole on location from Europe’s best river cruises

With Uniworld’s Boutique River Cruise Collection having recently been announced Travel + Leisure’s prestigious World’s Best Awards for Top 10 Small Cruise Lines, with subscribers rating cruise lines on such criteria as cabins, food, service, itineraries/destinations, activities and value, The Mole will be testing Uniworld’s cruises on location on board The River Royale, pictured right, between Arles and Chalon in France next month and reporting back to you in Australia, so watch this space in early September.

The T+L list will be published in the August 2008 edition of the magazine.

Uniworld came under new ownership in 2006 and since then the company says they have made significant investments in ship upgrades and focused on elevating the entire guest experience with upgrades to food, onboard amenities, shore excursions and, most importantly, a focus on service delivery. 

According to Guy Young, President and CEO of Uniworld River Cruises, “After several years of hard work and sizable investments, we are absolutely delighted to be included on this prestigious list.” 

“This is further acknowledgment that we are delivering the ultimate river cruise experience to our guests.”   “This recognition comes on the heels of Uniworld’s recent inclusion on Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List.”

Uniworld ships are intimate boutique, hotel-style cruise ships with an average capacity of 134 guests, and a ratio of one staff member for every three guests, world-class cuisine, and expertly planned itineraries with custom-blended shore excursions, with the company offering over 500 departures on more than 35 itineraries sailing on 12 rivers in over 20 countries throughout Europe, Russia, China and Egypt.

With the newest fleet of ships in the industry, and uncompromising attention to detail, Uniworld says that they provides guests with an experience that is both gracious, yet relaxing and casual, including from the attentive staff who exceeds the guests’ expectations, it is not surprising that the company is a favourite among experienced and educated travellers from many English-speaking countries, including Australia.

This translates to award-winning service and exemplary guest satisfaction ratings that rank among the highest in the industry.

Each Uniworld ships’ Staterooms and Suites ship features a variety of signature touches, including, plush terry-cloth robes, high-thread count linens, extra-thick bath towels, fine wool/cashmere blended throws, European-style down comforters and duvets, choice of pillows, including down-filled, flat-screen televisions with an array of viewing choices, including CNN and movie channels.

Uniworld prides itself on having some of the most spacious and newest staterooms in the industry, pictured left a Category 2 cabin, with standard rooms averaging 154 sq. ft. and ship capacities range from 94 to 220 persons.

In addition to the signature touches, each Uniworld stateroom features exclusive toiletries, hair dryer, and plush cotton towels and most ships have floor to ceiling windows in staterooms, and some have French balconies, with a sitting area, built-in closet space, vanity with make-up mirror, individually controlled air-conditioning, direct-dial telephone and safe are all standard.

Pictured right a category One Cabin.

Suites are 230 sq. ft. and feature additional amenities including a sitting area with sofa and two chairs, floor to-ceiling windows, spacious bathrooms with showers and tubs on most ships and steam-free mirrors.

Uniworld ships offers satellite telephone services, 24-hour front desk service, self-service laundry, 24-hour incoming email and fax communications, fitness centre and sauna, library, dining room, panoramic lounge, nightly entertainment and sun deck with lounge chairs and attendant service.

Dining onboard a Uniworld ship is said to be both a visual and culinary experience, the restaurant on the River Royale is pictured below, surrounded by the beauty of the passing riverbank towns and villages, this classic dining experience features breakfast and lunch buffets daily and full dinner service nightly, with a single open seating, with chefs using the finest local ingredients to create tantalizing menus of regional specialties and classic favourites. 

Innovative dishes include fresh fish, and vegetarian entrees, with classic Caesar salads, filet mignon and crepes suzette some of the specialties.

Afternoon tea is served daily in the lounge along with specialty pastries and desserts.

Available and included with dinner are wine pairings, occasionally from a vineyard en route, with spacious picture windows, an inviting environment for nourishing mind and body.

One of the signature touches of Uniworld is surprise visits onboard by local musicians and artisans who participate in a variety of musical, theatrical and artistic programs.

These include everything from a five-piece oompah band to a harp concert or glass blowing demonstration and in addition,  impromptu performances, world-class entertainment from opera to acrobatics, choirs to orchestras, also are offered at famous venues in major cities of most countries.

So, The Mole can’t wait – sounds pretty amazing – look out for The Mole on location on board Uniworld’s The River Royale in early September!

A Report by The Mole.