Uniworld marks 50 years with new 2026 offerings
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises announces its new offerings for 2026, including the debut of the S.S. Emilie, a brand-new build and unique addition to the fleet, inspired by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt.
Uniworld will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, ushering in a lineup of offerings to celebrate the milestone, such as a 50-night ‘Rivers of the World’ sailing, three new Mystery Cruises, a new family-friendly Generations Collection offering and more.
“As we look to celebrate our 50th anniversary next year, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished,” said Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld. “Uniworld debuted in 1976 as a tour company that soon became the first North American company to offer cruises throughout Europe. During our five decades in the industry, we’ve strived to continuously innovate and delight our guests with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Through it all, the heart of who we are has remained the same, and we’re excited to offer new journeys next year to celebrate our history, our future and our treasured guests.”
What’s new for 2026
Uniworld’s new offerings for 2026 include:
The S.S. Emilie Joins the Uniworld Fleet
In 2026, the S.S. Emilie will debut on the Danube River across eight different itineraries throughout Europe. The 154-passenger ship is the brand’s first new build since 2021, with a design inspired by renowned Austrian painter Gustav Klimt and named after his life partner and muse, Emilie Flöge. The new river ship is a first of its kind and will feature Klimt’s signature style woven throughout the ship’s design, showcasing dramatic hues of green, blue and yellow, striking gold accents, and plenty of Art Nouveau touches. In addition to a one-of-a-kind onboard restaurant, lounge and bar, the S.S. Emilie will allow guests to book a spacious two-bedroom suite when reserving a Grand Suite with the adjoining Deluxe French Balcony stateroom.
Three New Mystery Cruises
Due to popular demand, Uniworld will offer three Mystery Cruises in 2026, allowing more travellers the opportunity to participate in a thrilling surprise adventure. With two cruises departing April 26 and one departing May 3, guests can book now to secure their preferred date. The April Mystery Cruise is also the second leg of the 50-night 2026 ‘Rivers of the World’ cruise.
A 50-Night ‘Rivers of the World’ Adventure
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Uniworld will host its third ‘Rivers of the World’ cruise in 2026 for a fitting 50 nights, offering travellers an exclusive adventure across three continents. Departing on April 16, 2026, the journey will begin on the S.S. Emilie, making guests of the ‘Rivers of the World’ cruise some of the first passengers to experience the new Super Ship.
The journey begins in the city of Brussels, where guests will sail to Amsterdam, before joining a Mystery Cruise to experience a surprise destination. Following the Mystery Cruise, guests will board the S.S. Joie de Vivre in Paris for a French river cruise along the Seine, with stops throughout the heart of both the city and the countryside, before taking a first-class train to Lyon. There, passengers will sail to Avignon aboard the S.S. Catherine before enjoying a few nights in the quaint Mediterranean fishing port of Cassis. Guests will then fly to Cairo for five nights at a luxury hotel and then sail the iconic Nile River onboard the S.S. Sphinx for an immersive adventure throughout Egypt, including a trip to Abu Simbel exclusively for the world cruisers and a visit to the much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). The final leg of the journey will be spent in Jordan, where guests will visit iconic spots like Petra and the Dead Sea.
New Generations Collection Sailing
Uniworld will offer a Generations Collection sailing on the July 19 and July 26 departures of the Burgundy & Provence itinerary. Generations Collection sailings are designed with families in mind, featuring an array of activities, amenities and excursions tailored specifically for children. In addition to a lounge just for young travellers, the Generations sailings have two family hosts on board who organize kid-centric dining options and special social events like movie nights.
Additional New European Offerings
In 2026, Uniworld will launch additional itineraries throughout Europe, including three Danube itineraries on the brand-new S.S. Emilie. These trips combine a cruise with land stays, which are available to book as a cruise-only itinerary. Across all European itineraries, Uniworld guests will also enjoy a new ‘Black & White Party’ where passengers will dress in their best black and/or white attire for an evening filled with music, dancing and magical lights.
- Vineyards & Palaces Along the Danube
- Over the course of 10 days, travellers will be immersed in the sights and sounds of the Danube aboard the S.S Emilie. Guests can marvel at imperial palaces in the city, explore wine vineyards in the countryside and traverse the forest in Germany’s first national park. This trip ends with a 5-star stay at a hotel in the heart of Prague.
- Vienna & Capital Cities of the Danube
- Designed for city lovers, this 10-day journey allows travellers to enjoy the hustle and bustle of four iconic capitals of the Danube. Beginning with a luxurious hotel stay in Vienna, guests will then make their way to the equally charming and magnificent cities of Budapest, Belgrade, and Bratislava. Complete with Medieval history, grand architecture and awe-inspiring art, this trip offers endless opportunities for exploration.
- Danube Grandeur & Prague
- An itinerary that combines the Capital Cities of the Danube and Vineyards & Palaces Along the Danube with Prague, this epic 17-day journey traverses seven European countries for the ultimate Danube experience.
- Grand Highlights of Italy & Slovenia and Slovenia, Venice & the Jewels of Veneto
- In 2026, guests of Uniworld will have more opportunities to revel in the beauty of Slovenia, with the city being added to multiple itineraries in Italy onboard the S.S. La Venezia.
New 2026 Uniworld University Course
Travel advisors are invited to complete the newly revamped “What’s New for 2026” certification course, now available on the Uniworld University online training portal. This updated course provides an in-depth look at Uniworld’s most exciting offerings for 2026, including the highly anticipated debut of the luxurious S.S. Emilie, brand-new European itineraries, and the extraordinary 50-night ‘Rivers of the World’ cruise.
Advisors who complete the course gain exclusive perks, such as a featured spot in Uniworld’s online directory of preferred advisors, a personalized certification badge for their email signature, and eligibility for savings of up to 60% on Uniworld cruise fares.
To access the course, advisors can visit https://www.uniworld.com/ca/uniworld-university
To learn more about Uniworld and to book, visit https://www.uniworld.com/ca
