Latest news with #Uniworld
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
International tour company now offers river cruising in Europe
River cruises have always been in demand in Western countries, particularly in Europe. This isn't surprising, as Europe has plenty of long rivers (like the Volga, Danube, Rhine and Loire) that usually takes a few days to sail through. While river cruise tourism is not common in Asia – except perhaps in China where the Yangtze River and Yellow River stretch for much, much further than those in Europe – Asian travellers do appreciate a good sail. The Asia Pacific market for cruise tourism is expected to soar, especially when it comes to luxury cruises. With that in mind, tour operator Trafalgar, more known for its guided land tours and experiences, recently launched its own river cruise product with two sail routes in Europe: Rhine and Danube. The river cruises will begin sailing in April 2026 with two ships, Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie . At a recent launch event in Singapore, Nick Lim, chief executive officer (Asia) of The Travel Corporation, said that it made sense for Trafalgar to start offering river cruises as the trend has seen an uptick in recent years. 'That's the trajectory that we have seen. River cruise as a travelling style has caught on, especially in this part of the world. I think Asia Pacific is one of the fastest regions to catch on to this market, so we need to pluck into the demand, especially in Malaysia,' Lim said. He added that river cruising is still quite a novel idea in Malaysia, and that he hopes it will eventually appeal to the wider public. 'Trafalgar is a brand that has always come with a value proposition, and with our price points, we are hoping to get more Malaysians to try our river cruise experience.' Verity will set sail on the Rhine for 10 days, while Reverie runs on the Danube for eight days. The ships are pretty similar in size and capacity – each one is fitted with 64 staterooms (128 passengers on double occupancy), which includes river-view and balcony suites. Both ships will carry 39 crew members, boasting a ratio of about one staff per three guests. The ships were last refurbished in 2010 and are currently undergoing another round of refurbishment, to prepare for the April 2026 sailings. 'You can expect something new and fresh, yet at the same time the decorations and style will largely remain the same,' Lim shared. He revealed that the ships were formerly owned and utilised by Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, which is under the same parent company as Trafalgar, The Travel Corporation (TTC). 'Uniworld always puts in a lot of effort into making their ships look great. In fact, Beatrice Tollman and her daughter (Vicki) hand-picked the paintings, chandeliers and most of the furnishings in the Uniworld ships. 'So that means there isn't a cookie-cutter ship under the brand; there's a bit of a personalised feel to it. And since Trafalgar took over the ships from Uniworld, we decided to keep the general style and design,' Lim said. (The Tollman family started TTC in the 1920s and has held ownership of the company until last year, when it was sold to US-based asset management firm, Apollo Private Equity Funds.) A preview of a stateroom on the Trafalgar Reverie. The cruises will include numerous ground excursions in the itineraries. Highlights for the 'best of the Rhine and Amsterdam' cruise on the Verity include landmarks like the Airborne Museum and Bridge Too Far in Arnhem, the Netherlands, as well as the Deutsches Eck or German Corner in Koblenz, and Rheinstein Castle in Trechtingshausen, Germany. Meanwhile, the 'best of the Danube' cruise on the Reverie features walking tours in Germany's historic city of Passau where the Inn, Danube and Ilz rivers meet, the Medieval Old Town of Bratislavia in Slovakia, and other exciting cultural experiences. 'We've always been about making it easy for travellers to connect with the heart and soul of every destination. Now, we're bringing that same philosophy and unmatched experience to Europe's iconic rivers,' said Lim in an earlier statement. Guests will also be able to immerse themselves in local culture when they participate in Trafalgar's popular 'Be Our Guest' and 'Make Travel Matter' experiences. Onboard entertainment will include regional performances and in-house demonstrations like baking. There are also wellness programmes to look forward to like spa and yoga sessions, as well as complimentary bicycles for off-shore excursions. As for meals, guests will be treated to local and regional favourites and specialties during each meal, with lots of other international varieties at hand. You can rest assured that everyone will be well fed onboard! Trafalgar's river cruise journeys are now open for bookings for sailings beginning April 11, 2026. Rates start from US$2,799 (RM11,931) per person, based on double occupancy. For more information visit
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Best river cruises this summer from bargain luxury to women's only sailings
Laced with scenic waterways, Europe is a joy to discover by water, especially during the summer months when the banks are lined with outdoor attractions and festivals. Calmer than a traditional ocean cruise, navigating rivers is ideal for anyone wanting to travel at a slower pace with multiple opportunities to jump off and explore with the convenience of usually mooring close to the town or city centre. Across the continent, events are taking place to commemorate iconic figures and celebrate the birth of major cities. These are some of the highlights to try as the weather warms up on the sun deck... South of France Whether it's the appeal of a girls trip in an female-friendly environment, or the opportunity to meet like-minded people, all-women holidays are on the rise. On August 24, Uniworld launches its first women-only cruise onboard the SS Catherine, sailing along the Rhone and the Saone rivers on a special edition of its Burgundy and Provence voyage from Arles to Lyon. A special programme of activities and entertainment will include a performance by US comedian Rachel Dratch, best known for her stint on Saturday Night Live, a chocolate and wine-pairing event, burlesque sessions and a luxurious pyjama party. Hop off in Lyon for a candlelight concert, visit the International Shoe Museum in Romans-sur-Isere, and take part in truffle hunting. Book it: A seven-night full-board cruise costs from £3,889pp sharing, including UK flights, transfers and a full programme of activities. Departs August 24. themed-cruises/women Austria, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia Along with its connections to one of Europe's most beautiful waterways, Vienna has links to many of the world's greatest classical composers. This year, Austria's capital celebrates the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss II, known as the waltz king. To tie in with celebrations, Viking is offering a special itinerary along the Danube, including an evening performance of the Strauss Capelle at the Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna with conductor and violinist Alma Deutscher – once hailed as a 'new Mozart'. Sail onward and relax at a Budapestthermal bath and explore lesser-known Central European cities such as Bratislava and Passau. Book it: A seven-night Danube Waltz cruise on a Viking Longship costs from £2,795pp, including UK flights and some activities. Various departure dates. Northern Europe Promising to go where others don't, CroisiEurope's MS R.E. Waydelich L.J. paddlewheel ship will operate a new itinerary this summer. Along with being more environmentally friendly than other vessels, the ship has a shallower draft, enabling river navigations, even when water levels are low. Jump on board for a voyage along four of Europe's most popular rivers – the Rhine, Neckar, Moselle and Saar – which flow primarily through Germany. Spend an evening wandering around the medieval heart of French city Strasbourg, sample fine wines at prime vineyards and gaze at views along the scenic Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO world heritage site. Book it: A seven-night full-board cruise starts from £1,867pp, including some activities. UK flights extra. Various departure dates. Venice, Italy At the height of summer, a top-end hotel in Venice can cost around £500 per guest a night just for a room. A cheaper way to see La Serenissima in style is to sail through on a small ship cruise. While bigger ships have been banned, Uniworld's 126-passenger La Venezia can navigate the Grand Canal in a vessel elegantly designed to match the destination, for less than £300 per night full-board. Beat the peak season crowds with a private VIP visit to St Mark's Basilica after-dark and join a tour of the Doge's Palace first thing in the morning before it opens to the public. You can get a selection of the most interesting, important and fun travel stories sent to your inbox every week by subscribing to the Mirror Travel newsletter. It's completely free and takes minutes to do. Uniworld is also the only cruise company to have an overnight docking spot at colourful island Burano. And as a further commitment to protecting the fragile Venetian lagoon ecosystem, proceeds from the itinerary go towards supporting a partnership with Venice's Barena Association. Book it: A seven-night cruise costs from £1,998pp, including UK flights and a full programme of activities and excursions. Various departure dates.
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
River cruise choice grows as tour operator Trafalgar enters the market
Tour operator Trafalgar has unveiled plans to bring its experience of land-based trips to the European river cruise market, boosting choice for passengers. Trafalgar, which is known for its land-based guided tours such as safaris or curated trips for couples and families, will launch two new river cruise itineraries along the Rhine and the Danube from spring 2026. Two luxury river cruise ships from its sister company Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will be chartered and rebranded to Trafalgar Reverie and Trafalgar Verity, each with capacity for 128 passengers. Trafalgar Reverie will sail on the Danube for eight days from Budapest to Passau, which includes a dining experience at Austria's oldest winery, Weingut Nikolaihof, and a day discovering Bratislava's Cold War history. Prices start at £2,649 per person based on double occupancy. For a longer option, Trafalgar Verity has a 10-day itinerary on the Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam, visiting landmarks such as the Unesco-listed Cologne Cathedral, the romantic Middle Rhine Gorge, and Strasbourg's charming old town. Fares start at £3,149 per person, based on double occupancy. Both will feature local specialists who will offer insights into each destination, while passengers will be entertained on board with activities such as regional performances, in-house baking demonstrations, yoga sessions and complimentary bike hire. Passengers can book now for sailings departing from 11 April 2026. Melissa DaSilva, deputy chief executive of Trafalgar's parent company TTC Tour Brands, said: "We've always been dedicated to making it easy for travellers to connect with the heart and soul of every destination. 'Now, we're bringing that same philosophy and unmatched experience to Europe's iconic rivers.' Trafalgar is the latest entrant to the growing river cruise market. Lindblad Expeditions revealed last week that it is bringing its exploration cruises to European rivers, while Celebrity Cruises has announced plans to enter the market in 2027. Established river cruise brand Viking is also growing its fleet and is aiming for 109 ships on iconic waterways across the world by 2028.
NZ Herald
12-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Swim, stay, and ski with these five new travel deals
Tour Venice on a river cruise Uncover the enchanted beauty and breathtaking history of Venice and Northern Italy. Spend seven nights onboard Uniworld's S. S. La Venezia on this boutique river cruise. Not only will you benefit from an enviable location in Venice, you'll also explore the waterfront shops, colourful facades and peaceful canals unique to Burano, Mazzorbo and Torcello. Further south, discover Chioggia, a charming southern port loved by fishermen. And savour the spectacular wine and cuisine of this region every step of the way. Book with Travel Associates to get a bonus of EUR150 onboard credit per person. From $10,039 pp, this deal is on sale until May 31, 2025. Departs Venice May 17, 2026. Airfares are additional. Additional terms and conditions apply. Book at or call 0800 951 655. Save nearly $1,000 on this England tour Save $970 pp on this 10-day small group tour with Globus. Covering the scenic splendour of the Cotswolds and the Lake District in England, as well as the Lowlands and Highlands of Scotland, you will see it all. From castles in Windsor and Edinburgh to palaces at Blenheim and Scone, you'll experience the delights, history, and culture of the two countries. Limited to just 18 guests per departure, you're invited to explore the world with more room to explore, and rare experiences designed for smaller groups. From $8,765 pp, this is on sale until June 1, 2025, and departs Windsor Sep 1, 2025. Airfares and transfers are additional. Visit or call 0800 427 555 to book or for full terms and conditions. Tour Perth and Margaret in one trip Enjoy the perfect blend of city charm and coastal beauty with this Perth and Margaret River escape. This package includes four nights at InterContinental Perth City Centre (two nights before and two nights after your Margaret River escape), a three-day Margaret River Escape Package, two nights' accommodation at Margarets Beach Resort in a Studio or similar, three days touring with a local expert guide, wine tasting at three premium wineries, two breakfasts and three lunches, entry fee onto the Busselton Jetty, a Mammoth Cave tour, and a tour of Leeuwin Lighthouse with entry into the grounds at Cape Leeuwin. This holiday starts from $2129 pp twin share. Valid for travel from June 4 to June 17, June 30 to August 31, and September 12 to September 27, 2025. Book by May 29, 2025 at Stay and ski at Canada's largest ski park Whistler Blackcomb is Canada's largest ski resort, with a combined 8,171 acres of terrain spread across two peaks (Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain) and receives an average of 11.4 meters of snow per season. House of Travel is offering a seven-night stay at the four-star Delta Whistler Village Suites, from $8249 per family (two adults and two kids aged 12 years and younger). This package also includes a five-day Whistler Blackcomb Restricted Day Pass and a CA$100 Food and Beverage Voucher per stay. Flights are additional. Valid until June 30 unless sold out, for travel from January 2 to February 12 and February 22 to March 22, 2026. Visit or call 0800 713 715 to book.
Travel Weekly
12-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Trafalgar's river cruise debut is seen as just a first step
Trafalgar's expansion into Europe river cruising next year with two itineraries on two ships is likely to just be the beginning for the tour operator. Trafalgar will charter the ships from sister brand Uniworld Boutique River Cruises to begin sailing the Danube and Rhine beginning in April. Uniworld will operate the ships, with Trafalgar leaning on the river cruise line's nautical experience, but the vessels and itineraries will be Trafalgar's and representative of that brand, said Melissa DaSilva, the deputy CEO of TTC Tour Brands. Melissa DaSilva "It seemed like a natural extension for us because it's still taking travelers into a destination where they can be culturally immersed and really connect with the destination in a meaningful way," she said. The May 6 opening of reservations for travel advisors, ahead of the opening to the general public, already showed promise, DaSilva said. More bookings came through that day than what Trafalgar usually sees when a land itinerary is unveiled. "I think that for those travelers who love Trafalgar, they are going to be blown away by what we offer on the river," she said. Uniworld's River Queen (built in 1999) will become the Trafalgar Verity while the River Princess (built in 2001) will become the Trafalgar Reverie. The 128-passenger vessels, Uniworld's oldest, were being rotated out by the river cruise line as it builds new ships, DaSilva said. She added that the itineraries and offerings will reflect Trafalgar, not Uniworld, the price point will be lower than Uniworld's and the experience will not be all-inclusive. Meals will be included, as will activities and use of the gym, but alcoholic drinks other than beer and wine will be available at a cash bar. "I don't want people to confuse the two and think that they're going to get a Uniworld experience at the Trafalgar price tag," she said. "They're very, very different clientele, and they are very, very different experiences." Trafalgar's Best of the Danube itinerary will be an eight-day sailing calling at Budapest; Bratislava, Slovakia; Vienna and Linz, Austria; and Passau, Germany. The cruise will offer two-night extensions in Prague and Budapest. The tour operator's signature Be My Guest event offered on every tour will be incorporated into its river cruises. On the Danube, it will be a dining experience at Austria's oldest winery, Weingut Nikolaihof. The 10-day Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam sailing will travel through Amsterdam; Cologne, Koblenz and Strasbourg, Germany; and Basel, Switzerland, with the signature event an experience at a family-run farm. A two-night extension in Lucerne will be offered. DaSilva said the itineraries will be slower-paced than Trafalgar's typical land tours. There is a "good possibility" that Trafalgar will eventually buy the Uniworld ships, DaSilva said, but its growth will not stop there. Trafalgar is already eyeing expansion, with plans to add another Uniworld ship to its fleet in 2027. More ships may be added after that, she said, with the "distinct possibility" that Trafalgar will build ships of its own, DaSilva said. There are also plans to expand itineraries, with Christmas market cruises already slated for 2026. A new option for Trafalgar's loyal customers Several travel advisors said they are on board with the expansion, though some did wonder about the industry -- and rivers -- becoming crowded. "At a time when other companies are also dipping their toes into river cruising, will the market become oversaturated?" said Teri Engelhart of Wandering Hart Travel in Madison, Wis. The same day that Trafalgar shared its news, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions said it would enter European river cruising. Celebrity River Cruises announced earlier this year that it would debut in Europe in 2027 with an initial order of 10 ships. The brands entering river cruising, paired with forthcoming ships from existing lines in the coming years, could pose problems with navigating locks, Engelhart said. Still, she applauded Trafalgar for expanding from land tours and said she looks forward to seeing the brand's river cruise operations. "They definitely have loyal customers who I'm sure will want to cruise with them, and maybe even some of their land-only travelers will give river cruising a try," she said. Brenda Daisey of Cruise Planners in La Grange, Ky., also spoke to Trafalgar's guest loyalty, saying that the "longtime trusted brand in the industry" has a high rating among repeat clients. "Seeing a travel company with new options and expansion in their service is a win-win in my eyes," she said, adding she hopes Trafalgar and other newcomers will "step up in crafting new itineraries to take travelers off the beaten path, to spread the wanderlust spirit out and not create a bottleneck to the region."
