Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has secured a 3-year deal to charter the former Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler boats, which will be rebranded as "Super Ships"/S.S. and named, respectively, S.S. Victoria and SS Elisabeth.
S.S. Victoria is set to commence sailing at the beginning of the 2024 season, with S.S. Elisabeth following suit in 2025. Under this bareboat charter agreement, Uniworld gains the opportunity to infuse its signature experience into existing itineraries, complete with an all-Uniworld staff and the brand's distinctive features and amenities.
After the demise of the GHK-owned Crystal Cruises, these ultra-premium riverboats had been part of the Seaside Collection of Riverside Luxury Cruises. These identical sister ships can accommodate 110 passengers in 55 staterooms. Each cabin boasts a King-sized bed facing the full-length windows, offering panoramic views of the passing scenery.
Onboard, guests can expect a blend of fine materials and finishes, including leather, velvet, and marble. Lavish features can be found in select suite categories, such as walk-in closets, fireplaces, and even a Uniworld-first two-bedroom accommodation with adjoining suites, offering up to 760 ft2 of space.
Among the ship's highlights are a massage room, gym, a bistro for snacks, a rooftop bar and grill for cocktails and light bites, and a fine dining restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and gourmet dinners. Uniworld promises that dining venues will feature farm-to-table cuisine, incorporating fresh local ingredients sourced by the chef daily at each destination.
For Uniworld, SS Victoria starts operations in March 2024, offering a range of Rhine and Moselle itineraries based on homeporting in Amsterdam Holland , Basel Switzerland, Frankfurt Germany and Brussels Belgium.
7-night/8-day "Holland & Belgium at Tulip Time" (Brussels to Amsterdam) starts with an overnight in Brussels, visits Antwerp (DAY 3), Maastricht (DAY 4), Heusden-Cuijk/Nuenen (DAY 5), Kinderijk-Schoonhoven (DAY 6), and ends with an overnight in Amsterdam.
7-night/8-day "Castles Along the Rhine" (Basel to Amsterdam) starts in Basel and visits Breisach (DAY 2), Kehl-Strasbourg (DAY 3), Speyer-Mannheim (DAY 4), Rudesheim-Boppard (DAY 5), Boppard-Koblenz (DAY 6), Cologne (DAY 7) and ends in Amsterdam.
9-night/10-day "Magnificent Moselle and Rhine" (roundtrip from Frankfurt) visits Cochem (DAYS 2-3/overnight), Bernkastel (DAY 5), Boppard (DAY 6), Rudesheim (DAY 7), Speyer (DAY 8), and Rastatt/Baden-Baden (DAY 9).
7-night/8-day "Belgian Holiday Markets" (Christmas Markets roundtrip from Brussels) starts with an overnight in Brussels and visits Ghent (DAY 3), Hasselt (DAY 4), Maastricht (DAY 5), and Antwerp (DAYS 6-7/overnight).
Note: Details on SS Elisabeth's itineraries for Uniworld (starting in 2025) will be announced later.