Cruises

Uniworld to Celebrate 50th Anniversary in 2026 With New Offerings

By Newsdesk Mar 24, 2025 9:42am

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has announced its new offerings for 2026, including the debut of S.S. Emilie, the newest addition to its fleet. 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.

S.S. Emilie’s Upcoming Debut

In 2026, 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 Austrian painter Gustav Klimt and named after his life partner and muse, Emilie Flöge. In addition to a restaurant, lounge and bar, the ship will allow guests to book a 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. 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. The 50-night sailing across three continents departs on April 16, 2026 onboard S.S. Emilie, the river cruise line’s newest Super Ship.

The journey begins in Brussels, from where guests will sail to Amsterdam before joining a “Mystery Cruise” to experience a surprise destination. Then, guests will board S.S. Joie de Vivre in Paris for a French river cruise along the Seine, with stops throughout the city and countryside, before taking a first-class train to Lyon. There, passengers will sail to Avignon aboard S.S. Catherine before enjoying a few nights in the fishing port of Cassis. Guests will then fly to Cairo for five nights at a luxury hotel and then sail the Nile River onboard S.S. Sphinx for an adventure throughout Egypt, including a trip to Abu Simbel exclusively for the world cruisers and a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum. The final leg of the journey will be spent in Jordan, where guests will visit Petra, the Dead Sea and more.

New “Generations Collection” Sailing

Uniworld will offer a Generations Collection sailing on the July 19 and July 26 departures of the "Burgundy & Provence" itinerary. These sailings are designed with families in mind, complete with an array of activities, amenities and excursions tailored specifically for children. In addition to a lounge for young travelers, these sailings have two family hosts onboard who organize kid-centric dining options and social events like movie nights.

Additional New European Offerings

In 2026, Uniworld will launch additional itineraries throughout Europe, including three Danube itineraries on 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 lights.

“Vineyards & Palaces Along the Danube” – On this 10-day journey aboard S.S Emilie, guests can marvel at palaces, explore vineyards in the countryside and traverse the forest in Germany’s first national park. This trip ends with a stay at a hotel in Prague.
“Vienna & Capital Cities of the Danube” – This 10-day sailing allows travelers to enjoy the hustle and bustle of four capitals of the Danube. Beginning with a hotel stay in Vienna, guests will make their way to the cities of Budapest, Belgrade and Bratislava. Complete with medieval history, grand architecture and 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 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 explore Slovenia, with the city being added to multiple itineraries in Italy onboard 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 offerings for 2026, including the debut of S.S. Emilie, new European itineraries and the 50-night “Rivers of the World” cruise. Advisors who complete the course gain 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 percent on Uniworld cruise fares. To access the course, advisors can visit www.uniworlduniversity.com.