New ship, new destination and remodels for Uniworld

In 2014, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will launch its new ‘Super Ship’ the S.S Catherine on the Rhône and Saône rivers in Burgundy and Provence. Uniworld’s River Royale, currently sailing these rivers, will move to its new home in France’s Bordeaux region.  

The S.S. Catherine will be similar to the S.S. Antoinette and will be one of the company’s largest ships.   According to Kelly Jackson, brand manager of Uniworld: “As we did with the S.S. Antoinette, we have used the additional space on the S.S. Catherine to create innovative public areas and extra-spacious staterooms and suites for our guests.  Uniworld carries fewer guests than our competitors and the S.S. Catherine will have a 159 total passenger capacity, with five suites at 93 sqm and one Royal suite at 125 sqm.”

All suites and staterooms on the top deck will feature full open-air private balconies that convert to enclosed conservatories.  Staterooms on the middle deck will feature French balconies.

The S.S. Catherine will have three full decks and, like the S.S. Antoinette, will have a ‘Leopard Lounge’ with leopard-print furnishings, elephant-head bar rails and many other jungle-like touches. There will also be a mosaic-tiled pool and spa area.
 
The main restaurant will feature an alfresco outdoor dining terrace and there will also be a bistro restaurant.

Meanwhile the River Royale, as well as the River Empress, sailing Uniworld’s European Jewels programme between Amsterdam and Budapest will undergo major remodels with the same signature touches for which Uniworld ships are known.
 
Uniworld’s River Royale, recently remodelled for the 2012 season, will be remodelled again for the 2014 season to reflect her new home. The new eight-day itinerary will begin and end in Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage city.