10 things to expect on a River Cruise with Uniworld

Our Rhone river cruise with Uniworld took us through the south of France, from Lyon in the heart of Burgundy, to the medieval walled city of Avignon in Provence. The week flew by with rich insights into local culture and history, not to mention the delicious food and wine (we were in France!).

With daily escorted excursions and attentive on board service, It was one of the most stress-free holidays I can remember in a long time. If you’re thinking of taking a European river cruise, here’s what you can expect when you travel with Uniworld.

I hope you enjoy the video below about SS Catherine with Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection.

If you can’t see the video above about SS Catherine with Uniworld see it on my blog here or YouTube here.

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1. Uniworld ships are floating luxury hotels

I’ve stayed before at a Red Carnation hotel (read my review of The Acorn Inn), the sister company of Uniworld Cruises. So, I knew that the SS Catherine would be something special.

Both the Red Carnation Hotel Collection and the Uniworld ships are known for their opulent interiors. They boast antique furniture, sumptuous fabrics and gorgeous artworks that have been carefully selected to reflect the locality.

Everywhere we found rich textiles, gilt furnishings, marble and mirrored tables. The artworks would not have been out of place in a major art gallery; think Joan Miro, David Hockney and Henry Moore.

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Delicate Murano glass wall lamps matched the green and pink theme of the Van Gough lounge. In the lobby is a Venetian glass horse sculpture, one of only two in the world, the other being in the palace of the Emperor of Japan.

While the main Van Gough lounge was light and feminine, the Bar du Leopard at the back of the ship had the feel of a gentleman’s club. It featured an African theme in the wild animal paintings, leopard sculpture and leopard print furnishings. The Tollman family who own Uniworld Cruises are from South Africa, so I guessed that this was a reference to their African heritage.

The staterooms were beautiful too, in a fresh white and green theme and felt much more like a boutique hotel room than a ship’s cabin, with their signature padded fabric wallcovering and Italian marble in the bathroom.

2. Attentive and personal service with Uniworld

To match the luxurious surroundings on board SS Catherine, we received 5 star service from all the Uniworld staff we met. Everyone we passed greeted us with a smile and a Good Morning.

By the end of the cruise I swear that everyone knew us by name, and probably my favourite flavour of macarons too! We felt that we were not just another guest, but the most special guest on board. I’m sure every one of the other guests felt the same.

Each time we left our stateroom we returned to find it returned to its pristine state with bed made and towels carefully arranged. In the lounge and restaurant, a cup of coffee or glass of wine would barely be empty before a member of staff would check if we wanted another.

We were even asked which were our favourite chocolates so that the jar in our room could be refilled with them each day.

Both Hotel Manager Yann and Cruise Manager Thierry were ever present around the ship to greet guests and check they had everything they required. And all of the service was given with such humour and cheerfulness!

We felt by the end that we were all part of one extended family. Of course it was rather a shock to come home and have to make our own supper! Lovely though, to feel completely spoiled while we were on board.

Read more articles from this cruise:
12 Culinary highlights from our Burgundy and Provence cruise
Tasting the wines of Burgundy on our Uniworld Cruise

3. Every detail taken care of with Uniworld

I’ve come to realise that part of the luxury experience is to find that every little detail has been taken care of. We found this attention to detail permeated throughout the our cruise with Uniworld.

As an example, our stateroom had plenty of wardrobe space including room under the bed for cases. The bathroom featured two large drawers so that toiletries could be put out of sight.

We found a metal water flask that could be filled from our carafe of water to take on excursions. It was nice not to have to buy lots of environmentally unfriendly plastic bottles.

On the lower floor was a laundry room to wash and iron clothes. It was ideal for me to smooth out the creases after unpacking, so that I could look smart at dinner.

There was always somewhere around the ship to get a snack or cup of coffee, including a 24 hour self service area with coffee machines and biscuits. Lovely L’Occitane toiletries were provided in big, refillable bottles to avoid waste. I found a welcome bottle of conditioner and lip salve as well.

For excursions we had excellent Quietvox audio sets that enabled us to hear the guides through our own headset. This allowed me to wander off and take photos while still hearing what the guide was telling us.

I could go on about the numerous things that had been carefully chosen to give us a great holiday experience. But let’s just say that if you need it, Uniworld will probably have thought of it first.

4. Stress free transfers and excursions

We found that from the moment we left our front door, everything had been arranged to give a stress free start to our holiday. We especially enjoyed the VIP Titan Home Departure Service which is an additional benefit when you book a cruise through Titan Travel.

All Titan guests get a free transfer between the airport and their home in one of Titan’s own vehicles. Our car was duly outside our house to pick us up at 2.30am for our 7am flight. I was thankful not to have to drive, but could doze all the way to the airport. On our return to Heathrow, the nice man with the Titan sign was there, waiting to drive us the 2 hours back to Bristol.

Once we arrived at Lyon for the start of our cruise we were greeted by one of the Uniworld staff who took us to our coach to transfer to the ship. This experience of seamless logistics extended to Uniworld’s own luxury coaches.

These took us on all the excursions, with excellent English-speaking guides to bring the places we saw alive with their stories.

5. A luxury all-inclusive holiday

Uniworld Cruises originally introduced the all-inclusive concept as a result of customer feedback. It certainly made for a stress free holiday. From the moment you arrive at the airport to join your cruise, you really don’t need to spend a euro.

However, you want to buy a few souvenirs along the way. Who could resist buying some Valrhona chocolate when visiting the Cité du Chocolat in Tain-Hermitage?

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So what does luxury all-inclusive really mean on a Uniworld’s cruise?

Choice of excursions with Uniworld

To start it means that a choice of excursions are included in your cruise. There’s normally a walking tour to see the sights, a gentle walker’s group who might take a slightly different route or be taken on a tourist train.

Or, a Go Active option for those who enjoy hiking through vineyards or kayaking down the Rhone. The excursions normally took up half a day. The other half of the day was exploring on our own or relaxing on board the SS Catherine.

The excursions normally included a little extra, such as a wine tasting, visit to a museum or castle, or a local experience. There were also some optional excursions which cost extra.

We tried a couple of these which we really enjoyed, like a visit to the Château de Rully for a wine tasting, lunch and tour of the privately owned chateau. Also a cookery lesson at the Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon.

Meals on board are included with Uniworld

All meals are covered on board and the excursions will generally bring you back to the ship for lunch. So, you only need to eat in a café if you want to soak up some local atmosphere.

We were served really excellent wines, so no need to upgrade if the wine’s unremarkable. Practically all cocktails and spirits were covered too – unless you have a taste in 20 year old whiskey. Coffee, tea and all other hot drinks were available whenever we wanted them.

Gratuities are covered with Uniworld

Another feature of the all-inclusive package is that all gratuities for both staff and tour guides were covered. No need to worry about tips at the end of the cruise.

All of this meant that I felt a bit like the queen with hardly any need to carry cash. This was a very relaxing feeling, although a bit of a shock to come back to the real world where everything has to be paid for.

Read more articles from this cruise:
12 Culinary highlights from our Burgundy and Provence cruise
Tasting the wines of Burgundy on our Uniworld Cruise

6. Excursions that are an enriching experience

I mentioned that there were some optional excursions that were an additional charge but this didn’t mean that we felt short changed if we didn’t take them. All the excursions were led by excellent local guides who gave us an insight into the local history and culture.

One of my favourites was the village walk in the riverside town of Viviers which was full of local charm. We could totally understand why it had been used to film some of the scenes in the film, Chocolat.

After the walk around the old streets and an organ recital in the Cathedral at the top of the hill, we ended up being welcomed into our guide Frances’ house in the old town. Here we drank rosé wine in her flower filled garden and heard how her aunt had used the house to shelter fleeing Jews in the Second World War.

Institut Paul Bocuse cookery demonstration

Another highlight was the optional excursion to a cookery demonstration and lunch at the Institut Paul Bocuse. This cookery school was founded by the famous chef who was born in Lyon and runs a 3 Michelin star restaurant there.

As you can imagine the surroundings of the Institut were suitably elegant. On the first floor top chef Philippe demonstrated how to make some of the local specialities.

He prepared Salade Lyonaise with lardons and poached egg on top. This was followed by the Pike quenelles with crayfish sauce and a delicious soft meringue desert in a nest of spun sugar.

We didn’t exactly work hard, or have to do any of the washing up. It was fun to have a go at scooping up the perfectly formed quenelle or poaching the eggs for the salad.

At the end of the demonstration we all sat down to a relaxed lunch with excellent wines and ate the dishes that we’d had a hand in cooking. Although I’m not sure that we could take much credit for how delicious and perfectly cooked they were.

7. You can Go Active with Uniworld

Uniworld is very much into promoting a healthy lifestyle, with fitness and wellbeing incorporated into the cruise. On some days there was a ‘Go Active’ excursion option, such hiking through the vineyards. Another Go Active excursion was kayaking under the Pont d’Arc, the famous Roman Aqueduct near Avignon.

Bikes were available for guests to use. While I was walking around the picturesquestreets of Viviers, Guy was cycling beside the Rhone, discovering another castle of the opposite bank of the river.

Of course for those who like to maintain their fitness routine on holiday, there was a gym and a particularly splendid pool next to The Leopard Bar. Here you could admire the wildlife mosaics while taking a dip.

I also appreciated the healthy menu choices on offer with plenty of delicious options. On offer were fruit smoothies, a salad selection and fresh fruit as well as a ‘Traveling Lite’ menu. This menu recommended dishes that would be lower in calories.

8. But you can also relax with Uniworld!

There may have been plenty of activities on offer but our Uniworld Burgundy and Provence cruise was also about wellbeing and relaxation. You’ll have plenty of time to unwind and enjoy the beautiful scenery on the river.

Unfortunately, at the beginning of the cruise we experienced rainy and cloudy days. But later on in the week the sun came out and we were able to bask the sunshine on deck.

Depending on the level of the river and the number of bridges, the top deck is sometimes closed. This avoids the danger of guests being knocked out by a bridge that is only inches above their head. However on other stretches such as the one between Avignon and Tarascon, we had a few hours to enjoy the unspoiled river views and relax in the sunshine.

9. The fabulous food on board

The food served on board our Uniworld cruise was outstanding. There’s a buffet for breakfast and lunch although there were always some hot dishes available.

In the evening we had waiter service with a good range of fish and meat dishes and a ‘Traveling lite’ menu. There’s also a vegetarian menu, so whatever your taste you would find something to enjoy. If all else failed and you really wanted a steak, the chef could usually make it for you.

Each evening before dinner, while having drinks in the lounge, the enthusiastic sommelier would tell us about the menu and the carefully selected wines that would accompany each dish.

I enjoyed the local flavour of the menu. If we’d heard from our guide about some local speciality such as Boeuf Bourguignon or Valrhona chocolate, we would invariably find it on the menu that evening, with accompanying local wines.

Read more articles from this cruise:
12 Culinary highlights from our Burgundy and Provence cruise
Tasting the wines of Burgundy on our Uniworld Cruise

10. You’ll enjoy good company

We really enjoyed meeting some of the other guests on board, which was easy to do since the ship holds a maximum of 159 guests. At dinner there was a free seating arrangement.

Rather than being allocated a table for the whole cruise, we were free to sit on our own or join other couples as we wished. We normally sat at a different table each night and got to know many of the other guests over dinner.

The majority of guests on our cruise were American. There were a few couples from the UK and others from Canada, Australia and other English speaking countries.

Most guests seemed to be aged between 50 and 80, although there were a few younger couples. Many had sailed with Uniworld before and were returning for a second or third cruise. We had a lot of fun comparing notes on the day’s activities and getting to know other couples over a few glasses of the excellent wine.

Who will enjoy a Uniworld cruise?

We really enjoyed every moment of our Uniworld Burgundy and Provence Cruise. It was a bit hard to come back to reality after being so well taken care of.

The cruise is more about cultural enrichment and relaxation than entertainment, and those aged 40+ will feel most at home.

A Uniworld Cruise will suit the discerning traveller who is looking for a luxurious and stress free experience while discovering the local culture and cuisine.

Travelling with Titan Travel and Uniworld Cruises

Our cruise was through Titan Travel who specialise in escorted holidays and cruises. When you book through Titan Travel you enjoy their VIP Home Departure Service which is included in your holiday, to transfer from your home to your departure airport in one of Titan’s own vehicles.

Uniworld offer boutique river cruising on the rivers of Europe as well as other worldwide destinations. Like their sister company, Red Carnation Hotel Collection, the Uniworld ships feature luxurious furnishings and artworks with outstanding, personalised service.

Heather and Guy travelled on Uniworld’s Burgundy and Provence River Cruise through Titan Travel, on an 8 day cruise from Lyon to Avignon. As with all Uniworld cruises, the holiday is all-inclusive and covers meals and drinks on board, daily excursions, gratuities and airport transfers.

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Thanks to Titan Travel and Uniworld for hosting* our cruise.

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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