DELRAY BEACH, FL, March 27, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Uniworld launches its new Super Ship, the S.S. Catherine , today, March 27, 2014 in Lyon, France following a christening ceremony. The ship's Godmother, famous French actress Catherine Deneuve , will lead the red-carpet event complete with a live band and a ceremonial breaking of a bottle of Dom Pérignon Champagne across the bow. The inauguration will be attended by 150 industry guests who will then experience the three-day sailing launch of Uniworld's newest addition.
Like its sister ships, the S.S. Antoinette and River Beatrice , the S.S. Catherine has many unique features and was expertly designed by Mrs. Beatrice Tollman , President and Founder of Uniworld's sister company The Red Carnation Hotel Collection ; her daughter, Toni Tollman ; and Brian Brennan , Projects Director. The ship offers 80 staterooms, 5 suites and one Royal Presidential Suite.
Decorations include original commissioned and antique artwork alongside exquisite details reflected throughout the Uniworld fleet. A unique, magnificent Murano chandelier decorates the lobby alongside a glass elevator, which features a waterfall cascading down one side. The S.S. Catherine boasts a signature Bar du Leopard , complete with cinema facilities, referencing the famous Leopard Lounges found in some Red Carnation Hotels. The Super Ship also features a spacious Van Gogh Lounge , elegant Cézanne Restaurant , cozy bistro, coffee and tea bar, swimming pool, Serenity River Spa , fireplace and fitness center.
Like all Uniworld ships, the S.S. Catherine serves high-quality cuisine made from the finest ingredients. Daily visits to the local farmers' markets ensure that Uniworld guests can expect gourmet dishes for every meal.
"I am confident that the S.S. Catherine will continue setting the standard of excellence in luxury river cruising," said Guy Young , President of Uniworld. "She will allow us to offer more capacity to support our popular ' Burgundy and Provence ' and ' Grand France ' itineraries."
For more details, please visit uniworld.com or connect with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises at facebook.com/uniworldrivercruises or twitter.com/uniworldcruises .
About Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Los Angeles-based Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection , the world's only authentic boutique cruise line™, is recognized among the "World's Best River Cruises" by Travel + Leisure . Uniworld has also been recognized in their "Top 20 River Ships," with seven ships ranking in the top 20, along with the River Countess earning the highest score of all cruise ships, both river and ocean. Uniworld has been named in Condé Nast Traveler's prestigious Gold List for six consecutive years and in their Platinum Circle for two years. Uniworld was also ranked in their top three among the world's "Top Ten" cruise lines, both ocean and river. Uniworld's staterooms and dining are also ranked among the "Top Three in the World" by Zagat Survey®, with Uniworld being the only river cruise line named in the Zagat Survey® amongst the best of the best in the cruise industry. The editors of Cruise Critic handpicked Uniworld's S.S. Antoinette as the "Best River Cruise Ship," and Cruise International awarded Uniworld for the second year in a row, the "Best Luxury River Cruise Line." In addition, Uniworld has the highest rankings by travelers on Cruise Critic for both river and ocean cruise lines. Uniworld features luxurious boutique ships with an average capacity of 130 guests and the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry, as well as included shore excursions, world-class gourmet cuisine, and award-winning hospitality. Uniworld offers over 500 departures sailing on more than 15 rivers in over 20 countries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Uniworld is a member of CLIA, Cruise Lines International Association
About The TreadRight Foundation
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is part of a joint initiative with The TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation established by The Travel Corporation to encourage sustainable tourism within our own family of brands and in the places we visit. To date, TreadRight has donated more than US $2 million to sustainable tourism projects around the world. To find out more about our work with TreadRight visit: www.TreadRight.org .
Susan Chou Public Relations Coordinator twitter.com/susan_travcorp Arnelle Kendall Vice President of Public Relations twitter.com/arnellekendall Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection 636 East Atlantic Avenue Suite 203 Delray Beach, FL 33483 561.330.0850
