DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Dec. 16, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection , the world’s only authentic boutique cruise line, announced the launch of two new 2016 themed cruise programs in their European portfolio. The Monarch Collection invites guests to explore Europe’s legendary aristocratic lifestyle and heritage with departures onboard Uniworld’s royal fleet on select summer 2016 itineraries, while The Connoisseur Collection , available on select France 2016 itineraries, explores the world of French cuisine with exclusive excursions and events that explore why the UNESCO experts declared French gastronomy a “social custom aimed at celebrating the most important moments in the lives of individuals and groups.” “We are delighted to expand upon our most popular all-inclusive European offerings and debut these exciting themed itineraries,” said Guy Young, president, Uniworld. “Guests on these cruises can dive deeper into the rich cultural and culinary history of the destinations we explore.” The Monarch Collection caters to guests intrigued with European royalty and culture, and provides travelers with an opportunity to enjoy a touch of aristocracy on their journey. Guests are treated to a cocktail reception at Artstetten Castle with Princess Anita von Hohenberg, an onboard Liszt piano concert, intimate themed dinners, an onboard pâtisserie demonstration, and a cocktail reception followed by a private guided tour of the Royal Lipizzan Stallions and Spanish Riding School at the Hofburg in Vienna. “ European Jewels ” travelers also enjoy dinner and a concert at Castle Weikersheim while those on the “ Enchanting Danube ” will experience an exclusive concert at a Viennese palais. Departures are available from June to August on select “ European Jewels ,” sailing from Budapest to Amsterdam, and “ Enchanting Danube ,” sailing from Budapest to Passau. The Connoisseur Collection is an ideal getaway for foodies, providing guests the opportunity to savor rich culinary traditions and tastes while learning from the best and getting their hands dirty, literally and figuratively. Francophiles and oenophiles enjoy a bevy of onshore and onboard culinary activities depending on the itinerary they choose, from an onboard Valrhona chocolate tasting and wine pairing to a cooking demonstration and tea party at the Institut Paul Bocuse. Other highlights include tasting apples, cheese, cider and calvados at a local apple farm; Cognac tasting at Rémy Martin Estate; hunting for truffles at a truffle farm; and visiting La Couronne, where Julia Child’s first French meal changed her life—and eventually American’s perspective on French cooking. Guests can choose from select “ Paris & Normandy ,” “ Burgundy & Provence ,” and “ Bordeaux, Vineyards & Châteaux ” departures, as well as the combination cruises, “ A Portrait of Majestic France ” and “ Grand France .”
For more details, please visit uniworld.com . Join Uniworld’s social media community at facebook.com/uniworldrivercruises or twitter.com/uniworldcruises using the hashtag #ExploreUniworld .
About Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection —the world's only authentic boutique cruise line™—features luxurious ships with an average capacity of 130 guests, exclusive excursions, gourmet cuisine, and the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry. Based in Los Angeles, California, Uniworld offers truly all-inclusive itineraries in Europe , as well as voyages in Russia, China, Vietnam and Cambodia, India, and Egypt—a total of 22 rivers in 26 countries worldwide. Uniworld is a member of CLIA and is highly regarded by discerning travelers, media, and cruise industry experts:
- Listed among the "World's Best River Cruises" by Travel + Leisure , and recognized for "World’s Best Service" in the River Cruise category
- Seven ships listed among Travel + Leisure ’s "Top 20 River Ships," with River Countess rated highest of all cruise ships (river & ocean)
- Included on Condé Nast Traveler ’s Gold List for seven years (2008 – 2014)
- Top 3 ranking on Condé Nast Traveler 's "Top Ten Cruise Lines" (river & ocean)
- Top 4 ranking on Condé Nast Traveler 's Readers’ Choice Awards for "Top Cruise Lines" (2014)
- Named "Best Luxury River Cruise Line" by Cruise International (2012 – 2015)
- Named “Best New River Cruise Ship” for the S.S. Maria Theresa by Cruise International (2015)
- Named "Best Culinary Cruise Line" by readers of SAVEUR (2014 – 2015)
- Named “River Cruise Line of the Year” and “Best River Cruise Line” by readers of Food & Travel (2015)
- Awarded “Best Overall River Line,” “Best New River Ship” for the S.S. Maria Theresa and “Best Shore Excursions” (river) by the editors at Cruise Critic (2015)
Image Download: For up-to-date, high resolution images, please visit Uniworld's Image Library at uniworld.com/why-uniworld/marketing-library .
About The TreadRight Foundation Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation ’s family of brands, The TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit that works to help ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant and preserved for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has supported more than 35 sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The foundation’s guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities. TreadRight’s past project partners include WWF, Conservation International and The National Trust in the UK. Current initiatives include sponsoring the National Geographic Society’s inaugural “World Legacy Awards,” helping to combat wildlife crime with WildAid, and empowering individuals with the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise. To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at TreadRight.org .
###
TRADE MEDIA: Susan Chou Public Relations Coordinator Susan.Chou(at)TravCorpUSA.com Twitter: @Susan_TravCorp Karina Schultheis Public Relations Specialist Karina.Schultheis(at)TravCorpUSA.com Twitter: @Karina_TravCorp Arnelle Kendall Vice President of Public Relations Arnelle.Kendall(at)TravCorpUSA.com Twitter: @ArnelleKendall The Travel Corporation Public Relations Office 636 East Atlantic Avenue Suite 203 Delray Beach, FL 33483 561.330.0850 CONSUMER MEDIA: Adél Grobler Associate Director adel.grobler(at)evins.com EVINS Communications 830 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 212.688.8200
