CRUISE WOMEN-ONLY
AUGUST 24 – 31, 2025
ARLES TO LYON
Rhône River
Saône River
Mediterranean Sea
Dear Ladies,
Welcome to Uniworld’s first-ever Women-Only river cruise! As a female CEO leading a team of incredible women at Uniworld—and as the proud mother of two daughters— I couldn’t be more excited to join this cruise with all of you. Something special happens when you get a passionate group of women together to connect, explore, and create, so I know our Women-Only Cruise is going to be the experience of a lifetime. At every step of the journey, this program was designed for women, by women, starting with a destination we are deeply in love with: Burgundy & Provence. This sunkissed region is bursting with beauty, heritage, fine wine, and absolutely delectable cuisine.
I hope you find this booklet useful as you are preparing to embark this August 24th. Inside, you’ll find a detailed day-today schedule, some packing tips, and introductions to a few of the exciting vendors, performers, and products we’ll be featuring specially for this cruise.
See you soon,
ELLEN BETTRIDGE CEO Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
MASTERPIECE COLLECTION
Throughout the book, you will come across Masterpiece Collection add-on excursions, available at an additional cost. Pre-booking is available on select experiences up to 6 days prior to departure. Excursions may not operate if they occur on a holiday or if the minimum participation number is not met.
MEALS LEGEND
CB = Continental Breakfast
BB = Buffet Breakfast
L = Lunch
D = Dinner
WD = Welcome Dinner
FD = Farewell Dinner
= Gala
PACKING LIST
What to bring for your week in the south of France
Comfortable walking shoes
Light, breathable clothing
Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat
A swimsuit to use at the indoor pool aboard the S.S. Catherine
A black and/or white outfit for our theme night
A custom Uniworld Lunya set OR your favorite PJs for our pajama party
Welcome and Farewell Celebration cocktail attire
A sense of adventure
Your creative side
WELCOME ABOARD
Inspiring women you’ll meet on this journey
From entrepreneurs to protectors of cultural heritage, flip through the next few pages to get to know a few of the local vendors and special guests we’ll have onboard this cruise.
Laugh your hearts out with
RACHEL DRATCH
Acclaimed comedian, actor, and author Rachel Dratch will be coming aboard S.S. Catherine to headline an exclusive comedy performance show and a Q&A for our Women-Only cruise!
Rachel is perhaps best known for her 7 years on Saturday Night Live (SNL), where she created such memorable characters including “Debbie Downer.” You may also have seen her on 30 Rock, or guest starring on shows like Parks & Recreation, Broad City, or Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. On the feature side, she’s appeared in Adam Sandler’s Just Go with It, Universal’s Sisters alongside Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, and many more. Rachel also is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir Girl Walks Into A Bar: Comedy Calamities, Dating Disasters, and a Midlife Miracle published in 2012.
Fittingly, Rachel has starred in Wine Country along with Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, Anna Gasteyer, and Paula Pell, now streaming on Netflix.
Weave lavender wands with
ELSA LENTHAL
“I grew up in Provence, in the hills surrounding the village of Les Baux de Provence, between the garrigue and olive groves. As a little girl, I discovered the tradition of lavender wands and their manufacture with my mother and grandmother.”
Uplifting women’s work and preserving tradition are central to Elsa’s ethos. She spent years in Cambodia and the Philippines supporting projects to revitalize textile craftsmanship within women’s communities. After, she returned home to do the same for her childhood past time, the treasured Provencal craft of weaving lavender wands. During a hands-on workshop with Elsa onboard your cruise, you’ll learn this timeless art— and get some beautiful souvenirs out of the process.
ElsaLenthal.com/Workshops
Craft your signature scent with
MAGALI FLEURQUIN-BONNARD
Since the late Middle Ages, the south of France has been the center of Europe’s perfume industry. As you shop around the Provence region, you’ll find no shortage of stores and brands offering this quintessential local product.
Our recommendation: go boutique. That’s why we’ve invited Magali Fleurquin-Bonnard, the founder of Rose et Marius, to introduce you to the craft of haute perfumery onboard. Magali has helped craft scents for brands from Kenzo to Piaget and has been awarded with France’s ‘Artisans d’Art’ label and the insignia of the National Order of Merit for her creations.
RoseEtMarius.com
Create a fascinator for afternoon tea with
BLANCHE ABEL
Blanche Abel carries the historical know-how of hat-making, a craft she proudly claims as a heritage passed down through generations of milliners before her. She seeks to blend her creativity with timeless craftsmanship—at a time when many consider it a thing of the past. But don’t be fooled—despite the retro touch of her hats, Blanche Abel is a designer from a new generation of Parisian milliners.
She’s also passionate about sharing her love for hats: her desire to showcase her craft led her to organize introductory hatmaking workshops, like the fascinator activity you’ll be invited to join on this sailing. An iconic teatime accessory, fascinators are decorative headpieces that often resemble miniature hats, embellished with whimsical touches such as feathers, beads, and other decorative elements.
MORE VENDORS
Featured
on this sailing...
Accessory-crafting workshop
CABARET VOULEZ-VOUS
Burlesque lesson & performance
Silk printing demonstration & pop-up shop
TANIA ZEKKOUT
L’ATELIER DE SOIERIE
POP-UP SPOTLIGHT
Pre-order your custom sets today
Get pajama-party ready with a custom Uniworld blue set by Lunya, a luxury restwear brand designed to take you from soiree-ing to slumbering. Like Uniworld, Lunya is all about blending unmatched comfort with refined style. Available in two flattering styles, these high quality, washable silk sets will have you feeling confident while giving you your best night’s sleep yet.
If you haven’t pre-ordered your sets at Uniworld.com/Lunya, don’t worry! We’ll host a pop-up shop onboard. We might be biased, but we think Uniworld blue will look great on you.
FOUNDED BY ASHLEY MERRILL
As a business led by powerful women, Uniworld is excited to be partnering with a female-founded brand for this pop-up. Through her work at Lunya and her position as a board member of Girls Inc., Ashley is passionate about empowering women in business.
DAY-TO-DAY GUIDE
August 24 – 31, 2025
8 Days • Arles to Lyon • S.S. Catherine
DAY
1
AUGUST 24
ARLES D
Arrive at Marseille Provence International Airport, where you’ll be transferred to Arles to embark the S.S. Catherine.
DAY 2
AUGUST 25
ARLES BB, L, WD
FEATURED EXCURSION
• Arles walking tour [AM]
MASTERPIECE COLLECTION *
• Olive oil tasting and immersive art experience [PM]
Explore a sun-drenched Provençal town today with an allure all its own. Known for its remarkable Roman ruins, Arles so inspired Van Gogh that he painted some 200 paintings there. When you head back onboard, try your hand at a traditional Provençal craft and enjoy a Flamenco show. Later in the evening, our Welcome Celebration begins with a cocktail hour in the lounge, followed by a mouthwatering meal and an evening of music by local performers.
Arles, France
DAY 3
AUGUST 26
ARLES, AVIGNON, CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE BB, L, D
FEATURED EXCURSIONS
• Choice A: Avignon walking tour [AM]
Choice B: Let’s Go Biking to Chartreuse [AM]
• Nights Out Pont du Gard light show [PM]
MASTERPIECE COLLECTIONS *
• Cooking lesson at La Mirande [AM]
• Collector’s Island [PM]
• Let’s Go Kayak Ride on the Gardon River [PM]
For this sailing only, we’re treating our guests to a special version of our Avignon walking tour with a surprise built in. We won’t spill the details just yet, you’ll have to join to find out! Alternatively, you can embark on a bike ride to the Chartreuse of Villeneuve. In the afternoon, craft your own scent with a local perfumer and enjoy some blissful sailing. After dinner, we’ll venture back ashore for a spectacular light show at an ancient Roman aqueduct.
DAY 4
VIVIERS, TAIN-L’HERMITAGE
FEATURED EXCURSIONS
• Choice A: Village Day Ardèche [AM]
Choice B: Truffle farm & Grignan village [AM]
AUGUST 27
BB, L, D
Whether you opt to visit Ardèche or Grignan this morning, you’ll come back with unique insights into village life. After lunch, we’ll set sail from Viviers to our next destination. While you admire the scenery of the Rhône, you may wish to join your fellow guests for one or more of the many entertainment options we’ve arranged for you today. Learn about the women of the Impressionist movement and make your own fascinators during Afternoon Tea.
After dinner, meet us in the Van Gogh lounge for a hilarious stand-up performance by celebrity comedian Rachel Dratch, followed by music and dancing at our Black & White party.
DAY 5
AUGUST 28
TAIN-L’HERMITAGE, LYON BB, L, D
• Choice A: International Shoe Museum [AM]
Choice B: Tain l’Hermitage Hike with wine tasting [AM]
MASTERPIECE COLLECTION *
• Premium wine tasting on the Hermitage Hill [AM]
If you’ve ever wondered whether the history of the world could be told in shoes, this is your sign to select our visit to the International Shoe Museum of Romans today. Showcasing diverse styles from across time and cultures, this unique museum is dedicated to the art of footwear. If hiking shoes are more your style, join us amongst the vines of Tain l’Hermitage, where we’ll make our way to a hilltop wine tasting with spectacular views.
In the afternoon, you’re invited to a Q&A session with Rachel Dratch. After, you’ll have the choice to either join a chocolate and wine pairing lesson or an accessory workshop. The fun doesn’t stop there—we’re also hosting a burlesque show tonight! If you’re interested, you can even join a confidencebuilding burlesque lesson.
DAY 6
AUGUST 29
LYON BB, L, FD
Take today at your own pace to relax. You might wish to get a massage at the S.S. Catherine’s spa or explore on your own. Lyon, where we’ll be docked until midnight, is particularly known for its gastronomy and silk weaving.
If you find yourself back onboard this afternoon, you can watch a demonstration on the delicate art of silk painting and learn how to make crêpes suzette with our pastry chef.
This evening, we’ll raise a glass for our inaugural Women-Only cruise with a Farewell Celebration & Dinner onboard, then find ourselves enchanted by a candlelight concert onshore.
Tain l’Hermitage, France
DAY 7
MÂCON
FEATURED EXCURSION
• Burgundy, Beaune & the Hospices [AM/PM]
MASTERPIECE COLLECTION *
• Château de Rully wine tasting & lunch [AM]
AUGUST 30
The capital of Burgundy’s wine trade, Beaune is renowned for its history, beauty, and highly prized wine, as well as the fabulous multi-colored roof of its medieval-era Hôtel-Dieu.
Set out on a full day tour of the region with a local guide, with a break in the middle for lunch—we suggest browsing the stalls of Beaune’s wonderful open-air market for cheeses, breads, fruit, and more to make the perfect DIY picnic.
Back on the ship this evening, change into your pajamas for our pajama party karaoke night in the lounge!
DAY 8
AUGUST 31
LYON CB/BB
It’s time to check out and head home. We hope you’ve had a memorable time exploring France and making lasting connections with new friends on this one-of-a-kind adventure.
Note: Ship schedule and order of sightseeing may change throughout the itinerary. Tour to port of destination by motorcoach and substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to the impact of water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors.