The Uniworld River Heritage Club E-Newsletter
July 2021
In This Issue 1 Ellen’s 360°
5 Christening the S.S. São Gabriel
2 Uniquely Uniworld: Back on the Rivers
7 What’s New for 2022
3 Guest Spotlight: Linda, Onboard First 2021 Sailing
July 2021
8 From the Kitchen of Bea Tollman: Spaghetti Pomodoro
#ExploreUniworld
ELLEN’S 360° Hello, River Heritage Club! I’m thrilled to be able to open this issue of RiverViews with the exciting news that we have set sail on our first cruises of 2021! Now sailing in Italy, Portugal, France and Central Europe, we are officially back to taking you on the all-inclusive, luxury river cruises you know and love. It’s been a long year since we’ve last had the pleasure of traveling with our wonderful guests and crew, and we’re so grateful to all of you for being with us through this journey. We cannot express how glad we are to be back on the rivers with you. In this issue, go behind the scenes of our first two sailings, both of which were maiden voyages for their respective Super Ships—the S.S. La Venezia and S.S. São Gabriel. You’ll also learn about what’s coming in 2022, how to make Bea Tollman’s delicious Spaghetti Pomodoro and more! I hope to see you onboard soon!
ELLEN BETTRIDGE CEO Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
1
U N IQU ELY U N I WOR L D
BACK ON THE RIVERS Uniworld became the first US-based river cruise company to return to the waterways of Europe this summer with our maiden voyage on the Venice Lagoon and Po River. We were delighted to see our guests enjoying their time onboard once again and witness the first reactions to the gorgeous new S.S. La Venezia. Now that we’re back on the waters of Italy, France, Portugal and Central Europe, we look forward to many more voyages as incredible as this one.
“Hands down, it’s really been an amazing trip, an amazing week, an amazing ship and an amazing destination. The crew has gone out of their way to make everyone feel special, and it’s great to be in the center of Venice. But not only just the center—here, we’ve been sailing around the lagoon, around Venice, on a Venetian-inspired ship. It’s been a great experience to be onboard my first river cruise, and what better ship and what better company to take an absolutely luxurious river cruise on… there is no other. It’s been a real eye-opener and I really feel the crew are so genuine throughout in making everybody feel so welcome. Nothing is too big and everything is noted.” - Thomas, Guest onboard first 2021 sailing
See some of the ways we’re keeping everyone safe now that we’re back to sailing!
2
GUEST SPOTLIGHT Linda, Guest Onboard First 2021 Sailing
Uniworld CEO, Ellen Bettridge spent a lovely few days sailing the Venice Lagoon with our guests onboard the first sailing of 2021—and the breathtaking new S.S. La Venezia’s maiden voyage. In this interview with River Heritage Club member Linda, they discuss this first cruise, service onboard and post-COVID-19 travel. Ellen: Here I am, with my new friend Linda. Linda is one of our guests here on the S.S. La Venezia, our maiden voyage. So, Linda, I’m just curious, when did you decide to book this cruise?
special to us because we had been booked on the previous ship the year before. That was tragic, and then COVID hit, and so for us to be able to make it on this trip was remarkable and it was so special to us.
Linda: We booked this cruise, my husband booked it for a surprise for me, three weeks before it sailed. I was astounded, he walked in with round-trip plane tickets and the cruise tickets and laid it on my desk.
Linda, I want to thank you for being a past guest. Thank you for your loyalty and for coming with us. I know that you and George will join us again.
Oh, that’s amazing, how lucky are you? I’m so lucky, I’ve been on Uniworld three times, it’s been fabulous, the service is impeccable, from the way they turn your sheets down at night and leave a chocolate on your bed to the way they put your cup of coffee in front of you in the morning, it is impeccable.
The staff is incredibly special, and we’re very lucky because they’re our employees and we love them. You know, we show them love and therefore they take care of our guests in a beautiful way. Yeah, absolutely.
So what do you think of our new ship? Well, I was the luckiest person, practically ever, to be the first guest on this special ship. I was the first to walk onboard! I was practically crying when I got on, it was very
3
It’s like being part of a new family. We’re very grateful for that experience—that there are people out there when we leave the ship, who are worried about us and that are interested in our safety and making sure that we have a good time. It’s incredible.
You bring up safety. Were you anxious about what the protocols would be and wearing masks and what that would feel like? I wasn’t anxious at all. George and I have been vaccinated, just like most of the people in the United States, and so we were going to roll with the punches and see what life brought us. And it has brought us to several COVID tests, which were fine because that’s what we have to do.
Fantastic. Can’t wait to see you again. I know our paths will cross again. Absolutely, sooner than you think!
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the new S.S. La Venezia with our chefs in this video!
4
Christening the
S.S. São Gabriel
After unveiling our newest Super Ship in recent weeks, she embarked on her first sailing on the Douro River Valley last month. Special guests Ellen Bettridge, CEO of Uniworld, and Joke de Brun, the ship’s godmother, joined us onboard the S.S. São Gabriel to christen the ship and mark this momentous occasion. “It was a delight to toast with our beloved loyal guests and crew and celebrate being back on the river aboard our beautiful brandnew Super Ship. This is only the beginning for us. It’s been a journey, but after recently setting sail in Italy and now Portugal, we’re looking forward to continuing this momentum with the restart of our itineraries in France and Central Europe.” - Ellen Bettridge
MEET THE SHIP’S GODMOTHER
JOKE DE BRUN
Uniworld’s Director of Hotel Operations, Joke has been helping us craft outstanding river cruises since 2009. Her favorite thing about working with Uniworld is getting to know guests across the week—or longer—they spend onboard, then making sure they have the perfect trip and go home full of wonderful memories of their time with us. She most looks forward to seeing our many returning guests, as confirmation that we are doing something right.
5
Get a glimpse of our first sailing on the S.S. São Gabriel!
6
WHAT’S NEW
for
2022
We’ve launched our first interactive digital brochure for 2022. Flip through its pages featuring videos and blog posts that bring our destinations to life and easily find full trip details and special offers just a click away! While you’re at it, you’ll find our new Dutch Delights itinerary. Sailing entirely through the waterways of the Netherlands on the River Empress, this cruise is replete with all things Dutch: windmills, authentic cheese from local farmers, quaint port towns and endless canals.
We also have three new Cruise & Rail itineraries coming in 2022! Enhance your indulgent Venetian river cruise with extra days in all-inclusive luxury onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express on Milan, Venice & Istanbul. Or explore both the glamorous and mystical sides of European royalty with Enchanting Danube & the Castles of Transylvania. And for a rail-only option, speed across Russia on the world’s longest journey by single train, The Trans-Siberian Express.
Don’t forget, now’s the best time to book for 2022. Save 10% on select cruises, including suites, with our 2022 Early Booking Savings through September 30, 2021. Plus, as a River Heritage Club member, you’ll enjoy added savings with your 2022 Regular Member Savings.*
*Visit Uniworld.com/Current-Offers for complete offer details, terms and conditions.
7
From the Kitchen of Bea Tollman
SPAGHETTI POMODORO In celebration of our first 2021 sailing in Italy, we were inspired to share this delicious pasta recipe from the kitchen of our guiding visionary, Bea Tollman.
Ingredients 250g spaghetti (or half a standard package) ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, thinly shaved 250g cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered depending on size Handful of basil leaves, torn into thirds Salt Freshly ground pepper Grated parmesan (optional)
Preparation 1. Set a large pot of water to boil, seasoned with a little salt. 2. Heat a sauté pan large enough to hold the tomatoes and pasta once combined at the end over high heat. 3. Place pasta in the water and cook for no more than 8-9 minutes, so it is still al dente when drained. 4. Add the oil to the pan, and when hot add the garlic. Simmer for 2 minutes, turning constantly until the garlic gets “blond” (not brown), then remove the garlic with a slotted spoon and discard. This will flavor the oil nicely. 5. Add all the tomatoes to the hot oil, simmer for 1 minute, then add half the torn basil. Cook for a further 4-5 minutes. After the first three minutes, gently crush about half of the tomatoes with the same slotted spoon. 6. Remove the pasta from the heat and drain it in a colander over the sink: keep three tablespoons of the pasta water. 7. Add this water to the sauté pan with the tomatoes, combine the liquids, then tip all the pasta into the pan. Turn all the ingredients around in the pan with tongs, add the remaining olive oil and basil, then season with salt and pepper to taste. 8. Divide amongst four plates or flat bowls and top with a little of any remaining tomatoes from the pan: sprinkle with a basil leaf or two. Serve immediately.
8
Bring a piece of Uniworld home Check out our virtual shop to find Uniworld merchandise and authentic handmade items from Europe to get a little taste of travel while you’re at home. Start shopping here.
An outstanding loyalty program for our exceptional guests After your first Uniworld cruise, you will be automatically enrolled in our River Heritage Club loyalty program and begin receiving benefits, savings and rewards reserved exclusively for our loyal guests.
EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS ON ALL CRUISES, COMBINABLE WITH ALL PROMOTIONS* plus An exclusive WELCOME GIFT to commemorate your membership
PRIORITY NOTIFICATION on new cruises and programs
Earn credit toward your next cruise with our REFERRAL PROGRAM
Special MEMBERS-ONLY OFFERS
Complimentary LAUNDRY service
Dedicated PHONE NUMBER
Exclusive RIVERVIEWS E-MAGAZINE
EXCLUSIVE TTC LOYALTY SAVINGS of 5% on select trips across our family of more than 40 award-winning brands
Complimentary IN-ROOM FRUIT PLATTER waiting onboard for you upon arrival
Join the Captain for a members-only COCKTAIL PARTY onboard NOTE: Benefits in China may vary.
Can you name this ship?
Each ship in our fleet is a one-of-a-kind floating boutique hotel, designed to be an extension of the destinations it sails through. If you can name which Uniworld ship this is, email us at RHC@Uniworld.com. The first to answer correctly will be featured in our next issue of RiverViews.
LAST ISSUE’S VICTOR Congratulations to Cora Fanning for being the first to identify the May Mystery Photo, Bar du Leopard pool on the S.S. Catherine.
Visit Uniworld.com/River-Heritage-Club for more information. River Heritage Club savings and amenities are available to guests after completing their first Uniworld cruise. Exclusive savings are based on the cruise or cruise/tour-only price (including any upgrades and single supplement) after other cash discounts are applied. Savings are combinable with all current Uniworld promotions. Restrictions may apply.
*
