As river cruising gains momentum in vacation preferences, Henry Yu, managing director, Asia, Uniworld, sheds light on the burgeoning popularity of Uniworld cruises among Asian travellers.

Which Uniworld itineraries are most popular among Asian travellers?

Uniworld cruises are gaining popularity with Asian travellers as more are choosing river cruising as a vacation choice. Our most popular cruises among Asian travellers are the “Castles along the Rhine” and the “Enchanting Danube” itineraries.

The Castles Along the Rhine itinerary onboard the S.S. Antoinette is one of Uniworld’s most popular among Asian travellers.

Uniworld’s Castles Along the Rhine is an 8-day soul stirring cruise on our first Super Ship, the S.S Antoinette. Guests cruise along the fabled Rhine and experience dual French and German heritage through castles, fabulous food and a winemaking tradition that goes back to the Romans. 38% of our guests in Asia choose the Castles Along the Rhine itinerary when they travel with us in 2023.

Our 8-day Enchanting Danube is perfect for culturally curious first-time river cruisers as well as seasoned travellers. Gliding along the heart of Europe on the regal S.S Maria Theresa, our locally-based destination experts take guests beyond the “must-sees” of each region, offering fresh takes on classic sites, insider knowledge of under-the-radar locales, and VIP access to places only a privileged few will ever experience—such as a private early-morning viewing of the acclaimed art collection of the Kunstkammer Vienna.

What sets Uniworld apart for the Asian market?

Uniworld offers an unmatched level of inclusive luxurious amenities such as unlimited premium wine and spirits, five-star farm to table cuisine, carefully curated experiences, gratuities, airport transfers and more, so guests can travel carefree and have a truly relaxing vacation. For guests looking for something out of the ordinary, our Masterpiece Collection Experience elevates their journey with after-hour tours of famous landmarks, museums and private vineyards.

Travellers appreciate that all Uniworld ships are one of a kind, luxury floating boutique hotels, each with interior décor that is inspired by the rivers which they cruise upon and on Uniworld, guests only unpack once which makes travelling so much easier.

Uniworld passengers can savour 'farm-to-ship' cuisine onboard, crafted from locally sourced, fresh ingredients, offering a range of choices from lighter dishes to vegan alternatives.

Asian travellers are also known to be some of the world's biggest foodies and onboard Uniworld, guests can enjoy world-class 'farm to ship' cuisine made from fresh local ingredients with something for everyone from lighter meal options to vegan cuisine. In Italy, dinner may consist of Prosciutto di Parma pizza and Osso Buco Milanese, with meats and vegetables sourced from a local farm, miles away by the river. Or, after a day of immersing in Indian culture, Gajar Shorba and Tandoori Chicken Tikka may be offered as the perfect lunch to end a cultural morning.

Delicious food doesn’t have to generate a ton of waste. As food waste is one of the largest contributors to climate change, Uniworld has partnered with a food waste management company, Leanpath, to reduce our carbon footprint. Their system measures how much food gets discarded after every meal onboard. With the precise measurements it will provide our chefs with the data and confidence necessary to make the perfect amount of each dish.

What new developments and offerings does Uniworld have in the pipeline?

Uniworld is constantly developing new, innovative experiences for our guests and one such programme is our Cruise & Rail itineraries which combines the best of river cruising, land and train travel.

On our Castles of Transylvania & the enchanting Danube, guests dive into the mystique of the Dracula myth on a private train journey through Romania before exploring the highlights of Eastern and Western Europe on a 13-day epic adventure. For a truly fascinating experience, our 16-day Sacred Ganges and the Maharajas’ Express voyage through India, begins with an immersive river cruise through the rural villages that line the Ganges River and culminating in a spectacular rail journey through the country's vibrant cities.

Cruisers looking for a once in a lifetime adventure would love our Limited-Edition Collection, the Rivers of the World cruise and is perfect for guests with more time on their hands. This 55-day odyssey sets sail from Lima, Peru on 3 October 2024 on a voyage across three continents, visiting the famous “Lost City” of Machu Picchu, cruise through the heart of Central Europe and explore the ruins of the Khmer Empire in Cambodia.

Uniworld is also extending special sailing offers for mini groups from Asia on our popular Rhine and Danube itineraries. Besides mini group offers, we are also promoting Cruise & Air Program with Chinese Speaking Tour Concierge from Singapore over 2024 Good Friday long weekend.