The Golden Buddha at Phu Salao Temple overlooking the Mekong river and the city of Pakse, Laos
Some of the world’s most famous river bodies including the Nile in
Egypt and the Mekong in Vietnam will become the playground for new
luxury river cruises set to launch next year.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is expanding its fleet with
the addition of three new luxury ships that will set sail along the
Nile, Mekong and Douro rivers beginning in 2020.
Its ship anchored in Italy is also slated to undergo major renovations and re-emerge as the SS La Venezia early next spring.
Unlike behemoth cruise ships that are built to carry thousands of
passengers, river cruise ships are designed as smaller, more intimate
alternatives. Uniworld’s fleet has an average capacity of 130 guests.
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Here’s a look at the new ships and the 2020 itineraries:
SS Sphinx
Set to lift anchor January 6, 2020 as the only luxury river cruise
line in Egypt, the SS Sphinx will feature three gourmet dining
destinations, swimming pool, massage room and 42 suites. The 12-day
itineraries include some of Egypt’s top sites, ending in Cairo.
SS Sao Gabriel, Portugal
Food and wine will be major themes aboard the newest ship destined
for the Portugal Douro river which launches March 26, 2020. Expect an
itinerary that highlights the best of Portuguese cuisine and the
country’s premiere wine-growing region.
Mekong Jewel, Vietnam and Cambodia
The newest luxury river cruise on the Mekong has been designed with
the environment in mind, with features like a special paint which claims
to create less drag; more efficient, high-performance propellers;
energy-efficient LED light fixtures; and an energy-efficient air
conditioning system. The 13-day itinerary is set to launch January 3,
2020, taking guests from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, to Phnom Penh,
Angkor Wat and more.
SS La Venezia, Venice
The River Countess is slated to undergo major renovations and
resurface as the SS La Venezia. Itineraries include a stop in Milan to
visit Da Vinci’s renowned “The Last Supper” and sailings around Venetian
islands Burano, Mazzorbo and Torcello. The launch date is set for March
27, 2020.
Source - TheJakartaPost
