What will happen when millenials start river cruising?
If there’s one thing Uniworld’s new millennial cruise product won’t be, it’s a booze cruise.
The innovative venture U by Uniworld will take passengers aged from 18 to 40, and it will be policed. Much like Contiki, if you are outside the age bracket, you cannot participate.
“Even though I’m launching this product, I will not be able to go on it,” Uniworld CEO Ellen Bettridge said.
The decision to not include alcohol as an all-inclusive offering was two-fold. They wanted to avoid any affiliation with the ‘booze cruise’ market. It also keeps the price down.
The cruises will be semi all-inclusive so days will include breakfast and either lunch or dinner.
U by Uniworld will refurbish two ships. Bettridge said the cabins will remain the same – marble bathrooms, luxury beds and heated towel racks – but the common areas will undergo a youthful re-do.
“We will take away the heavy drapery and the art,” Bettridge said.
The price averages $300 per day per person, with tours geared toward travellers finding their own adventure.
“I imagine it will be age 27 to 40… they are not necessarily there for the big party,” Bettridge said.
“The U by Uniworld cruise director will be young like them, someone who knows the destination, like a concierge and cheerleader.”
There are four different itineraries along the Rhine, the Danube and France’s rivers that will be sold from March this year for 2018 departures.
“We’ll probably provide them with a subway pass for Paris, and give them a map… go out there and find these iconic places.
“They see the destination in their own way,” Bettridge said.
As for flagship Uniworld, there will be a new ship launched this year, Joie de Vivre, with Joan Collins as godmother.
“We are an expensive product and I’m really proud to say we’re an expensive product – you get what you pay for,” Bettridge said.
Uniworld has launched their 2018 boutique river cruising brochure with a refreshed design to hit stores this week.
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