U by Uniworld, the new youth brand from Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, is now available for bookings.

The brand hopes to bring all the good stuff from cruising to travellers aged 21 to 45, without the cliches of older generation cruising, giving youngin’s the chance to experience nine European itineraries beginning in April 2018.

The first-ever cruise offering of its kind, U by Uniworld has transformed the travel industry paradigm with a fresh approach to experiential travel, introducing an entire new demographic to cruising.

“The U by Uniworld brand is built on a foundation of Uniworld’s river cruising expertise and the leadership in youthful travel of its sister brands Contiki and Busabout,” said Brett Tollman, Chief Executive of The Travel Corporation (TTC).

“The official sales launch of U by Uniworld reflects the unwavering determination and drive of The Travel Corporation to continue to innovate and contribute to the travel and tourism industry. We look forward to seeing this exciting new TTC brand become established, successful and grow in the coming years.”

With a maximum capacity of 120 holiday-makers, the first two U by Uniworld ships – The A and The B – will come complete with black exteriors and feature a sleek, cool interior design with open communal spaces and rooftop lounges so guests can enjoy scenic river views while sipping on craft cocktails.

The A and The B will be a travellers’ everything – from contemporary waterfront hotel and taxi, bar, to restaurant, café, nightclub and yoga studio.

The A and The B also come with three room categories — Studio, Balcony and Suites — all with river views. Suites featuring French balconies and a living room area are perfect for honeymooners and those celebrating a special occasion, whilst balcony rooms are ideal for pairs, and groups of friends travelling together can enjoy Studio rooms that can accommodate up to three passengers. Solo travellers can take advantage of single rooms or special room share rates.

Artist rendering of the U by Uniworld ships – The A and The B

Fiona Dalton, Managing Director for Uniworld Australia commented, “The positive feedback we’ve received about U by Uniworld from our trade partners over the last three months has been exceptional and has translated into a pent-up demand for bookings, so we’re very excited to “open the doors” today and get sales underway.

“With only two ships in 2018, and a fantastic price point starting from $2499 twin share for seven nights, we’re encouraging all our partners to let their clients know to book early to avoid disappointment.”

The itineraries

Four eight-day itineraries — Rolling On The Rhine, Germany’s Finest, The Danube Flow and The Seine Experience — sail the Rhine, Main, Danube and Seine Rivers, with overnight stops and longer stays in major cities like Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam and Budapest.

Three Super Cruise options combine two or more U itineraries into one 15 or 22-day bucket list journey. U by Uniworld also offers two five-day holiday itineraries–Dashing Through The Danube and A Merry Little Christmas Cruise – for those who want to experience the magic of Christmas time in Europe and a special New Year’s Eve celebration.

Available only on The A, these festive itineraries include a trek through a Bavarian Forest to Passau’s Christmas Market; a Viennese “Taste of Christmas” excursion; and an exclusive, classic Christmas concert in Klosterneuburg Abbey.

U by Uniworld’s lineup of onboard programming includes Wine & Paint Classes, where passengers can sip on a glass of local wine while painting the scenery before them; Mixology Classes taught by the master bartenders onboard; and Chef’s Table Cooking Classes, a tasty way to experience the culinary riches of each destination.

Each day on U by Uniworld, guests are given the flexible options to explore onshore destinations in one of three ways—included excursions and activities, optional “U Time” outings, or a self-guided tour of the cities.

When night falls, “U Hosts” are on hand to take guests to the local hotspots and hidden gems in each city. Experiences range from visiting a U Host’s favorite nightclub in Amsterdam to wandering along the banks of the Seine on a midnight stroll in Paris, where travellers will experience Paris at one of the most magical times of the evening before venturing off for a night out or head back to the ship where DJ’s will be onboard for the ultimate entertainment.

Eight-day itineraries on The A start at $2,499 per person and include sailings along the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. Pricing for The B, which sails exclusively on the Seine River and throughout France, starts at $2,999 per person. Starting rates are based on double occupancy and are inclusive of gratuities and port charges.