Why a Boutique River Cruise Makes Sense

March 8, 2021
|In The NEXT Network
|By AAA Travel

Smaller may be better. Several inherent perks of boutique river cruising are rising to the top for travelers, showcasing the experience as an intimate, refined approach to explorations. Uniworld is leading the way in providing a clean, safe, and healthy return to the rivers of the world.

Sailing by river means enjoying all the conveniences of a traditional cruise, along with all the benefits of inland travel. Stopping in multiple destinations on every trip, you will visit bustling cities and hidden gem villages, unpacking only once. Even while on board you will be immersed in the local sights, with ever-changing views right outside your window. River cruising is absolutely the best way to cruise, and the best and most luxurious river cruise is with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.

Unlike an ocean cruise, Uniworld travelers will not have to deal with wait times for embarking or disembarking. With an average ship size of 120 river cruises, you can expect no queuing as you depart, or as you re-board your ship after a day in town. And while you are exploring on land tours, Uniworld guides bring you right past the long tourist lines at popular museums and attractions. With river cruising, you are never restricted to coastal towns and ocean-liner ports, as these smaller ships can take you to the heart of your destinations and dock in the center of town. Travelers step right off the ship and start exploring.

With their smaller average capacity and many public spaces onboard, there is plenty of room to relax while staying physically distant. The ship’s small size and high crew-to-guest ratios mean areas are thoroughly cleaned regularly and often. Plus, traveling by river means you are always close to land, allowing for immediate access to shoreside resources.

Uniworld offers the highest crew-to-guest ratios in the industry, 1 to 2.3. Travelers will find personalized attention from a crew trained to the highest standards in the hospitality industry. Service comes from the heart of this passionate team, which lives by the motto “no request is too large, no detail is too small.” And that approach to business is captured again in the line’s health and safety standards. Travelers will find comfort in understanding the numerous new measures in place to elevate hygiene standards and protocols, including the introduction of innovative, non-toxic cleaning solutions as well as hand sanitizer stations throughout each and every ship.

There is all-inclusive, and then there is the unmatched level of inclusive luxurious amenities that only a boutique river cruise can provide. To ensure truly carefree and effortless travel, Uniworld has gone ahead and included everything – the only thing you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy your vacation. AAA members can expect luxurious in-room amenities, free-flowing premium wines, beer, and spirits, five-star farm-to-table dining onboard, multiple options for daily excursions, onboard entertainment and much more—all the highest quality, all carefully crafted for the ultimate travel experience and all included in the price of your trip.

  • UNLIMITED premium spirits and wines
  • Delicious, FIVE-STAR, farm-to-table cuisine
  • Your choice of CAREFULLY CURATED EXCURSIONS
  • ALL GRATUITIES onboard
  • Onboard FITNESS CENTER and WELLNESS CLASSES with a certified wellness instructor
  • All scheduled AIRPORT TRANSFERS
  • BICYCLES and NORDIC WALKING STICKS for onshore use
  • Ship wide INTERNET and WI-FI access
  • Onboard ENTERTAINMENT and ENRICHMENT

AAA members can book confidently, with the flexibility to change travel plans up to 60 days prior to the start date on 2021 cruises. Since the line is part of the TTC family of brands, a financially healthy and stable collection of travel brands, members also gain peace of mind in knowing future travel plans are safe with a sound travel provider.

AAA Member Benefits:

  • Uniworld Member Benefits: $250 – $500 per stateroom savings on all Uniworld departures.
    • Up to $125 per person on cruises/tour 13 days or less
    • Up to $250 per person on cruise/tour lengths 14+ days
  • Uniworld AAA Vacations: Up to $300 per stateroom ($150 per person) Shipboard Credit (SBC) on select Uniworld departures

Learn more by visiting our Uniworld Product page. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has also released three episodes in our Explorations from Home web series. Each episode draws you further into the wonders of this magnificent cruise line. As you plan your river cruise, your AAA Travel Advisor can help you find the ships and itineraries to make your voyage unforgettable. To speak with your AAA Travel advisor, call 1-800-222-7448.