Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has announced its largest-ever fleet expansion, unveiling four new ships and six fresh itineraries launching in 2027.
The new vessels include three Super Ship builds – SS Audrey, SS Marlene and SS Sao Rafael on Portugal’s Douro River – as well as exclusive sailings on Aqua Blu, marking the brand’s debut in Singapore and Indonesia.
Paying homage to silver screen icons Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich, SS Audrey and SS Marlene will join the fleet in 2027, offering European river sailings. The two vessels will feature similar layouts to sister ship SS Emilie, which debuts next year.
Joining them is SS Sao Rafael, a brother ship to SS Sao Gabriel, expanding Uniworld’s popular Douro River voyages in Portugal.
The name Sao Rafael is a nod to Portugal’s legacy of exploration and maritime history. In Vasco da Gama’s first voyage to India in 1497, Sao Gabriel served as the flagship, while Sao Rafael sailed alongside under the command of Paulo da Gama.
The final addition to the fleet is Aqua Blu, an expedition yacht operated in partnership with Aqua Expeditions, which will offer two sailings per year offering rare access to the islands of Indonesia and Singapore.
Meanwhile, Uniworld will also launch six new itineraries across Europe and Asia in 2027, including a 13-night journey that pairs three nights in Bali with a seven-night expedition cruise aboard Aqua Blu, followed by a three-night luxury stay in Singapore.
There is also a 16-night ‘Grand Highlights of the Danube’ adventure, which combines two guest-favourite itineraries ‘Highlights of Eastern Europe’ and ‘Enchanting Danube’, as well as the new nine-night ‘Castles Along the Rhine & Amsterdam’ journey, which adds two nights in Amsterdam to Uniworld’s existing ‘Castles Along the Rhine’ itinerary.
“2027 will be landmark year for us at Uniworld as we introduce four remarkable new ships to our guests and a range of itineraries that blend cultural immersion, luxury and adventure,” said Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld.
“From honouring the timeless elegance of Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich aboard our newest Super Ships in Europe, to exploring the rich landscapes of Singapore and Indonesia with the Aqua Blu, these additions mark an exciting chapter of growth and continued elevation for Uniworld.”
Pictured: Render of a French balcony cabin on board SS Marlene.
