From flying over the notorious Drake Passage to contemporary design in river cruising in Europe, product news.
A WHOLE NEW UNIWORLD
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has signed a bareboat charter agreement with Seaside Collection and Riverside Luxury Cruises for two river ships. Before coming onboard Riverside’s fleet, the ships were part of Crystal Cruises’ fleet as the Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler. The super ship S.S. Victoria set sail in March 2024, while S.S. Elisabeth will launch in 2025 with an all-Uniworld crew.
According to Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, ‘We’ve made almost complete changes to the interiors of the 110-passenger S.S. Victoria through our signature Tiny Noticeable Touches, to evoke the quintessential Uniworld feeling that our guests know and love. Guests will find renowned artwork such as Julian Opie’s We Swoon Amongst the Heather, and trademark touches and décor like our branded pillows, towels, in-room amenities and more.
On the latest contemporary design, Bettridge added: ‘Our loyal guests communicate their appreciation for our unique ships and that no two vessels or vacations with us are exactly alike.’ The contemporary design of the S.S. Victoria, she adds, ‘does that and more with the largest suites on the European rivers, some featuring walk-in closets and fireplaces, incredible new bedding including throws fit for ever-two-bedroom suites, and showstopping ensuites like floor-to-ceiling windows in all rooms to enjoy the passing scenery.’ This ship, she says, is suited for the affluent traveler seeking high-end luxury and, of course, a 5-star river cruise experience with impeccable service.
S.S. Victoria is an in-demand company. Some of the most contemporarily designed river cruise ships include those by Kandace Cruises, AmaWaterways, and Scenic.
FLIGHT OF PASSAGE
Nearly 90 per cent of Antarctica-bound travelers fly, with more ships now offering the Drake Passage airlink as it is something of a rite of passage. What was once the only possible way to visit Antarctica, sailing aboard ships from either Chile or Argentina and risking the seasick crossing of the infamous Drake Passage, some cruise lines are now offering Hy/Cruise options to spare your nerves.
This is for some travelers who are also looking for a shorter cruise — the crossing of the Drake Passage between Ushuaia, Argentina, and the South Shetland Islands typically takes two days — without compromising time on or off the ship. Keeping the trip between 8–10 days, and with landings on most days with two or three excursions, travelers can save about five days of sailing.
Instead, charter flights allow guests to take a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. From there, your onboard crew takes the Antarctic connection to new heights.
Note: The operation of the flights is dependent on visibility and the prevailing winds, particularly in Antarctica. The cruise lines act at the mercy of Mother Nature, and some flights may be kept on land for as long as 36 hours, depending on the inability for flights to operate, or overnight in Punta Arenas while awaiting flights to return. Once missed, guests are booked flexibility around travel plans or in joining Antarctica cruises mid-sail.
TIP: Work with cruise lines that partner with strict and secure charter flight offerings to allow 1.5 kg of checked baggage and 5 kg carry-on bag. Check your cruise line on the weight restrictions. You can leave excess baggage with the cruise line in Punta Arenas and pick it up after the cruise. Hy/Cruise airfares offered on one or both directions between Chile and Antarctica by Quark Expeditions, Silversea, Scenic Cruises, Antarctical21, and, beginning in November 2024, Lindblad Expeditions.
This article is featured here on pages 44-45 in the Bold Traveller: Spring/Early Summer Edition 2024.