Uniworld Boutique River Cruises launches three new ships in 2028: SS Helen, SS Clara and Mekong Mystique, an addition that will raise its fleet to a total of 22 vessels.
The new ships will strengthen the shipping company's presence on three of the world's most iconic rivers — the Danube, the Rhine and the Mekong — and will maintain Uniworld's philosophy: to offer a boutique river cruise experience inspired by the art, history and culture of each destination.
This announcement comes after the major expansion planned for 2027, the year in which the company will add four more new ships, consolidating one of the biggest growth plans in its history.
“We are experiencing one of the periods of greatest investment and growth in Uniworld’s history,” said Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. “As the demand for immersive travel continues to grow, each new ship allows us to further elevate the standard of luxury river cruising. At the same time, it provides an opportunity to create deeper and more meaningful connections between our guests and the destinations we visit.”
The company has already opened bookings for the 2028 season, allowing travelers to secure their place on inaugural itineraries and the most popular routes, as well as access greater availability of departure dates and suite categories.
SS Helen: Inspired by Mediterranean elegance
The SS Helen, named after the legendary Helen of Troy, will sail on the Danube and will be inspired by classical European antiquity and the influence of Greek culture in the region.
Far from reproducing a traditional Greek style, the ship's design will opt for an elegant Mediterranean aesthetic, with serene spaces inspired by nature, classical architecture and the Greek concept of philoxenia, which represents warm and generous hospitality.
Among its main proposals will be the 15-day "Danube Grandeur" itinerary, which will travel through six countries, combining fairytale villages, major European capitals and some of the most spectacular river landscapes on the continent.
SS Clara: a tribute to Flemish art on the Rhine
The SS Clara will become part of the fleet operating on the Rhine and pays tribute to Clara Peeters, one of the great Flemish painters of the 17th century and a prominent figure of the Dutch Golden Age.
Inspired by his celebrated still lifes, the ship's interior will combine floral motifs, elegant textures and careful European craftsmanship, offering a contemporary reinterpretation of one of Europe's most iconic rivers.
Its inaugural voyage will be the popular “Holland & Belgium at Tulip Time” itinerary, a seasonal journey that allows you to discover the tulip fields of the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as their historic canals and cities with a rich cultural heritage.
Mekong Mystique: a new experience in Southeast Asia
The third addition will be the Mekong Mystique, which will expand Uniworld's presence on the Mekong, where the Mekong Jewel already operates.
The new ship will be inspired by classic Indochinese design, combining European architectural details with natural materials to recreate the cultural and landscape essence of Vietnam and Cambodia.
The Mekong Mystique will exclusively offer the "Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong" itinerary, a journey that will allow you to discover floating markets, ancient temples, local communities and centuries-old traditions along the Mekong River.
With this new expansion, Uniworld reinforces its position as one of the leading luxury river cruise lines, focusing on uniquely designed ships and increasingly immersive experiences that bring travelers closer to the culture and heritage of the destinations they visit.
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