River cruise operator Uniworld has revealed more details about its planned expansion in 2020.
The brand, which is part of The Travel Corporation, will add four Super Ships next year. This plan includes three new custom-built ships to be based in Vietnam, Egypt and Portugal, plus a renovated Super Ship to operate in Italy’s Venetian Lagoon.
Mekong Jewel will be the first of the new ships to enter service when it starts operating on the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia on January 3, 2020. It will be followed three days later by Satet, which will operate on the Nile in Egypt from January 6, 2020.
Sao Gabriel will be launched on the Douro in Portugal on March 26, 2020, while the renovated La Venezia, formerly River Countess, will go into service in northern Italy on March 27, 2020.
These moves will mean that by 2020 more than half of Uniworld’s fleet will be made up of Super Ships.
Uniworld’s chief executive Ellen Bettridge said: “We are consistently and relentlessly pursuing excellence.
“Our ships are absolutely unique and, like a boutique hotel, reflect the destinations they serve – from decor and artwork to food, beverage and programming.
“We look forward to making our high calibre of service and personalisation in these remarkable destinations even better.”
Uniworld has been working “aggressively” for the past five years to transform its fleet. The next development will see the launch of Bon Voyage in April 2019, following the former River Royale’s conversion into a Super Ship.