Uniworld president and CEO Ellen Bettridge has revealed plans to celebrate the luxury line’s 50th anniversary by bringing back its original Amsterdam-Black Sea route from 1976.
Bettridge announced the news at a lunch at the MCA at Circular Quay today, with Travel Weekly in attendance. Bettridge spoke of the “blur” that was Covid but managing to be able to keep the team intact while the industry slowly recovered was a bonus.
“We worked together so closely,” she said. “We kept the team. We kept our crew. Most importantly, you know, they are the heart of Uniworld, and we’re very fortunate.
“That’s everything when you come back sailing and you’ve got the people who know what they’re doing and cannot wait to get started again. That was pretty exciting.
“I think I’m also just incredibly proud of you know this next chapter and getting ready for it.”
But more change did come when the parent company of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises was acquired by US asset management firm Apollo in 2024. The move ended more than 100 years of private, family ownership of The Travel Corporation (TTC), and its 18 brands which included Uniworld, escorted tour operator Trafalgar, youth travel specialist Contiki and guided holiday firm Insight Vacations.
“Over the last, let’s say, 16 months, we’ve gone from being a family-owned business to moving into the world of private equity,” she said.
“I’d love to hear from you just what that’s been like. What are the good bits? What are bad bits?” she asked the room of special guests including advisors.
“I’ll start with the moment I found out – a lot of anxiety, right?”
But she added that she was fortunate as the business is doing well and she is still able to “make things happen”, including her first ‘baby’, Super Ship Emilie, named after the muse of Gustav Klimt.
“This is the first one I’ve built, designed, planned, put it through construction. What does that mean? It’s a lot longer than nine months of childbirth,” she said. “I’ll tell you it is a fascinating process.”
The next ship, to be launched in 2027, is S.S. Marlene after Hollywood golden era actress Marlene Dietrich.
Uniworld’s S.S. Emilie ready to set sail as Super Ship fleet expands
As for itineraries, 2026 “is pretty much sold already”, while 2027 will offers a series of “combos” which she says is “perfect for the Australian market” because it offers a wide range of longer experiences such as a 20-night itinerary from Madrid to Porto which is “absolutely fantastic”.
As for the Black Sea itinerary, “it’s not coming out to 2028”, she said. “That’s the first itinerary that we started with when they opened up the canal. We started doing Amsterdam-Black Sea back in 1976 and so we’re bringing that itinerary back.”
While there is no firm launch date, pricing, or detailed operational plan for the 28-day cruise, no doubt that itinerary will also sell out too.
