River Duchess
River Duchess: A Uniworld luxury cruise to European capitals
Snapshot
River Duchess, part of the Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, carries 134 guests in luxurious style. River ships (for the Rhine, Main and Danube) must navigate hundreds of locks that are only 12 meters wide. River Duchess is compact and staterooms are therefore on the smaller side, but mirrors are used throughout to create a sense of much larger space. On a river cruise, you can expect to see the shoreline every day, get off of the ship every day, and enjoy a more comfortable setting with fewer passengers.
Who will enjoy sailing the River Duchess
Explorers wishing to discover ancient lands and modern melting pot cities. Photographers, amateur archaeologists, foodies, and anyone who loves beautiful and mysterious places. Perfect for adult children and their parents, River Duchess offers fast-paced activities or allows the less mobile to watch the activity float by. The crew is compassionate and helpful for the mobility challenged.
Where River Duchess sails
Home port: Vienna, Austria
Destinations: Uniworld's River Duchess will take you to the grand capitals of Europe. Cruise the Danube and other storied waterways on 9- to 23-night itineraries through Eastern Europe that stop in Budapest, Prague, Vienna, Amsterdam and Belgrade, Serbia, among other destinations. See all of River Duchess's itineraries.
Dining & entertainment
The exceptionally attentive and engaged crew will make your onboard experience memorable. The food is fresh, unlike ocean liners which can freeze their food supply for weeks, river ships rely on buying fresh produce at several ports of call, and the quality is apparent. Premium brands liquor and wines make your dining experience unforgettable.
There is also a Sky Lounge with a sliding glass roof. This area is typically used for al fresco dinners for 20 passengers at a time. This is the only place where smoking is permitted on the ship.
There is a large lounge in the front of the ship with a bar and the dining room is to the rear. Both offer splendid river views. The lounge has a small dance floor which is also used by guest performers and lecturers. A piano player tickles the ivories during tea, cocktails and after dinner for dancing.
Public areas & activities
- Main Lounge with full-service bar and dance floor
- Captain's Lounge with library
- Patio lounge
- Sky lounge
- Elegant restaurant
- Sun deck with life-size chess and shuffleboard
- Fitness center and sauna
- Serenity River Spa
- Guest laundry and ironing facilities
- Elevator
Additional ship amenities include: 24-hour reception service, complimentary 24-hour specialty coffee and tea bar, use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks, and free Internet and Wi-Fi access.
Staterooms
River ships need to be compact to navigate the many narrow locks and low bridges. While the cabins are on the small side, they are very well organized, beautifully appointed, and quiet.
Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir of England beds draped in high-thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, along with a menu of pillow options. Staterooms and suites on the Rhine Deck have French balconies.
Stateroom and suite amenities include:
- Generous built-in closets
- Hair dryer
- Individual climate-control thermostat
- Direct-dial telephone
- Infotainment center with flat-screen TV and complimentary movie and entertainment options bottled water and safe
Marble bathrooms include: L'Occitane en Provence bath and body products, plush towels, backlit magnifying mirror, cozy waffle bathrobes, and towel warmers
All suites are uniquely decorated and have additional amenities and services, including:
- Daily fruit and cookie plate
- An evening amuse-bouche
- Slippers
- Private DVD
- iPod docking station
- Nespresso coffee machine
- Refrigerator
- Bottle of wine upon arrival
- Morning coffee and tea
- Continental breakfast
- Shoe shine and free laundry service
Your take
How about you? Have you sailed on River Duchess? Please share your experience!
Interested in a cruise on this ship?
If you're interested in a cruise on Uniworld's River Duchess, contact a Cruiseable travel advisor at 1-877-322-3773 or by email. You'll usually get a better deal than you can get by contacting the cruise line directly.
Top highlights on this ship
- Visit the picturesque Bulgarian towns of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi.
- Have an al fresco meal in the Sky Lounge.
- Enjoy the piano player during tea, cocktails and after dinner for dancing.
Top dining options on board
Fast facts
Overheard
“An elegant, nicely-appointed river ship with attractive features for a decent cruise. Cabins are small with limited storage, but the open-seating aft restaurant is comfortable, offering reasonable good cuisine and a healthy choice menu.”
