Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will add three new-build vessels to its fleet in 2028: the S.S. Helen, S.S. Clara and Mekong Mystique, sailing the Danube, Rhine and Mekong with all-inclusive cruises now available to book.
The three luxury vessels take Uniworld’s fleet to 22 ships and follow four ships already joining the line in 2027, marking one of its largest expansion phases to date.
Bookings for the 2028 season opened on 21 July 2026, giving Australian travellers a selection of departure dates and suite categories before the inaugural voyages.
Two of the new Super Ships will sail Europe’s most popular river routes, while the third vessel expands one of South-East Asia’s most immersive itineraries.
The two new European river ships
S.S. Helen joins the Danube fleet, named after Helen of Troy and drawing on European classical antiquity and Greek culture along the river. The signature sailing is the 15-day Danube Grandeur cruise, taking in six countries between Belgrade and Nuremberg.
S.S. Clara joins the Rhine fleet, honouring 17th-century Flemish painter Clara Peeters with interiors drawing on her still-life work with florals, textures and European craftsmanship.
The S.S. Clara will debut with the eight-day Holland & Belgium at Tulip Time, a seasonal spring itinerary between Brussels and Amsterdam cruising past tulip fields, canals and historic cities.
More Mekong capacity for Vietnam and Cambodia
The Mekong Mystique expands Uniworld’s South-East Asia presence alongside the existing Mekong Jewel, adding capacity on one of the region’s most culturally rich routes.
The ship draws on classic Indochine design, combining European architectural details and dark woods with natural materials such as bamboo and rattan, reflecting the landscapes of Vietnam and Cambodia.
She will sail exclusively on the 15-day Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong itinerary, cruising between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi and featuring floating markets, ancient temples and local communities along the Mekong River.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises President & CEO Ellen Bettridge says the expansion reflects growing demand for immersive travel.
“This is one of the most significant periods of investment and growth in Uniworld’s history,” she says.
“As demand for immersive travel continues to grow, every new ship we build allows us to continue raising the bar for luxury river cruising. It’s also an opportunity to create deeper, more meaningful connections between our guests and the destinations we sail.”
KARRYON UNPACKS: With 2028 bookings now live, this is a prime earlybird sales opportunity: the Danube and Rhine ships suit clients chasing Europe’s classic waterways, while the Mekong vessel opens more space to meet Vietnam and Cambodia demand. Advisors booking a fly-cruise now have the full spread of dates and suites to work with before the inaugural sailings sell out.
