As Uniworld prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, MD Alice Ager sits down with Karryon to discuss what’s in the pipeline for the luxury river cruise line.
“River cruising really is having a moment and it’s very exciting,” says Alice Ager, Uniworld’s Managing Director Australia & New Zealand.
“We will be celebrating our 50th year of service next year and Uniworld is one of the original cruise lines on the European rivers. It’s a beautiful way to travel and explore, so I can see why there are so many new operators entering the space.”
One of those operators is Uniworld’s sister brand Trafalgar Tours at The Travel Corporation (TTC).
“Two of our smaller ships, the River Queen and the River Princess, were ready to be retired from our fleet. Both are in immaculate condition and were quickly identified as a great opportunity for a different clientele. So it was a no-brainer for Trafalgar to take ownership of these beauties.
“We will help them operate the fleet to support them onto the water, but then they will be quite separate from our operations, with completely different inclusions and offerings. With the passionate following of Trafalgar’s past guests and their enormous database, river cruising with Trafalgar is bound to be massively successful.”
Uniworld’s Super Fleet
Ager says Uniworld is on track to create a full fleet of Super Ships by 2027.
Each Super Ship has its own distinct character and design; signature features fleetwide include custom fabrics, antiques and original works of art. No expense is spared on materials and finishes, and the attention to detail is astonishing.
For example, the lavish interiors of the upcoming S.S. Emilie are inspired by the era of late 19th-century Viennese artist Gustav Klimt – the ship is named for his muse Emilie Flöge – and superb reproductions of Klimt’s work hang throughout the ship, alongside original drawings from the period. Custom-designed furniture and furnishings all reference the stylish theme, even down to patterns in the carpets.
“The three newbuild ships coming to our fleet are in line with our strategy to have the most luxurious ships on the rivers, offering the best of everything. They will be floating boutique hotels with their own personality and style with a design that reflects the destinations.
“S.S. Emilie will start sailing on the Rhine and Danube in 2026,” says Ager.
“In 2027, we will welcome the S.S. Audrey, named after gorgeous Audrey Hepburn; then our second newbuild, the S.S. Marlene, named after one of our personal favourites, Marlene Dietrich; and lastly, our third newbuild, which will sail on the Douro. We will announce more about that one in August.”
TTC’s new ownership
At the start of 2025, private equity firm Apollo Funds took over TTC from the Tollman family, who had run the company for 104 years. What has changed?
“Although we really miss the Tollmans and their flair for creating incredible travel experiences, we’re in a whirlwind of activity with our new owners,” says Ager.
“We are seven months in, and I’ve been so impressed with the way that Apollo has taken the time to review how we operate, how we lead our people, how we sell, and how we present our brand.
“They are incredibly astute in business and have already identified many simple wins that will take us to the next level. We are adopting market-leading tools and technology, and from next year we will see the expansion of our brand architecture with new Uniworld small group journeys, Luxury Gold tours, and more luxury rail offerings.”
Ager reports to Uniworld Global CEO, Ellen Bettridge at head office in Los Angeles and is responsible for the sales, marketing and contact centres in Australia and New Zealand.
“We have the autonomy to lead locally, but we also get great support from teams in other markets and work closely with head office.
“Locally, I lead a team of Uniworld hustlers! We have the best Contact Centre & Groups team – I get feedback from agents about them every single day. Our Marketing team members are dynamos – Tanja Zimmerman and Gabby Allen bring our crazy ideas to life each day.
“Then there is the face of Uniworld – our sales team who cover all of Australia and now New Zealand. Alka Thappar joined us last month in Auckland and is killing it over the ditch. As a leader, my job is to clear the path for these incredible people. Individually, they are all amazing, but collectively we are a powerhouse.”
Family affair
Ager’s introduction to the travel industry started when she was in the UK and her then boyfriend was working for British Airways.
“Early on in our relationship he told me he was going to Africa for work, so he wouldn’t be able to speak to me for a while. When I asked him why he was going to Africa, he told me he was hosting something called a ‘famil’.
“I had no idea what a famil was but knew right then that I desperately wanted to host one! He is now my husband and I host famils all the time. Dreams do come true.”
As well as travelling overseas regularly for work, which this year has already involved several conferences, meetings and a memorable famil on the Ganges, Ager says river cruising is her family’s holiday of choice.
“Our teenage sons are both history lovers; they appreciate great food and enjoy the social nature of cruising on a small ship. They have made connections and friends of all ages from all over the world on board Uniworld ships.
“I am not sure if Uniworld is responsible for creating their interests, but travelling with Uniworld has opened their minds, expanded their tastes and improved their confidence. It’s a relaxing and stimulating way to travel as a family.”
Ager admits to having a favourite Uniworld ship: S.S. Joie de Vivre, which sails on the Seine between Paris and Normandy.
“That was my first river cruise, and the itinerary is perfection. The ship is Paris! It’s the classiest vessel I have ever seen – the photos do not do her justice.
“The itinerary we chose was Magical Parisian Christmas, and a highlight was shopping in Galerie Lafayette, followed by ice skating on the rooftop while tiny snowflakes floated down. It was a Christmas we will never forget.”
For more information, visit Uniworld.
