River cruise editor Michelle Baran is on Uniworld's new ship, the S.S. Catherine. Her dispatch follows.
TOURNON, France — My first river cruise was on Uniworld’s River Royale in 2007, sailing rivers I’m returning to for the first time since then for the christening cruise of Uniworld’s new S.S. Catherine.
So much and so little has changed since then. Burgundy and Provence and the charming towns and landscapes that line the Rhone and Saone rivers have retained a seductiveness that self-explain the region’s recent renaissance — Uniworld’s 159-passenger S.S. Catherine brings more capacity to the South of France than its predecessor, the 132-passenger River Royale (which has been repositioned to Bordeaux). And Viking Cruises just launched three new vessels here, as well.
I still remember boarding the Royale and taking it all in, this river cruise experience I had heard so much about. I remember being impressed, and it quickly adding up why the product was taking off.
And as nice as it was then, seven years of a thriving river cruise market has pushed the product to constantly improve, and the S.S. Catherine is a prime example of just to what extent.
Then and now
I thought it would be fun to take a look back at my first dispatches from my time on the River Royale to compare and contrast it to my current experience.
Then: “The ship itself made for a comfortable and convenient floating hotel. The staterooms … were comparable to high-end boutique hotel rooms. And if passengers found them cozy at 162 square feet, they could splurge for the one 175-square-foor suite.”
Now: On the S.S. Catherine, there are only 13 of those smaller 162-square-foot staterooms. The majority of the cabins (61), including the one I’m in, are a more spacious 194 square feet. And there is a 410-square-foot royal suite and five suites at 305 square feet each.
Then: “The Renoir Lounge was a classic hotel bar scene, complete with grand piano and club chairs. … But the best spot onboard was by far the Soleil deck, home to the Jacuzzi.”
Now: The Leopard Lounge kicks both those concepts up a notch. Its safari-themed touches (leopard print banquettes and wild cat art) and an adjacent indoor, mosaic-tiled pool area are unique concepts for a river cruise ship.
Then: “The bathrooms took on a more nautical-chic feel, with wooden flooring, plush towels and modern fixtures.”
Now: Try marble bathrooms with heated floors and towel racks.
Then: “Next year, all company-owned ships will offer complimentary wine during dinner and espresso drinks in the morning. In addition, guests will receive transfers to and from the ship.”
Now: Uniworld went completely inclusive in 2014, including gratuities and wine and beer with lunch and dinner.
Then: I didn’t mention the art onboard.
Now: Uniworld invested more than $1 million in purchasing and commissioning the extensive collection of art pieces onboard the S.S. Catherine.
Overall, many of same things that wooed river cruise passengers back then — the limited packing and unpacking, the high level of service, the tasty local cuisine and wines, the high-end, boutique hotel-style rooms, and destinations like Provence that sell themselves — continue to win them over now.
Plus, the product is benefiting from seven years of evolving and tweaking to become even better.