Last year, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection made a bold move: it declared itself a “six-star” river cruise line in an effort to market itself in a class above many of the other lines it competes with — a tall order considering that river cruising in and of itself is a rather refined way to travel.
Uniworld has made investments in its hardware and service to back up its six-star positioning, including enlisting sister company Red Carnation Hotels to help create lavish interiors, and offering all-inclusive pricing that encompasses gratuities and unlimited beverages onboard.
Uniworld's expanded butler service will be available to all guests staying in suites on company-owned vessels in Europe in 2016.
To further its six-star promise, Uniworld is hiring and training 10 additional butlers so that the company will be able to offer butler service in all the suites on its company-owned vessels throughout Europe in 2016. Uniworld currently offers in-suite butler service on four vessels — the River Beatrice, S.S. Antoinette, S.S. Catherine, and S.S. Maria Theresa. Uniworld has a total of 12 company-owned vessels in Europe.
The butlers are being trained under the tutelage of Zita Langenstein of England’s Ivor Spencer Butler School.
“Increasing the number of highly trained professionals onboard our ships ensures individualized, superior service,” said Guy Young, president of Uniworld.
The butler service includes unpacking and packing on arrival/departure days, laundry and shoeshine service, in-room breakfast, and optional room service during onboard dinner meals. Guests can also rely on their butler for additional special requests they might have, according to the company.
In addition to butler service, each suite in the Uniworld fleet is outfitted with Savoir of England beds, marble bathrooms with heated towel warmers and rain showers, and Hermès and L’Occitane bath and body products.