Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection’s new Po River itinerary in Italy has been the company’s most successful Europe itinerary introduction in six years.
Earlier this year, Uniworld announced that it would be testing new waters with a river cruise on Italy’s Po River for 2013, a first for a U.S. operator.
The company is offering two itineraries in Italy for 2013: an eight-day Venice & the Po River itinerary, from Venice to Bologna and back; or a 13-day Splendors of Italy itinerary, the same cruise with the addition of two nights in Florence and three nights in Rome.
The Italy cruises, which begin in April, will take place on the 134-passenger River Countess, a ship built in 2003 that is being refurbished this year. It will be repositioned from the Rhine and Danube rivers, where it is currently sailing.
The cabins on the Countess are 151 square feet each. There are four suites at 214 square feet each. The ship has a main lounge with full-service bar, a library, restaurant, sky lounge, sun deck, fitness center, sauna, spa, a boutique and an elevator.
There will be 32 departures of the Italy cruises between April 7 and Nov. 10.
So far, Uniworld has booked a “solid base” of charter and group business for the Italy itineraries and has had “phenomenal response” to the Italy itineraries from past passengers, according to Uniworld President Guy Young. Now the company is hoping to court ocean cruise clients and first-time river cruisers to the Italian cruises.