Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has set the stage for a standout year, confirming three brand-new Super Ship-class vessels and additional expedition capacity that broaden where and how we can sail. For travellers mapping milestone trips or a long-awaited return to Europe, this is the kind of news that turns wish lists into plans, with fresh routes, thoughtful design, and more dates to fit real calendars.
In 2027, Uniworld will add three Super Ship-class vessels, Audrey, Marlene, and São Rafael, plus will operate Indonesia expeditions with Aqua Blu. New journeys include Audrey’s 11-night Paris, Prague, and Germany’s Hidden Gems via the Rhine and Moselle, and Marlene’s 16-night Grand Highlights of the Danube with two days in Vienna. Expect broader capacity, richer routing, and more choice across Europe and Asia.
A fleet move of this size is not just about tonnage; it is about choice, pacing, and the ability to match the right ship to the right river at the right time. For Australian travellers looking at school terms, public holidays, and long-haul flight patterns, more ships usually equals better timing and smoother logistics.
With three Super Ship-class vessels joining, Uniworld can spread departures across shoulder months and peak weeks, which helps you secure your preferred sailing without reshuffling life at home. Additional capacity also supports alternative lengths, so travellers who want eleven to twelve nights can find a neat fit between term dates and personal leave. The uplift in schedules makes it easier to consider back-to-back holidays, combining two rivers without awkward gaps.
Audrey and Marlene draw on classic screen icons for their interior feel, while Sao Rafael nods to Old World voyaging. That is more than a style flourish; it shapes how public spaces work at different times of day, from quiet corners for river scenery to larger rooms that welcome evening conversation. Thoughtful layouts are part of why river voyages feel effortless, and new builds give the line room to refine those daily rhythms.
More hulls allow a line to place ships where conditions and crowds are in balance, which is good news for travellers who prefer spring and autumn. Expect additional dates in late April to mid June and early September to mid October, windows that often pair mild temperatures with clear light. For Australians, this means better odds of avoiding the hottest weeks while still catching lively city atmospheres.
The names hint at personality, and the early itinerary signals tell us how each ship will be used. Think elegant spaces tuned to the rivers they sail, with dining and lounges that support unhurried days on shore and easy evenings back on board.
Audrey’s headline journey is an 11-night blend of city stays and river sailing that links Paris and Prague with the Rhine and Moselle. That combination delivers cathedral silhouettes, vineyard terraces, and compact towns that reward slow wandering. For long-haul guests, the Paris and Prague bookends simplify flights and invite an extra night on either side to settle in, then step aboard without rush.
Marlene anchors an extended Danube program led by a 16-night Grand Highlights of the Danube, including 14 nights of sailing and two days in Vienna at the end. Those Vienna days are a gift, leaving space for a museum morning, a coffeehouse afternoon, and an evening at a concert without deciding which to skip. The itinerary’s length lets the river’s personalities reveal themselves, from grand capitals to quiet river bends.
São Rafael takes its name from the flagship of Vasco da Gama’s armada and signals a focus on a sense of place. While full routing details are still to come, expect weeks that bring Iberian flavours and historic threads into sharp relief. For travellers who enjoy learning through food, music, and small museums, this is a ship to watch as schedules are published.
Aqua Blu will operate Indonesia expeditions under the Uniworld umbrella, opening a warm water counterpoint to European rivers. Think island geology, coral gardens, and sunrise tenders that put you on quiet beaches before the day warms. If your family splits between castles and reefs, pairing a summer river voyage with an early spring or shoulder season Indonesia expedition is a tidy way to keep everyone smiling.
The routes announced so far blend headliners with under-sung gems, a balance that keeps energy high without packing days so tightly that you miss simple pleasures like market browsing or an unhurried lunch.
This 11-night sequence makes smart use of gateways and scenic arcs, flying into Paris, sailing the Rhine and Moselle, then finishing in Prague. The mix of rail, river, and city stays means you can add a gallery day at either end without losing river time. If your heart is set on balcony mornings with vineyard views, the Moselle delivers them in generous supply.
The 16-night Danube journey on Marlene embraces the river’s full character, from imperial capitals to monastic libraries and village greens. With two days in Vienna, you can follow the music trail and still have hours for park walks and coffeehouse rituals. Longer sailings suit travellers who prefer one highlight ashore each day and a graceful return to the ship as the lights come on.
Indonesia is a boon for travellers who measure holidays by sunrise colours and time in the water. The combination of compact ship size, attentive crew, and nimble daily plans means you can chase the calmest coves, fit in snorkel sessions between tender runs, and still be back on deck for an easy dinner under the stars. For anyone looking to balance European culture with nature days, this is a compelling counterpart.
More ships and routes only help if they translate into easier choices. With this expansion, they do. A few planning moves will turn options into a trip that feels custom-built.
Spring and autumn itineraries usually offer milder temperatures and gentler crowds. With additional capacity, Uniworld can seed more of these departures, which align neatly with Australian school calendars and common leave windows. If you prefer brighter evenings and outdoor dining without summer heat, the shoulder months are your friend.
Choose staterooms to suit your daily rhythm. Balcony cabins earn their keep on vineyard arcs and castle days when you spend more time watching the river flow. If you prefer a quieter base close to lifts and the lounge, midship on a lower deck helps keep movement gentle and logistics simple. Travelling with friends or family, ask your adviser to secure adjacent cabins to keep catch-ups easy without giving up privacy.
A good cruise adviser will read port orders, school terms, and airline timetables together so your flights, hotel nights, and sailing dates lock in neatly. They will also protect the small details that save time on board, from dining times that match your shore days to transfers that skip long terminal waits.
Uniworld’s news is an invitation to match ship personality with the kind of days you want. If you like the flow of city mornings and village afternoons, Audrey’s Paris to Prague arc fits. If you crave a deeper river rhythm with room for music, Marlene’s Danube is a natural pick. If you want to add warm water and island vistas, Aqua Blu keeps planning under one roof.
If you are weighing dates and routes, it helps to see real sailings by month and length, then layer in your own calendar. Browse live availability, compare ship styles, and view port orders to understand the pacing you will feel each day. Our Cruise Finder makes those comparisons quick and clear, so you can save a shortlist that actually suits how you travel.
Before you finalise, consider the small touches that make days sing. Which week places you in Vienna on a weekend for a concert, which Moselle bend pairs best with balcony breakfasts, and where an extra night in Paris or Prague unlocks a neighbourhood you have always wanted to walk. Use the saved shortlist in Cruise Finder to check those details and refine to a perfect fit.
The momentum behind Uniworld’s largest-ever fleet expansion will be felt in calendars, cabin choices, and the variety of days you can build on the rivers, then echoed by Aqua Blu in Indonesia. If you would like tailored help choosing between Audrey, Marlene, Sao Rafael, and the expedition option, matching dates to your diary, and selecting cabins that suit how you like to move through a day, chat to our cruise specialist today.