If you’ve ever wished you could get the best bits of a luxury ocean cruise and a boutique river-style experience without stitching it together yourself, this is exactly the kind of announcement that makes planning feel fun again. Uniworld and Seabourn are returning with a fresh set of combination journeys that let travellers start on one ship, switch formats mid-trip, and finish with a completely different perspective on the same region.
Uniworld and Seabourn are reintroducing river-and-ocean combination voyages in 2027, pairing Seabourn Ovation’s Adriatic and Mediterranean sailings with Uniworld’s S.S. La Venezia for in-depth time in Venice and the Venetian Lagoon. Across three new itineraries, travellers can expect coordinated transfers via Fusina, extra focus on lagoon islands like Burano and Chioggia, and expanded land touring on select journeys, including Ljubljana with visits to Lake Bled and Postojna Cave, making multi-country travel feel simpler and more immersive.
Why a River and Ocean Combination Feels Different in the Best Way
A two-ship holiday is not just “more cruise”, it is a shift in how you experience place. One part gives you the big-picture coastline-to-coastline flow, the other slows things down so you can properly absorb the details, especially in a destination as layered as Venice and its lagoon. This is where the Uniworld and Seabourn pairing makes a lot of sense.
Two Styles of Luxury in One Trip
Luxury means different things depending on the setting. On the ocean side, it is about comfortable sea days, effortless port hopping, and the feeling of moving through countries without constant packing and unpacking. In the lagoon, luxury becomes more about access, scale, and spending your time in the quieter edges of a famous destination rather than only the headline sights.
When you put those together, you get a trip that feels more complete. It also suits travellers who enjoy variety in their days, a coastal old town one day, then island life and lagoon scenery the next, without having to plan every transition on their own.
Fusina as the Smart Hand-Over Point
The context repeatedly points to Fusina as the point where travellers switch from Seabourn Ovation to S.S. La Venezia, or vice versa. That detail matters because it keeps the changeover practical, especially when Venice’s logistics can otherwise feel confusing if you are not familiar with the area. Instead of treating the transfer like a hurdle, the itinerary builds it in as part of the flow.
From a planning perspective, this is the kind of operational decision that quietly improves the guest experience. Less time worrying about where you need to be next, more time actually enjoying the region you have travelled so far to see.
The Venetian Lagoon Is Not a “Bonus”, It’s the Point.
Venice can feel like a one-day postcard if you only skim it between other ports. These combinations deliberately turn the lagoon into a centrepiece, not an afterthought. You get time not just in Venice, but also on lagoon islands like Burano and Chioggia, which helps the destination feel lived-in and textured rather than rushed.
It is also a helpful way to balance crowds. Even if you visit in popular months, spending additional time across the lagoon can create breathing room, especially for travellers who prefer unhurried mornings and evenings that feel calmer.
Itinerary 1: The Wonders of the Adriatic and the Venetian Lagoon
This 16-day journey runs from Athens to Venice and is built around a simple idea: enjoy the Adriatic by sea first, then finish with a slower, more intimate lagoon-focused finale. It is a neat match for travellers who want a sense of movement across multiple countries, followed by a destination deep dive.
Athens to the Adriatic: Eight Nights on Seabourn Ovation
The trip begins with an eight-night voyage from Athens (via its port) to Fusina aboard Seabourn Ovation. Along the way, the sailing explores ports across Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia, giving you that classic Adriatic mix of coastal scenery, historic centres, and distinct regional food and culture.
This ocean sector is part of the holiday where you get the wider sweep. If you like waking up in a different place every couple of days without the effort of changing hotels, this is the style of travel that makes it feel easy.
The Transfer Into Venice: From Fusina to the Lagoon
After the ocean voyage, guests transfer from Fusina into the heart of Venice to continue the journey on Uniworld’s S.S. La Venezia. That switch changes the tempo immediately, because you move from open-water cruising to a setting where the waterways themselves become the scenery.
It is also a practical way to arrive in Venice with less fuss. Rather than treating Venice as a single busy stop, the itinerary sets you up to experience it with more time and better positioning.
Lagoon Highlights: Burano, Chioggia, and Time to Roam
The lagoon sector includes time to savour Burano and Chioggia, plus ample time to explore Venice itself. Burano is often loved for its colourful streets and local craft traditions, while Chioggia offers a different, more local-feeling lagoon atmosphere that can be a refreshing contrast to Venice’s main thoroughfares.
The most valuable phrase in the context is “ample time”. In real travel terms, that usually translates to less rushing, more wandering, and the chance to build in the little moments, a long lunch, a quiet church, a sunset stroll, or simply sitting by the water and watching the city move.
Itinerary 2: The Best of Italy, Croatia & Malta With Slovenia
This 19-day option adds an inland start in Slovenia, then moves into the Venetian Lagoon, and finishes with an ocean-going stretch that includes Malta and Italy. The shape of this itinerary suits travellers who enjoy a holiday that feels like it has clear chapters: city, lagoon, then sea.
Ljubljana as a Pre-Cruise City Stay
Passengers begin with three nights in Ljubljana, with day trips to Lake Bled and Postojna Cave. This is a strong way to start if you like easing into your trip before boarding, especially if you are arriving from further afield and want a few days to adjust and explore at street level.
It also adds variety that pure cruising itineraries do not always deliver. Lake landscapes and cave systems bring a different kind of scenery, and they set up the Adriatic story as more than just coastlines.
Seven Nights in the Venetian Lagoon on S.S. La Venezia
After Ljubljana, guests transfer to S.S. La Venezia for seven nights cruising the lagoon. This is where you get time to properly understand Venice as a lagoon city rather than a single set of famous squares and bridges. Because the ship is built around a smaller guest count, the feeling is more boutique, and the lagoon itinerary can focus on places that big ships cannot reach.
Starting with the lagoon sector also changes your perspective. Venice becomes the beginning of your on-water holiday rather than a final “last stop”, which can make the experience feel more spacious and less like you are squeezing it in.
Back to Sea: Fusina to Seabourn Ovation, Then Malta and Italy
Guests then transfer from the lagoon back to Fusina to embark on Seabourn Ovation for the ocean portion. The context highlights ports in Malta and Italy, finishing in Civitavecchia, which is the gateway to Rome.
This finish is a practical win. Rome is one of those destinations many travellers want time for, so ending near the city makes it easier to tack on a few extra nights, whether you’re travelling from Australia, Europe, North America, or anywhere else.
Itinerary 3: The Best of Italy, Croatia & Malta
If you like the idea but want a simpler, shorter format, this 16-day option runs from Venice to Rome and keeps the concept streamlined. You still get the lagoon cruise plus a coastal journey, just without the Ljubljana pre-cruise program.
Starting in Venice: A Lagoon-First Flow
Beginning in Venice can be ideal if you want your lagoon time upfront, before the itinerary widens out into a multi-country coastal run. It also suits travellers who have already done a quick Venice visit in the past and want a more layered return, with time on lagoon islands and quieter corners.
The lagoon-first approach can feel calmer, especially if you prefer not to leave Venice until you have truly had your fill of it. You can enjoy Venice at different times of day, and that alone can change how the city feels.
The Coastal Journey: Italy, Croatia, and Malta in One Arc
The second part of the itinerary combines a coastal journey through Italy, Croatia, and Malta. For many travellers, that is the sweet spot: multiple countries, strong food and cultural variety, and the ease of a single unpack, while still keeping the rhythm comfortable.
This is also a good structure for milestone travel. A Venice-to-Rome storyline is easy to understand, and it tends to pair well with pre- and post-touring if you want to extend the trip without overcomplicating it.
Choosing Between the Three: A Simple Way to Decide
A helpful way to choose is to focus on what you want to add, not what you want to remove. If you want an Athens start and a sea-first build-up, the Adriatic and lagoon itinerary fits neatly. If you want inland Slovenia and a slower lead-in, the 19-day option adds that layer. If you want the cleanest Venice-to-Rome journey, the third itinerary keeps it elegant and straightforward.
In all three, the big differentiator is the balance between inland touring, lagoon immersion, and open-water range. Once you know which balance sounds most like your travel style, the right itinerary usually becomes obvious.
If you want to compare these combinations against other luxury river, ocean, or hybrid-style itineraries, the easiest starting point is the Cruise Finder. It helps you view sailings side-by-side, especially when you’re weighing timing, ship style, and how much port time you want in places like Venice and Malta.
It is also handy if you are deciding how to book the trip around your broader plans, flights, pre- or post-stays, and which staterooms or suites suit your comfort preferences. Start with the Cruise Finder, then the shortlist becomes much easier to shape into a holiday that fits you.
Lock In the Right Combination Journey With Confident Planning
If one of these Uniworld and Seabourn combinations feels like your kind of travel, the next step is making sure the details line up smoothly, dates, routing, transfers, and the best onboard category for how you like to relax. When you’re ready, you can talk with S.W. Black Travel to plan and book your cruise, and we’ll help you compare the three 2027 options, map out pre- and post-stays if you want them, and choose the journey that fits your pace, whether you’re travelling from Australia or anywhere else.
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