Age Policy
General Age Requirements
- Minimum Age: For most itineraries (Europe, Asia, India, and Egypt), guests must be at least 4 years old.
- Peru Exception: For Amazon River cruises in Peru, the minimum age is 7 years old.
- Supervision: Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Cabin Booking:
- Standard: Guests under 18 must be booked in a cabin with someone at least 21 years old.
- Peru: Guests under 21 must be booked with someone at least 25 years old, or in a connecting suite with a parent/guardian.
The Generations Program
While Uniworld is known for a more mature atmosphere (typically ages 50+), they offer a specific Generations Collection during summer and winter holidays. These are the only sailings that provide:
- Dedicated Family Hosts: To coordinate activities for Junior Cruisers (ages 5–12) and Teen Cruisers (13–17).
- Special Programming: Kid-friendly shore excursions, craft workshops, and “Young Travellers” lounges.
- Pricing Incentives: Often include 50% off for guests aged 4–17.
Important Considerations
- Limited Amenities: On standard (non-Generations) cruises, there are no structured childcare programs, specialized menus, or kid-focused entertainment.
- Excursions: Many shore excursions involve long walks or historical lectures that may not be suitable for very young children.
- U by Uniworld: You may see references to U by Uniworld, which was originally a youth-focused brand (ages 18–40). This has since been integrated back into the main brand, and those ships are now open to all adults.
Pro-Tip: If you are traveling with children outside of the Generations windows, you are responsible for their behavior at all times, and the environment will be significantly more quiet and adult-oriented.
Dining Information
Uniworld is highly regarded for its farm-to-table culinary approach, focusing on regional flavors and local sourcing. Since the fare is all-inclusive, you won’t find yourself reaching for your wallet at every meal.
Dining Experience & Style
- Open Seating: There are no assigned tables or fixed dining times. You can sit with whom you like, when you like (within the restaurant’s operating hours).
- Regional Menus: The kitchen sources ingredients from local markets along the river. For example, you might have fresh Prosciutto di Parma while sailing through Italy or Wiener Schnitzel in Austria.
- Service Style:
- Breakfast & Lunch: Usually served as a high-end buffet with made-to-order stations (like an omelet bar)
- Dinner: A multi-course, sit-down affair featuring Signature Dishes from the region and classic favorites.
- Al Fresco Dining: On many Super Ships, you can dine on the Sun Deck (weather permitting) or in specialized venues like the Sky Lounge.
Beverages (Unlimited & Included)
Unlike many lines that only include drinks with lunch and dinner, Uniworld’s policy is truly open:
- Unlimited Premium Spirits: Includes brands like Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, and Jack Daniel’s.
- Local Wines & Beers: Hand-selected by sommeliers to match the region you are currently sailing through.
- Specialty Coffee & Tea: 24-hour self-service stations are available, and Barista-made coffees are included.
Dietary Accommodations
Uniworld is very proactive about dietary needs:
- Traveling Lite: Every dinner menu features a Traveling Lite section for lower-calorie, healthier options.
- Vegetarian & Vegan: A variety of plant-based dishes are integrated into the main menus.
- Gluten-Free & Allergies: Guests are encouraged to notify the line at least 45 days prior to sailing. Once onboard, the Maitre d’ will usually meet with you to review the daily menus and ensure your safety.
Dress Code
- Daytime: Smart-casual and comfortable. Shorts and activewear are perfectly fine for breakfast and lunch.
- Evening: No shorts at dinner. Most guests opt for resort casual (slacks and a button-down for men; sundresses, skirts, or nice pants for women).
- Special Events: For the Captain’s Welcome or Farewell Dinner, some guests choose to dress up a bit more (sport jackets or cocktail dresses), but formal wear (tuxedos/gowns) is never required.
Fuel Surcharge Policy
Uniworld’s fuel surcharge policy is designed to protect the cruise line against extreme fluctuations in oil prices. While they generally aim to keep your fare locked in, there are specific conditions under which a surcharge can be applied.
The Price Guarantee vs. Fuel Surcharges
Uniworld typically guarantees that your cruise fare will not increase due to currency fluctuations once they have received your deposit. However, fuel surcharges are the primary exception to this guarantee.
- Right to Impose: Uniworld reserves the right to impose a fuel supplement on all guests if the price of fuel increases significantly (usually tied to market benchmarks like West Texas Intermediate or Brent Crude).
- Post-Payment Application: In most cases, Uniworld reserves the right to levy this surcharge even after the booking has been paid in full.
- Airfare Exception: If you book your airfare through Uniworld and pay for it in full, your airfare, taxes, and any air-related fuel surcharges are generally considered final and locked, protecting you from further increases on the flight portion of your journey.
Payments / Refunds
Deposits & Payments
Standard European and exotic river cruises require a deposit equal to 10% of the total cruise/land fare. A separate, mandatory, and completely non-refundable airfare deposit of $450 USD per person is required if booking flights through Uniworld. Final payment is due exactly 120 days prior to departure, and reservations made inside 120 days require immediate full payment. Revisions carry a standard, non-refundable $50 USD per person change fee, which is waived if the booking value increases. Name changes and date shifts are treated legally as cancellations and require new reservations at prevailing market rates. Airfare becomes 100% non-refundable at 119 days prior.
Cancellation & Refunds
Cancellation fees depend heavily on the type of booking (Standard vs Rivers of the World).
120 Days or More
- Standard & Exotics: $200 USD per person administrative fee
- Rivers of the World: $2,000 USD per person administrative fee
119 to 90 Days
- Standard & Exotics: 20% of the total fare
- Rivers of the World: 20% of the total fare
89 to 60 Days
- Standard & Exotics: 35% of the total fare
- Rivers of the World: 35% of the total fare
59 to 30 Days
- Standard & Exotics: 50% of the total fare
- Rivers of the World: 50% of the total fare
29 Days or Less / No-Show
- Standard & Exotics: 100% of the total fare (No Refund)
- Rivers of the World: 100% of the total fare (No Refund)
Smoking Policy
Uniworld maintains a very strict smoking policy to ensure the comfort of all guests, as the ships are intimate and enclosed.
Designated Smoking Areas
- The Sun Deck Only: Smoking is strictly limited to designated areas on the outdoor Sun Deck.
- Indoor Ban: Smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas, including lounges, restaurants, lobbies, and hallways.
- Staterooms & Balconies: Smoking is strictly prohibited inside all cabins and on all balconies (including French balconies). Because the ships are docked closely together and cabin windows are often open, this is strictly enforced to prevent smoke from drifting into neighboring rooms.
What Counts as Smoking?
Uniworld’s policy is comprehensive. The following items are restricted to the designated Sun Deck areas:
- Cigarettes and cigars.
- Pipes.
- Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices (these are treated exactly like traditional tobacco).
Off-Ship Restrictions
- Motorcoaches & Trains: Smoking is strictly prohibited on all Uniworld-operated motorcoaches and any included rail transfers (such as the Cruise & Rail itineraries).
- Shore Excursions: Guests are asked to refrain from smoking during guided tours. Note that many historical sites and UNESCO World Heritage locations in Europe, Egypt, and Asia are now legally smoke-free zones.
Fines and Enforcement
While Uniworld focuses on a refined, hospitable atmosphere, they take fire safety and guest comfort seriously. Guests found smoking in their cabins may face cleaning fees (often starting at $250+) and, in extreme cases of repeated violation or safety risk, could be asked to leave the ship without a refund.
Traveler Note: If you are a smoker, it’s worth noting that the Sun Deck is occasionally closed during “low bridge” transits or during certain docking maneuvers. During these brief windows, there is effectively no place to smoke on the ship.
Travel Protection
Uniworld offers optional travel protection plans, which must be selected and paid for within 10 days of deposit:
- Standard Travel Protection: Underwritten by Arch/US Fire, covers trip cancellation/interruption (100% cash refund for covered medical), baggage, medical ($50,000), and medical evacuation/repatriation ($50,000-$100,000).
- Travel Protection Plan Plan Plus: Adds a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) feature, providing a 60% cash refund and a 20% Future Travel Certificate for unlisted cancellations. Plan cost is $399-$559 per person.
- Gold Seal Protection (GSP): For European itineraries, GSP costs $249-$259 per person (must buy at deposit). Allows cancellation for any reason up to 90 days prior, with a 100% refund of penalties in the form of an FCC valid for 24 months.
Tipping Policy
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises enforces a strict 100% All-Inclusive Gratuity Policy. All tips and gratuities for onboard and onshore service personnel are included in the base fare. This covers onboard cabin hosts, dining servers, sommeliers, bartenders, butlers, the Cruise Director, Tour Manager, local shore guides, porters, and motorcoach drivers. The daily automatic service charge added onboard is exactly $0. Optional spa and salon treatments are subject to a standard discretionary service charge. Discretionary personal tips are voluntary and never solicited.
Dress Code
Smart casual clothing is appropriate onboard during the day. For dinner, men are encouraged to wear sport coats, and women wear cocktail dresses or pantsuits.
Formal Nights
- Uniworld does not have strict formal nights, but guests generally dress in more elegant attire for the Captain’s Welcome and Farewell dinners.
Excursions
- Daily shore excursions are fully included in your cruise fare, such as hosted city walking tours with a certified local guide and narrated city orientation drives.
- Optional specialty excursions are available to book in advance (recommended) or while on your cruise.
Why Uniworld?
All-Inclusive Luxury River Cruising
Uniworld delivers a comprehensive all-inclusive experience that typically includes meals, premium beverages, gratuities, Wi-Fi, airport transfers, and shore excursions.
Boutique Ships with Distinct Design
Each Uniworld ship is uniquely designed with lavish interiors, original artwork, and upscale appointments that evoke boutique hotel luxury.
High Staff-to-Guest Ratio & Personalized Service
Uniworld is known for its exceptional service, often including in-suite butler service on select European ships and personalized attention throughout the voyage.
Gourmet Cuisine & Premium Beverages
Five-star dining with unlimited premium wines, spirits, and specialty drinks is a hallmark of the Uniworld experience.
Immersive Shore Excursions Included
A wide range of included excursions connects you with local culture, history, and cuisine, from gentle guided walks to “Go Active” hiking and biking options.
Well-Being & Enrichment Onboard
Fitness classes, wellness programs, enrichment lectures, and curated entertainment help guests stay engaged and relaxed throughout the voyage.
Global River Destinations
Uniworld’s river cruise itineraries span Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia — offering diverse cultural experiences
FAQ
What is included in a Uniworld river cruise fare?
Most Uniworld fares include luxury accommodations, all meals, unlimited beverages, gratuities, airport transfers, shore excursions, onboard Wi-Fi, and enrichment programs.
Are gratuities included?
Yes, all onboard and onshore gratuities are included in the cruise fare.
Does Uniworld offer shore excursions?
Yes, guided shore excursions are included, with multiple touring styles such as “Go Active” and “Gentle Walking.”
Are children allowed on Uniworld cruises?
Children are welcome on select sailings, particularly summer and holiday departures, but most itineraries are tailored to adults.
What kind of dining is offered?
Uniworld’s dining includes farm-to-table cuisine, specialty meals, and regional dishes with unlimited premium beverages.
Is Wi-Fi included?
Yes, shipwide Wi-Fi is typically included.
What destinations does Uniworld sail?
Uniworld sails rivers in Europe, Egypt, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and more.
Do Uniworld ships have fitness facilities?
Yes, most ships include onboard fitness and wellness classes.
