0208 248 2355
Questions about your booking? Contact Us
Login The River Countess underwent a complete design renovation in 2020, debuting as the S.S. La Venezia to bring guests an enhanced luxury experience inspired by Northern Italy. The redesign of the ship drew influence from the fine Fortuny fabrics displayed prominently onboard. Murano glass, gilded accents, and artistic etched elements pay homage to popular Venetian aesthetics of the early 20th century, creating an onboard atmosphere that is at once elegant and nostalgic.
You get to see the Venice area much more easily on this cruise than from a fixed base, with centuries-old views from the water. You could do it twice without repeating the included excursions. Guides were informative, with perfect English, though they walked too fast even for fit guests. We visited historic buildings, the Po delta, wine tasting, glass- and mask-making. Burano was a charming, car-free small island to wander around. But, after flying in on the Sunday, then early and late visits to the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica on the Monday, we skipped Padua and Vicenza on the Tuesday. The crew were friendly and mostly efficient, and public areas and our cabin were kept clean. Food was excellent, with multiple courses and a wide choice of locally influenced dishes. Steak, chicken and salmon were always available at dinner, and the included wine flowed freely. Plenty of tables for two or four could be put together for larger groups. We didn’t book in time for the pizza restaurant which was only open one night. Cabins are cramped (14 sq m, 150 sq ft) compared to other mid/upper end river cruise lines. Even in April we set the aircon to the lowest temperature, so it might struggle in hot weather. The fancy decor isn’t to our taste, but we could live with it. We really enjoyed this cruise, and would have given five stars but for several shortcomings: 1) The transfer from the airport was so swift that we were on the ship little over an hour after landing. But the transfer TO the airport left us in a car park 80+ minutes before the bag-drop opened; no help was offered for luggage and no was advice given on the new EU Entry-Exit System (we found kiosks ourselves while waiting). 2) At the breakfast and lunch buffets passengers and crew often bumped into one another as they moved in all directions. Several times we were served the dregs of filter coffee. 3) While gentle, mainly classical, music was played in the bar during the day, the evening entertainment was so unbearably loud that we had to return to our cabin most nights, there being nowhere else to go. Our comment on the mid-cruise survey that amplifiers aren’t necessary in a small area had been acknowledged at the time. NB: We took the seven night Venice & Jewels of Veneto cruise only, without pre- or post-cruise extensions (not shown on CC drop-down menu).
We took the pre cruise extension to Milan. This gave us the opportunity to view Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper with a knowledgeable guide and sample Milan's shops, bars and restaurants. En route to the ship we visited Verona, then stopped at a wine estate for a really delicious meal. The ship was the usual Uniworld style, i.e. fancy decor. Our cabin was on the lowest deck, but surprisingly roomy for a river cruise, with plenty of storage. The windows were narrow and high up, at water level. The only drawback was the noise of water sloshing against the window, but this could also be soothing. Glad we booked this category - the next level up had bigger windows, but any view would be blocked when the ship was moored if you were on the wrong side. On this particular cruise, there was not much sailing, so the benefit of having a better cabin was reduced. I felt that the dark ceilings on the ship made it feel a little cramped, but got used to this after a few days. The dining room layout was not open plan, which felt strange. The bar / lounge was more open, but the layout made it difficult to see the screen during the daily briefings. All drinks were included, except premium brands. We like an Old Fashioned cocktail, and this was well made. The crew were brilliant. Always smiling, saying hello and being friendly and helpful. Breakfast and lunch were buffet style, dinner was waiter service. Food was absolutely delicious, superb quality. My only complaint was about speed of service at dinner, with long waits between courses, but this seems to be a common problem on river boats. The wait got particularly bad on evenings when a special paid alternative in one of the other rooms on the ship was being offered. I assume this meant there were less crew to work in the main dinning room. The excursions were very good, particularly the private visit to St Mark's with an excellent guide who was an art historian. In addition to being very knowledgeable, she spoke slowly and clearly, a huge benefit to those of us with hearing issues. The visit to the Doge's Palace was scheduled for very early morning, which meant it was not crowded. I also enjoyed visiting the islands in the lagoon. The church at Torcello was stunning, and the art historian guide really helped us to appreciate it. I felt the Bragozzo boat ride and visit to the country estate was disappointing. The boat was not very interesting. A long coach ride to the estate for some fairly ordinary cheeses and cold meat, but nice to be in the countryside. My husband enjoyed the Venetian masks excursion. I went on the Rialto food market tour, which was OK. We had Vox boxes for the excursions so that everyone could hear the guide. The evening entertainment was not particularly interesting. A couple of singers and an opera night. There was the usual Uniworld 70s theme night as well, which gets a bit tedious after a few cruises. Disembarkation was easy. but we were lucky our flight was mid morning. Some people got taken to the airport far too early for their flight, which must have been very boring. Long queues for check in at Marco Polo airport, even if you had checked in online. Only just made the flight.
We had a lovely week on SS La Venezia. The highlghts were the excursions - a private visit of the Doges palace and an after hours visit St Mark's Basilica with a superb guide. The captain was very visible throughout the cruise. Often seen sitting in the bar/lounge on an evening. The food in the restaurant was very good, although not quite as good as we have experienced with other cruise lines. The buffet in particular had a wonderful choice for both breakfast and lunch. The major problem with the restuarant was that it was very cramped and this posed a real problem at buffet times. Smaller chairs may help as the waiters kept falling against/over the chairs which protruded into the walkway. The restaurant manager was first class as were her team who were very attentive and nothing was too much trouble. It was a similar story in the bar/lounge where the size of the chairs down each side made it difficult for the wait staff to get in and out. We were a little disappointed that there is no pool/whirlpool on deck and that the loungers didn't have any cushions. There were fresh beach towels provided though. Small metal flasks were provided for you to take out on excursion and there was a jar of chocolates in the cabin. On that basis choclates were not left on your pillow at turn down. We did get some fairly random items left - a fan which was on the 2nd to last day (might have been more useful early on) and a bookmark which looked more Egyptian. We did try the pizza restaurant one night which was very nice. You need to book beforehand, but it wasn't full when we went. The only problem was that we all got up there and stood looking at each other. There was no one to guide us in what to do. Eventually we asked a waitress and she said we could sit where we wanted. Just seemed a little disorganised. All in all we had a really good cruise. We would probably use Uniworld again if there was a really good offer on. They are at the top end of prices and they certainly provide a quality service, but issues like the small cramped cabins don't make it feel quite so luxurious.
Our team’s passion for design lends Uniworld ships their signature attention to detail and Tiny Noticeable Touches. Each one-of-a-kind ship in our fleet is artfully designed to be an extension of the destinations they sail through. With custom fabrics, unique color palettes and original works by renowned artists, no two ships—or even suites for that matter—are alike.
Culinary Excellence
We treat cooking as an art form, a very delicious art form.
Enjoy an Unrivaled Taste of your Destinations
When dining onboard, you’ll be treated to world-class cuisine made from fresh ingredients, locally sourced from the destinations you visit.
From Farm to Ship
Farm-to-table isn’t just a trendy culinary buzzword around here. It’s a governing philosophy and commitment to serving you the very best local dishes created by our master chefs. When in Italy, dinner may consist of Prosciutto di Parma pizza and Osso Buco Milanese, prepared to your liking, with meats and vegetables sourced from just miles away. After a day immersed in Indian culture, your taste buds may do some immersing of their own with Gajar Shorba and Tandoori Chicken Tikka for lunch. Live brilliantly. Dine locally.
Creative Culinary Options
For those interested in healthier dining options, our Traveling Lite menu conveniently highlights the lightest dinner options every evening. We also offer a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes, as well as gluten-free replacements upon request. If you have a specific meal preference, just ask. Our chefs will be happy to accommodate.
Italy
and the awe-inspiring Veneto region
In many ways, Italy is synonymous with quality, with luxury, with the enjoyment of life’s most beautiful qualities. It’s why we look to its artists for inspiration, its countryside farms for great food, or its ateliers for fine clothing.
Our Italian itineraries focus on Veneto, a wonderfully multifaceted region with Venice at its heart. There is so much to love here. Winding alleyways, grand architecture, rich history, and a sparkling lagoon dotted with charming islands. Uniworld’s S.S. La Venezia is one of the very few cruise ships small enough to dock in town, and the only boutique hotel in Venice that floats, making it the perfect home for your Venetian holiday. And our all-inclusive ethos means you can enjoy an exceptional degree of luxury for a much better value than a comparable do-it-yourself holiday.
Landmarks
For such a small island, Venice certainly has more than its fair share of major world landmarks, and it can often be difficult for tourists to get a good look at them without dealing with long lines or crowds. With Uniworld, you’ll enjoy prime docking locations that bring you close to St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.
Cuisine
The sparkling turquoise waters of the Venetian lagoon are a plentiful source of some truly outstanding seafood. As a result, the cuisine of Venice and its surrounding islands are rich in shrimp, fish, squid, and other such delights (our chefs onboard whip up particularly good calamari).
Italy is dedicated to the craft of great food, and the many farms of the Veneto countryside are a testament to this. You’ll taste some of their excellent homemade products—think cured meats and cheeses—on included excursions. Additionally, don’t miss the chance to join your onboard chef on a farmer’s market trip!
Walking around Venice, you’ll see cicchetti everywhere. Essentially the local version of tapas, cicchetti are most commonly small pieces of toast with various toppings, ordered alongside a drink at a bar.
Wine
We all know and love prosecco—and trust us when we say you can enjoy plenty on our Venetian cruise—but the Veneto also offers a wide variety of unique regional wines. Take amarone, for example, a deliciously robust red made using a rare air-drying process in Valpolicella. The estate we visit here for our private wine-paired lunch is run by the descendants of one of Italy’s most famous poets, Dante Alighieri of the Divine Comedy. Another experience for both the wine and the history lovers is our visit to Dominio di Bagnoli, one of the oldest wine-producing properties in Europe. During our private tasting, we’ll enjoy a variety of wines produced here, with the most popular being made from an indigenous grape variety.
Culture
As the epicenter of the Renaissance, Italy, and Venice in particular, has a great history of creativity and fine craftsmanship. On tour here, you’’ll have the opportunity to meet a number of local artisans at work creating products with deep cultural significance. Listen to a gondola maker talk about the symbolism behind different elements of Venice’s characteristic boats, enter a lacemaking workshop in Burano, watch Murano glassblowers create their extraordinary pieces, and learn what it takes to make the famous Venetian masks.
Depending on the itinerary, talented local performers (music, dance, traditional arts, etc.) may come onboard from time to time to provide after-dinner entertainment.
Wanderlust Meets Wellness
onboard and onshore
All our cruises feature several options to get up, get going and stay fit, both onboard and onshore. Our seasoned wellness experts have an average tenure of ten years with Uniworld and continuously hone their craft with annual Ayurveda yoga and other trainings. They are there to lend their expertise to you.
ALL-INCLUSIVE FAMILY RIVER CRUISES
Every Uniworld Generations cruise includes special programs, events and excursions designed specifically for your world travellers in training.
