When I stepped onboard Uniworld’s S.S. Victoria for my very first river cruise, I quickly realised this wasn’t going to be an ordinary introduction to river cruising…
I’d never experienced a river cruise before, so I had only my experiences on an ocean cruise to compare it to. My very first taste of river cruising was with Uniworld, one of the world’s most luxurious river cruise lines, sailing from Amsterdam to Brussels.
The trip lasted just one night, but somehow that made it even more memorable. In less than 24 hours, I completely understood why so many people fall in love with river cruising and why Uniworld has such a loyal following. So read on if you want an honest Uniworld river cruise review.
Is travelling to a river cruise by Eurostar easy?
One of the biggest surprises came before I’d even stepped onboard. Rather than flying, I travelled from the UK to Amsterdam by Eurostar, and honestly, it couldn’t have been easier.
There was very little queueing, no strict luggage limits to worry about and none of the usual airport stress. Before I knew it, I was in Amsterdam and heading to S.S. Victoria, which was just a short transfer away. If you’ve ever been put off a European river cruise because of flying, travelling by Eurostar is definitely worth considering. It was such a relaxed way to start the holiday.
What is it like onboard Uniworld’s S.S. Victoria?
From the moment I walked through the doors, I knew this was something special.
Of course, the ship is beautiful, but what struck me most was how calm everything felt. There were no crowds or queues, just a lovely, relaxed atmosphere that felt more like stepping into a luxury boutique hotel than boarding a cruise ship.
And then there was the crew.
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve experienced service quite like it. Everyone was so warm and welcoming, offering to carry bags, remembering your favourite drink and making every guest feel genuinely looked after. Nothing felt forced or overly formal, it was simply exceptional service delivered with a smile.
After more than 30 years working across the travel industry, I’ve been lucky enough to experience many different types of holidays. I can honestly say the level of service onboard S.S. Victoria is some of the very best I’ve come across.
What is it like sailing through Amsterdam on a river cruise?
One of my favourite memories wasn’t an excursion or a meal, it was simply sitting outside with a drink, watching Amsterdam drift by.
I’d never really thought about seeing the city from the water before. The elegant townhouses, people enjoying the sunshine on boats and jet skis and, believe it or not, even little beaches I’d never realised Amsterdam had. Seeing it from the river gave me a completely different perspective.
It was one of those moments where you just sit back and think, I could definitely get used to this.
Is river cruising really that relaxing?
Before this trip, I thought river cruising was all about the destinations.
Now I’d say it’s just as much about the journey.
You unpack once, settle into your cabin and that’s it. Every morning you wake up somewhere new without the hassle of changing hotels, dragging suitcases around or rushing for flights. Everything just feels effortless.
After only one night, I completely understood why people describe river cruising as one of the most relaxing ways to travel.
What I didn’t get to experience… and why I already want to go back
Because my sailing was only one night, I didn’t get the chance to experience Uniworld’s excursions, and that’s probably the biggest reason I’d love to go back.
Uniworld is known for creating experiences that go far beyond traditional sightseeing. Depending on the itinerary, you could be exploring vineyards with local experts or even visiting places like St Mark’s Basilica in Venice before the crowds arrive. Those are the kinds of moments that turn a holiday into something you’ll remember for years.
If one night onboard left me wanting more, I can only imagine what a full itinerary would be like.
What makes Uniworld different from other luxury river cruises?
Every Uniworld ship is completely unique. Rather than repeating the same design across the fleet, each ship is individually inspired by the destinations it sails through. S.S. Victoria has a fresh, contemporary feel, while other ships reflect the history, architecture and culture of the rivers they cruise.
It’s such a lovely idea because you could sail with Uniworld more than once and every journey would feel different.
What stays the same is the incredible attention to detail. The service, the food, the beautifully designed spaces and the feeling that every little detail has been carefully thought about. It’s luxurious without ever feeling intimidating, and I think that’s what impressed me most.
Would I do it again?
If this Uniworld river cruise review hasn’t made it obvious – without a second thought.
It’s quite funny really. After more than 30 years working in travel, I’d somehow never been on a river cruise.
Now, after just one night, I completely understand why so many people return again and again.
If you’ve ever wondered whether river cruising is for you, I’d say put it on your wish list. I certainly wish I’d discovered it sooner, and I already can’t wait to see where my next river cruise takes me.