Uniworld Reveals First Renderings of New Super Ships
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has released the first renderings of two new ships set to join its fleet in 2027, the S.S. Audrey and S.S. Marlene, each designed around the aesthetic legacy of a different European film icon.
The sister ships will sail Europe’s rivers with distinct design schemes: the S.S. Audrey draws from the style of Audrey Hepburn, while the S.S. Marlene pays tribute to German actress and singer Marlene Dietrich. Both ships are part of Uniworld’s broader push to complete a full Super Ship fleet by 2027.
S.S. Audrey: Rhine and Beyond
The S.S. Audrey takes its design cues from Hepburn’s mid-20th-century European aesthetic, with interiors featuring greens, golds, and blues alongside geometric patterns and artistic references to the actress throughout the ship.
The layout mirrors that of the S.S. Emilie, which debuts in 2026, and includes an aft bar lounge, a bookable private dining room, and combinable adjacent suites for families or groups requiring more space.
The ship’s inaugural departure is scheduled for April 16, 2027, on the “Remarkable Rhine & Historic Holland” itinerary. Two new routes will also debut with the vessel: “Paris, Prague & Germany’s Hidden Gems” and “Scenic Rhine, Paris & the Swiss Alps,” alongside returning itineraries already popular with Uniworld guests.
S.S. Marlene: Central European Rivers
The S.S. Marlene is designed around Dietrich’s bolder visual style, with interiors mixing warm tans and golds with accents of pink, red, and blue. The ship accommodates up to 154 guests and carries standard Uniworld amenities including a restaurant, lounge, private dining room, spa, and fitness center.
It launches March 27, 2027, with an inaugural sailing on the “Tulips & Windmills” itinerary. The ship will also operate “Enchanting Danube” and “Delightful Danube” routes through Central Europe.
“One-of-a-kind design has always been central to the Uniworld experience,” said Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld. “With the S.S. Audrey and S.S. Marlene, we’re celebrating two women whose style defined an era.”
Two More Ships Round Out the 2027 Expansion
Audrey and Marlene are not the only new additions coming to the Uniworld fleet in 2027. The S.S. São Rafael will sail Portugal’s Douro River with capacity for up to 94 guests, expanding the line’s presence in a region that has drawn growing interest among river cruise travelers in recent years.
Rounding out the expansion is the Aqua Blu, an expedition yacht operated in partnership with Aqua Expeditions, designed for smaller-group sailings of up to 30 guests through the islands of Indonesia and Singapore.
With all four ships delivered, Uniworld says its entire fleet will be composed of Super Ships by the end of 2027, completing a fleet-wide transition the brand has been building toward for several years.
