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Europe and Mediterranean: Castles Along the Rhine
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Cruise along the Rhine-Germany on one side, France on the other. Discover Alsace, whose dual French and German heritage has given it fabulous food and a winemaking tradition that goes back to the Romans. Marvel at castles that were once mighty fortresses and get an insider's look at one of the only castles on the Rhine that has never been destroyed, Marksburg Castle. Visit historic cities, including ancient Cologne and picturesque Strasbourg; stroll through the fairytale town of Rüdesheim; and taste delightful white wines in the villages where the grapes are grown.
True All-Inclusive Boutique River Cruising™
All gratuities for onboard services
Unlimited fine wine, beer, spirits and nonalcoholic beverages**
Shore excursions with local experts as your guide
Internet and Wi-Fi
All arrival and departure day transfers
Executive Member Benefit
Executive Members receive an annual 2% Reward, up to $1,250, on qualified Costco Travel purchases
Receive a $50 shipboard credit per person (maximum $100 per stateroom)♦
Digital Costco Shop Card
Member Exclusive: Digital Costco Shop Card with every Uniworld river cruise†
Sailing Itinerary
Note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change. Please verify ports and times directly with the cruise line.
Day 1
Basel
Overview
These multiple facets influence the artistic and cultural life of the place. Apart from its contrasting architectural styles, it has over 30 museums and galleries as well as many small theatres - besides the City Theatre with its repertoire of operas, operettas and plays - and the first Musical Theatre in Switzerland, all waiting to be visited. The new art and cultural scene is nothing like the traditional version. For example, many industrial buildings have been converted and now serve as the setting for concerts and club evenings. The possibilities of Basel are unlimited and its borders are always open for a quick trip into neighbouring France or Germany. Nestled in the Three Countries of Germany, France and Switzerland, Basel is a city full of surprises. The city canton with roughly 190,000 inhabitants and a 2000-year history is located on the bend of the Rhine on the borders with France and Germany. The city offers a unique range of culture and art, and possesses one of Europe's most attractive and best-preserved Old Towns.
Day 2
Breisach am Rhein
Overview
The Cathedral of St Stephanus, the town`s most prominent landmark, is visible from far and wide. It stands perched high above the Rhine on the Münsterberg (Cathedrakl Hill), which has been the site of human settlements for over 4,000 years. Breisach lies in one of the warmest parts of Germany, directly next to Alsace and the famous wine-growing region of Kaiserstuhl.
Day 3
Strasbourg
Overview
Situated provocatively on the Franco-German border, over the centuries, Strasbourg has been passed back and forward like a ping-pong ball between these two countries. Annexed to France in 1681, after centuries of self-rule, Strasbourg was subject to German control from 1871 until the end of World War I and again between 1940 and 1944. The result is a city and people with a strong and distinctive local identity, combining the reputed efficiency and work ethic of the Germans with the lightness and sophistication of the French. The name Strasbourg comes from Strateburgum, ‘the city of the roads’, because of its strategic geographical position on the west bank of the Rhine. Today, it could be called ‘the city of the trams’, due to an excellent and recently expanded network. The city was already a thriving commercial centre in the Middle Ages, when building began on the impressive Cathedrale Notre-Dame. Its intellectual and artistic heights were reached during the Renaissance. In 1566, the university was founded and leading figures of the Reformation settled in Strasbourg. Religious strife during the 16th and 17th centuries caused considerable upheaval, although the 1681 annexation of the city by France brought stability and enabled Strasbourg to reassert its economic strength. Its symbolic significance as a major European city was confirmed when it was chosen as the seat of the Council of Europe in 1949, the European Court of Human Rights in 1994 and the European Parliament, whose position was finally guaranteed in 1992. After Paris, Strasbourg is now France’s most important diplomatic town. Strasbourg is far enough away from the capital to be truly independent on a cultural level, with its own opera, France’s only national theatre outside Paris, two international music festivals and Europe’s only bi-national TV station, Arte. Its international student population, of some 50,000, keeps the city vibrant and intellectually alive. Strasbourg is host to the permanent campus of the International Space University (ISU) and the Ecole Nationale d’Administration (ENA), the prestigious French Grandes Ecoles that relocated to Strasbourg in 1992. The Grande Ile (Big Island) is the heart of the city, encircled by the Ill River and Fossé du Faux-Rempart canal. The dominant landmark in Strasbourg is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame in the Vieille Ville (Old Town). It has remained unchanged since the Middle Ages. Around the cathedral, an impressive collection of museums is clustered. The central square is place Kléber – named after the brilliant Strasbourg-born military officer, Jean-Baptiste Kléber (1753-1800), who was singled out by Napoleon Bonaparte for high office in Egypt. Close by, is place Gutenberg – named after Johannes Gutenberg, who resided in Strasbourg between 1434 and 44, perfecting his famed printing press with moveable metal type. The main streets – rue des grandes Arcades and the parallel rue des Francs Bourgeois – are remarkably small and pedestrian friendly. The Petite France area in the Grande Ile’s southwestern corner, crossed by canals, is Strasbourg’s medieval quarter and classed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its half-timbered houses and narrow streets could not be more different from the ultra-modern City of Europe to the northeast of the city. Strasbourg enjoys the semi-continental climate of the Alsace region, with sunny, warm and dry conditions. Nevertheless, because of the traditional Christmas market – the peak tourist season extends from May right through to the end of December.
Day 4
Speyer
Overview
The link with Speyer started in 1956 mainly as an educational link, but has significantly grown with a wide range of exchange visits having taken place. Speyer is a beautiful old town, with a population of over 50,000, built on the banks of the river Rhine only a few miles from Heidleberg and Mannheim. The town, rich in Imperial history, is dominated by its majestic 9th century Cathedral started by Konrad II. Such was the importance of Speyer that for nearly 300 years it remained the burial place for the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire. The Cathedral contains the tombs of eight emperors and kings, three empresses and a princess. Today, Speyer is a place of high culture, the home of many institutions for study and education. Speyer's inhabitants are proud of the fact that, along with the Pfalz Historical Museum, the Office of Official Records and the Pfalz District Library, they have the only post graduate college (Administrative Science) in Germany and have earned prestige as an important cultural centre from their position as seat of the two church heirarchies in the Pfalz. With its progressive attitude combined with traditional thinking, Speyer is also a modern, competitive urban centre of the Rhine-Neckar region.
Day 5
Rudesheim am Rhein
Overview
Rüdesheim is among the Rhine's most delightful towns. The lively Drosselgasse, a narrow cobbled lane, is renowned for its cozy restaurants and wine taverns filled with music and merriment. The grand 16th century Bromserhof houses a fascinating collection of mechanical musical instruments, while the 10th century Bromserberg Castle serves as a museum of the Rheingau wine region's bounty.
Day 6
Koblenz
Overview
At a glance, the city of Koblenz reflects all the typical military clichés in German history. Ritter des Deutschen Ordens (Knights of the German Order) settled at the confluence of the rivers Mosel and Rhine and named the tip of land between the two bodies of water the “Deutsches Eck” (German Corner). There, the German Emperor Wilhelm I reigns on his bronze battle horse while looking down imperiously from his monument’s pedestal on the two rivers flowing together in front of him, the Rhine and the Mosel. On the other bank of the Rhine, the threatening Prussian fortress, Ehrenbreitstein is visible. This side of Koblenz reminds us of military and war, of sables rattling and canon shots thundering. The green hills of the Eifel region, of Hunsrück, Taunus and Westerwald meet where the Mosel flows into the Rhine. Facing the monument at Deutsches Eck back in 1930, the satirist Kurt Tucholsky called it the “gigantic cake decoration” and found that the area was much too pretty for this “rocky clump”. Deutsches Eck, the Emperor’s monument and the Prussian fortress still attract many tourists to the city every day. The buzzing of video cameras and snapping of pictures sometimes even drown the clamor of international voices. Surely the labyrinth of winding little streets in the romantic old city center has utterly delighted many a Japanese traveler and then, driven them to resignation and despair. With eyes on the binoculars at all times, the enthused visitors from the Far East can easily lose their orientation and get lost, only to find themselves in one of the many wine bars and then, surrendering to their fate, trying to console themselves with many pints of wine from the Rhine or Mosel region. This all wouldn’t be necessary if visitors from faraway Nippon would consult a handy travel guide by Karl Baedecker, who currently runs the travel publishing house, Baedecker, in Koblenz. But the palatable regional wine doesn’t particularly care whether it is drunk with or without the travel guide. And neither do the dozens of local bar owners. The bar and restaurant owners in Koblenz may be pleased about the money the tourists spend when visiting the city, but otherwise during high season, the 110,000 inhabitants avoid the old city center overrun with tourists. The inhabitants of Koblenz don’t have much time for tourist leisure, as people seem to work a great deal. The Rhine harbor, industry, the service sector, and of course, the numerous public authorities of the state of Rheinland-Pfalz, as well as the Federal Republic of Germany, are places where the people earn their daily bread. In Koblenz, 12,000 members of the German armed forces fulfill their daily duties. The concentration of military in the city has always been a characteristic of Koblenz, from the Roman times until the present. The situation wasn’t always rosy for the city on the Rhine and Mosel. During the World War Two, destiny struck at the gates of the city like Ludwig van Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. Allied bombers blew Koblenz, an important military center, into debris and ashes. Speaking of Beethoven, Maria Magdalena, the composer’s mother was born on Wambachstrasse in Koblenz. Nowadays you can visit the largest private Beethoven exhibition in the world here. One of the contemporaries for whom Ludwig van Beethoven felt the deepest contempt was Prince Metternich. The conservative hard-liner of the 18th century was born in Koblenz in 1773. It’s strange how time passes and history evolves in one place. To have a sense of this change, just think of the new university campus at Koblenz. It was once a place where military commands were bellowed and now its a quiet place for academics. An old barrack complex hosts students and professors. And Where? In Metternich, a district of Koblenz.
Day 7
Cologne
Overview
Cologne (Köln), the largest city in the Rhineland, is so rich in antiquity that every time a new foundation is dug, the excavators come up with archaeological finds. Devastating though the World War II bombing was - nearly all the buildings of the Altstadt were damaged - reconstruction brought to light a period of Cologne's history that had been a mystery for centuries. Evidence showed that Cologne was as important and powerful during the early Christian era as it was during Roman times and the Middle Ages. Cologne traces its beginnings to 38 B.C., when Roman legions set up camp here. As early as A.D. 50, the emperor Claudius gave it municipal rights as capital of a Roman province. In the early Christian era, a bishopric was founded here and a number of saints were martyred, including the patron of the city, St. Ursula. During the Middle Ages, as Cologne became a center for international trade, Romanesque and Gothic churches were built with prosperous merchants' gold. Today there is much to see from every period of the city's 2,000-year history - from the old Roman towers to the modern opera house. But Cologne is also a bustling modern city, with a lively population. It's also increasingly becoming the fine-art capital of Germany.
Day 8
Amsterdam
Overview
Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ capital, known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age. Its Museum District houses the Van Gogh Museum, works by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, and modern art at the Stedelijk. Cycling is key to the city’s character, and there are numerous bike paths.
Onboard the S.S. Victoria
S.S. Victoria
Costco Member Reviews
Year Built: 2017
Double Occupancy Capacity: 110
S.S. Victoria joins our European fleet in 2024 with an ambiance of contemporary luxury and features the largest suites on the rivers of Europe. Two Royal Suites onboard offer an incredible 506 square feet each. Reserve the adjoining standard Suite next door, and that turns into 759 square feet total, with two bedrooms connected by a separate living room. All the Suites and Signature French Balconies offer abundant space—much higher than standard—with ultra-comfortable, water-facing beds dressed in Uniworld’s fine custom linens.
Onboard Activities
Activities & Services (included in cruise)
- Fitness Center
- Fitness Classes
- Spa Services/Massage
- Educational Programs
- Guest Lecturers
- Pool - Indoor
- Rock-Climbing Wall
- Bars/Lounges
- Sundeck bar
- Concierge Desk
- Dry Cleaning/ Laundry Service
- Elevators
- Safe Deposit Boxes
- Self-Service Laundromat
Activities & Services (available for an extra fee)
Costco Travel makes every effort to verify the accuracy of all information provided. Additional fees for amenities or services may be charged by the cruise line. Amenities or services may be discontinued or revised by the cruise line without notice. Staterooms designated as wheelchair-accessible do not necessarily meet ADA requirements. Costco Travel is not responsible for inaccuracies or provider modifications.
Dining
Main Dining Room
Main Dining
Main Dining Room (open seating): Main Dining Room (open seating): This seating option allows you to choose when and with whom you dine. Menus are a blend of classic cuisine with a touch of contemporary elegance, and are created using only the finest and freshest ingredients often brought onboard from local ports of call. You'll be surrounded by the beauty of passing riverbank towns and villages.
Times, costs and other specifics are outside the control of Costco Travel. All information is at the sole discretion of the cruise line and is subject to change without notice. Dining time and table size preferences are submitted to the cruise line on a first-come, first-served request basis and are confirmed aboard ship. Questions, concerns and/or special needs regarding dining arrangements must be addressed with the maitre d' hotel aboard ship. Every effort is made to accommodate travelers' preferences; however, Costco Travel cannot guarantee dining arrangements. In specialty restaurants, space is limited and reservations are recommended. A cover charge and dress code may apply.
Staterooms
Deck Plan
Ship Facts
- Ship Name: S.S. Victoria
- Year Built: 2017
- Year Entered Present Fleet: 2024
- Ship Class: River Super Ship
- Number of Passenger Decks: 2
- Number of Crew: 41
- Officers' Nationality: European/International
- Ocean-View without Balcony: 14
- Ocean-View with Balcony: 6
- Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 110
- Total Staterooms: 63
- Suites with Balcony: 43
- Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: European/International
Costco Travel makes every effort to verify the accuracy of all information provided. Additional fees for amenities or services may be charged by
the hotel, resort or cruise line. Amenities or services may be discontinued or revised by the provider without notice. Hotels, resorts, ships or accommodations
designated as wheelchair-accessible do not necessarily meet ADA requirements. Costco Travel is not responsible for inaccuracies or provider modifications.
Costco Member Reviews
Available Dates & Prices
Terms & Conditions
*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.
**Unlimited beverages include premium wine and premium spirits. Diamond List of wine and spirits is available at an additional cost.
♦Executive Members receive a $50 shipboard credit per person, maximum $100 per stateroom. Executive Member benefit is valid for primary cardholder only. Shipboard credit is per stateroom based on double occupancy. Shipboard credit will be applied to your onboard account. Any unused portion of the credit is nontransferable, nonrefundable and may not be redeemed for cash.
†One Digital Costco Shop Card per room/stateroom, per stay. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. A Digital Costco Shop Card will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your cruise. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.
Package ID: UNIVICEUR20241103
Digital Costco Shop Card
This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.
Ship Rating
An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.
A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.
A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.
A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.
Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.
Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.
