Uniworld and Seabourn partner to launch ‘world-first’ combined package

Seabourn and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises have partnered to create a luxury package combining ocean and river cruising in a “world first”.

 

The 2026 package brings together Uniworld’s ‘Venice and the Jewels of the Veneto’ itinerary on La Venezia and seven nights on board Seabourn Quest, sailing between Venice and Athens. 

 

The partnership was forged following Uniworld customer research which highlighted that 85% of its customers had also experienced ocean cruising, with Seabourn featuring highly as a favoured brand.

 

The combined ‘Venice and the Mediterranean Sea’ offering, which has been “years in the making”, is being hailed as the first time that ultra-luxury river and ocean cruise brands have partnered to offer two distinct yet complementary cruises within one package.

 

It will have two departures, on July 15 and August 30, 2026.

 

Speaking in a webcast with Aspire sister titleTravel Weekly, Seabourn UK and EMEA vice-president Lynn Narraway said: “We think this is a world first. The cruise industry is so collaborative and it is great fun to work where river and ocean meets ultra-luxury.

 

“This itinerary is good not only for agents who have river cruise guests to get them to try ocean and vice versa, but also good for new-to-cruise travellers who want to explore.”

 

Chris Townson, Uniworld managing director for the UK and Ireland, said: “We are simplifying it all and packaging it all together; we’re taking the risk and building it all out to do something seamless.

 

“Partner feedback has been amazing.”

 

Asked why they decided to launch an itinerary together, he added: “We’ve both got high-end customers, so we’ve got that fit which is great; we can’t match with other products that are outside of boutique and luxury.

 

“It’s the same ethos across the whole approach.”

 

Up to 126 passengers can join Uniworld vessel La Venezia and “seamlessly transfer” to Seabourn Quest for a cruise around Croatia, Montenegro and the Greek Islands, ending in Athens.

 

A three-day Uniworld extension in Slovenia at the Intercontinental hotel in Ljubljana is also being offered as an optional add-on.

 

Three categories of cabins and suites have been matched up across the brands and the launch offer is £5,849 for an all-inclusive cruise, if booked by September 30. After this time, the lead-in price will be £6,499 per person.

 

Brochures, digital assets and videos will be available for the trade to use to sell the combined cruise, as well as various booking incentives.

 

Townson and Narraway are hopeful that this will become an ongoing partnership, with discussions about 2027 itineraries already underway.