Uniworld Announces Major Expansion – Cruise Passenger

Luxury boutique river cruise line Uniworld is expanding into a luxury brand as its new owners, Apollo Capital, invests in a big fleet upgrade with eight new ships build to Uniworld’s luxury standards. On top of that new partnerships with the Luxury Gold brand, Seabourn ocean cruisers and Aqua Blu means Uniworld will offer much more than just river cruising.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has unveiled a wave of new developments that promise to reshape the way Australians experience luxury travel.

At an event in Sydney, Managing Director of Uniworld Australasia, Alice Ager, announced that the brand’s investors, Apollo Capital, are building eight brand-new luxury ships — a move that signals the group’s strongest ever commitment to the river cruise market.

Uniworld will also expand beyond the waterways, with the prestigious Luxury Gold touring brand joining its portfolio, opening up a world of immersive land journeys that can be seamlessly paired with river cruising.

“Apollo Capital is building eight luxury ships, and with that scale of investment, they’ve also decided that Uniworld will sell Luxury Gold,” said Ager. “It means our customers will have access not just to the world’s most luxurious river cruises, but also to curated land journeys that carry the same standard of quality and service.”

Egypt Booming, India Rising

Alice Ager with ellen Bettridge

The announcement came during a celebratory evening where Ager highlighted the resurgence of Egypt as a top destination.

“Egypt is actually flying off the shelves and our sails have more than doubled since 2019,” she said. “Next year is looking even bigger than that. The Nile is back and really, really thanks to you.”

But while Egypt continues to thrive, Ager revealed that 2025 will see a new focus on India, a country she described as “transformational.” Drawing on a recent trip with travel agents and journalists, she shared vivid stories from the Ganges and the Golden Triangle.

“When you travel, it is the people that create that deep connection to a destination, and I’ve never felt more welcome in a place,” she recalled of visiting the Taj Mahal alongside thousands of domestic tourists. “I just had such a deep connection because when people said, ‘Welcome to India,’ it cracked my heart open.”

Guests also heard about encounters in Jaipur, including a private audience with the royal astronomer at the city palace, and the magical experience of sailing on the Ganges. Ager described the journey as so inspiring that it shaped the evening’s theme: Uniworld’s commitment to supporting more Australians to discover India.

Trafalgar Upgraded

The announcements weren’t limited to river cruising. Trafalgar, one of The Travel Corporation’s longest-running brands, is being elevated with new experiences. While continuing to serve its wide market of guided holidays, Trafalgar will branch out into river cruises, rail journeys, small groups, and family-focused itineraries.

“Trafalgar is undergoing an upgrade,” said Ager. “Alongside its classic touring products, there will now be new offerings that bring in a higher level of experience and immersion.”

This evolution is part of Apollo’s strategy to position a select group of power brands within The Travel Corporation’s 40-strong portfolio. Contiki will serve the youth market, Trafalgar the mass market, and Uniworld will focus squarely on luxury travellers.

A New Era

Since acquiring TTC nine months ago, Apollo Capital has been mapping out the group’s future. According to Ager, the private equity giant has brought both pressure and promise.

“Apollo are incredibly astute in business, and very fast learners,” she said. “They’ve really taken their time to understand our complex structure of 40-plus brands. And now, they’re ready to invest deeply — in marketing, in technology, and in our fleet.”

The eight new ships will increase Uniworld’s capacity by 40 per cent in the next five years. The first, the SS Emily, has already floated out in the Netherlands and will debut in March.

Named after artist Emilie Flöge, muse of Gustav Klimt, the vessel embodies Uniworld’s ethos of floating boutique hotels — distinctive, stylish, and culturally inspired.

Ager emphasised that Apollo’s commitment to Uniworld’s higher cost of building boutique-style ships was a relief.

Beyond the River

Uniworld is also embracing what Ager called a new “brand architecture,” combining river cruising with other premium travel styles. Partnerships with Golden Eagle luxury trains, Seabourn ocean cruising, and Aqua Expeditions are expanding the horizons for travellers who want multi-dimensional luxury holidays.

Ager revealed a new deal was in the offing using Aqua Expeditions Aqua Blu in Indonesia, again expanding Uniworld beyond river.

Luxury Gold becomes the latest piece in that puzzle. The brand, known for stays in five-star boutique hotels and Michelin-star dining, will be marketed directly alongside Uniworld cruises.

“Already, our cruisers on board are picking up Luxury Gold brochures and saying, ‘I didn’t even know we could do this,’” said Ager. “It makes so much sense — we’re in front of luxury clients every month, so why not combine the products?”

From 2027, travellers will be able to book itineraries that blend both. Examples include a Luxury Gold British Royale tour from London to Edinburgh paired with a Uniworld Seine cruise, or Ultimate Italy combined with a Venetian sailing. Portugal, too, is high on the list, with demand outstripping supply — a challenge Uniworld and Luxury Gold aim to meet together.

Looking Ahead

The announcements underscore Uniworld’s ambition to become more than just a river cruise line, but a full-fledged luxury travel company. For agents and travellers alike, the news means more choice, more combinability, and a broader canvas for creating unforgettable journeys.

Ager concluded the evening with a toast to partners and to India’s Independence Day, which had just been celebrated the previous week.

“It’s certainly an extraordinary time to be part of TTC,” she said. “We’re evolving into a travel company that offers all the things to a luxury guest. And we need you with us on that journey.”

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