The SS Maria Theresa
This is the latest to join the Uniworld Fleet of River Cruise Ships.
Due to Launch in March this year Uniworld will take what have always been very opulent ships to a whole new level.
Named after t Maria Theresa, the Arch Duchess of Austria and Empress of the Holy Roman Empire , the ship has a lot to live up to and live up to it it certainly does.
I was lucky enough to visit the River Cruise Convention last November and had the good fortune to look around a Uniworld ship the Antoinette. The Ship was very Georgian in feel. The décor being very heavy on patterns and brocades with lots of gold guilt and glamour.
The new ship is said to take its inspiration from the Baroque period over which Maria Theresa reigned.
A spokesperson for Uniworld, Toni Tollman said “Our aim is to transport each guest into experiencing the fantasy of living in an 18th-century Baroque castle. “We designed the SS Maria Theresa to take our guests on a journey back in time with an on-board atmosphere and style seamlessly integrated with the history and architecture of the very places they will visit onshore, as well as provide them with the latest in luxurious comfort and technology, of course.”
A striking three-tiered lobby dominated by a sweeping marble staircase with wrought-iron, hand-gilded balustrade, and royal crown detailing.Shimmering walls are panelled top to bottom with stunning antique mirrors. A hand-painted Tromp L’Oeil-inspired mural and glittering Venetian Murano glass chandelier grace the ceiling evoking feelings of walking through the great hall of Maria Theresa’s 18th-century Schönbrunn palace.
The piece de résistance is the ten-foot high original oil on canvas painting of the beloved ruler of the Habsburg Empire, Maria Theresa herself.
The ship will also have a Viennese café offering such specaialities as classic Austrian sachertorte, Würstle, and famous Viennese coffee.
I can assure you from my experience the food on offer is very good and the pastries were to die for.
It will have the usual signature Leopard bar as do all the Uniworld Ships and the Lipizzan Cinema will offer guests deep blue velvet love seats, the perfect place for movie viewing. From personal experience I can highly recommend the signature cocktails.
The well-equipped fitness centre, swimming pool, and Serenity River Spa will provide a place for gusts to exercise and unwind and enjoy a little pampering. Always a popular place with guests on all the Uniworld ships.
If you don’t know much about River Cruising and want to find out more, try our guide below.