Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is excited to announce that it will introduce a new ship, The Queen Isabel, on the Douro River in Portugal. The new ship will have its inaugural sailing in 2013 and will replace Uniworld’s current vessel the Douro Spirit which was inaugurated in 2011.

Uniworld’s new Queen Isabel will be a new build ship and will carry 118 passengers, a slightly smaller capacity than the Douro Spirit. This will allow Uniworld to offer more suites, including 18 junior suites at 215 sq. ft. and two larger suites at 323 sq. ft. with the top deck featuring full balconies. The Queen Isabel will have a more classic, luxurious and elegant style to the Douro Spirit and will better reflect the luxurious standards of the rest of Uniworld’s fleet on other European rivers, which are all uniquely designed and decorated in partnership with their sister company Red Carnation Hotels.

Paul Melinis, Director of UK Trade Sales for Uniworld, says:

“While the Douro Spirit is a chic and modern ship, the Queen Isabel will have a design scheme more representative to our other ships with classic and traditional luxury.”

Uniworld named the ship Queen Isabel after one of Portugal’s most beloved queens from the late 13th - 14th century. “It’s only befitting such a splendid and regal destination is named after one of Portugal’s well-loved queens. I am quite confident the Queen Isabel will be very well received when she launches in spring of 2013,” continues Melinis.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection offers itineraries across Europe, Egypt, Russia and China and Vietnam and Cambodia, along the Mekong River. Each Uniworld ship offers guests luxury accommodation with sumptuous interiors, fine dining and unique facilities and has the same philosophy towards guest service as sister company Red Carnation Hotels, where “no request is too large, no detail too small.”

Uniworld operates two itineraries on the Douro River; Douro River Valley Discovery and Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley.