
UNIWORLD FOR TRAIN ENTHUSIASTS — You probably know UNIWORLD as the “Boutique Hotel on the River”. Today, I want to talk about that, and also their pre and post RAIL journeys. Exploring the world by train is much like a river cruise: you get ever changing scenery and experiences, and only have to unpack ONCE.
Uniworld is amongst the most inclusive of the river brands:
- Unlimited premium spirits, beer, and wines
- All gratuities
- A choice of shore excursion in every port of call.
- Airport transfers (whether or not you book your air through Uniworld)
- On board fitness and wellness facilities.
- Wifi on the ship
Besides the value of having these things included, it changes the culture on board. There’s a big difference between presenting your key card for a second glass of wine, versus having someone come along and top you up. It’s much more like being a guest in someone’s home on Uniworld.
Boutique River Ships — Each of Uniworld’s ships is uniquely different – designed and decorated to reflect the area through which it sails. In France, on the SS Joie de Vivre, there’s a French Bistro, and a Wine Cellar Restaurant right on the boat. River cruises are about what you do on shore, and Uniworld’s custom river ships amplify that experience when you’re on the boat.
Uniworld river ships hold around 120 guests (versus as many as 190 guests on similar sized competitors’ vessels). Fewer passengers mean not only better service, but it also allows space for amenities on the ship like a spa, a pool, a fitness center, self-serve laundry facilities, and extra passenger space in lounges, restaurants and other public areas.
Privileged Access: Imagine seeing Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s, or busy museums before or after hours, when you’re not competing with thousands of others. Uniworld offers this.
Cruise & Rail: Uniworld has a number of itineraries where you can add a rail journey pre or post river cruise:
MAY OFFER: For ANY Uniworld cruise booked in May, we’re able to add an additional $150 per person on board credit.
Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED:
Check out our VIDEO BLOG where Kim & Bob talk about Uniworld, and the pre & post rail journeys: https://youtu.be/wyDZSrvEym0
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Today’s Travel Opportunities
UNIWORLD RIVER & RAIL Combinations
Uniworld has partnered with GOLDEN EAGLE for unforgettable river & rail combinations. Here are two examples:
ROMANIA to ITALY: Bucharest to Venice departing April 24, 2026 for 17-days
- Start in Bucharest for 2 hotel nights, then embark for 7-nights on the river travelling through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, and Hungary. Transfer to the train in Vienna, and spend 7-nights aboard, traveling through Austria, Switzerland, Northern Italy, and Slovenia before finishing in Venice.
- Fares from $24,898
TURKEY to FRANCE: Istanbul to Paris for 15-days
- Board the train for 6-nights starting in Istanbul, and then travel through Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and France. Transfer to your river boat, and spend one-week aboard sailing to Normandy, and back to Paris
- Departures in May, September or October 2026 from $24,098
Here are other Uniworld RIVER & RAIL Combinations:
- 15-days Passau (Bavaria) to Venice
- Budapest to Venice 16-days
- Milan to Istanbul for 19-days
- Venice to Istanbul 17-days
- INDIA: Kolkata to New Delphi (or Mumbai) for 16-days
Here’s UNIWORLD’S webpage on RIVERS & RAIL:
https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/cruise-and-rail
SILVERSEA Destinations with RAIL extensions
For RAIL enthusiasts, there are a number of destinations where you can add a rail component to your cruise. Here are a few ideas:
SCOTLAND & IRELAND: Dublin to Edinburgh departing April 23, 2026 for 11-days
- Visit a port every day, including Belfast and the Shetland Islands
- Verandas from $12,150
- ADD ON: Royal Scotsman round-trip Edinburgh for 2 – 7 nights from £5300
SCOTLAND & ICELAND: Edinburgh to Reykjavik departing May 4, 2026 for 11-days
- Visit 6 ports in Scotland, 2 in the Faroe Islands, and 6 stops in Iceland
- Verandas from $10,850
- ADD ON: Royal Scotsman round-trip Edinburgh for 2 – 7 nights from £5300
ALASKA: Vancouver to Anchorage for 7-nights
You can add rail at BOTH ends of cruises between Vancouver and Anchorage. Here’s an example:
- Visit Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier, and Seward.
- 2025: Depart August 14 from $4850
- 2026: Depart May 21 from $4850
- ADD: Alaska Rail to Denali for 6-days from $1349
- ADD: Rocky Mountaineer (examples below). Any journey that starts or ends in Vancouver can be combined with Rocky Mountaineer.
ACTIVE ADVENTURES with HX
Even in more REMOTE destinations, you can add a RAIL component on your trip:
NORTHERN LIGHTS in NORWAY with HX
- Round-trip from Tromso, for 7-nights with 5 stops on Norwegian Coast
- Northern lights PROMISE. If you DON’T see the Aurora Borealis on this journey HX will put you on another cruise.
- Departures November through March from $4761
- ADD: the world famous FLAM RAILWAY from Bergen
NORWAY FJORDS & SCOTLAND departing March 28, 2026 for 10-days
- Start in Tromso, make 4 port stops in the fjords, 2 stops in Scotland, and finish in Glasgow
- Fares from $4859
PERU: Machu Picchu & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS for 12-days
- Start in Lima, then fly to Cusco, and take the TRAIN to Machu Picchu (the lost city of the Incas). Next it’s on to Quito where you can stand on the equator, visit the UNESCO world heritage site old town, and then on to Galapagos Islands, where you’ll spend 4 days on a ship
- 2026: departures March through December from $10,255 (includes on-tour air)
DEMYSTIFYING EXPEDITION: If you think you need to be an Olympic athlete to enjoy an expedition cruise, then you’ll want to watch this interview where Bob chats with Alex McNeil – the Chief Expedition Officer for HX Expeditions. You might be surprised who goes on Expedition Cruises, and what they’re all about:
https://youtu.be/niB-OWhUSSs?si=TNZxSuQJsdjU57gU
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER Luxury Rail Journeys
Vancouver is the largest cruise ship port in North America outside of Florida, and it’s more than Alaskan cruises. You can sail to Hawaii, Japan, and California Coastals as well, and add a RAIL component to any of them.
Vancouver to Banff for 5-nights
- Spend 2-nights in Vancouver, then board the train to Kamloops, and then follow on to Banff for 2-nights.
- Prices range between $2904 and $4968 per person based on your departure date, and level of service. Departures available April through October.
Circle Journey: Vancouver round-trip for 12 -nights
- Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff (3-nights), Lake Louise (2-nights), Jasper (2-nights), Quesnel, Whistler, Vancouver.
- Prices range between $9940 to $12,110 per person based on your departure date, and level of service. Departures available April through October.
In Case You Missed It:
AIR TRAVEL Survival Guide. Air travel is better than it was, but not as good as it needs to be. Here are some ideas on how to cope with AIR TRAVEL:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/air-travel-survival-guide-2/
TRAVEL TRIVIA. How much fluid do you lose on a 10-hour flight? If you fly from Istanbul to Mexico City, which country’s airspace are you in the longest? These any other mysteries unpacked: https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-trivia/
Latest YOUTUBE Post:
ALASKA – WHAT TO PACK: We’ve been to Alaska several times, and made every packing mistake possible. So here’s our list of what to pack for a trip to ALASKA: https://youtu.be/m3APP25a9cE
Reminder: VISITING THE UK?
You now need to complete an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) if you are visiting or connecting a flight anywhere in the UK. England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland require US Passport Holders to complete this prior to arrival. Here’s a video we did that contains all the details: https://youtu.be/6NGfCqOsDKk
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley