Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has announced its largest expansion to date, confirming four new ships and six itineraries launching in 2027.
Three new Super Ships will join the fleet – S.S. Audrey, S.S. Marlene (pictured) and S.S. São Rafael, alongside expedition yacht Aqua Blu, marking Uniworld’s debut in Singapore and Indonesia.
The S.S. Audrey and S.S. Marlene will sail in Europe, inspired by screen icons Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich, while the S.S. São Rafael will expand the line’s Douro programme in Portugal as a sister ship to S.S. São Gabriel. Aqua Blu, operating in partnership with Aqua Expeditions, will offer two limited sailings a year through Indonesia and Singapore.
Six new journeys will debut, including the 13-night Bali, Singapore and Indonesia Expedition and two itineraries aboard S.S. Audrey linking Paris, Prague and Germany’s river towns. Other highlights include a one-off 14-night European Gems sailing from Amsterdam to Vienna on S.S. Emilie and a new 16-night Grand Highlights of the Danube aboard S.S. Marlene.
President and CEO Ellen Bettridge said 2027 would be “a landmark year” blending cultural immersion, luxury and adventure, marking “an exciting chapter of growth and continued elevation” for the brand.
CLIA’s ‘Cruise Champion’ programmes return
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) UK and Ireland has announced details of its ‘Cruise Champion’ training programmes for travel agents. Two separate hybrid learning courses have been launched: one with a focus on river cruise and the other on expedition cruise.
Almost 80 agents will join the six-month learning programmes, culminating in a graduation ceremony in June 2026.
The programmes, which return for their second year, are aimed at agents who are new or have limited experience of the sectors. They will include a mix of virtual activity including product training webinars, panel discussions and virtual workshops, supported by self-study, monthly knowledge reviews and an end of programme final assessment.
Content will cover destination and product training as well as sales techniques. CLIA has created the programme alongside its river cruise and expedition cruise line operators.
The programmes starts in November via an in-person launch day.
Andy Harmer, CLIA managing director UK and Ireland, said: “We’re thrilled to bring back our ‘Cruise Champion’ programmes, which give agents the chance to build real expertise in two of the fastest-growing sectors of cruising. We had such positive feedback from the first cohort of agent graduates we’re confident we will equip frontline sellers with the confidence and knowledge to inspire customers and grow their business.”
New Swan Hellenic sailings are out of this world
Swan Hellenic has unveiled full details of its 2026 Explore Space at Sea programme, expanding its partnership with the SETI Institute to offer immersive cultural expedition cruises with a cosmic twist.
The collection features 10 voyages across the Arctic, Iceland, Greenland, South America and West Africa, each hosted by a leading scientist from the SETI Institute, the research organisation born from NASA’s early search for extraterrestrial intelligence.
One special spring sailing from Chile to Peru, taking place over nine nights from March 30 to April 8, 2026, will host two astronomers for enhanced stargazing under the region’s famously clear skies.
Guests can expect expert-led lectures covering astronomy, astrobiology, planetary science and the search for life beyond Earth, with scientists also joining shore excursions and onboard activities.
Highlights include exploring the Nazca Lines, Iceland’s volcanic landscapes, Greenland’s ice fjords and Norway’s fjords, while learning about exoplanets, cosmic events and the latest discoveries in space science.
“This series offers ten very different opportunities for curious minds to see what others don’t, both on Earth and beyond,” said Patrizia Iantorno, Swan Hellenic’s Chief Commercial Officer.
AE Expeditions forges new AI-powered climate partnership
AE Expeditions has announced a sustainability partnership with Australian climate-tech company CounterCurrent, set to debut aboard new expedition ship Douglas Mawson when it launches in December 2025.
The collaboration will see CounterCurrent’s AI-powered navigation technology installed on the vessel for the 2025/26 Antarctic season, gathering real-time wind, wave and ocean-current data across the Southern Ocean.
The information will feed global climate and weather models, helping improve forecasting while supporting safer, more efficient and lower-emission navigation industry-wide.
“Planning safe, efficient and lower-emission shipping routes relies on good data, but in polar regions, real-time data is scarce,” said Sasha Buch, Sustainability Manager, AE Expeditions.
“This partnership helps fill critical gaps and contributes to a smarter, cleaner future for maritime travel.”
The system uses AI, sensors and satellite data to map fuel-efficient routes by harnessing ocean currents, reducing emissions and operational costs in challenging polar environments.
The initiative further strengthens AE’s sustainability credentials, joining existing partnerships with Seawilding, Veritree and Clean Hub, and supporting onboard citizen-science efforts including HappyWhale and FjordPhyto.
Cruise and walk with new Ramble Worldwide trips
Ramble Worldwide has unveiled its 2026 Cruise and Walk collection, offering agents 15 small-group holidays that blend scenic cruising with guided walking.
The programme pairs Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ small ships with carefully graded hikes, giving guests access to remote coastlines, islands and UNESCO-listed cities.
Sailing from five UK ports, itineraries span the British Isles, Northern Spain, France, Iceland, the Norwegian fjords, the Canaries and Madeira. Walks are graded from Leisurely (Grade 1) to Moderate (Grade 4), helping agents match clients to the right pace and terrain. Groups average 14–16 guests.
New additions for 2026 include a nine-night Scandinavia sailing exploring Norway, Sweden and Denmark (priced from £1,999pp), and a 10-night voyage Around the Islands of the UK, featuring the Isle of Skye, Orkney and the Scillies (costing from £1,999pp).
A fresh itinerary to Northern Spain and the river cities of France joins the line-up, combining Bilbao, Bordeaux and Mont-Saint-Michel with coastal walks and time on the Seine (prices starting from £2,259pp).
Managing director Wayne Perks said the trips offer “world-class cruising with added depth and discovery ashore”, with walks, excursions, accommodation, meals and tips included for “excellent value and a simple, all-in-one product”.
