Uniworld is launching a new ship, the River Royale, and says it will be the flagship of the Uniworld fleet. The 132-passenger vessel will feature staterooms ranging in size from 155 to 162 square feet, and it has a host of technological attributes. It will provide Wi-Fi and Internet access as well as satellite ship-to-shore call capability at costs Uniworld says will be comparable to those of Internet cafes and long-distance cellular-service providers. In addition, the River Royale is fitted with a hydraulic system that enables the bridge and top deck railings to be lowered for passage under the historic and low-span bridges of the Rhone and Saone rivers. Itineraries include such ports of call as Chalon, Macon, Avignon, Provence, Lyons and Arles. Departures begin April 12 and run through Nov. 1, with inaugural pricing for seven-night sailings starting at $2,748 per person double. Call 800-733-7820 or visit [www.uniworld.com].
