This Week in Cruise: New in River, Small Ship Cruises

Our inside look at the two-level Loft Suite onboard the new American Duchess isn’t the only big happening in river and small ship cruises this week. 

This week Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection released a look at the upcoming S.S. Beatrice, an upgraded, Super Ship version of the River Beatrice. The newly released images include a look at the ship’s Max’s restaurant, as well as one of the vessel’s new suites. Max’s restaurant is designed as a hands-on cooking and dining experience, Uniworld said, and will be joined onboard by another new, casual dining venue, called Schubert’s. The ship, which is the first in Uniworld’s fleet to upgrade to Super Ship status, will make its debut April 4. 

Elsewhere in Europe, the AmaLea, the newest ship from AmaWaterways, made its official debut this week. Following its inaugural voyage, which concluded April 1, AmaLea will begin its Danube itineraries May 6. Sister ship to the AmaKristina, AmaStella and AmaViola, AmaLea also includes connecting and triple occupancy staterooms that are ideal for the growing multi-generational travel group markets. The ship will also have AmaWaterways’ signature twin-balcony in most staterooms, offering views of the European scenery.

In small ship cruising news, there were two interesting developments in Cuba this week. Pearl Seas Cruises announced that it would offer 20 percent commission on remaining space on its fall 2018 Cuba cruises, including an 11-night circumnavigation of the country. 

Meanwhile, Victory Cruise Lines announced this week that it is planning a series of 13- and 14-night circumnavigation cruises of Cuba on Victory I between January and April 2019, with a special spring weekend three-day cruise to close the winter cruise season.

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