Uniworld Boutique River Cruise to Resume Service in Russia

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection will resume service in Russia, sailing the Volga River next year, following a one-year absence.

The company has chartered the River Victoria under a five-year contract and is having the vessel completely refurbished to bring it up to Uniworld’s standards before it is deployed. As with its other vessels, Uniworld is using sister company Red Carnation Hotels to redesign the River Victoria.

Uniworld had discontinued its previous Russia service for 2010 because officials were not satisfied with the quality of the ship that it was chartering at the time. “Our philosophy is that, in every region we operate, we have one of the best, if not the best, product,” said Guy Young, Uniworld’s president.

The River Victoria will offer a 13-day Imperial Waterways of Russia cruise from St. Petersburg and Moscow and in reverse, with 12 departures from May 20 through Sept. 29, 2011. Fares start at $3,299 per person, double.

The ship measures 423 feet in length and will carry up to 206 passengers on four decks. Cabins are being gutted and enlarged, with two new cabins reconfigured from three previous cabins. The new cabins will measure 135, 161 and 210 square feet. Most of them -- 70 percent -- will offer balconies. In addition, the ship will have 10 suites -- six Deluxe Suites, two Junior Suites and two Presidential Suites -- measuring 269, 334 and 409 square feet, respectively. Onboard amenities will include a restaurant, a bar, a library and a fitness room.