Rare Got2Cruise Posted April 30, 2018 #101 Share Posted April 30, 2018 After reading the review, I know for sure it’s not for me. But I do think there is a market for it. It’s like a floating hotel. Better than a bus tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geminiNZ Posted April 30, 2018 #102 Share Posted April 30, 2018 I can cast doubt if I choose to. What U was conceived as and what it will likely become are two different things. The fact it’s open to all ages and the current price point suggest it will not be a “party cruise”. Add the fact that most 18-35 year olds don’t think “European river cruise” when they are interested in party time. I doubt you have even read the itinerary as it has not changed as a result of it being opened to all ages - perhaps you should Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted April 30, 2018 Author #103 Share Posted April 30, 2018 Break it up! Go to your corners. Come back and play by the rules. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted April 30, 2018 #104 Share Posted April 30, 2018 Break it up! Go to your corners. Come back and play by the rules. Every once in a while we need a referee. ;) Thanks for stepping in. Normally this is one of the more civil forums. Roz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rare Cruise Critic Chris Posted May 3, 2018 Members #105 Share Posted May 3, 2018 Another U by Uniworld article if you're considering this line: Why U by Uniworld is the River Cruise Line for You Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geminiNZ Posted May 3, 2018 #106 Share Posted May 3, 2018 Another U by Uniworld article if you're considering this line: Why U by Uniworld is the River Cruise Line for You Thanks Chris, that does make it clear :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twitchly Posted May 9, 2018 #107 Share Posted May 9, 2018 I like the late mornings and being able to spend evenings in port. In our case, though, it would be ideal because we love to see places after the tour groups have cleared out rather than because we want to socialize. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare notamermaid Posted February 26, 2023 #108 Share Posted February 26, 2023 Anybody remember this venture? Now it appears the pandemic and perhaps the somewhat unusual idea have ended this. In November 2022 Ellen Bettridge was interviewed by this man: https://www.flusskreuzfahrt-entdecker.de/2023/01/15/ceo-ellen-bettridge-über-ihre-gäste-sowie-die-entwicklung-und-zukunft-von-uniworld/ and the response to the question around U by Uniworld was lukewarm. Now according to the article linked above this has been wrapped up and "The A" and "The B" sold. SijFa Cruises announced themselves as the new owners on Facebook earlier this month (7 February): https://www.facebook.com/SijFaCruises/ Anybody heard or read anything? notamermaid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted February 26, 2023 #109 Share Posted February 26, 2023 @notamermaid, thanks for the update. No, I'd not heard this. I still think it was an interesting concept. Seems like Uniworld just wanted it to quietly go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canal archive Posted February 27, 2023 #110 Share Posted February 27, 2023 (edited) I notice that SijFa is a Dutch company which explains why they may have taken up the idea, they, the Dutch, are very keen on inclusivity. The Milenial idea was doomed from the start it looked like it was instigated by someone straight out of uni to begin with, I mean Millennial not U and the marketing or coloured pencil brigade at Uniworld got sucked in. Edited February 27, 2023 by Canal archive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare notamermaid Posted February 27, 2023 #111 Share Posted February 27, 2023 13 hours ago, Roz said: Seems like Uniworld just wanted it to quietly go away. I tend to agree. We say "still und heimlich", meaning quietly and (somewhat) secretively - or away from the public eye... I notice that there is no U by Uniworld website, basically no news about the venture, cannot book anything and the Uniworld website just gives the option of subscribing to a newsletter about U by Uniworld. SijFa specializes in giving their ships as charter to operators, but I see that "the A" (I think it is her) is already available for booking in a brochure that is sort of visible in the background on the facebook page. Looks like a Dutch agent/operator to me for that cruise. notamermaid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkster77 Posted February 27, 2023 #112 Share Posted February 27, 2023 Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't we have a good laugh on these on these threads over Uniworld's attempt to salvage the U program by hosting tattoo and drag queen themed cruises?? This was maybe just before COVID changed our lives? Lots of good-natured ribbing IIRC. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted February 27, 2023 #113 Share Posted February 27, 2023 34 minutes ago, sharkster77 said: Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't we have a good laugh on these on these threads over Uniworld's attempt to salvage the U program by hosting tattoo and drag queen themed cruises?? This was maybe just before COVID changed our lives? Lots of good-natured ribbing IIRC. I remember that. 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ritabob Posted February 27, 2023 #114 Share Posted February 27, 2023 When U was starting up I was very interested in seeing how the concept would be received. A slow start but the reviews I read were all positive. Then the pandemic started and that changed everything. I don't think it is fair to assume U would have been a failure. Other plans the company had noted such haven't happened either. The River Queen was to be refurbished at the end of 2020 to a super ship. RB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare notamermaid Posted February 27, 2023 #115 Share Posted February 27, 2023 2 hours ago, Roz said: I remember that. 😁 Remember the giggles, too. 2 hours ago, Ritabob said: I don't think it is fair to assume U would have been a failure. The start was definitely wobbly but then Uniworld adjusted and it appeared to sort of work. I guess as a kind of niche product it was bound to be hit more than standard river cruises. You are right, the River Queen did not get refurbished. I am actually glad it was delayed. I like her as she is (admittedly, I do not know if the carpets have not suffered a bit too much and need replacing, etc.). notamermaid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Got2Cruise Posted February 27, 2023 #116 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I always wondered how Uniworld, of all brands, decided to go with this idea. It’s actually the antithesis of what the regular Uniworld brand is. That said, I think the concept was very good. The marketing only to millennials only I think was a misstep. This brand should be marketed to anyone who wants to go out and have dinner in town each night. Like a no frills floating hotel. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted February 27, 2023 #117 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I agree that if the pandemic didn't hit when it did, Uniworld could have made a go of it. I was thinking of trying U and I was in my late 60s at the time. I welcome something different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted February 27, 2023 Author #118 Share Posted February 27, 2023 6 hours ago, sharkster77 said: Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't we have a good laugh on these on these threads over Uniworld's attempt to salvage the U program by hosting tattoo and drag queen themed cruises?? This was maybe just before COVID changed our lives? Lots of good-natured ribbing IIRC. Perhaps they should have offered the ships to Richard Branson as a companion line to Virgin Voyages. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted February 27, 2023 #119 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I work with college age students and I can tell you this is the last thing that they are interested in. I knew this wasn't going to be a good idea from the start. It was obvious they were in trouble when they went down to 1 ship and was supposedly relocating their other ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted February 28, 2023 #120 Share Posted February 28, 2023 19 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said: Perhaps they should have offered the ships to Richard Branson as a companion line to Virgin Voyages. That's not a far out idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare notamermaid Posted May 24, 2023 #121 Share Posted May 24, 2023 I suppose this chapter in river cruising was closed when the ships were sold. But I will follow up briefly with the next chapter for "The B". She is now the Carmen, her details: https://www.binnenschifferforum.de/showthread.php?115114-Carmen-FGKS-02321750&p=458368#post458368 I was surprised to read that she did not start life as the River Baroness with Uniworld. notamermaid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now