Seabourn, Uniworld unveil ocean and river cruise package

Published on Aug 19, 2025, 10:39 am CDT

4 min read

Seabourn and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises are teaming up on a first-of-its-kind ocean and river cruise package in the Mediterranean. The 15-day "Venice and the Mediterranean Sea" itinerary pairs Uniworld's S.S. Venezia on "Venice and the Jewels of the Veneto" with a week aboard Seabourn Quest sailing from Venice to Athens. Two departures are scheduled, on July 5, 2026 and August 30, 2026.

Key Points

Why it matters: A seamless luxury trip that blends river intimacy with ocean reach in one booking.
Travel impact: Only two sailings in 2026, so inventory will be tight for peak summer demand.
What's next: A three-day Slovenia extension is offered on select packages, signaling more hybrid products to come.
Exclusive lagoon access includes after-hours St. Mark's Basilica and early-entry Doge's Palace.
Ocean leg calls include Vodice, Kotor, and Nafplion before disembarkation in Athens.

Snapshot

Guests begin with seven nights round-trip from Venice on S.S. Venezia, exploring Burano, Mazzorbo, Torcello, and Chioggia with curated excursions, including private or early-access cultural visits. A short coach transfer takes travelers to Fusina to board Seabourn Quest for seven additional nights to Athens, calling in Croatia, Montenegro, and the Greek Isles. The package includes all meals, beverages, gratuities on the river segment, and a selection of guided tours, with Seabourn shore experiences bookable separately. Departures are set for July 5, 2026, and August 30, 2026.

Background

Uniworld positions S.S. Venezia as a floating boutique hotel with lagoon-only experiences that avoid Venice's peak crowds. Seabourn Quest brings suite-only accommodations, multiple dining venues, and small-ship access to Adriatic and Aegean ports. Uniworld says research shows substantial crossover between its river guests and luxury ocean cruisers, making a combined product a logical step for the brands. Company leaders frame the package as part of a broader strategy to offer longer, multi-modality itineraries that mix river, ocean, and land extensions under one umbrella booking.

Latest Developments

Two 2026 dates, one seamless booking

The limited-release package will run twice, departing July 5 and August 30, 2026. The river portion features signature moments such as early access to the Doge's Palace and an after-hours lighting ceremony inside St. Mark's Basilica, plus options like a sommelier-led tasting at the historic Dominio di Bagnoli estate. After seven nights on S.S. Venezia, guests transfer by coach to Seabourn Quest for a week sailing toward Athens, with scheduled calls including Vodice, Kotor, and Nafplion. The ocean segment's excursions are handled through Seabourn.

Brand strategy and buyer signals

Uniworld's UK and Europe managing director, Chris Townson, said the brands see strong guest overlap and that combining river and ocean offerings "makes absolute sense" for luxury travelers, a theme echoed across trade coverage. Market framing suggests a test-and-learn approach with constrained capacity, summer timing, and optional Slovenia pre-cruise nights to broaden appeal.

Analysis

For luxury travelers, this hybrid model solves a common planning problem, stitching together two distinct cruise styles without the friction of separate bookings, transfers, and conflicting deposit or fare rules. The Venice lagoon segment delivers depth, giving travelers crowd-light access to icons like St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, plus artisan experiences in Murano, Burano, and Chioggia. The Seabourn week adds geographic range and resort-style amenities, turning a classic Mediterranean cruise into a two-chapter journey with consistent service levels. Capacity is limited to two peak-season sailings, so pricing discipline and early sell-outs are likely. Advisors should qualify clients on pace, as the product front-loads cultural touring in Venice, then shifts to a sea-day rhythm and island hopping. Expect strong interest from past guests of either brand, honeymooners seeking a signature trip, and multigenerational parties willing to pay for convenience and exclusivity.

Final Thoughts

With only two departures, this collaboration reads as a deliberate, scarcity-driven debut rather than a mass rollout. The value proposition is the frictionless handoff between lagoon immersion and Aegean cruising, delivered by brands known for small ships and polished service. For clients who want Venice done right, then a week of island ports without repacking or admin headaches, the Seabourn and Uniworld pairing should be an easy recommendation. If demand tracks early buzz, expect more formats like this ocean and river cruise package.