Uniworld S.S. Emilie Review: First Look at the Klimt-Inspired Super Ship

Staterooms: French Balcony Suite, Deck 2

I stayed in a French Balcony Suite on Deck 2. The bed was exceptionally comfortable, the kind you sink into after a full day ashore and do not want to leave in the morning. Storage space was generous, with enough room to unpack completely without feeling cramped.

The French balcony window slides down halfway, letting in air and sound from the river without the full exposure of a walk-out balcony. A comfortable chair sits by the window, along with a dressing table, flat screen TV, coffee maker, kettle and fridge. The bathroom is marble with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels and a backlit magnifying mirror. Fluffy bathrobes, slippers and a hairdryer are standard.

The S.S. Emilie offers five stateroom categories beyond the French Balcony Suite: 2 Grand Suites, 8 Suites, 20 Deluxe French Balcony rooms, 35 French Balcony rooms and 12 Classic staterooms. The Grand Suite features pastel colour décor and a mosaic tiled bathroom. It can be combined with an adjoining Deluxe French Balcony room to create a two-bedroom suite, which also includes your own butler.

If you value space and a proper balcony, the suites are worth considering. If you want comfort without paying for square footage you will not use, the French Balcony rooms deliver everything you need.

Dining aboard the S.S. Emilie

Gustavs Restaurant serves as the main dining space. Breakfast offered French toast with a poached egg and a ginger shot, which set the tone for the day. Evening meals were perfectly cooked: escalopes and salmon as main courses, both prepared with care and presented well.

The crew in the restaurant were exceptional. They knew the menu, anticipated needs and kept the service moving without rushing anyone through their meal.

Beyond Gustavs, the Brocade Bar sits at the back of the ship with views of the river and access to an outdoor space. It is a quieter spot, tucked away, and ideal for an evening drink away from the main lounge.

The Belvedere Lounge functions as the social heart of the ship during the day and evening. Coffee and pastries are available throughout the day. In the evening, it transforms into the entertainment venue where live music, dancing and mingling happen naturally.

Public spaces, spa and wellness

The Sun Deck offers seating areas and plenty of loungers. It is also the best place to get steps in without leaving the ship, particularly useful on river days when you want fresh air but not a formal excursion.

The spa smelled divine. It has one treatment bed with organic products and treatments available. If you want a massage or facial, book early as availability is limited with only one treatment room.

The gym has river views and enough equipment to maintain a routine. It is small but well equipped for a ship of this size.

What you do ashore

I enjoyed a guided city walk with Cruise Manager Piet Abbelous and a canal cruise through Amsterdam on the final day. Both were well organised and delivered the kind of local insight you expect from Uniworld's included excursions.

One evening featured live entertainment that had everyone up dancing. The atmosphere was relaxed, social and genuinely enjoyable rather than forced or staged.

Uniworld includes all excursions, so you are not left calculating costs or deciding which experiences to skip. This makes the overall experience feel complete rather than constantly upsold.

Who the S.S. Emilie suits

The S.S. Emilie is best for those who value design, service and an all-inclusive approach. If you want a floating hotel that delivers comfort and access to the heart of the places you visit, this ship works.

It is not for people who want modern minimalism or a subdued colour palette. The Klimt-inspired décor is bold, layered and unmistakably Art Nouveau. If you prefer clean lines and blonde wood, look at Scenic instead.

The ship also suits travellers who want to avoid nickel-and-diming. Everything is included: drinks, gratuities, excursions and airport transfers. You pay once and then stop thinking about costs.

If you are after a party atmosphere, nightly entertainment or a younger crowd, this is not the ship. The demographic skews older, the pace is measured and the focus is on destination rather than onboard spectacle.

The S.S. Emilie versus other Uniworld ships

The S.S. Emilie is Uniworld's newest Super Ship, launched in March 2026. It joins a fleet where only two ships are identical. Each vessel has its own design inspiration, and the S.S. Emilie's Klimt theme sets it apart from the rest.

In terms of size and capacity, it matches other Super Ships at 154 guests. The crew-to-guest ratio sits at roughly 1:2.7, which means you see the same faces and receive consistent service throughout your journey.

What distinguishes this ship is its newness. Everything is fresh, untouched and operating at peak condition.

Is the S.S. Emilie worth it?

Uniworld sits at the top end of river cruise pricing. A 7-night sailing on the S.S. Emilie will cost more than a comparable itinerary from some other operators. The difference comes down to what is included and the onboard experience.

Uniworld's all-inclusive model means drinks, gratuities, excursions and transfers are covered. On other lines, these add-ons can increase the total cost by £1,000 or more per person. When you factor in those extras, the price gap narrows considerably.

The service level also justifies the premium. The crew were attentive, skilled and clearly experienced. Meals were beautifully prepared, the ship was immaculate and every detail felt considered.

If you want the absolute lowest fare, Uniworld is not the answer. If you want value in the sense of getting what you pay for without surprises, the S.S. Emilie delivers.

Practical details

The S.S. Emilie sails the Danube, Rhine and Main rivers with itineraries ranging from 7 to 14 nights. The ship also operates a Netherlands and Belgium route, including the Amsterdam to Antwerp Tulips and Windmills sailing.

The dress code is smart casual with one Captain's Dinner during most sailings. No black tie required, but you will want something slightly smarter than daytime wear for that evening.

Butler service is available in the Grand Suites, with staff trained at Buckingham Palace. Suites also include Nespresso machines, fully stocked minibars and complimentary laundry service.

Final verdict

The S.S. Emilie is a well-executed addition to Uniworld's fleet. The design is bold and committed, the service is excellent and the all-inclusive model removes the friction of constant decision-making about costs.

It suits travellers who value their high level of comfort, design and a chilled out pace. It does not suit people looking for a bargain, a party atmosphere or minimalist aesthetics.

If you want a river cruise that feels complete from the moment you step aboard, the S.S. Emilie delivers.