S.S. Clara

S.S. Clara: Uniworld’s New Ship Available in 2028

The S.S. Clara is Uniworld’s new Super Ship scheduled to enter service in 2028. That distinction matters: when you book this ship, you are choosing a new vessel whose operating history has yet to be written. Its inaugural departure is scheduled for March 31, 2028, with the Holland & Belgium at Tulip Time itinerary, followed by sailings on the Rhine, Moselle and Main rivers. The ship will accommodate 154 guests with 57 crew members, with interiors inspired by Flemish painter Clara Peeters and a design concept focused on European art and heritage.

The Ship

The S.S. Clara measures approximately 135 metres in length and accommodates 154 passengers with 57 crew members. The ship features 77 staterooms and suites spread across its passenger decks. It belongs to Uniworld’s Super Ship generation, designed to provide more space and amenities while maintaining the more intimate scale of a river cruise. Onboard facilities include a panoramic lounge, relaxation areas, a fitness area, a spa and a Sun Deck designed for enjoying the scenery while sailing.

Staterooms: A Configuration Worth Noticing

The S.S. Clara offers several stateroom and suite categories, including two 38.25 m² Grand Suites, eight 26.5 m² Suites, 18 m² Deluxe French Balcony staterooms, as well as several French Balcony and Classic categories. One of the more interesting features involves the Grand Suites: each can be combined with the adjacent Deluxe French Balcony stateroom to create a two-bedroom suite configuration. This can be particularly useful for families or travellers who want to share a common space while maintaining separate bedrooms. Grand Suites also include additional services such as butler service, in-room breakfast and premium amenities.

Rhine, Moselle and Main

The S.S. Clara will primarily operate itineraries on the Rhine, Moselle and Main. These rivers offer distinctly different scenery: castles and vineyards along the Rhine, villages and vineyards along the Moselle, followed by historic cities and varied landscapes along the Main. During its inaugural season, Uniworld plans itineraries focused on tulip season in the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as Rhine cruises. The choice of itinerary and travel date is therefore just as important as the choice of ship.

2028: The Advantage of a New Ship

The S.S. Clara’s biggest selling point is also the aspect that requires the most perspective. In 2028, it will be a brand-new ship, with newly built staterooms, public areas and facilities. At the same time, there will be no multi-season operating history available to evaluate its long-term performance. Travellers who book early are therefore choosing to experience the Clara during its first season. Its capacity, dimensions, stateroom categories and announced itineraries are already known, but the ship’s real-world experience will begin with its first guests in 2028.

What Is Included, and What Should Be Checked

The S.S. Clara will be part of Uniworld’s luxury river cruise offering. Depending on the specific departure, the experience includes meals onboard, a selection of beverages, scheduled excursions, Wi-Fi and various onboard activities and services. However, it is still important to review the inclusions for the exact departure before booking. Flights, travel insurance, personal expenses and certain optional services or programs may be charged separately.

Getting Around Onboard and Ashore

With 154 guests, the S.S. Clara remains considerably smaller than an ocean cruise ship. This capacity supports a more intimate atmosphere, although the usual considerations of river cruising still apply. Some areas of the ship may require the use of stairs, while shore visits can involve piers, gangways, cobblestone streets and historic city centres. Travellers with specific mobility requirements should therefore consider the accessibility of the entire itinerary rather than looking only at the stateroom.

Travelling from Quebec

For travellers from Quebec, booking the S.S. Clara means choosing a ship whose first season begins in 2028. Its inaugural departure is particularly appealing to travellers interested in gardens and photography, as it coincides with tulip season in the Netherlands and Belgium. As with any European river cruise, arriving a day before embarkation can also provide valuable protection against potential flight delays. The S.S. Clara is therefore suited to travellers who want to discover Europe aboard a new Uniworld Super Ship, while understanding that they will be among the first guests to experience a vessel beginning its story in 2028.