River cruising specialists Uniworld has revealed its newest vessel, the beautiful S.S. La Venezia, a contemporary ship designed in collaboration with Italian fashion house Fortuny.
The new project with the legendary luxury textiles producer and design powerhouse showcases a reimagined S.S. La Venezia featuring celebrated artist and textile design Mariano Fortuny‘s incomparable fabrics enveloping guests in the beauty, tradition, and artistry of its Northern Italian itinerary.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ S.S. La Venezia is one of the company’s newest Super Ships and joins an award-winning fleet of floating boutique hotels. Sailing Northern Italy, the completely reimagined ship embodies the country’s timeless beauty, its artisan’s commitment to enduring quality, and the passion Italians bring to food, art, and living well.
Much of the design and décor aboard S.S. La Venezia was influenced by local Venetian design house Fortuny, renowned for its handmade fabrics whose creation is still a closely held company secret. In fact, the ship has been designed to complement and enhance its carefully curated Venetian itineraries.
Whether guests stay in a classic stateroom, one of the four junior suites, or two grand suites, they will experience the unmistakable essence of the city, beginning in the lobby which strikes a bold resemblance to 1930’s Venice. Guests will enjoy the artistic touches of the ship as they stroll the marble or brass-inlaid parquet floors. They will see echoes of the portico of the landmark bridges in the patterns of the fabrics or a reference to the local fish dishes, the basis of classic Venetian cuisine, and enjoy the unmistakable swirls and pops of color of Murano blown glass, another signature craft of Venice.
The Fortuny story is so intricately woven into the design of the ship that Uniworld guests will have the exclusive opportunity to visit its private showroom and gardens to learn about the company and its Venetian legacy.
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S.S. La Venezia’s restaurants and bars are also culinary celebrations, bringing the local gastronomy to life with ingredients sourced straight from the local markets. In line with Uniworld’s signature dining experience, the ship offers several dining experiences, including Rialto’s, a warm and cozy restaurant offering traditional Venetian fare and interiors inspired by the Orient Express; Hari’s Bar and Lounge, home to live music, cocktails, and an impressive champagne list; Cielo’s Pizzeria, on the Lido di Venezia Deck; and La Cantinetta, the most intimate of the ship’s venues.
Offering private dining with expert wine pairing, guests are invited to start their La Cantinetta experience earlier in the day, accompanying their chef to source ingredients at the famous Rialto food market, a vibrant hub where local producers sell their wares from fresh Adriatic fish and fine Italian cheeses and salami to locally grown artichokes and asparagus. These delicious ingredients are masterfully prepared in the demonstration kitchen to create a mouth-watering repertoire of traditional Italian dishes.
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Once she makes her debut, the S.S. La Venezia will uncover the magic of the Venetian Lagoon during her signature eight-day Venice & the Gems of Northern Italy itinerary, with guests experiencing a private evening opening and lighting ceremony at St. Mark’s Basilica; the peaceful canals unique to Burano, Mazzorbo, and Torcello; and the famed cities of Bologna and Padua.
Three additional itineraries will be offered throughout 2021 and 2022, including the 10-day Milan, Venice & the Gems of Northern Italy; and recently launched 12-day Cruise & Rail: Venice & the Swiss Alps and 14-day Cruise & Rail: Milan, Venice & the Swiss Alps.
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