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"Regal in its opulent 18th-century decor, a floating homage to the former Austrian empress....Besides indulgent dining and an elegant atmosphere, this is one of the prettiest ships out there." - Cruise Critic editors
One of Europe's most beloved and longest reigning monarchs, the great Habsburg ruler Maria Theresa, was so extraordinary that we expanded our Super ShipTM fleet in her honor. Named "Best New River Ship" by Cruise Critic editors her maiden season, the S.S. Maria Theresa features ultra-luxurious accommodations and an array of thoughtful personal touches, ensuring a truly indulgent and unforgettable voyage along the Danube and Main Rivers.
May I start with pet peeves? Sailed on 3 Uniworld crises. River cruises are not for people who have any physical limitations. Sometimes the ships are rafted which means not only do you have another ship a few feet from your room/window/balcony, but you then have to cross over those ships to get to shore. Reality of river cruises. Normandy cruise did not have one day of rafting---southern France, we had 6 out of 7. Danube maybe 3 days. So you may or may not have a view from your cabin in the morning or during the day if you are in port--rarely. There is a lot of walking--every day--and most of the sightseeing is done on shore, with some exceptions such as on our recent Danube itinerary, where there was some daytime sailing thru some lovely scenic areas. Our two France itineraries sailed mostly at dinner time, scenery from the ship not the thing here---but France was fabulous once you are touring. Satellite reception makes TV or internet spotty due to bridges, locks, etc. Has nothing to do with the ship...the structures block the signal. Bring a book. There is very little entertainment to speak of, although we enjoyed a movie trivia night on a previous sailing on a different line. I have found beef on European cruises is not of the quality we are used to in the United States, and we tend to avoid it. If you arrive on the day of sailing you are playing Roulette and would never ever advise it---it's not the lines fault if you airline cancels the flight---even if Uniworld books it for you. Finally, itineraries are always subject to change due to changing river levels. Now for our review of Danube sailing last week. SS M T is done in the Uniworld style. They like to reflect the area you are sailing thru---so very Baroque in this case. If you want spare and plain--pick another cruise line. As with all river cruises ships, the rooms are very very small due to passing thru the locks. You are not in the room much--you get up early, have breakfast and the are off the ship taking the tours or sitting up on deck, and don't see the room most days until dinner time. If you want to stay in the room, why are you traveling? Room was lovely with slippers/heated floors/heated towel rack in marble bathroom, decent size shower, limited closet space, but enough, as you don't dress up on river cruises. They will switch the heavy duvet for a blanket if you ask. As with all cruises we found the buffet breakfast and lunches were the best, as you could pick what you wanted, in the quantity you wanted, and eat at the pace you wanted--either alone or with other passengers. We found quality of the food was fine--you'll always find irritable people complaining about food on these websites. This is not gourmet eating, just decent food. Tables for two were at a premium, but knowing we didn't always want to eat with others, the waiters would frequently not seat anyone else with us, as everyone doesn't sit down at the same time for dinner. Wine, beer, drinks were beyond plentiful--and wish there was a rate for people like me who do not indulge. To be honest, my husband picked this itinerary as he did not want to repeat our previous river cruise itineraries. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I like our trip. Passau a lovely little town, great shopping area, our trip to Salzburg and Sound of Music sites a long day, but one of our highlights. Vienna a beautiful city, museum tour fascinating, music concert that evening was held in a room that was beyond stifling, with poor acoustics. We wish they would have waited and done the concert in Budapest, where we did concerts on our own in churches such as St, Mattias, that were 100% more enjoyable, with fabulous acoustics. We did a saffron workshop in Durnstein, and though neither of us like saffron, we found it absolutely fascinating and the owner of the farm a delightful man with a dry wit and a way of explaining things that was genius. Wish we had more time in Slovakia, as it was a sweet little town, with lots of cafes and restaurants. Budapest, is simply stunning, and the Dohany Synagogue and it's two museums inside are a must see. Along the river front is the Shoe Memorial that will bring anyone to tears--you must first read the story behind it to understand. Google it. We found some wonderful inexpensive restaurants when we walked the city on our own after debarking the ship. Neverland had the most incredible authentic Italian pizza--- sourdough crust on request. The trams and buses are free if you are over 65 and have ID. Service on Uniworld is always top notch, and our tour director looked like a handsomer version of Michael Buble...who could ask for more?
If I could give 10 stars to Uniworld and SS Maria Theresa and staff I would. We absolutely loved our 7 day Danube River Cruise from Passau to Budapest. For reference, we are a married couple ages 51 and 52 and we were traveling with our two daughters ages 20 and 22. We were supposed be on this trip with my 79 year old father but he broke his arm before the trip and was not able to travel. To give you a little background, we are a very active family and love to travel. This is not the trip I would have booked had I known my father wouldn't be there. We probably would've chosen somewhere more exotic and adventurous but wow, what a mistake that would've been! We absolutely LOVED this vacation and let me tell you, so did our girls! Food and wine were out of this world as was the service by all staff. Our cabins were very luxurious and comfortable - great shower and luxury toiletries. We had a french balcony and I am very glad we did not upgrade to a balcony. Keep in mind, you often dock with another boat right next to you so you wouldn't really use that balcony much. The ship itself was lovely - decorated in Baroque style which was certainly ornate but beautiful at the same time. Restaurant had multi-seating options so you don't have to eat with strangers. Almost all meals included and food/wine/alcohol were unbelievable. The bartender was adept at making any cocktail - dirty martinis, espresso martinis, gin and tonics, you name it, he could make it and remember your favorite drink for your next visit. There was a coffee/tea room that was open 24 hours with some light snacks. Self service FREE laundry was available! Our 22 year old daughter who has been backpacking around Europe for the last 6 weeks sure appreciated this. The itinerary was also very nice and we were impressed with the local excursions. The local guides were all excellent and they often offered a more "active" excursion such as 20 mile bike ride, hike or walking tour. I think Uniworld and all other river boat companies are missing the mark by marketing towards the older generation. From what I could tell, the average age was somewhere mid-60's. We were't even the youngest on the cruise - there were several around our age, another family with college age kids and even two younger kids. I do feel younger kids might be bored but what a great vacation to spend with your young adult children. This is an excellent multi-generation vacation. LOVE that literally everything is included in the price including gratuities! There are a few excursions that are extra cost, even massages are offered if you like, but for the most part, everything is included. We have already told all of our friends about this cruise and we look forward to returning again some day!
Your Uniworld stateroom is a chic yet cosy cocoon- ideally designed for a daytime catnap and full-night’s rest alike. Your bed is handcrafted by Savoir® of England bed-makers to the world’s finest hotels, including London’s legendary Savoy Hotel. Your bed is dressed in divine linens of the highest quality and topped with a fluffy duvet and you always have your choice of pillow options to ensure the most restful sleep.
Your bathroom is adorned in gleaming floor-to-ceiling marble. They’ve even added special touches, such as backlit magnifying mirrors. Daily housekeeping keeps things tidy, and evening turndown service always features a scrumptious surprise.
Culinary Excellence
We treat cooking as an art form, a very delicious art form.
Enjoy an Unrivaled Taste of your Destinations
When dining onboard, you’ll be treated to world-class cuisine made from fresh ingredients, locally sourced from the destinations you visit.
From Farm to Ship
Farm-to-table isn’t just a trendy culinary buzzword around here. It’s a governing philosophy and commitment to serving you the very best local dishes created by our master chefs. When in Italy, dinner may consist of Prosciutto di Parma pizza and Osso Buco Milanese, prepared to your liking, with meats and vegetables sourced from just miles away. After a day immersed in Indian culture, your taste buds may do some immersing of their own with Gajar Shorba and Tandoori Chicken Tikka for lunch. Live brilliantly. Dine locally.
Creative Culinary Options
For those interested in healthier dining options, our Traveling Lite menu conveniently highlights the lightest dinner options every evening. We also offer a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes, as well as gluten-free replacements upon request. If you have a specific meal preference, just ask. Our chefs will be happy to accommodate.
Hungary
The Jewel of the Danube River
To see Hungary once is to be enthralled for life. If you’re visiting for the first time, you can’t miss Budapest, unarguably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Bisected by a wide stretch of the Danube River, Budapest is known for its grand architecture and eclectic culture. If you have more time, venture further into Hungary for a taste of the country’s rich heritage. With Uniworld, you may find yourself sampling wines in Etyek, shopping in the Szentendre artisans’ village, or witnessing a Puszta horse show in Lajosmizse.
Landmarks
Hungary, and Budapest in particular, is home to a stunning collection of Neo-Renaissance buildings. Many of these are among the country’s top sites to see, such as the grand Andrassy Avenue and one of the most iconic buildings in Europe, the Hungarian Parliament Building. There are many other famous sites to discover around Budapest, from the Castle District to the thermal baths. It’s enough to keep anyone returning to the city time and time again, with something new to see with each visit.
Cuisine
The land that makes up modern-day Hungary was historically traversed by a wide variety of nomadic groups, and the country’s cuisine reflects that. The fare is hearty, dominated by meat and dairy products—perfect for cold winters. Bright-red paprika, ranging from sweet to spicy, is liberally used in many of Hungary’s most popular dishes. When visiting Budapest, make sure to explore one of the city’s many famous market halls, where you’ll find sausages, fried lángos bread with various toppings, and a multitude of other beloved local treats.
Wines
Though largely unrecognized in the international market, Hungarian wines used to be celebrated in Europe for their quality. The Sun King of France, Louis XIV, even dubbed Hungarian wine the “Wine of Kings, King of Wines.” The industry was nearly obliterated in the 19th and 20th centuries due to phylloxera blight and Communist Era policies. A modern-day resurgence is bringing them back though. Today the most famous Hungarian wines are sweet Tokaj wines and rich red Bikavér, which translates to “Bull’s Blood.”
Music
Age-old traditions continue to thrive in Hungary, including several styles of local folk music and dance. The country also has a strong love for classical music. Famous composers from Béla Bartók to Franz Liszt made their homes here, and the latter founded the renowned Franz Liszt Academy of Music, which continues to train talented musicians to this day.
Sip a glass of wine while you cruise past beautiful landscapes and world-famous landmarks on your way to your next destination...
Wanderlust Meets Wellness
Onboard and onshore
All our cruises feature several options to get up, get going and stay fit, both onboard and onshore. Our seasoned wellness experts have an average tenure of ten years with Uniworld and continuously hone their craft with annual Ayurveda yoga and other trainings. They are there to lend their expertise to you.
ALL-INCLUSIVE FAMILY RIVER CRUISES
Every Uniworld Generations cruise includes special programs, events and excursions designed specifically for your world travellers in training.
