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Scenic River Cruises vs Uniworld
Compare the travel styles, pricing, destinations and popularity of Scenic River Cruises and Uniworld.The Low Down
Scenic's 5 star luxury river cruises are well known and popular in Australia. Scenic were the first river cruise line to introduce balconies on their Scenic Space-Ships, which many clients love, but this does come at a cost to interior cabin space. Like many of the other luxury river cruise operators, look out for their great Fly Free offers, and Earlybird Savings. Every itinerary is all inclusive, with Freechoice activities that allow you to choose what you want to do in each port. Scenic also offer a range of luxury additions (like your own butler) depending on the cabin type selected. 
If you are looking for 5-star luxury with 6-star service then Uniworld river cruises should be at the top of your wish list. Uniworld's ships (while not the newest) are one-of-a-kind, exquisitely appointed, boutique floating hotels. Part of the Travel Corporation (which includes the sister brands of Trafalgar and Insight Vacations), Uniworld ships are slightly smaller with an average of about 130 guests, and are constantly being refurbished in their distinctive style. Half of the team at Global Journeys have embarked on a voyage with Uniworld and some us a few times! Uniworld pricing is now dynamic so can vary day by day, and the cruises aren't cheap, however you wont need to dip into your wallet once your trip begins and further savings are available if you were a past passenger on any of the aforementioned sister brands.
Stats
No. of Trips
269
No. of Departures
1,233
Avg. Trip Length
17 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$658
Fleet Size
14 Ships
Known For
Luxury Cruising
Ship Styles
River Cruises
No. of Trips
97
No. of Departures
1,390
Avg. Trip Length
12 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$580
Fleet Size
20 Ships
Known For
Boutique River Cruising
Ship Styles
River Cruises
In Their Own Words
We asked the travel companies themselves why you should travel with them
With Scenic, it’s more than a 5-star river cruise...it’s a seamless journey from start to finish that places you, our guest, at the heart of everything we do. It’s taking you to extraordinary regions and immersing you in meaningful and enriching experiences. It’s exquisite cuisine, indulgent wellness, and a world-class team who will anticipate your every need. You'll find the difference is in the details with Scenic: the innovative ship design, expertly trained crew, immersive journey, and an unrivalled focus on health and safety protocols.
Once you step onboard the world’s finest and most awarded river cruise line for the first time, we are quite sure the refined luxury onboard our fleet will sweep you off your feet.
We draw our inspiration for the design philosophy of every one of the 17 ships in our fleet directly from the destination in which they sail. The craftsmanship, the attention to detail, the art onboard, the handcrafted furniture and intricacy of the fabrics are lovingly assembled to be a masterpiece in and of itself. Stepping onboard is to step into a world of beautiful colours and one-of-a-kind details that truly bring your destination to life.
Crafting experiences you can’t find anywhere else, means continuing to elevate Uniworld to new heights year after year. From the addition of four new Super Ships in Egypt, Vietnam, Portugal and Italy, to the award winning service that comes from the heart, we’re putting even more emphasis on what’s onboard to enhancing several itineraries to accommodate guest’s diverse tastes for the future. We truly look forward to welcoming our Australian guests onboard.
Recent Reviews
4.6
The highlight of the tour was Viviers where our tour guide took us to her hour which wad used as a Resistance house during WW2.
Scenic provided excellent service and made you feel like a big family. This itinerary was excellent beautiful views along the Moselle River and the best of the Rhine. Included excursions were top notch.
Our cruise with Scenic exceeded all expectations. The ship, the food, the staff and the excursions were all excellent. Highly recommend Scenic and we will be travelling with them again. Global Journeys provided excellent service and were always very quick to respond to my questions.
We thoroughly enjoyed the trip. It was very well plan. Food and excursion are first class. We are very happy with Scenic and also the service of Georgina and Global Journeys.
We loved our trip! Easy from start to finish thanks to Tracey at Global Journeys. The Scenic team were amazing - the tours, food, beverages & service was all top class. Totally recommend this holiday - however maybe a week or two later for better weather!
Exceptional Danube Tour Germany to Hungary 0
Danube Christmas Markets with Nuremberg
Maree, SA, Australia, Dec 2025
Our booking with Hannah at Global Journeys was seamless. There isn't a single thing I would've changed on our Danube Cruise with Scenic Waterways. We felt spoilt from the first day until the last. Just the right amount of free time and the tours were very good. We cruised in December & it was Christmas Market magic.
4.7
This was my second river cruise and 10th actual small ship cruise. I was very impressed with Uniworld as contrasted to a prior river cruise line. The food was quite good, not exceptional, but certainly of quality and well prepared. Chef outdid himself at a special paid dinner with beef wellington and other fabulous French dishes. Service couldn't read more have been better- in both the dining room and cabins. Our hotel manager just won the hotel manager of the year for the cruise line, and it shows.
On a bit of a negative side, the cabins are well laid out and thought through but very small. I am glad my friend and I had separate cabins otherwise there wouldn't have been enough room. The elevator was broken, which was a HUGE inconvenience for us as we have mobility issues. Apparently, a guest ran into the glass with a suitcase and broke it. It was down for the entirety of the trip. Some of the excursions weren't very good and not worth the time of leaving the boat. There was a huge downpour one day and the busses were parked quite away from the ship. It would have been considerate of them to send out some people with umbrellas; all of us were completely soaked (to the skin). Would I sail on Uniworld again, yes but in a larger cabin! Good experience!
On a bit of a negative side, the cabins are well laid out and thought through but very small. I am glad my friend and I had separate cabins otherwise there wouldn't have been enough room. The elevator was broken, which was a HUGE inconvenience for us as we have mobility issues. Apparently, a guest ran into the glass with a suitcase and broke it. It was down for the entirety of the trip. Some of the excursions weren't very good and not worth the time of leaving the boat. There was a huge downpour one day and the busses were parked quite away from the ship. It would have been considerate of them to send out some people with umbrellas; all of us were completely soaked (to the skin). Would I sail on Uniworld again, yes but in a larger cabin! Good experience!
The trip was a river cruise. The trip started in Budapest on the Danube River and went through Austria and then on the Main River through Germany on the Danube Main Canal ending on the Rhine River in Amsterdam. The cruise was in the River Duchess. The ship was nice and the stateroom was spacious. A very pleasant experience.
Food and wine superb and consistant. Staff were excellent and very obliging. Interesting progamme of excursions spoilt for choice. Overall best river criusing company we have used.
Fantastic Uniworld river cruise through Belgium. 0
Belgian Holiday Markets
Narelle and Chris, QLD, Australia, Dec 2024
Our river cruise with Uniworld was a Christmas markets cruise through Belgium which which was very beautiful. Although we have been on river cruises before, Uniworld was the best by far. The SS Victoria was a new ship and was tastefully and elegantly designed and furnished. Our suite was spacious, with the most comfortable bed, walk in robe and a huge read more floor to ceiling french balcony window. We had in room drinks, sweets, fruit etc. So much is included, so we never had to pay for anything onboard. Meals were the best you would expect from the best fine dining anywhere. Drinks were also included and not just with meals. All staff were very friendly and knew our names from the second day. We were so well looked after throughout the whole trip. Excursions were included and they even took us to a private Christmas concert in a cathedral. The whole trip from start to finish was perfect and if anyone is considering a river cruise you couldnt go past Uniworld if you want the best of the best . We always book through Global Journeys with Georgie and our next trip will be booked with them again.
Excellent Venice Cruise But Disappointing Transfer From Milan 0
Milan, Venice & the Jewels of Veneto (From Milan)
Graham and Caroline, South Australia, Australia, Oct 2024
We arrived at Milan airport and the Uniworld representative was there to meet us and transfer us to the Milan hotel. The hotel was 5 star and in an excellent location. The next morning we did the city tour and the Last Supper visit which was very good. We then chose to do the optional extra cost Lake Como tour in the afternoon. This was a mistake as read more it is very expensive and took about 7 hours overall, about 5 hours of which was spent getting there and back. We would recommend spending the afternoon around Milan instead.
The next day was the transfer to Venice and to the ship and which we thought was very poor for a luxury cruise. We were required to get our own bags on the bus at 6am which meant rising very early. We were then given 30 minutes for 70 to 80 people to scramble to have breakfast and then all get on a double decker bus for the trip to Venice. We stopped in Verona for a walking tour with virtually no free time and then back on the bus to a winery for lunch. Lunch was OK but nothing exceptional and then back on the bus and off to Venice. A very long day (9-10 hours to travel about 270 km.
Things improved remarkably upon reaching the ship in Venice about 3:30pm to 4pm. The ship is very comfortable although the over the top décor is an acquired taste. The service was excellent and the food was very good. The rooms are on the small side but are very comfortable. The bathroom is very tight. The cruise is very well run and all places visited were interesting and very nice. Visits to the Venice attractions were well organised to avoid the crowds. Overall, the cruise was thoroughly enjoyable but Uniworld needs to rethink the Milan transfer.
The next day was the transfer to Venice and to the ship and which we thought was very poor for a luxury cruise. We were required to get our own bags on the bus at 6am which meant rising very early. We were then given 30 minutes for 70 to 80 people to scramble to have breakfast and then all get on a double decker bus for the trip to Venice. We stopped in Verona for a walking tour with virtually no free time and then back on the bus to a winery for lunch. Lunch was OK but nothing exceptional and then back on the bus and off to Venice. A very long day (9-10 hours to travel about 270 km.
Things improved remarkably upon reaching the ship in Venice about 3:30pm to 4pm. The ship is very comfortable although the over the top décor is an acquired taste. The service was excellent and the food was very good. The rooms are on the small side but are very comfortable. The bathroom is very tight. The cruise is very well run and all places visited were interesting and very nice. Visits to the Venice attractions were well organised to avoid the crowds. Overall, the cruise was thoroughly enjoyable but Uniworld needs to rethink the Milan transfer.
Hannah at Global Journeys made sure that all bases were covered. The Uniworld trip was amazing truly a 5 star experience.
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