Venetian Family Adventure

River cruising is traditionally an option for older travelers – but don’t tell that to the passengers ages 18 and under who were having the time of their lives traveling through Italy’s Venetian Lagoon and the River Po last summer aboard Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection’s River Countess.

Uniworld more than doubled its family-focused European Generations departures last year, and has increased that number even more for 2017, with a total of 18 multigenerational sailings on nine itineraries. Its 10-day “Gems of Northern Italy” tour will have four 2017 departures in July and August (up from three). Family-focused fun integrates such cultural highlights as Venetian mask painting and pasta- and pizza-making demonstrations, with plenty of art history exploration thrown in.

Accommodations: River Countess offers double-occupancy accommodations, requiring one adult in each stateroom with one child. Though staterooms are not connecting, adjacent accommodations can be requested. All of the vessel’s 61 staterooms measure 151 square feet, with Category 1 boasting French balconies and a convenient location near the Savoy Restaurant. The staterooms are comfortable, with plenty of wardrobe storage and marble bathrooms boasting generously sized showers. Amenities include handcrafted Savoir of England beds, L’Occitane bath amenities and flat-screen TVs with extended free movie menus. There are also four 214-squarefoot suites that provide extra living space, bathrooms with double vanities, fully stocked minibars, Nespresso coffee machines, bottles of wine upon arrival and in-suite butler service.

What’s Included: All meals, Wi-Fi, drinks, tips and shore excursions.

Entertainment: A singer and piano player entertain nightly in the lounge. One evening an excellent trio with a dynamic singer performed and another night two singers and a classical pianist entertained with opera pieces.

Excursions: Guests were divided into groups of 10 to 15 each day, with children having their own dedicated excursions, the adults and teens on another, and a third for “gentle walkers.” In Venice, an exclusive after-hours visit to St. Mark’s Basilica with an art historian and an early-morning guided tour of the Doge’s Palace were notable highlights. A trip to Venice’s Rialto Market with the ship’s chef, who shopped for fish and vegetables he served later for lunch, appealed to all ages. A family-style lunch at long tables at a local restaurant in Bologna allowed the group to bond over delicious home-made pasta, with wine for the adults, followed by a hands-on demo for the kids.

What’s for Dinner? Elaborate buffet breakfasts and lunches and à la carte dinners with numerous choices are offered daily in the Savoy Restaurant. The Osteria Siena eatery offers pizzas and salads for lunch and dinner as an alternative onboard dining option. The buffets always feature kid-friendly options, including made-to-order eggs at breakfast and pasta at lunch. In addition to pasta, children’s dinner menus offer such favorites as cheeseburgers. Requests were always accommodated. A separate Young Travelers table is set up at meals, but children are always welcome to dine with their families.

Who Goes on This Ship? Uniworld’s Generations departures include passengers of all ages, usually from 4 and up. On a departure last summer, children ranged from ages 2 to 18. There were two large family groups (one consisting of 17 members ranging in age from 7 to 87), and also seniors traveling without families.

Insider Booking Tip: Since all staterooms are the same size (except for suites), encourage clients to book in Category 1 on the Marco Polo deck, where the French balconies with their high deck location make for ultimate views.

Key Selling Points: River cruising is an excellent option for families looking to experience a more immersive and authentic European vacation. Uniworld provides the top luxuries and levels of service expected of the brand.

The Generations departures succeed right down to the smallest details, such as nightly surprises during turndown for children, which include toy gondolas, Venetian masks and keepsake destination magnets. The dedicated family host rallies the group of children with warmth, interesting stories and the right amount of maternal wisdom to keep them happy and following her like the Pied Piper.

It is the opportunity to get off the ship with interesting excursions – and to do so in a quick and easy fashion – that makes the experience shine. One mom traveling with the multigenerational group of 17 summed up the advantages of family river cruising perfectly by describing it as “intimate” and “personal.” She added, “Uniworld does a wonderful job of scheduling excursions that fit everyone’s needs and does all the planning for you. When there’s people of all ages, this makes things so much simpler.”

JUST THE FACTS

CRUISE LINE: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

SHIP: River Countess SIZE: 130 passengers in 61 staterooms and four suites

ENTERED SERVICE: 2003, remodeled in 2012

ITINERARY: The “Gems of Northern Italy” includes a seven-night cruise with an option for a two-night pre-cruise tour in Milan, which adds a stop in Verona before joining the ship in Venice. It calls at Padua, Chioggia, Bologna or Ferrara, and the outer islands of Venice, including Burano, Torcello and Mazzorbo.

PRICE: 2017 Generations Family Program fares start at $4,049 double; deduct $600 per person if not including Milan pre-cruise tour. For every accompanying adult, one child between the ages of 4 and 18 qualifies for 50 percent savings off the cruise-only fare. Restrictions may apply.