PHOTO: Uniworld is known for the sumptuous décor on its newer river ships. Pictured is the Van Gogh Lounge on the S.S. Catherine. (Courtesy of Uniworld)
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, which is known for the sumptuous décor of its newer ships, will bring to life the lavish ambience of an Austrian palace on its new Super Ship Maria Theresa.
It's named, of course, for the archduchess of Austria and empress of the Holy Roman Empire who reigned as the only female ruler of the Habsburg dynasty from 1740 to 1780.
"Our aim is to transport each guest into experiencing the fantasy of living in an 18th-century baroque castle," said Toni Tollman, who is designing the ship with her mother, Beatrice Tollman, president and founder of Uniworld's sister company, The Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Also assisting is projects director Brian Brennan.
"We designed the S.S. Maria Theresa to take our guests on a journey back in time with an onboard atmosphere and style seamlessly integrated with the history and architecture of the very places they will visit onshore, as well as provide them with the latest in luxurious comfort and technology, of course," Toni Tollman said.
The S.S. Maria Theresa will be christened in Amsterdam on March 26 by Princess Anita von Hohenberg, a direct descendent of Maria Theresa and great-granddaughter of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie von Hohenberg.
The design team took inspiration from the baroque period in which Maria Theresa presided. The three-tiered lobby is dominated by a sweeping marble staircase with a wrought-iron, hand-gilded railing and royal crown detailing. Walls are paneled top to bottom with antique mirrors. A hand-painted tromp l'oeil mural and Venetian Murano glass chandelier grace the ceiling, evoking the great hall of Maria Theresa's 18th-century Schönbrunn palace. The focal point of the entranceway is a 10-foot-high original oil painting of Maria Theresa.
The ship throughout will feature royal blue, antique golds, shades of white, and soft gray colors popular in the 18th century. Design features include mirrored or silk-clad walls, antique white wood paneling, carved twisted columns, custom furniture pieces, and Habsburg coronets hand-painted with 22-carat gold leaf.
The Habsburg Salon, the spot for afternoon tea, has five murals depicting the 18th-century Austrian countryside. Other public areas include a Viennese Café serving local specialties such as Austrian sachertorte, Würstl, (Viennese sausage), and Viennese coffee.
The stylish Leopard Bar features intricate mosaic tile murals created by the famous South African mosaic artist Jane du Rand. The 10-seat Lipizzan Cinema has deep blue velvet loveseats. The S.S. Maria Theresa also boasts a fitness center, swimming pool, and spa.
The ship's 64 staterooms, 10 suites, and one Royal Suite accommodate a 150 guests. Most of the 64 staterooms measure at 194 square feet with 10 smaller at 162 square feet. The one-bedroom suites measure 305 square feet while the Royal Suite is 410 square feet with separate sleeping and living quarters.
Every suite and stateroom has fabric wall coverings, handmade carpets, antique furnishings, original art, canopy or four-poster made-to-order English Savoir beds, monogrammed bed linens, and open-air or French balconies. Accommodations also have the latest technology, including keypad-controlled lighting, drop-down televisions in the suites and hidden-mirrored televisions in the staterooms.
The S.S. Maria Theresa will sail through the heart of Maria Theresa's vast former empire on Uniworld's "European Jewels" voyage from Budapest to Amsterdam. It will also serve the "Tulips & Windmills," "European Holiday Markets," and "Grand Christmas & New Year's Cruise" itineraries.
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