SS La Venezia

The 2003-built Uniworld SS La Venezia (formerly River Countess) cruises on Italy’s Po River, departing from the homeport Venice.

Uniworld (officially "Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection") is a major river cruise company and part of The Travel Corporation group. Ships with similar design features and amenities to River Countess include Ambassador (1993, now THE A), Baroness (1994, now THE B), Duchess (2003), Empress (2001), Princess (2001, now Trafalgar Reverie), Queen (1999, now Trafalgar Verity), and Royale (2006, now SS Bon Voyage).

Following an extensive drydock refit and refurbishment, MS River Countess was renamed "SS La Venezia" in 2020 and reclassified as a “Super Ship.” The vessel’s previous major refurbishment was in 2012, when she was completely remodeled. Uniworld’s Po River cruise fares include premium hotel stays, as well as all excursions with English-speaking guides and audio headsets.

SS La Venezia’s sisterships in Uniworld’s “Super Ship” class include SS Bon Voyage (2006, formerly River Royale), SS Beatrice (2009, formerly River Beatrice), SS Antoinette (2011), SS Catherine (2014), SS Maria Theresa (2015), and SS Joie de Vivre (2017).

Following a 15-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Uniworld resumed operations with SS La Venezia on June 20, 2021, departing from Venice, Italy.

Cabins

Of all SS La Venezia staterooms (total 63), 6 are Suites, 14 are French Balcony cabins, 36 are Deluxe (with Picture Window), and 7 are Classic (with porthole windows). Prior to 2020, the vessel operated as "River Countess" and had 66 cabins (including 4 Suites).

The fully remodeled ship features standard cabins sized 14 m2 (150 ft2), while French Balcony cabins are 13 m2. French Balcony Suites measure 19 m2, and Two-Room Grand Suites are 26 m2. All cabins are equipped with UK-made Savoir beds and premium bedding. All staterooms on Deck 3 (Murano) feature French Balconies—electronically controlled sliding floor-to-ceiling windows opening to a railing. All passenger bathrooms were fully renovated (tiles, furnishings, LED lighting, vanity tops). Signature Savoir beds are handcrafted and provide ample under-bed storage, luxury bedding (100% Egyptian cotton), duvets, and a pillow menu.

Standard cabin amenities include boutique décor (opulent interiors with high-quality wooden furniture, brass finishes, and wood-paneled walls), a queen-size bed (some convertible to twins), bedside cabinets (three-drawer), wall-mounted reading lamps, large wardrobes (2–3 built-in closets), smart HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system/Internet, movies on demand, and “View From the Bridge” real-time webcam), direct-dial telephone (intercom), electronic safe (in the closet), mirrored dressing table, chair, bottled water (replenished daily), individually controlled air conditioning (thermostat), 110/220V power outlets, and an en-suite marble bathroom (WC, single-sink vanity, magnifying mirror, glass shower cubicle, hairdryer, towel warmer, waffle bathrobes, plush towels, slippers, and Asprey bath products—shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion).

Both Two-Room Grand Suites (midship-aft on Deck 3 Murano) feature two French balconies (in both the bedroom and living room), a larger bathroom (double-sink vanity, separate shower, bathtub, rain shower, Hermès bath products), a bedroom (fixed queen bed), and a living room (three-seat sofa, two chairs, and two glass-top coffee tables). The two French Balcony Suites (midship on Deck 3 Murano) include a two-seat sofa, a fixed double bed, and a larger bathroom (double-sink vanity, separate shower, rain shower, Hermès bath products, no bathtub).

All cabins on Deck 2 (Burano-Mazzorbo) are the same size (14 m2) and feature a large, wall-to-wall, half-height, non-opening picture window. All cabins on Deck 1 (Torcello) are equipped with two non-opening porthole windows located at water level (positioned high on the riverside wall).

One pair of French Balcony staterooms (408–410) are connecting and can be booked as a family cabin with quad occupancy.

Shipboard facilities

On Deck 2 forward (Mazzorbo Deck) are located the Serenity River Spa (massage room with professional therapist), Beauty Salon (hair, nail, and barber services), a 24-hour tea and coffee station (complimentary beverages and light snacks), Boutique Shop, Internet corner, and Fitness Center (with exercise bikes, treadmill, rowing machine, free weights, and yoga mats). La Cantinetta (a specialty dining venue at additional cost) offers à la carte wine-pairing dinners and gourmet cuisine prepared to order. On Deck 2 aft (Burano Deck) is the Sauna Room.

On Murano Deck (Deck 3) are located Hari’s Bar Lounge (forward), the Lobby Hall (Reception, Uniworld Tours Desk, and seating area), the Captain’s Club (midship), and Ristorante Rialto (aft).

Ristorante Rialto is the ship’s open-seating main dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows, waiter service, and scheduled dining times aligned with daily activities. Breakfast (7:00–9:00 am) is buffet-style, featuring cereals, breads, cheeses, cold cuts, fruits, yogurt, smoothies, sausages, and made-to-order egg dishes. Lunch (12:30–2:00 pm) includes soups, carvery, salads, hot dishes, pasta, sandwiches, desserts, and local specialties. Dinner (from 7:00–7:30 pm, following the cocktail hour) is a four-course, waiter-served experience available until 9:00 pm, with a variety of starters, soups, main courses (fish, meat, vegetarian), desserts, and cheese plates. Complimentary wines reflect the sailing region, and alternative dishes such as steak and chicken are available upon request. À la carte menus are also offered at breakfast and lunch.

The Captain’s Club serves as a library and games room, with tables, books, board games, and playing cards. Hari’s Bar Lounge is the ship’s main entertainment venue, featuring a dance floor, live music, and performances by local artists. It also hosts Uniworld’s enrichment program, including cooking demonstrations, guest lectures, crew shows, and Cruise Director briefings.

On the Sun Deck are the Navigation Bridge (wheelhouse), a bike station (complimentary bicycles with locks; helmets available upon request), Sienna Salon (café), and a games area with shuffleboard and a giant chess set. Sienna Salon is a conservatory-style indoor-outdoor lounge with a retractable roof and glass walls, offering flexible seating depending on weather conditions. It also serves as an alternative dining venue with waiter service and a light menu (pizzas, pasta, salads, soups, sandwiches), as well as hosting brunches and cocktail events. Weather permitting, complimentary fitness classes such as yoga, aerobics, and Zumba are held on the Sun Deck.

One passenger elevator connects all cabin decks, and a stairlift links Decks 3 and 4.

SS La Venezia river cruise prices are per person based on double occupancy and are indicative only. Final rates may vary depending on promotions, travel agency offers, group bookings, and last-minute deals. Uniworld also offers air-inclusive packages and pre- and post-cruise hotel extensions at an additional cost.

The vessel (ENI number 07001802) is Holland-flagged (MMSI 244780776) and was built in the Netherlands by Scheepswerf Den Breejen (Hardinxveld-Giessendam).

In April 2013, Uniworld introduced Po River cruise tours in Italy, aiming to become the most luxurious operator on the country’s inland waterways. The company achieved this with the remodeled River Countess, which, after 10 years of service, underwent a complete drydock refurbishment in 2012 at a cost exceeding USD 5 million. The vessel was redesigned by a team from Red Carnation Hotels (a sister company of Uniworld under The Travel Corporation).

The boat’s name is inspired by the Carnival Corporation-owned cruise ship Carnival Venezia (built in 2019 as Costa Venezia).

Due to the vessel’s unique Italian itineraries, some shore excursions (for example, to Verona, Ravenna, Bologna, and Padua) require bus travel of 1–2 hours, resulting in less cruising time compared to a typical river voyage. The ship’s Po River itineraries include 3-day roundtrips from Venice (Venezia), as well as one-way voyages from Milan and Rome to Venice. This is currently Uniworld’s only ship operating in Italy. Another large European riverboat deployed year-round in Italy is CroisiEurope's MS Michelangelo.

Note: CruiseMapper provides a complete list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the “itinerary” section of the River Cruises hub, where all companies and their fleets are listed.