THE A

Former name: River Ambassador

THE A current position

THE A current location is at Europe Inland (coordinates 51.84413 N / 5.81758 E) cruising en route to NIJMEGEN. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.

Current Position

Specifications of THE A

Year of build1993  /  Age: 31
Flag state Netherlands
BuilderShipyard De Hoop BV (Lobith, Holland)
Speed13 kn / 24 km/h / 15 mph
Length (LOA)110 m / 361 ft
Beam (width)11 m / 36 ft
Passengers120
Crew41
Decks3
Cabins58
Decks with cabins2
Last Refurbishment2018
Sister-shipsTHE B (River Baroness)
Former namesRiver Ambassador
Owner(TravCorp) The Travel Corporation
OperatorU River Cruises (Uniworld)

THE A Review

Review of THE A

"U by Uniworld" River Ambassador ("THE A") ship cruises on Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers departing from Amsterdam, Vienna, Prague, Basel and Frankfurt am Main.

Uniworld (officially "Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection") is a major river cruise company part of The Travel Corporation group.

With similar features and amenities are the Uniworld ships Baroness (1994, now THE B), Countess (2003, now SS La Venezia), Duchess (2003), Empress (2001), Princess (2001), Queen (1999), Royale (2006).

THE A cruise ship (Uniworld) River Ambassador

Note: Since April 2018, the ship operates under the new brand "U by Uniworld" (being renamed to "THE A"), and together with the fleetmate River Baroness (THE B) cruises on Seine River, departing from Paris France.

  • The "U by Uniworld" brand product is tailored for travelers ages 21-45, with fewer price-inclusions in comparison to standard Uniworld deals.
  • "U by Uniworld" deals are inclusive of 2 meals a day (breakfast and dinner) and 1 or 2 shore excursions (each day). Optional tours and excursions (at additional prices) are offered each day.
  • After the refit in 2017, both riverboats are with all black hulls, gym, main lounge, rooftop bar lounge, coffee bar, 2 dining venues ((main restaurant and rooftop / alfresco). Cabins are in only 3 categories.
  • Both "U by Uniworld" ships were launched on April 14, 2018.
  • THE A ship operates on Rhine, Main and Danube itineraries, featuring overnights and longer port stays in Amsterdam Holland, Budapest Hungary, Vienna Austria.

In 2020, both sisterships (THE A, THE B) were redeployed in Central Europe and their itinerary programs were changed. THE B cruises between homeports Brussels-Amsterdam and Amsterdam-Frankfurt, while THE A cruises between homeports Nuremberg-Vienna and Vienna-Belgrade.

In 2020, "U by Uniworld" was rebranded to "U River Cruises", with planned inauguration in April (2020). However, THE A's and THE B's inaugural departure dates were rescheduled for May 1 (THE B) and May 15 (THE A). For season 2020, the boats introduced 3 new 8-day itineraries.

MS River Ambassador cruise ship entered service in 1993. She's one of Uniworld's older boats. After the refurbs in 2006 and 2011, it's hard to distinguish the age of this 118-passenger ship due to the light and stylish interiors.

 

Cabins

River Ambassador suites and staterooms on the Rhine Deck feature French balconies. All Riverview suites and standard staterooms are with handcrafted UK-made Savoir beds and top-luxury bedding sets. The amenities also include built-in closets, individual climate control, hairdryer, direct-dial phone, flat-screen TV, infotainment center and complimentary movie options, bottled water and Marble bathrooms with L'Occitane en Provence products. Ship's guests can benefit from the 24-hour reception service and complimentary specialty coffee bar, free Internet and Wi-Fi access. Uniworld cruises focus on walking and exploration tours with local guides.

River Ambassador river cruise prices are per person and based on double occupancy. These are only indicative Uniworld rates. They might be different when you book your Uniworld River Ambassador cruise only or cruise tour deals, influenced by travel agency promotions, special offers and discounts, group travel booking or last-minute deals rates. Uniworld offers air-inclusive cruise deals and pre/post-cruise hotel packages as extensions (at additional cost).

After River Ambassador boat's refit and refurbishment in 2017, "U by Uniworld" THE A ship now has 4 suites, 29 studio bedrooms (single cabins), 26 balcony staterooms and 2 studio bedrooms with triple occupancy. All accommodations provide uobstructed outside views and built-in Bluetooth speakers.

THE A cruise ship (Uniworld) River Ambassador

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The new brand "U by Uniworld" provides as onboard meals many local (river cruise itinerary-based) dishes made from locally sourced and freshest ingredients. Among the dining options are classic and comfort food choices, as well as plenty of organic, vegan, vegetarian and healthy food choices. Special dietary needs are always accommodated upon request.

The boat provides 2 meals a day (based on its daily schedule). You can also offer custom-made food, like specialty burgers (bacon, goat cheese, fresh-made fries), make-your-own pizza (fresh local toppings), homemade granola (breakfast food with fresh juices). Whenever possible, local street food is also served.

Water, teas and coffees are also included in the fares. Extra cost craft beers, wine by the bottle, cocktails, specialty coffees. Since 2021, U by Uniworld cruise deals are inclusive of wine and beer by the glass (at lunches and dinners) and roundtrip airport transfers. Ticket price-inclusive are 3x daily meals (with locally sourced ingredients), 2x U Hosts (dedicated staff/destination experts), daily shore excursions, local DJ performances (on the boat's rooftop bar lounge), all gratuities, shipwide Wi-Fi.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

River Ambassador features the Main Lounge (with a dance floor and full-service Bar), Sun Deck (chessboard, shuffleboard), Library, Boutique Shop, Serenity Spa. On river cruising days, the ship often stops in picturesque locations, where on the Sun Deck passengers can create their very own painting - wine and supplies are provided complimentary.

Also organized onboard are mixology classes (for making signature cocktails), cooking classes (multi-course, led by the boat's chef), silent disco (headphones are provided), complimentary yoga classes (held in the mornings on the Sun Deck, led by the boat's wellness coach). Complimentary Wi-Fi access (throughout the ship) is also provided.

"U by Uniworld" THE A ship offers two roof-top / outdoor venues, entertainment with international DJs, professional mixologists, communal dining tables, farm-to-table cuisine.

"U by Uniworld" cruisetours and excursions

All river cruise itineraries are with included/complimentary tours, among which are bicycle rides (along the river or in some cities), evening strolls, canal cruising (Amsterdam), vineyard hikes, castle tours. Additional ship amenities include complimentary use of Nordic walking sticks and bicycles on all Uniworld cruises' shore excursions.

All boat-to-town transfers are complimentary. Passengers can always plan their own private excursions. In addition, there are specially planned excursions, events and shore activities created by the company's destination experts. These are optional (at extra charge) tour offers available on most itinerary days. Some activities are relaxed and low-key, others are for more active passengers. U by Uniworld promises the benefits of best booking prices, complimentary transportation to and from the boat, and high-quality expert service.

"U by Uniworld" Itineraries

U by Uniworld cruise prices start from GBP 160 / USD 250 pp per day (in comparison to USD 330 pp per day for lowest-priced off-season Uniworld cruise. U by Uniworld ships - THE B (Baroness) and THE A (Ambassador) operate on Seine, Rhine, Main and Danube river itineraries, with overnights and longer port stays in major cities.

THE A cruise ship's 10-day itineraries are themed as "The Danube Flow", "Germany's Finest", "Rolling on the Rhine". In addition, Holiday Cruises (5-day itineraries) themed "A Merry Little Christmas" and "Dashing Through The Danube", are offered.

In 2020, both sisterships (THE A, THE B) were scheduled for deployment in Central Europe with new itinerary programs. THE B cruises were planned between homeports Brussels-Amsterdam and Amsterdam-Frankfurt, and THE A cruises - between homeports Nuremberg-Vienna and Vienna-Belgrade.

THE A - user reviews and comments

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    THE A Wiki

    River Ambassador ship is one of the older boats owned by this major river cruise line. The ship passed through extensive refurbishment projects - in 2006 and in 2011. 

    At the end of 2016, Uniworld introduced a new cruise line brand named "U by Uniworld". The new brand was created specifically for younger travellers (aged between 18-40). It is operated with a fleet of two newly refurbished ships and offers longer port stays on the company's European river cruise itineraries.

    The new line's fleet includes the 116-passenger riverboats River Ambassador (launched 1999) and River Baroness (launched 1997). The renovated ships feature more contemporary interior design, communal tables for dining, onboard cocktail mixologists, onboard DJs.

    "U by Uniworld" is operated with separate brochures, a new website (ubyuniworld.com) and separate pricing.

    Starting April 2018 (Inaugural cruise April 14), "U by Uniworld" deals are inclusive of 2 gourmet meals per day, unlimited drinks (coffee and tea), wine and soft beverages (lunch and dinner), free Wi-Fi, gratuities. Prices start from USD 2500 (8-day River Ambassador cruise). U by Uniworld itineraries feature overnights and longer port stays in AmsterdamBudapestVienna. The 8-day maiden voyage's prices started from USD 187 pp per day.

    Signature themed shipboard activities are outdoor yoga, classes (cooking, painting with wine, bar mixology), sundeck boutique bar lounge, "silent disco" (on the sun deck, passengers dancing with earphones on), themed excursions (Seine River kayaking, Budapest river rafting).

    The new brand's social media campaign is hashtagged #AllAboutU, to collate requests and suggestions for Uniworld's new cruising vacation experience.

    Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.