Review: S.S. La Venezia

What is the line? Uniworld

Name of ship? S.S. La Venezia

Passenger occupancy? 126

Itinerary? Venice and Jewels of the Veneto

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?

Uniworld is a luxury river cruise line known for its design-focused ships and all-inclusive pricing. It has a fleet of 19 vessels that sail rivers in Europe, Southeast Asia, Egypt, India, and South America.

Tell us about the ship in general.

After a 2020 refurbishment, S.S. La Venezia celebrates 1930s Venice with a smorgasbord of glamorous Venetian decor. The ship is bedecked in opulent Fortuny fabrics and ornate Murano glass, the former produced just across the Giudecca Canal and the latter at one of the ship's ports of call. Sumptuous maximalism is the name of the game, just as you might find in a classic Venetian palazzo—in fact, this ship exudes the atmosphere of a boutique hotel that might be housed in a former private home. The standout space for me is the lobby, which is a black-and-gold affair where palm motifs abound; it was inspired by the Fortuny showroom, which you can see out your cabin window from the ship's primary berth in Venice.

Who is onboard?

As is typical across European river cruises, the guests onboard S.S. La Venezia do skew more mature, and most guests are couples from the United States, with a smattering from the U.K. and Australia. Here and there you might find younger couples or mother-daughter duos, or perhaps even a solo traveler.

Describe the cabins.

The ship's maximalist design continues into the cabins. My Deluxe stateroom featured monochromatic patterned upholstery on the walls, the headboard, the bedskirt, a chair, and even the ceiling—it's a lot to take in, but I personally loved it. That said, the cabin is quite compact at just 151 square feet. Given the large (and very comfortable) bed, there's not a lot of space for two people to move around. The French Balcony cabins are the same dimensions, but the floor-to-ceiling sliding door makes the space feel much bigger.

For much more space, book one of the four 214-square-feet Suites, which have room for a loveseat, additional closets, and a double vanity in the bathroom. Or splurge a little more for one of the two Grand Suites, which, at 302 square feet, have a separate living room.

Tell us about the crew.

Most crewmembers hail from across Europe, and many have worked aboard various

Uniworld ships. I found the dining staff to be particularly attentive and convivial, though all the crew I interacted with onboard were highly professional.

What food and drink options are available on board?

Rialto's, the main restaurant, channels the atmosphere of the iconic Orient Express with design details like booth seating and etched glass panels. It serves all sorts of Italian fare with a focus on Venetian delicacies and ingredients. Breakfast and lunch are buffets with ample options—I was a fan of the rotating panini of the day—while dinner spans four courses. Expect classics like minestrone, linguine all'aglio, and melanzane alla parmigiana. There's also La Cantinetta, a private dining room that hosts cooking classes and wine-pairing dinners. While Uniworld cruises are all-inclusive, this restaurant commands an additional fee. For lighter bites, visit Hari's Bar, the main bar space that serves light bites like pastries and cookies at various points throughout the day—plus cocktails and wine all day long. All that said, my favorite meal was at Cielo's, the casual top-deck café that serves a variety of freshly-made personal pizzas. After a long day of sightseeing, sometimes the simplest dishes hit the spot.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

There is a massage room and a fitness center onboard. Perhaps unsurprisingly, both are small, but serviceable.

What about activities and entertainment?

Daytime activities were primarily excursion-based, though there were a few lectures by local guides to introduce you to the region. In the evenings, the ship occasionally brought live entertainment onboard, from a string quartet to opera singers. There's no theater onboard, so the performances were in Hari's Bar—arrive early for a prime seat, though the performers do move about the space when they can.

How was the experience for families?

Children are permitted onboard, but I wouldn't consider this a family-friendly ship. There's no programming for children, nor do most of the cabins have space to accommodate them with their parents. Uniworld does have the Generations Collection of sailings that are geared toward families, but those departures don't necessarily include the Venice itinerary on S.S. La Venezia.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?

S.S. La Venezia sails around the Venetian lagoon, not only stopping in Venice proper, but also Mazzorbo, which is connected to the colorful island of Burano by bridge, as well as the seaside town of Chioggia. I cannot stress enough how wonderful it is to have Uniworld handle all transportation for you in Venice—if the S.S. La Venezia doesn't sail there itself, the cruise line will charter private transportation for excursions. It is the easiest way to see all that Venice has to offer. You even have the option of visiting inland cities in the Veneto by bus one day; tour the academic city of Padua or the architectural hub of Vicenza. Because this isn't a sailing-heavy itinerary, many nights are spent docked in Venice, so you can easily head off to your own dinner ashore, or simply post-dinner drinks at a cocktail hotspot. This way, you can treat the ship as both your transportation and a boutique hotel.

While I love the decor of S.S. La Venezia, my favorite thing about the ship is its excursions. The local guides—particularly art historian Dr. Susan Steer—are exceptional at bringing the history of Venice to life right before your eyes on a series of exclusive private tours that allow you to see Venice's best sites without the crowds. One morning, we entered the Doge's Palace before opening hours to get a close-up look at the iconic artwork inside. One afternoon, a guard at the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta on Torcello unlocked the doors for our tour only. One evening, we visited St. Mark's Basilica after closing hours to ogle the gold mosaic ceiling illuminated by floodlights. Best of all, these excursions are included in the base fare of the sailing. And if you've visited Venice before and don't need to visit the main attractions, you're perfectly welcome to do your own thing all day long, too.

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking.

The gorgeous S.S. La Venezia is, without a doubt, the best way to experience Venice in terms of convenience, since the ship takes you (and your belongings) everywhere you need to go. And with special access to the top sites in Venice, you can avoid the crowds.