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Uniworld Unveils Design of S.S. Maria Theresa
S.S. Maria Theresa Design is Opulent
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has revealed the highly anticipated design of their newest Super Ship, S.S. Maria Theresa and it sounds magnificent.
The design team led by design visionaries from Uniworld’s award-winning sister company The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, took inspiration from the Baroque period over which Maria Theresa presided. “Our aim is to transport each guest into experiencing the fantasy of living in an 18th-century Baroque castle.”
The striking three-tiered lobby is dominated by a sweeping marble staircase with wrought-iron, hand-gilded balustrade, and royal crown detailing. A hand-painted Tromp L’Oeil-inspired mural and glittering Venetian Murano glass chandelier evoke the feeling of walking through Maria Theresa’s 18th-century Schönbrunn palace.
The ship will have a color palette of royal blue, antique golds, shades of white, and soft gray colors that were popular during the 18th century abound. Design features include mirrored or silk-clad walls, antique white wood paneling, carved twisted columns, and Habsburg coronets hand-painted with 22-carat gold leaf.
In the Habsburg Salon, where guests can relax with a book or enjoy afternoon tea, are five murals depicting the 18th-century Austrian countryside hand-painted by specialist painter Croxford and Saunders. The salon will also include a selection of hand-picked antiques and inspirational paintings.
Other public areas include the authentic Viennese Café, where guests can linger for hours enjoying local specialties, such as classic Austrian sachertorte, Würstl, (Viennese sausage), and famous Viennese coffee. Uniworld’s stylish signature Leopard Bar designed with elegantly muted colors and intricate mosaic tile murals created by the famous South African mosaic tile artist, Jane du Rand. The stunning 10-seat Lipizzan Cinema will have deep blue velvet loveseats that offer perfect place for movie viewing. Guests can exercise and unwind at a fitness center, swimming pool, and Serenity River Spa.
The S.S. Maria will offer 64 staterooms, 10 suites, and 1 Royal Suite. All staterooms will have fabric-wall coverings, antique furnishings, original art, canopy or four poster custom made-to-order English Savoir beds, and open-air or French balconies. All the rooms will have marble-clad bathrooms and keypad-controlled lighting. Suites will have drop-down televisions and and staterooms will have hidden-mirrored televisions.
The S.S. Maria Theresa will be christened in Amsterdam on March 26, 2015 by its godmother, Princess Anita von Hohenberg, a direct descendent of Maria Theresa and great-granddaughter of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie von Hohenberg.
Uniworld’s S.S. Maria Theresa will set sail on her inaugural voyage on March 28 through the heart of Maria Theresa’s vast former empire on Uniworld’s “European Jewels” voyage from Budapest to Amsterdam. She will also serve the line’s popular “Tulips & Windmills,” “European Holiday Markets,” and “Grand Christmas & New Year’s Cruise” itineraries.
Uniworld’s S.S. Maria Theresa is truly a majestic masterpiece of epic proportion.
Images for the S.S. Maria Theresa haven’t been released but will get them up as soon as they become available.
Images courtesy Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
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