Alternative Dining in the Spotlight at Uniworld

River cruise lines continue to up the culinary stakes on the alternative dining front. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, for one, has introduced a number of new dining options this year.

“Our culinary staff is devoted to creating the ultimate dining experiences,” says Ellen Bettridge, CEO and president of the line. “We take pride in bringing a taste of each destination onboard our ships while providing a variety of dining options for our guests. From cooking with the renowned chefs onboard to tasting regional wine from local vineyards, we are bringing our guests completely authentic and immersive culinary moments.”

Some of the more popular new dining options include Progressive Dinners, available on Super Ships in Europe. Guests can eat each course in a different location, from the galley to the top deck. Menu offerings vary by season. But, regional options may include soup of the day served with puff pastries, homemade seafood cigar with sweet chili dip, beef roulade, fresh locally-sourced vegetables and homemade sorbets.

Cooking classes are also available at several of the Uniworld restaurants. Among them is Max’s restaurant on the newly-renovated S.S. Beatrice. Guests can learn how to prepare local European specialties, such as wiener schnitzel and goulash. On La Cave du Vin aboard S.S. Joie de Vivre, the experience goes a bit further. Guests can select fresh ingredients and prepare a seven-course meal with the ship’s onboard chefs.

Alfresco dining is also available on five of Uniworld’s ships, including the River Empress, River Princess, River Countess, River Duchess and River Queen. Guests can enjoy a four-course meal on the top deck while enjoying the riverside scenery, or they can opt for evening dining under the stars.

Another point of distinction aboard Uniworld’s ships in Europe is round-the-clock room service. There is no additional charge for delivery to a suite, the bar, top deck or lobby.