My colleagues and I had the honour of being amongst the first people to stay on board Uniworld's brand-new ship, S.S. Emilie. Named after the beloved muse of famed Viennese painter Gustav Klimt, it's safe to say S.S. Emilie is a work of art in her own right!
Upon arrival at the port in Amsterdam, embarkation was relaxed and easy. A member of staff was waiting at the bottom of the gangway to take our luggage to our staterooms, and we were greeted on board by a smiling waiter with a glass of champagne. When you embark the ship, you step straight into the main atrium, which really takes your breath away with a sweeping staircase, a grand chandelier and a floor-to-ceiling mural of Emilie Floge.
The stylistic elements throughout the ship were classic with a modern twist, with hues of green, blue and yellow, as well as striking gold accents and mahogany, which really make the colours pop. The artwork throughout the ship, as a nod to Gustav Klimt's work, is strikingly beautiful, whilst still offering a very chic and relaxed atmosphere.
I stayed in a Suite which was very spacious at 286 sq ft, with a large comfortable bed facing floor-to-ceiling French Balcony windows, so you can wake up to the lovely views of the river. Two TV one on the wall and one that came down remotely above the bed. The beds are the comfiest I have ever slept in, equipped with Savoir mattresses and pillows, which are used by the royal family, and sateen sheets. My suite had a large marble bathroom with a power shower and a double basin vanity area, with Asprey toiletries and 100% Egyptian Cotton towels. We also had a walk-in wardrobe with bathrobes and slippers, a hairdryer and a minibar stocked with soft drinks and beer.
Aside from my suite, some of my favourite spaces on board included the Sun Deck, which has sun beds and loungers to relax on with waiters on hand to serve whatever drinks you wish. Also The Brocade Bar at the aft of the ship has an outdoor area that really gets the sun, with tables and chairs to sit and sip whilst you sail, as well as a 24/7 Nespresso coffee machine and fresh cookies to hand.
All meals are served either in the main dining room or the buffet, with an excellent variety of dishes that change daily. At lunch, I enjoyed fish, fresh pastas and on one of the days, boneless lamb, which just melted in the mouth. Each night offered plenty of variety in the form of regionally inspired appetisers, soups, mains and desserts. Always available options were sirloin steak, free range chicken breast and Norwegian salmon. The service in the restaurant was exceptional, with friendly, attentive staff who brought out the food at the perfect pace and ensured our wine glasses were topped up.
A lot of staff have worked for Uniworld for over 10-15 years and they are trained to the highest standard, coming from some of the leading hotels of the world. With a staff ratio of 2-1, all the staff seemed happy to be there, and nothing was too much trouble. As an example, one of the ladies on my table at dinner had a preference for a specific rosé wine, so the following day the sommelier got off the ship in Amsterdam to acquire some and ensured it was brought immediately over to her that evening!
I feel incredibly lucky to have been one of the first people to stay aboard the amazing S.S. Emilie and I can't wait for our customers to experience it for themselves.
