Habsburg Princess Christens Uniworld’s Maria Theresa

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection’s newest vessel, the S.S. Maria Theresa, was christened yesterday by its Godmother, Princess Anita von Hohenberg, during an elegant ceremony in Amsterdam.

Princess Anita, a direct descendent of Maria Theresa, was joined by Guy Young, president and CEO of Uniworld; the Tollman family, who have owned and operated Uniworld for more than 10 years; and approximately 120 guests.
Maria Theresa is fashioned in the spirit of its great namesake and will cruise the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers through the heart of Maria Theresa’s vast empire. The inaugural voyage departs tomorrow (March 28), with guests experiencing the best of Belgium and the Netherlands on an exclusive nine-day “Tulips & Windmills” itinerary.
Young began the proceedings by introducing Beatrice Tollman, who leads Uniworld’s design team and provides input to the cruise line’s food and service standards.
“Launching this ship has been one of the delights of my life,” said Tollman. “I hope everyone here today, and each and every guest to come, will be touched by the incredible beauty, attention to detail and personal service they will experience on board. Creating wonderful memories for our guests is absolutely at the heart of everything we do.”
Young also introduced the ship’s Godmother to the crowd.
“It is my great pleasure to welcome Princess Anita von Hohenberg as Godmother of the S.S. Maria Theresa,” said Young. “As a direct descendant of the ship’s namesake, and as managing director and owner of Artstetten Castle, where she has been welcoming Uniworld guests for many years, she is the perfect fit to christen our new masterpiece.”
“I’d like to thank the Tollman family for your generosity in extending this honour and responsibility to me, and for your ideas and entrepreneurship in creating this beautiful tribute to Maria Theresa, who left such a strong legacy across Europe,” said Princess Anita. “This new magnificent vessel, with her Captain, staff and family, is in the very best hands. It is truly a floating castle.”
Pictured are Young, Tollman and Princess von Hohenberg.