The newest member of the Uniworld fleet, the ๐˜š.๐˜š. ๐˜Œ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ฆ, was christened at the weekend in Amsterdam before setting off on its inaugural cruise.

In line with tradition, the event featured the ceremonial breaking of a champagne bottle on the bow โ€“ a custom meant to โ€œbring good luck and safe passage to all those who sail aboard a new shipโ€, according to the river cruise line.

Uniworld CEO Ellen Bettridge led the ceremony, inviting the godmother of the ๐˜š.๐˜š. ๐˜Œ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ฆ, Julie Higgins, and the shipโ€™s captains to take part in this long-held practice.

Higgins joined the Uniworld family 22 years ago as a cabin stewardess aboard the ๐˜™๐˜ช๐˜ท๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ ๐˜—๐˜ณ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ค๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ด, and has worked her way up to become the companyโ€™s Director of Hotel Operations, as well as its very first Uniworld Sustainability Officer.

โ€œWe are so excited to add Godmother of the ๐˜š.๐˜š. ๐˜Œ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ฆ to the list of Julieโ€™s titles at Uniworld,โ€ it said.