by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 1:50 PM ET, Wed November 19, 2025
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has selected Julie Higgins, the company’s sustainability officer, to be the godmother of its newest ship S.S. Emilie.
The vessel, which is slated to debut in Europe in the spring of 2026, is named after Emilie Flöge, the life partner of Austrian painter Gustav Klimt.
The S.S. Emilie will have the brand’s most advanced sustainability features to date, including an optimized hull and bow design for improved fuel efficiency and smoother navigation; advanced data and navigation systems to improve energy efficiency; engine aftertreatment systems to reduce emissions; heat recovery systems that reduce energy consumption; battery packs to minimize fuel use and prevent power waste; and new gym equipment to reduce electrical reliance.
Onboard S.S. Emilie, guests will also be able to participate in MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experiences—hands-on excursions focused on sustainability and giving back.
Looking ahead, Uniworld plans to launch two more ships—S.S. Audrey and S.S. Marlene—in 2027. They will incorporate all of S.S. Emilie’s sustainable technologies, as well as an air-conditioning system cooled by river water.
“Julie’s unwavering dedication to advancing our sustainability goals makes her the perfect Godmother for the S.S. Emilie,” says Ellen Bettridge, president and chief executive officer of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. “This ship represents the next era of river cruising at Uniworld, where conscious design and exceptional luxury seamlessly coexist. Julie is an instrumental part of our team, and we’re incredibly proud to see her christen this vessel as a symbol of our shared commitment to a better and more sustainable future.”
Higgins has been with Uniworld for more than 20 years, with a focus on hotel operations and sustainable tourism. In 2022, she helped Uniworld become the first river cruise line to publish a sustainability report and she is helping the line advance its 11 sustainability goals, including achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or earlier.
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