Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has announced changes to its 2019 Exotics Asia and Egypt programme, including a new ship on China’s Yangtze River.

To improve its offering on its river cruises on the Ganges, Yangtze, Mekong and Nile rivers, the company is launching its flight-inclusive 2019 programme with a free business class upgrade offer one way, across its Exotics product when bookings are made before 31 July or until the limited space is sold out.

Uniworld will also introduce a new ship on the Yangtze River in 2019, the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer. All cabins and suites have private balconies, while other on-board facilities include an observation deck, two-floor theatre, library, and spa, beauty and fitness facilities.

The Highlights of China & The Yangtze itinerary now has an optional seven-day pre-trip to Mongolia including visits to the Gobi Desert and capital city, Ulaanbaatar, while the Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap itinerary has been shortened to 13 days (15 including flights) with an optional four-night extension to Hanoi and Ha Long Bay that includes one night aboard a luxury junk boat.

Meanwhile, a wellness programme centred on yoga has been added to the India Golden Triangle & Sacred Ganges itinerary. This complimentary programme is available on every sailing and is accompanied by a nutrition and wellness food menu.

This Indian itinerary also offers an exclusive Uniworld ME to WE alternative pre-cruise option, an immersive experience that brings guests closer to local communities.

In Egypt, Uniworld is introducing two new optional extensions to Splendours of Egypt & the Nile sailings in 2019 – a pre-cruise, four-night trip to Jordan with stops in Amman and Petra that includes a one-way flight between Amman and Cairo and a post-cruise, four-night extension to Jerusalem including a one-way flight between Cairo and Tel Aviv.