Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection recently posted some of the first photographs of the interiors of its forthcoming S.S. Maria Theresa on its corporate Facebook page, and like the rest of its fleet, S.S. Maria Theresa’s eclectic design is intended to both impress and inspire.

Named after Maria Theresa, the Archduchess of Austria and Empress of the Holy Roman Empire who’s claim to fame includes her reign as the only female ruler of the Habsburg Dynasty from 1740 to 1780, the S.S. Maria Theresa features decidedly baroque interior décor that would not be out of place at Vienna’s Hofburg Palace, the traditional residence of the Habsburgs.

The design of the S.S. Maria Theresa was overseen by sister-company Red Carnation Hotel Collection founder and President Beatrice Tollman, her daughter Toni Tollman, and Projects Director Brian Brennan.

“Our aim is to transport each guest into experiencing the fantasy of living in an 18th-century Baroque castle. We designed the S.S. Maria Theresa to take our guests on a journey back in time with an onboard atmosphere and style seamlessly integrated with the history and architecture of the very places they will visit onshore, as well as provide them with the latest in luxurious comfort and technology, of course,” states Toni Tollman.

Throughout the S.S. Maria Theresa, royal blue, antique golds, shades of white, and soft gray colors that were popular during the 18th century abound. Design features include mirrored or silk-clad walls, antique white wood paneling, carved twisted columns, Habsburg coronets hand-painted with 22-carat gold leaf, and custom furniture pieces, all made by master craftsmen.

This intricate handiwork has been painstakingly accomplished by a team of skilled artisans from around the world, including ceramicists and specialist painters who were commissioned to ensure the period was recreated with authenticity, luxury, passion, and detail.

In the Habsburg Salon, five murals depicting the 18th-century Austrian countryside have been hand-painted by specialist painter Croxford and Saunders. A selection of hand-picked antiques and inspirational paintings from different artists of the period round out the décor mix.

With the release of these first images of the recently-completed S.S. Maria Theresa, the unique and historic onboard ambiance and interior décor that Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has become known for is evidently alive and well. Her interiors are sure to please the line’s faithful past-passenger base, and will no doubt attract others who are drawn to this mix of modernism and Baroque styling blended into one.

Uniworld’s S.S. Maria Theresa will be christened on Thursday, March 26^th in the port of Amsterdam, and we’ll be on-hand at the ceremonies for a first-hand look at what could be Uniworld’s most spectacular vessel to-date.

Also stay tuned for Ralph Grizzle’s live voyage report on S.S. Maria Theresa as he sails her from Budapest to Amsterdam May 3 through May 17, 2015.

More information on Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection can be found by viewing our company overview here on River Cruise Advisor.