Uniworld picks model Petra Nemcova as ‘guardian angel’ of its new millennial cruise line

U by Uniworld has thrown the tradition of naming ship “godmothers� overboard. Instead, the new river cruise brand geared toward millennial travelers recently named Victoria Secret model Petra Nemcova as its “guardian angel.�

“We’re making history with this concept, so rather than follow the traditional ‘Godmother’ path for each individual ship, we’re paving our own way forward,� president and CEO Ellen Bettridge of parent company Uniworld Boutique River Collection said in a media statement.

The U line is set to debut in 2018 and is being marketed to 21- to 45-year-olds to tap into younger cruise passengers.

The ships — The A (what was the River Ambassador) and The B (formerly the River Baroness — will be redone with all-black exteriors).

The A will travel exclusively on Germany’s Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, and The B will sail on France’s Seine.

Highlights inside include communal dining tables for hanging out and an upper-deck lounge with a bar. Deck spaces will pump up the comfy factor with hammocks, bean bags and large sun beds.

DJs and overnights in popular European cities for late-night partying are part of the plan too.

But back to the guardian angel.

Nemcova will be sailing on a “sneak peek� Paris cruise in October. Participants on the sailing will be chosen from travel agents who participate in a video contest.

U also is supporting Happy Hearts Fund, a charity started by Nemcova in 2006, which works to help rebuild schools after natural disasters. The model founded the nonprofit organization after surviving the deadly 2004 tsunami in Thailand.

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