Sustainability Officer Julie Higgins has been announced as the Godmother of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ newest Super Ship, the S.S. Emilie, according to a press release.

Higgins will name the ship on March 21, 2026 before it sets out on its inaugural sailing on the Rhine River in Europe.

“Julie’s unwavering dedication to advancing our sustainability goals makes her the perfect Godmother for the S.S. Emilie. 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,” said Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.

Higgins has been with Uniworld for over 20 years, offering expertise in sustainable tourism and hotel operations, the company said.

She is currently overseeing Uniworld’s global sustainability strategy. Higgins was also in charge of Uniworld’s milestone achievement, which saw the brand become the first river cruise to publish a sustainability report in 2022. Higgins continues to help Uniworld achieve its sustainability goals.

The S.S. Emile is the brand’s first newbuild since 2020. The ship was named after Austrian painter Gustav Klimt’s life partner Emile Floge and is inspired by his work. Guests who book a river cruise aboard this vessel will have the opportunity to participate in several sustainability and giving-back-focused “MAKE TRAVEL MATTER’ experiences.