Rachel Dratch is largely known for her Saturday Night Live character, “Debbie Downer,” but the actress and comedian will soon be taking the stage in front of a new audience — cruisers.
Dratch will become the headline performer for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ first-ever Women-Only Cruise through the heart of France this summer.
Guests will enjoy an exclusive comedy set and a special Q&A session with Dratch during the cruise, which sets sail on August 24, 2025. It will incorporate Uniworld’s Burgundy & Provence itinerary, an eight-day trip onboard the S.S. Catherine with stops in Arles, Viviers, Avignon and Lyon.
“We are beyond excited to welcome the incredibly talented and hilarious Rachel Dratch aboard our special Women-Only Cruise,” stated Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of Uniworld. “Rachel is the perfect fit for what promises to be an unforgettable trip, and I’m looking forward to being onboard to host her and all of our guests on this sailing.”
In an interview with Forbes, Dratch explained that she heard about the Women-Only Cruise through a call from her agent. She added that this cruise sounded like the kind of trip she would take with some friends, if she was organized enough to plan it!
“I love it when a work situation takes me somewhere great. It has happened a few times in the past, and I try to say yes when these rare opportunities come up in life.”
In terms of going on a cruise, Dratch confessed that she has never taken one before. “I think it sounds fun to ease into cruising on a smaller boat, and on a river no less,” she said. “Honestly, my view of cruising probably comes from watching The Love Boat when I was a kid.”
Dratch once she lived with a family in France for a semester during college; while there, she saw a lot of the country. However, she’s never been to the area where this Uniworld cruise is going but plans to do a few excursions.
“I do love to travel. I like a girls’ trip, and now that I have a child, I have taken him on a few special trips, too,” said Dratch. “I’m not someone who is very particular on ‘must haves’ – like ‘oh I need my lavender spray and my favorite pillow.’ Honestly, I’m lucky if I get there and find out I didn’t pack all shirts and only one pair of pants. I’m the type to throw a bunch of stuff in a bag and hope I have something to wear when I arrive.”
A veteran of Chicago’s Second City, Dratch was an SNL cast member from 1999 to 2006. Her IMDB profile includes King of Queens, 30 Rock, Shameless, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Just Go with It and Wine Country.
Dratch is also the author of the critically acclaimed memoir, Girl Walks into a Bar. She has lent her voice to animated series such as Bob’s Burgers and will next be heard in the upcoming Fox series, Grimsburg.
Dratch made her Broadway debut in POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. She received a Tony nomination for her performance.
Dratch is now working on a writing project with fellow ex-SNL cast member Ana Gasteyer.
“We wrote a parody of a Hallmark Christmas movie that came out a couple of years ago and we are keeping that Christmas train going,” said Dratch. “I also have a podcast currently running called ‘Woo Woo with Rachel Dratch,’ where I have my funny friends on to talk about ‘woo woo’ stuff like ghosts and psychics, that kind of thing!”
For Dratch, this Uniworld’s Women-Only Cruise is sure to be a source for new material.