CALABASAS, CA – (MAY 21, 2018) – AmaWaterways today announced the appointment of cruise industry veteran Kevin Duffin, who joins the company as group chief financial officer (CFO). Effective immediately, Duffin will oversee all aspects of the company’s financial strategy from its headquarters in Calabasas, CA.
“Over the last 16 years, we have enjoyed tremendous growth at AmaWaterways – with the expansion of our fleet to 23 ships and new offices in the UK and Basel, Switzerland,” said Rudi Schreiner, president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “We are pleased to welcome Kevin to our family and tap into his wealth of financial expertise within the cruise sector, specifically, to support our future success.”
A seasoned professional, Duffin brings more than two decades of hospitality and cruise finance and strategy experience to AmaWaterways. After graduating from Baylor University, Duffin has held various finance leadership positions with Brinker International, KinderCare Education and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, where he spent 16 years working in revenue management, product marketing, operations finance, and corporate planning and strategy. Duffin last served as vice president of finance and strategy for Celebrity Cruises overseeing the brand’s financial planning, analysis and strategy.
This year, AmaWaterways expanded its European fleet with the addition of AmaLea, sister ship to the award-winning AmaKristina, AmaStella and AmaViola. AmaLeabegan her Danube itineraries on May 6 with an official christening ceremony taking place on May 26 in Vilshofen, Germany. In 2019, the line will welcome three new ships to its European fleet – AmaMagna, AmaMora and AmaDouro – the most in a single year since its 2002 launch. These new ships are sure to showcase the company’s commitment to innovation, excellence and luxury.
“Throughout my time in the cruise industry, I have admired AmaWaterways’ approach to pushing beyond the norms of river cruising and the company’s personal commitment to delivering the highest level of guest satisfaction,” said Duffin. “Needless to say, I am thrilled to be a part of this team as we step into an exciting phase of growth.”
For more information or to book an AmaWaterways river cruise, contact a travel professional, visit www.AmaWaterways.com or call (800) 626-0126. Follow AmaWaterways on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmaWaterways, Instagram @AmaWaterways and Twitter @AmaWaterways.
About AmaWaterways
A family-owned company celebrating 16 years on the river, AmaWaterways offers unforgettable river cruises with 23 ships in 2019 sailing Europe’s Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhone, Seine, Garonne, Dordogne, Dutch and Belgian Waterways and Douro Rivers, Southeast Asia’s Mekong and Africa’s Chobe River. The company is renowned for its innovative stateroom design featuring unique “twin balconies”; its wide choice of included shore excursions featuring biking and hiking options for the active traveler; and its award-winning dining—including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant as well as complimentary fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Modern, spacious and tastefully decorated, each ship features onboard amenities such as hair and massage salons and a fitness room, and many have heated outdoor swimming pools with swim-up bars. AmaWaterways leads the river cruise industry in innovation including the 2019 launch of AmaMagna,a new dimension in luxury river cruising at twice the width of traditional river ships plus a variety of themed sailings and brand relationships, offering group or chartered sailings geared towards active travelers and families.
With the highest-rated ships in Europe according to the 2016 edition of Berlitz: River Cruising in Europe, AmaWaterways has received countless honors and accolades including Town & Country River Cruise Awards as “Best Overall,” “Best for Food,” “Best for Onboard Activities” and “Best for On-Shore Activities” and 2017 AFAR and Recommend magazines Reader’s Choice Awards for “Best River Cruise Line.”