Press Releases River Cruising

AmaWaterways Delays Start of European Sailing Season to April 26, 2020

AmaWaterways Delays Start of European Sailing Season

President and Co-Founder Rudi Schreiner Responds to Travel Restrictions;

River Cruising Leader Commits to Ensuring Commission Protection

 

CALABASAS, CA – March 12, 2020 – Citing its responsibility to guests, crew and the company’s valued travel partners, AmaWaterways has issued a statement announcing the delay of its European sailing season.  The official statement, delivered by AmaWaterways President and Co-founder Rudi Schreiner, is as follows:

 

“The health, safety and well-being of our guests and crew are of the utmost importance to everyone on the AmaWaterways team. With the latest travel warnings and restrictions imposed by the U.S., Canadian and UK governments, we must continue to be vigilant in protecting the health of those on board our ships.

 

As a result, we are voluntarily suspending the operations of our European river cruise fleet and delaying the start of our 2020 European sailing season until April 26, 2020. We will also suspend our Mekong River cruises starting March 23. This is not an easy decision, as we know how much our guests were looking forward to their vacations but we must follow all precautionary measures put in place by governing authorities.”

 

Underscoring its commitment to travel advisors and their clients, AmaWaterways has updated its cancellation policy applicable to these canceled sailings, adding new details to protect guests’ long-awaited and well-deserved vacations.  Guests who were booked on a cruise that is being canceled have the option of receiving a Future Cruise Credit equal to 115% of the value of all services purchased through AmaWaterways or receiving a full monetary refund. The Future Cruise Credit is applicable on all Europe or Mekong River cruise sailings any time before December 31, 2022.

 

Additionally, the company will fully protect the commission of travel advisors whose clients opt for a Future Cruise Credit, as well as pay an additional 10% commission on the value of the future booking. Plus, the company will pay full commission on the fare difference, if applicable.

 

“We understand the immediate implications that these unavoidable travel cancellations are having on our valued travel advisors, who have been the foundation of our family owned and operated business. We recognize the important role they play in encouraging our guests to rebook therefore, paying commission now on the canceled arrangements and again on the future bookings seems very much the right thing to do.” 

 

 

AmaWaterways executives will be conducting a special webinar on Friday, March 13 at 10:30 AM PST/1:30 PM EST. Webinar sign up is available on the Travel Agent Portal on  AmaWaterways.com. A recording of the webinar will also be posted on the Travel Agent Portal for later viewing.

 

 

About AmaWaterways

 

A family-owned company celebrating 18 years on the river, AmaWaterways offers unforgettable river cruises with 25 ships sailing Europe’s Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhône, Seine, Garonne, Dordogne, Dutch and Belgian Waterways and Douro Rivers, Southeast Asia’s Mekong, Africa’s Chobe River and Egypt’s Nile River (2021).  Led by experienced river cruise co-founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst, the company is renowned for its innovative stateroom design featuring unique “twin balconies;” its wellness activities including a 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 highlighted with the launch of AmaMagna, which at twice the width of traditional river ships, offers a new dimension in luxury river cruising. The company also offers a variety of themed sailings and brand relationships, with sailings geared towards active travelers and families as well as group and charter options.

 

With the highest-rated ships in Europe according to the third edition of Berlitz: River Cruising in Europe & the USA, AmaWaterways has received countless honors and accolades including Cruise Critic’s 2019 Editor’s Pick Award for “Best River Cruise Line” and “Best for Active Cruisers,” 2018 AFAR Reader’s Choice Award for “Best River Cruise Line” and inclusion of AmaMagna in 2019 TIME “World’s Greatest Places.”