Essay Competition Winners to Sail Through Belgium and the Netherlands on Custom Itinerary Later This Month
CALABASAS, CA – (March 12, 2019) – Encouraging the younger generation to make the world their classroom, AmaWaterways has partnered with AAA – The Auto Club Group (ACG), to gift 56 deserving eighth grade students a seven-night “Discovery Crew” European river cruise. The winning students were selected as a result of an essay contest, which was open to all eighth graders in AAA – ACG’s 11 states. Departing March 27, students and chaperones will enjoy a custom-designed itinerary through the Netherlands and Belgium, highlighting the region’s rich art and history, local cuisine and storied landmarks. To enter the contest, students were asked to answer essay questions and submit a selfie demonstrating their passion for travel.
“We are proud to honor these passionate and exemplary students with a truly unforgettable river cruise, and are certain they will create memories that will last a lifetime,” said Rudi Schreiner, president and co-owner AmaWaterways. “We welcome many multi-generational families on our ships and see first-hand how traveling at a young age is so important to foster an understanding and acceptance of different cultures. We hope these students will gain valuable and life-changing experience as they travel through these legendary regions of Northern Europe.”
Sailing March 27 through April 4, the “Discovery Crew” cruise will immerse students in European culture through a sampling of local flavors, visits to historic landmarks such as the Anne Frank House and active hiking and biking tours near sites such as the world-famous Holland windmills. Students will also experience life as a local eighth grader with visits to two schools in Belgium and the Netherlands.
“We were amazed by the passionate responses from the many students who expressed their interest in going on this trip,” said Deborah Haas, vice president of travel products and services at the AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This is the first time we have held a contest like this, and we’re so happy to partner with AmaWaterways to offer these inquisitive and motivated students an incredibly memorable and educational experience.”
Winners and chaperones will fly to Amsterdam to embark on their AmaWaterways river cruise through Belgium and the Netherlands. Besides offering the seven-night all-inclusive cruise, AmaWaterways also partnered with AAA – The Auto Club Group and Allianz Global Assistance to provide the flights, travel insurance and money for passports.
For more information, or to book an AmaWaterways river cruise for a client, call 1 (888) 626-1399 or visit the Travel Advisor Portal at AmaWaterways.com. Follow AmaWaterways on Facebook at Facebook.com/AmaWaterways, Instagram @AmaWaterways and Twitter @AmaWaterways.
About AmaWaterways
A family-owned company celebrating 17 years on the river, AmaWaterways offers unforgettable river cruises with 23 ships 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 upcoming launch of AmaMagna, who at twice the width of traditional river ships, will offer 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 Editor’s Pick Award for “Best for Active Cruisers” and 2018 AFAR Reader’s Choice Award for “Best River Cruise Line.”
About AAA – The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, insurance, financial services and travel offerings to over 9.8 million members across eleven states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 59 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety. Motorists can map a route, identify gas prices, find discounts, book a hotel, and access AAA roadside assistance with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile. Visit AAA on the Internet at AAA.com.