Leading River Cruise Line Prepares to Welcome Guests Onboard Two New French Itineraries in 2021
CALABASAS, CA – (November 16, 2020) –AmaWaterways today released new photos of the award-winning AmaKristina and AmaDante on their ocean journey from The Netherlands to France. Once repositioned on the Rhône and the Seine rivers respectively, the ships will be ready to welcome guests when river cruising resumes in Spring 2021. The elegantly appointed river cruise ships have been repositioned in response to the heightened demand for itineraries that reflect the rich culture, renowned culinary experiences and remarkable history of the Normandy, Brittany and Burgundy regions of France.
This year, AmaKristina completed a four-month series of charter cruises on the Rhine successfully putting in place enhanced health and safety protocols to safeguard guests and crew. With this limited 2020 program, AmaWaterways became the first U.S-based river cruise line to resume sailing in Europe, cementing its place as an industry pioneer. Rhine cruises on board AmaKristinapermitted the luxury river cruise line to gain invaluable experience sailing with protocols in 2020 and once travel restrictions are lifted, all ships and crews will be ready to offer guests peace of mind during their unforgettable river cruise experience.
” src=”blob:https://www.travelprofessionalnews.com/7073f578-e99d-406d-85b9-bfe15fa2a203″ alt=”image006.jpg” align=”left” hspace=”12″ v:shapes=”Picture_x0020_1″ class=”Apple-web-attachment Singleton” style=”opacity: 1;”>“As Godmother of AmaKristina, I am excited to witness her extraordinary ocean journey down the west coast of France and Portugal and across the Mediterranean Sea to reach the mouth of the Rhône river where she will sail in 2021,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “AmaDante will join AmaLyra on the Seine and offer a leisurely itinerary with more beautiful scenic daytime cruising and many opportunities for biking and hiking plus a fascinating pre- or post-cruise optional stay in St. Malo, Brittany with a visit to Mont St. Michel.”
AmaDante joins her three sisterships in France whileAmaKristina will be the first 443 ft ship with signature twin-balcony staterooms to sail on French rivers. Taking over the popular Colors of Province itinerary, AmaKristinawill sailing the Rhône between Lyon and Avignon permitting AmaCello to travel a new itinerary on the Saône into the renowned wine growing area of Burgundy. The following are the new-for-2021 French itineraries and land programs:
- Impressions of the Seine & Paris a perfect itinerary for those looking to sail at a more leisurely pace between Paris and Le Havre. The journey meanders through the best of Northern France with many overnight visits to idyllic towns, fairytale castles, beautiful gardens and sites memorialized by famous Impressionist painters.
- Pre- and post-cruise land options: Two nights in Paris; three nights in St. Malo with a visit to the magical island monastery of Mont St. Michel; one night in Paris.
- Essence of Burgundy & Provencesailing between Chalon-sur-Saône and Arles embraces the romance, cuisine and fine arts of France with visits to romantic cities and artistic epicenters, along with experiences such as learning to cook French food in Valence at a culinary school.
o Pre- and post-cruise land options: Three nights in Geneva, Switzerland; three in nights in Barcelona, Spain
With proven experience in safeguarding the health of guests and crew, and new itineraries in France and Egypt, AmaWaterways is uniquely positioned to welcome travelers craving immersive and exclusive experiences for 2021 and beyond.
For full details, or to book an AmaWaterways river cruise for a client, visit the Travel Advisor Portal on AmaWaterways.com or call 1.800.626.0126. Follow AmaWaterways on Facebook atFacebook.com/AmaWaterways, Instagram @AmaWaterways, Twitter @AmaWaterways, and YouTube at YouTube.com/AmaWaterways.
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, Saône (2021), Seine, Garonne, Dordogne, Dutch and Belgian Waterways and Douro Rivers, Asia’s Mekong and Africa’s Chobe and Nile Rivers (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.” In addition, 18 river cruise ships in its European fleet have earned the Green Award certification, recognized for industry-leading safety, quality and environmental performance.