One of the leading European river cruise companies expands its fleet
AmaWaterways continues to grow with the arrival of its newest ship, the AmaLea. The christening ceremony, which took place May 26 in Vilshofen, Germany, concluded the weeklong celebration. Rudi Schreiner, AmaWaterways’ president and co-owner, and Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-owner, were joined by guests including travel industry friends and international media as godmother Filomena Andre of AAA Travel christened the ship. Then the AmaLea began its summer/fall schedule of seven-night cruises on the Danube between Vilshofen and Budapest.
More about the AmaLea
Sister ship to the AmaViola, AmaStella and AmaKristina, the AmaLea accommodates 154 guests with 51 crew members. She features AmaWaterways’ exclusive twin balconies – a French balcony and a full outside balcony. The AmaLea has multiple dining venues, including The Chef’s Table. An alternative to the Main Restaurant, The Chef’s Table provides an intimate dining experience with a view of the chef as he prepares a special tasting menu. Staterooms designed for families and groups include connecting rooms and triple-occupancy accommodations.
Cuisine and More
One of the dining areas of the AmaLea
A lavish breakfast buffet along with menu items is available, and the Main Restaurant offers full lunch menu service and a multi-course dinner. Guests can enjoy complimentary red and white wines for lunch and dinner as well as soft drinks and beer. For breakfast, fresh juices and sparkling wines are served. The gourmet coffee and tea stations are available 24 hours a day.
Guests can enjoy a heated sun deck swimming pool that has a swim-up bar, the walking track on the Sun Deck and the fitness room. The vibrant Main Lounge provides nightly performances.
One of the staterooms onboard AmaLea
Complimentary Wi-Fi, including free in-room internet access, is available throughout the ship. Guests can also enjoy Entertainment-On-Demand, which features movies, TV, music and news.
Complimentary Shore Excursions
AmaWaterways offers complimentary shore excursions in each port of call, with an average of two to three choices per day. Led by local experts, these tours are provided to guests with varying walking abilities. AmaWaterways also has a fleet of complimentary bicycles along with walking sticks available for guests to use as they explore the destinations visited. In addition, AmaWaterways has enhanced its selection of guided bike and hiking excursions.
Where the AmaLea is Sailing
Sailing on the Danube this summer and fall between Vilshofen and Budapest, the AmaLea has two wine-themed cruises scheduled in November. Four Christmas market cruises on the Danube round out her first season.
New Features
Pool onboard the AmaLea
Besides complimentary unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks, AmaWaterways now offers free drinks at its new Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour.
The line continues to have small-group tours designed to immerse guests into the local cultures of the places visited. Now called “Special Interest Tours,” these often feature activities exclusive to AmaWaterways and are offered in addition to the standard city tours at no extra cost.
On the Horizon: AmaMagna
Exterior rendering of the AmaMagna which will debut in May 2019.
When she enters service in May 2019, AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna will be the largest river cruise ship in its segment of the industry. Her width will be nearly twice the width of traditional European river cruise ships. With that, the AmaMagna will include some revolutionary features and more personal space. Despite her larger size, however, the AmaMagna will accommodate 196 guests, only 40 more than the other ships in the fleet. They will be served by 70 crew members.
More than half of the accommodations on the AmaMagna will be suites. The four dining venues will be the Main Restaurant, which features floor-to-ceiling windows; the Al Fresco Restaurant; The Chef’s Table; and Jimmy’s Wine Bar Restaurant, named after the late Jimmy Murphy, who was one of AmaWaterways’ co-founders. The Zen Wellness Studio, an aft water sports platform, a sun deck with a large heated pool, whirlpool and pop-up sky bar will also be onboard.
More about AmaWaterways
Celebrating its 16th year, AmaWaterways is a family-owned company with 23 ships providing cruises on Europe’s rivers, Southeast Asia’s Mekong River and Africa’s Chobe River. It leads the river cruise industry with a variety of themed sailings, and it offers a range of inclusive shore excursions, including hiking and biking options for the active traveler. With AmaWaterways’ continued growth, the new AmaLea and AmaMagna give more options for your group to consider.
-Cindy Bertram
