Thursday, January 05, 2012

Video Clip: Click to Watch

 In 2002 three veterans of the travel industry launched AmaWaterways as a river cruise line dedicated to creating a company unlike others, one which would create a new traveling experience for North American and Australian consumers. After the completion of the 162 mile Rhine-Main Canal in 1992, which linked up the Rhine and Danube Rivers, it became possible for passenger and cargo ships to traverse the whole of Europe, from the North Sea to the Black Sea. While Rhine and Danube cruises had been part of European vacations, this new canal created the possibility to create a whole new range of vacation itineraries.

Europeans embraced this new river cruising mode, but the ships didn't American consumers.

After 2002, when companies like AmaWaterways began building ships for consumers who required more amenities, the river cruise business boomed and Ama has been adding new ships every year. AmaWaterways is now the premier river cruise line in the industry with 14 luxury river cruise ships operating all over Europe, in Russia, along the Mekong River between Vietnam and Cambodia and beginning this year amongst the great national wildlife preserves in Africa. It leads the way in introducing specialty cruises, such as Wine River Cruises, offering all-inclusive amenity filled itineraries, building ships with opulent décor topped off with spacious staterooms and bringing in gourmet cuisine with fresh ingredients from local vendors along the various routes.

"Everyone at AmaWaterways is very excited about the prospects for 2012, a year when we will launch a beautiful new ship in Europe, the MS AmaCerto, and kick-off our river cruise vacations in Africa. Everyone involved, from the crews on board ships to our sales reps and affiliated travel agents, everyone is infused with positive energy about bringing the joys of river cruising to a new crop of clients, says Rudi Schreiner, President and Co-Owner of AmaWaterways.

In 2012 AmaWaterways will launch the MS AmaCerto, set to become the finest river cruise ship in the business. The MS AmaCerto features the distinctive AmaWaterways "Twin Balconies," consisting of a French balcony plus a full step-out balcony for relaxing, enjoying river side views or room service (available in suites). Twin Balconies comprise the majority of the ship's stateroom categories, with Twin Balcony accommodations ranging in size from 210 sq. ft. to the 350 sq. ft. suites.

Boasting a color palette of crisp white and champagne with apricot and bronze accents, the MS AmaCerto's staterooms evoke the look of hip, modern hotel, with unique design elements such as a window between the bathroom and the stateroom, tufted headboards and Berber-style carpets. Staterooms also boast the exclusive AmaWaterways Infotainment System, featuring a flat-panel TV and keyboard with which to access complimentary Internet and first-run Hollywood movies, as well as dozens of English-language satellite TV and music selections.

As with the every AmaWaterways vessel in Europe, membership in the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs insures the finest gastronomic experience on the rivers, whether guests choose to dine in the Main Dining Room or any of the alternative venues mentioned above. The MS AmaCerto also features a cozy "fireside" library; Observation Lounge; 24-hour specialty coffee and tea station; fitness center; Massage, Hair and Beauty salon; a fleet of bicycles for guests to use on their own or on complimentary guided bicycle tours. MS AmaCerto also offers complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the vessel for those guests who choose to bring laptops, iPads or smart phones. The MS AmaCerto will mark its inaugural cruise with a "Tulip Time" sailing departing on April 12, 2012. Thereafter, the vessel will cruise AmaWaterways' most popular itineraries, including "Romantic Danube," "Legendary Danube," "Blue Danube Discovery" "Magnificent Europe" and "Christmas Time Cruise" for the remainder of the 2012 season.



New African River Cruise Vacations from AmaWaterways:



The exclusive new "Africa Safaris and Wildlife Cruise" program includes a four-night cruise aboard the beautiful MS Zambezi Queen, specially-designed for wildlife viewing on the Chobe River. The ship travels along the banks of Chobe National Park, home to one of the densest populations of wildlife in Africa. There, guests will encounter elephants, leopards, lions, sable and buffalo on excursions by boat or open-air vehicles. They will also enjoy a visit to a local village, an authentic "boma" dining experience and delicious cuisine on board.

In addition to the safari cruise, a choice of three extensive land tours will take guests to the heart of Africa, from the expanses of the Serengeti to the awe-inspiring Chobe National Park and the towering landscape of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Each tour concludes with two nights in Victoria Falls, one of the world's most magnificent sights.

"We're extremely proud to introduce our new program in Africa, one of the world's great destinations. Our exclusive combination of a safari cruise on the Zambezi Queen, three different land programs and two nights at Victoria Falls provide the most unique and exceptional African experience available," says Rudi Schreiner, President of AmaWaterways.

In addition to the plush accommodations on the MS Zambezi Queen, guests will stay at iconic safari lodges, game camps and exclusive hotels throughout Africa. Professional guides will lead daily wildlife excursions, offering the opportunity to spot elephant, rhino, hippo, and many more species that symbolize the African safari.

A beautiful new 20- page Africa Safaris and Wildlife Cruise brochure sets forth details of the three AmaVoyages in Africa itineraries: "Stars of Africa," "African Sunsets" and "Golden Trails of Africa." Ranging from 16 to 19 days, the Africa program commences in June of 2012.



Slide Show of AmaWaterways luxury river cruise ships and river cruising route maps:





About AmaWaterways



AmaWaterways Included Features:

7 Nights Deluxe Cruise Accommodations in an Outside Stateroom; Most staterooms with large French Balconies;Jewish Heritage Tours with specialized guides; Daily Sightseeing Program as outlined in the Itinerary; Infotainment System in all Staterooms with Free Internet, Hollywood Hit Movies, Music Library and English Language TV Stations; Terry Bathrobes and White-on-white plush Bedding in all Staterooms; Superb Dining with all Meals included on board; Free-flowing Red & White Wines from Europe's great Wine Regions, beer and soft drinks with every Dinner on board the Ship; Bottled Water in every stateroom replenished daily; Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner; Special Highlights including Folklore, Dances, Lectures, Theme Dinners, onboard Music Performances and afternoon & evening Piano Music; Use of Bicycles to explore on your own; Services of a Professional Cruise Manager; All English Language on board in a non-smoking Environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck); All Transfers included with the Purchase of Cruise, Land & Air package; All local Taxes

AmaWaterways experienced a growth filled and award winning 2010. First their fleet is rapidly expanding while existing ships are retrofitted with the latest amenities and inventions; secondly AmaWaterways' unparalleled on-board services were fine tuned for the highest customer satisfaction, and lastly a slate of new itineraries and specialty programs and such as the Wine River Cruise, were explored and tested for possible addition to an already stellar product line. Such factors are why AmaWaterways won two Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly, an Award of Excellence form Luxury Travel Advisor, a Cruise Passenger Readers Choice Award in Australia for Best River Ship and was recognized for its Twitter account that put AmaWaterways on the list of "The Top 25 Online Cruise Vacation Influencers" by Influencers in Travel.

Award-winning AmaWaterways provides luxurious, all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the world's great waterways. Founded in 2002 by cruise industry pioneer Rudi Schreiner, cruise line executive Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy, founder of Brendan Vacations, AmaWaterways operates its innovative, custom-designed vessels on the Danube, Rhine, Main and Mosel rivers in Europe; the Volga-Baltic Waterway in Russia and the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia.

The AmaWaterways fleet in Europe features amenities such as spacious staterooms with French balconies or revolutionary "Twin Balconies"; plush down bedding, marble-appointed baths; complimentary high-speed Internet and Wi-Fi; first-run hit Hollywood movies; complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, complimentary bottled water; gourmet dining in multiple venues (MS AmaBella); nightly entertainment; complimentary small group shore excursions tailored to passengers' desired walking pace; guided bicycle tours and much more.

In 2011, AmaWaterways will introduce the new 161-passenger MS AmaVerde in Europe, the newly-redesigned 212-passenger MS AmaKatarina on the Volga-Baltic Waterway in Russia and the new 124-passenger MS AmaLotus on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia, increasing its luxurious fleet of river cruise vessels to 12.

For more information about AmaWaterways, go to www.amawaterways.com or call 800-626-0126

For media interviews contact Promotion in Motion at 323-461-3921 or brad@promotioninmotion.net

Brad Butler

Promotion in Motion

Hollywood, CA

323-461-3921

First Url: AmaWaterways

Second Url: Video of AmaWaterways President Rudi Schreiner Interviewed by Mark Murphy, noted Travel Journalist