AmaWaterways Set for Three-Ship Addition in 2019
by Daniel McCarthy
A rendering of AmaMagna.
River cruise line AmaWaterways will add three new ships in 2019, the single largest expansion in the company’s history.
The ship order includes the already-announced AmaMagna. The vessel will be almost twice the width of the average river cruise ship but will still carry just 196 guests, giving guests more space in the staterooms and public spaces. It will also offer a new al fresco restaurant, more onboard activities, and enhanced evening entertainment.
According to AmaWaterways President and Co-owner Rudi Schreiner, the ship design is the company’s way to combat perceptions that river cruise staterooms are too small, or dining options and activities are too limited.
“We are confident that AmaMagna, with the additional space and more diverse onboard programs, will overcome these objections and open up a whole new market for us. I’ve had this unique ship on my mind for many years and am confident that now is the time to introduce my vision,” he said.
AmaMagna will also debut as the first river ship with a water sports platform and expanded fitness facilities. It will be the first to offer AmaWaterways’ new wellness program.
The other two new builds will be sister ships to other vessels in the AmaWaterways fleet. AmaMora will debut as a sister ship to AmaLea and AmaKristina; it will sail the Rhine. The other, AmaDouro, will debut as a sister ship to AmaVida, and will sail the Douro River.
Starting in 2019, AmaWaterways also plans to broaden its shore excursions catalogue. The new offerings include debut tours in Prague, Paris, and Romania.
The river cruise line is also planning new pre-cruise options in Bilbao and San Sebastian, Spain, for its Taste of Bordeaux itinerary; along with new post-cruise options in Rwanda for five of its African itineraries.
Early booking promotional offers and pricing are available for 2019 itineraries in AmaWaterways’ 2019 Preview Brochure.

