AmaWaterways Expands Wellness Sailings for 2018
by Daniel McCarthy
AmaWaterways is expanding its wellness program to six ships, including the AmaDolce.
AmaWaterways will offer its popular Wellness Program on six of its ships in 2018.
The seven-night program, which was tested onboard the 158-passenger AmaLyra last year, includes a dedicated wellness instructor and four to six scheduled daily fitness activities including group yoga, running, and tai chi classes.
It also includes onboard exercise equipment such as treadmills, stationary bikes, and ellipticals, along with bicycles, helmets, and Nordic walking sticks for onshore exploration.
Fitness center aboard the AmaCerto.
Starting in 2018, AmaCerto, AmaPrima, AmaSonata, AmaDante and AmaDolce will all offer the program, in addition to AmaLyra.
“We have seen an increasing demand for healthy, active options and we’re excited to be able to offer our new program on six of our 20 ships next year,” Kristin Karst said, executive vice president and co-owner of AmaWaterways.
Guests wanting to pair their exercise with healthy eating will be able to do so as healthy food options will be available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Offerings include vitamin shots, fresh fish, cage-free eggs, and crate-free pork. Low-sodium, gluten-free, and vegetarian options are also available.
“We now offer plenty of ways for our guests to burn off those extra calories, but we know many of our guests simply enjoy adding some healthier options to balance their meals,” said Karst.
Industrywide expansion
Aside from AmaWaterways, a number of river cruise lines have gotten into the wellness sector over the past year.
Last spring, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises expanded its partnership with Butterfield & Robinson by introducing 2018 itineraries along the Rhine River. The new, seven-night “port and pedal” program will run in May, June and September 2018 aboard the S.S. Antoinette.
Croatia-based river cruise company Katarina Line announced that it would offer two different “Cycle & Cruise” programs for 2017 — one seven-night cycle itinerary out of Opatija Kvarner Bay, with guided cycling tours on a lot of the Bay’s islands, and another less physically demanding sailing called the “Light Bike & Hike.”
And Emerald Waterways has started introducing itineraries on Portugal’s Douro River that feature daily yoga classes on the ship’s sun deck.
