Rudi Schreiner Steps Down as CEO of AmaWaterways

Rudi Schreiner, co-founder and longtime CEO of AmaWaterways—and one of the most influential figures in the history of river cruising—is leaving his role as CEO and stepping into a new one at the company.

Effective July 1, Schreiner will transition from CEO to Chairman of the Board. Catherine Powell, who joined AmaWaterways as president in February, will succeed him as CEO. Powell had been reporting directly to Schreiner since coming on earlier this year.

Kristin Karst, who had previously announced her transition, will take on the role of Chief Brand Ambassador.

The move is the start of a new chapter for AmaWaterways, which had been led by Schreiner and Karst since the two, along with the late Jimmy Murphy, founded the company in 2002. Since then, the company has grown into one of the major voices in travel as the segment around it has exploded, perhaps most notably with the addition of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity River Cruises earlier this year.

In Thursday’s announcement, both Schreiner and Karst reflected on the company’s growth and expressed confidence in Powell’s leadership.

“We are so excited about what we have been building—internationally with new markets, new passengers, and, frankly, a whole new generation of river cruisers,” Schreiner said. “I am delighted that we are investing in the kind of leadership Catherine brings to the company. It’s a real inflection point, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

“Rudi and I poured our hearts into building AmaWaterways—a company shaped by passion, innovation, and strong personal connections,” Karst added. “As we take this next step forward, we’re thrilled to welcome Catherine as CEO. Her global experience and leadership style reflect the values that have guided us from the beginning. I’m excited for the future and grateful to keep focusing on what I love most—nurturing relationships with our travel partners, guests, and the local communities we visit.”

Prior to joining AmaWaterways, Powell spent more than 15 years at The Walt Disney Company delivering double-digit growth and leading efforts focused on new revenue and cost opportunities. Most recently, she served as global head of hosting at Airbnb, overseeing and growing its global community of more than five million hosts of both homes and experiences.