Recommend May2017 - 38

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AmaWaterways
bicycle excursions, adding more hiking
tours such as the Bratislava Castle Hike
and Mount Pipet in Vienne, France.
Next year, they'll up the ante with the
rollout across the entire European fleet
of a Wellness Program; it will preview
on the AmaLyra this year. It involves
refined menus, group exercises-Pilates,
meditation, "maybe a running class
on shore while we are anchored," says
Karst-and nutritional information
sessions with a dedicated coach. Right
now, says Karst, for many vacationers
"it's all about wellness"; speaking to
that, the cruise line offers gluten-free
and vegetarian options; vitamin shots
for breakfast; and, says Karst, "we cater
to all the allergies."

New Ships
"We are at the forefront of being an
innovator and trendsetter in river
cruising," says Kristin Karst, co-owner
and executive v.p. of AmaWaterways,
proudly. The river cruise line, she
points out, really stepped up the river
cruise product when it entered the
market, and they've been looking
nowhere but forward ever since. It
was a big deal when they were the first
to introduce bicycles on board-and
now the line has 25 complimentary
bicycles aboard all European ships
for guests to use on their own or on
escorted bike tours. They also initiated
the inclusion of complimentary wine
with dinner, with Karst noting that,
"we felt that wine is part of the culture;
when you sit together it opens up the
conversation, and people don't worry
about who is paying the bill." And
keeping the innovation fresh, next year
the line is going to introduce cocktail
hour prior to dinner. Karst says that it's
AmaWaterways' "philosophy to really
serve our guests. Others might say, 'no,
that's when the bar makes the highest
revenue,' but for us it was, 'ok, we give
this hour complimentary to our guests.'"
The line is also the first river cruise
line inducted into the invitation-only
La Chaine des Rotisseurs culinary
organization. In fact, award-winning
38 may 2017

cuisine is one of AmaWaterways'
points of distinction. The line offers
traditional and regionally inspired
cuisine, of course, but there's also the
highly acclaimed Chef's Table; culinary
classes; a taste or "bite" of the region,
such as a chocolate treat in Heidelberg;
food-focused shore excursions; and
vineyard visits, among a host of other
culinary-inspired delights.

The Wellness Factor

As much as cuisine is part of any great
vacation, wellness is at the forefront
of today's vacation niches, and
AmaWaterways is looking beyond its

"AmaWaterways has always
been very innovative in its
offerings. The collaboration
with Adventures By Disney
will build a whole new market
of future river cruisers. The
new Bordeaux itineraries will
be a welcome addition to the
river cruisers who have 'done
it all.'"
- Candie Steinman,
Dream Vacations Franchise Owner

Named after Karst, the christening
ceremony for the AmaKristina (sailing
the Rhine) is this month-with Karst
herself as the godmother, of course.
Additionally, "the AmaLea will debut
in 2018 on the Danube, and in 2019,"
she says, "we plan to build two ships
for Europe. One will be another sister
ship, and the other will have lots of
innovations (that's all I can say for
now). We're also heading to India; we
want to build a ship there that will
debut in late 2018 or early 2019."
And the line is returning to Myanmar
fall 2018.
"We want to provide even more
options," says Karst when asked where
she sees AmaWaterways five years from
now. "Provide lots of choices so guests
can pick and choose. River cruising
always had this perception that it's this
mass herding-one ship and everyone
goes in one direction. That's no longer
true. Yes, you can participate in all of
these things we offer, but there are also
all of these other wonderful things that
we recommend and you can do it on
your own."

CONTACT INFORMATION

AmaWaterways
Tel: (800) 626-0126
E-mail: info@AmaWaterways.com
Website: AmaWaterways.com
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