On location: “We are now all back together": AmaWaterways welcomes partners aboard AmaSiena

PAX is joining AmaWaterways and select travel trade partners aboard the AmaSiena this week (Aug. 26-Sept. 2) as the ship sails down The Rhine river from Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, to Basel, Switzerland.  

After a delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the 156-passenger ship, built in 2020, will finally be christened this Sunday (Aug. 29).

Last night, at a welcome reception aboard the AmaSiena, Kristin Karst, co-founder and executive vice-president at AmaWaterways, expressed excitement, as did all guests, over the company's return to the rivers. 

“We are now all back together. Our crew members, you, our guests, our travel partners, our media partners, everyone who is coming together here to celebrate the christening of the beautiful AmaSiena.”

Debbie Fiorino, senior vice-president and chief operating officer of Owned Brands for World Travel Holdings will be the godmother of AmaWaterways' AmaSiena.

The on-board experience

Sister ship to AmaMora, AmaLea, and AmaKristina, AmaSiena features 78 spacious staterooms, the majority of which has AmaWaterways’ signature twin balconies offering panoramic views from both a French and an outside balcony.

Additional amenities include six connecting staterooms well-suited for multigenerational families; a sunny main lounge where tapas are served throughout the day; sun deck walking track; heated pool with a swim-up bar; fitness room; dedicated Wellness Host guiding group fitness offerings; massage and salon services; and a complimentary fleet of bicycles.

Guests may also enjoy exquisite cuisine and regionally selected beer and wine served in the Main Restaurant and at The Chef’s Table.

New ships, new itineraries

There’s no stopping AmaWaterways.

Despite the pandemic, the venerable 19-year old river cruise company continues to move forward with its expansion plan of three new ships this year including AmaLucia (Danube, Rhine, Main, and Moselle rivers), AmaSiena (Rhine River), and AmaDalia (sailing the Nile River between Luxor and Aswan). 

Company co-founder and president Rudi Shriner (often referred to as the Godfather of river cruising) is currently sailing on the AmaLucia to ensure all final touches have been addressed.

There are also more new builds on the way, including AmaWaterways newest, all-suite, eco-friendly ship to be named AmaMagdalena, set to launch in Colombia in 2023, bringing luxury river cruising to the Rio Magdalena.

Karst added: “We are really dedicated and motivated that all twenty-five ships in our fleet will be able to cruise by the end of the season.  Right now, we have 16 ships in operation, three more are coming in September, and our goal is to have all our ships going by the end of the year.”

The number of bookings for 2022 looks very promising and Karst anticipates that international travel confidence will be strong once again.

Stay tuned for more on-location updates on the AmaSiena.

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