At the just lately concluded Seatrade Cruise Global convention in Fort Lauderdale, Janet Bava, chief advertising officer for AmaWaterways, talked about how a ship turns into “an extension of the destination.” That’s only one cause the cruise line is so enthusiastic about their latest enterprise: River cruising in Columbia, South America.
Next yr, AmaWaterways will change into the primary main river cruise line to sail company on Columbia’s Magdalena River. Ms. Bava stated they may have two ships “because of so much demand,” including, “it will be phenomenal.”
The two ships — the AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia — will sail 7-day cruises between Cartagena and Barranquilla, providing quite a lot of cultural experiences, together with sampling native delicacies and observing the a whole lot of chook species, a few of that are unique to the area. “Included are shore excursions, Wifi and all the amenities guests are used to having in the luxury cruise space,” stated Ms. Bava.
In addition to the biodiversity and exquisite villages alongside the river, Ms. Bava stated company who love culinary experiences can pattern from 350 totally different fruit species which can be native to the realm — “you could taste something different every day of the year.”
Getting there may be straightforward as properly, as Ms. Bava identified that Cartagena is simply a two-and-a-half hour flight from Miami.
Meanwhile In Europe, the place AmaWaterways has lengthy been a frontrunner in river cruising, the road’s second Seven River Journey is ready to embark April 20 from Avignon, France. Guests will sail on three ships over 46 days by 14 international locations, ending June 4 in Giurgiu, Romania.
Ms. Bava stated there are a number of components driving the choice for company to take longer cruises, together with the power to work remotely and “younger people not waiting to retire to travel.” Also, given the upper value of flying, folks going to Europe “want to be there as long as they can.” It additionally helps that the worth of the greenback is powerful, she stated.
They’ve additionally seen a pattern of company who need to customise their cruise, selecting extra back-to-back voyages. “We’ve designed our itineraries and departure dates so people can create their own journey,” Ms. Bava stated.
Two of the preferred rivers they transverse are the Rhine and the Danube, together with a 21-day cruise on the Danube, the place company expertise eight international locations from Germany to Romania. Another in style itinerary is on the Douro River in Portugal, which has seen a lot demand “we have had to extend the season,” she stated.
Along with immersing company in native tradition, they will additionally select so as to add further days to their journey to additional improve their journey expertise.
AmaWaterways was based in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, co-founder and president, a river cruising pioneer, and Kristin Karst, co-founder and government vp. together with Jimmy Murphy. With the addition of two Columbia ships, they function a fleet of 28 vessels in Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, together with sailings on the Mekong and Nile Rivers. All 20 river ships in AmaWaterways’ European fleet have earned the Green Award certification, recognizing “quality, safety and environmental performance.”
Photo of Janet Bava by Pamela Barker
Artist Conception courtesy of AmaWaterways
See cruises right here: AmaWaterways Cruises AMA (cruisecompete.com)