By
Rebecca Gibson |
AmaWaterways has officially welcomed its newest vessel, AmaKristina, to its fleet with a christening ceremony in Lahnstein, Germany.
Christened by her namesake and AmaWaterways’ co-owner and executive vice president Kristin Karst, the newbuild is the company’s 20th ship. Designed as a sister to AmaViola and AmaStella, AmaKristina accommodates 156 guests and will sail on the Rhine River between Amsterdam, Netherlands and Basel, Switzerland. The vessel features staterooms with AmaWaterways’ signature twin-balconies, three dining venues including The Chef’s Table, a sundeck with a running track, a heated pool with a swim-up bar, an expanded fitness centre, a hair salon and spa, free bow-to-stern wi-fi; and in-room Entertainment-On-Demand systems.
Karst named AmaKristina in front of more than 200 international and local guests, who also enjoyed a dockside cocktail reception, traditional religious blessing, local entertainment, and a welcome by Lahnstein’s mayor Peter Labonte. Celebrations continued into the evening with a gala dinner and a fireworks display.
“I never dreamed that as a young girl growing up in Dresden on the banks of the Elbe River that I would one day have a ship named after me,” said Karst. “The last 15 years have been a remarkable journey and I am so proud to christen our newest ship and take this moment to thank all our guests, employees, onboard teams, shipbuilders and travel industry partners that have contributed to our success.”
AmaKristina was christened as part of a week-long celebration marking AmaWaterways 15th anniversary. During the week, guests sailing on the vessel were joined by Karst, AmaWaterways’ president and co-owner Rudi Schreiner, the line’s vice president of sales and co-owner Gary Murphy, past godmothers, travel industry partners and international media.
“When Kristin Karst, Jimmy Murphy and I sat down to dream up the perfect river cruise company, we shared a vision of inviting guests to discover the spectacular scenery and enchanting towns along the world’s most iconic rivers in a style that was luxurious yet warm and friendly,” said Schreiner. “Having our guests, our employees and our business partners feel a part of our family venture has been at the centre of all our decisions since that day. As we celebrate the beautiful AmaKristina and her equally remarkable godmother, I look around and am so very proud that our dream has become a reality.”