Emmy Award-winning TV host Samantha Brown helped brand to welcome ship to the fleet
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Travel expert and Emmy Award-winning TV host Samantha Brown christened AmaWaterway’s newest river cruise ship, AmaMagna, during a ceremony in Grein, Austria on 12 July.
Watched by guests, Grein’s Mayor Rainer Barth, regional government and tourism representatives, and AmaWaterways co-founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst, Brown broke a bottle of champagne against AmaMagna’s hull to welcome her to the fleet and bring good luck to all who sail on her. A priest also blessed the vessel.
“I am proud to be godmother to this incredibly innovative ship,” said Brown. “I have always been impressed by the warmth and attentive care that the crew have shown to me and my family during our previous AmaWaterways cruise, but while traveling onboard AmaMagna this week, the ship and the service have exceeded all my expectations of what a cruise experience can be.”
Following the official inauguration, Schreiner, Karst and Brown and guests were able to enjoy Austria-inspired musical entertainment and cocktails, as well as a gala dinner and a show on the ship’s sun deck, which featured LED performers and fireworks.
“Through the years, we have celebrated each new ship the Ama way – with lots of love,” said Karst. “Samantha shares many values with our company – most notable through her PBS series ‘Places to Love’, where she discovers the emotional heart of travel through the people who are changing, challenging and strengthening a destination. She is a perfect fit as Godmother for this very special ship that is also challenging ideas of what river cruising can offer people in search of personalized travel experiences.”
Twice the width of traditional river cruise ships, AmaMagna has 98 staterooms, more than half of which are suites measuring between 355 and 710 square feet and have full outside balconies, open seating areas and luxury bathrooms with double sinks and walk-in showers. The six Grand Suites and the Owner’s Suite have separate seating areas and “sizable” bathrooms with spa-like bathtubs.
Other onboard highlights include four restaurants, a juice bar, a cinema, a large boutique, an expansive Zen Wellness Studio with an exercise area for group classes led by a professionally trained Wellness Host, and a sun deck with a large heated pool, whirlpool and sky bar. All sun deck facilities are easily accessible via a pop-up elevator serving all four decks of the ship.
“With AmaMagna’s double-width design allowing for more personal space, amenities and dining venues, I have had this unique ship on my mind for years and today we are thrilled to officially welcome her to the AmaWaterways family,” said Schreiner. “We are grateful to have so many of our friends and travel partners here with us as we celebrate this exciting time for our company.”
AmaMagna’s current itineraries include ‘Romantic Danube’, ‘Melodies of the Danube’ and ‘Christmas Markets on the Danube’.