Brown to Christen AmaMagna in July 2019 Vilshofen, Germany Ceremony
CALABASAS, CA – (August 23, 2018) – AmaWaterways today announced that travel expert and television host Samantha Brown (pictured left) will serve as Godmother of the extraordinary,AmaMagna. Brown will “bless” the one-of-a-kind ship alongside AmaWaterways’ executive team and special guests during a Christening ceremony in Vilshofen, Germany in July 2019.
“For this incredibly innovative ship, we wanted to choose a Godmother who shares our passion for innovation within the travel industry,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice-president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “Samantha is an icon in both the travel and television industries, known as much for her warm personality as for her expansive travel knowledge. We are so thrilled to welcome her to the AmaWaterways family as Godmother of our 23rd ship the stunning AmaMagna.”
Throughout her 17-year career, Brown has hosted a variety of travel television series for The Travel Channel including, among others, “Passport to Europe,” “Great Hotels,” “Great Weekends” and “Samantha Brown’s Asia.” In 2017, Brown launched her PBS series, “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love,” which AmaWaterways proudly sponsors. Mirroring AmaWaterways’ commitment to providing authentic, immersive travel experiences for its guests, the series encourages viewers to experience the passion of people and soul of a place that only traveling can provide.
A well-respected and seasoned traveler, Brown has visited more than 250 cities in 62 countries and 40 states. She has charted more than 160 hours of programming, with that number continuing to grow.
“I am so excited and honored to have been asked to be the Godmother ofAmaMagna,” said Brown. “I had the great pleasure of sailing on board AmaPrima this summer as we filmed an episode for my new PBS series. The total experience was remarkable but what impressed me the most was the incredible team on board the ship who took such good care of me, my film crew and my family who joined us during the cruise.”
Defining contemporary elegance, AmaMagna features a total of 98 elegantly-appointed staterooms, most of which are spacious, full balcony suites measuring between 355 and 710 sq. ft. At twice the width of traditional river cruise ships, she offers various dining options, includingtwo new dining venues to entice guests: Jimmy’s Wine Bar Restaurant, named for AmaWaterways’ late co-founder Jimmy Murphy, and the Al Fresco Restaurant, with retractable ceiling and side windows for guests to indulge in the views of the picturesque Danube and the towns that dot its shores.
Guests on board AmaMagna will be able to personalize their river cruise experience with a robust complementary daily excursion program that includes escorted hiking and biking tours and group fitness classes led by a trained Wellness Host. Additional features include a large heated Sun Deck swimming pool; an expansive Zen Wellness Studio with massage, hair and nail salon services; and an innovative Water Sports Platform complete with the Sundowner boat for evening river excursions at no extra charge. Exclusive to AmaMagna, guests may also take advantage of the new Concierge Golf Program, providing the opportunity to experience five top-level golf courses in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic while enjoying the magic of river cruising.
AmaMagna will start her much-anticipated inaugural season on May 5, sailing the Romantic Danube itinerary from Vilshofen to Budapest. In addition to the Romantic Danube, AmaMagna’s itineraries includeMelodies of the Danube and the festive Christmas Markets on the Danube.
For more information or to book an AmaWaterways river cruise, contact your travel professional, visit AmaWaterways.com or call (800) 626-0126. Follow AmaWaterways on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/AmaWaterways, Instagram @AmaWaterways and Twitter @AmaWaterways.
About AmaWaterways
A family-owned company celebrating 16 years on the river, AmaWaterways offers unforgettable river cruises with 23 ships that sail Europe’s Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhone, Seine, Garonne, Dordogne, Dutch and Belgian Waterways and Douro rivers, Southeast Asia’s Mekong and Africa’s Chobe River. The company is renowned for its innovative stateroom design featuring unique “twin balconies”; its wide choice of included shore excursions featuring biking and hiking options for the active traveler; and its award-winning dining – including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant as well as complimentary fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Modern, spacious and tastefully decorated, each ship carries less than 162 guests and features onboard amenities such as hair and massage salons and a fitness room and many have heated outdoor swimming pools with swim-up bars. AmaWaterways leads the river cruise industry with a variety of themed sailings and brand relationships, offering group or chartered sailings geared towards active travelers and families.
With the highest-rated ships in Europe according to the 2018 edition of Berlitz: River Cruising in Europe & the USA, AmaWaterways has received countless honors and accolades including Town & Country River Cruise Awards as “Best Overall,” “Best for Food,” “Best for Onboard Activities” and “Best for On-Shore Activities” and 2017 AFAR Reader’s Choice Awards “Best River Cruise Line.