Amawaterways offers a unique and immersive way to experience scenic destinations and cultural treasures while enjoying luxurious amenities on board
Contributed By: AmaWaterways
When your clients embark on a river cruise with award-winning AmaWaterways, they will unpack once and step aboard a world of unparalleled experiences. Each day begins in a brand-new destination where guests are always greeted with a smile and warmly welcomed into the dining room for a delicious made-to-order breakfast. Next, your clients will step right off the ship into the heart of an Old-World capital or storybook village or perhaps even into the pages of their favorite fairytale. Alongside an intimate group of kindred travelers, their local guide will regale them with the tales of kings and queens, renowned composers, great explorers and so much more as they walk, pedal or hike to fascinating castles, cathedrals, vineyards and beyond. Upon returning to the ship, they will be greeted with refreshing water or perhaps hot mulled wine depending on the season, later whisked away to a complimentary Sip & Sail cocktail hour and treated to an exceptional multi-course dinner before an evening of live entertainment awaits.
AmaWaterways offers a worry-free river cruise experience where exquisite locally sourced cuisine, a variety of included excursions, nightly entertainment and high-quality Wi-Fi are all included. With itineraries available in Europe, Egypt, Asia as well as five once-in-a-lifetime African Safaris and Wildlife Cruises, the only trouble your clients may have is choosing where to go next – and that’s where the expertise of a wonderful travel advisor like you comes in. Fortunately, your Travel Advisor Portal at www.amawaterways.com/agent-home is brimming with valuable tools and resources and your local AmaWaterways Business Development Manager is always ready and waiting to help you engage and inspire your clients – in person, on social media and beyond! Best of all, AmaWaterways’ limited-time Complimentary Land Package offer gives you a great tactic to encourage your clients to book now.
Where to River Cruise in 2023
The Legendary Danube – A Haven for First-Time River Cruisers
When your client joins AmaWaterways on the legendary Danube River, they will discover grand capitals and charming villages in up to five European countries during a 7-night journey. What makes this river so perfect for first-time river cruisers? Not only were castles built, kings and queens crowned, and visionary composers inspired along its banks, but when your clients choose AmaWaterways as their provider, there is truly something for everyone on board and on shore.
Food and wine enthusiasts will delight in tasting Austria’s Wachau Valley wines and world-renowned apricots in the charming village of Dürnstein, for example, while active guests will revel in the fresh air and sweeping views afforded by their hike to the ruined fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held captive. More than 12 unique AmaWaterways itineraries feature the Danube River, such as the line’s popular Melodies of the Danube cruise from Budapest, Hungary to Vilshofen, Germany. This journey includes visits to three Old-World capitals – Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna – as well as two exclusive experiences reserved just for AmaWaterways guests: their signature Bavarian Oktoberfest celebration complete with beer, pretzels and live music, and a tour of Austria’s distinctive Greinburg Castle with a private reception.
For your clients who are multigenerational family travelers, AmaWaterways offers the award-winning AmaMagna, a one-of-a-kind ship specially built for plying the storied waters of the Danube. Twice the width of traditional river cruise ships, AmaMagna’s main selling point is the luxury of space afforded in its stunning balcony suites, which measure from 355 sq. ft. to 710 sq. ft. with separate sitting areas and modern comforts. Guests who are used to ocean cruising will appreciate the variety on board as AmaMagna’s size means it can accommodate five bars, four unique dining venues, an expansive wellness studio with a juice bar and outdoor spin bikes, a split-level lounge, two libraries and an intimate onboard cinema. Up on the Sun Deck, both a heated swimming pool and soothing whirlpool await, while a giant chess set and cornhole game inspire a little friendly family competition. AmaMagna even has its own exclusive itinerary, Magna on the Danube, which includes experiences not offered on other AmaWaterways river cruises, from a visit to Vienna’s magnificent Schönbrunn Palace to a visit to the winemaking village of Spitz with the choice to hike or bike as well as an exclusive wine tasting experience.
In 2023, AmaWaterways debuts three never-before-experienced itineraries on the Danube River, including a special 7-night Celebration of Classical Music sailing with new excursions and live musical performances both on board and on shore. There is also a 7-night Gems of Southeast Europe (Christmas) itinerary premiering on the “lower” Danube River from Budapest to Giurgiu, Romania, enabling guests to experience the holiday traditions of Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania as well as select winter and holiday markets in the region. Finally, there is a 5-night Majestic Capitals of the Danube sailing perfect for incentive groups and charters – or for your FIT clients looking to extend their 7-night Danube River cruise with overnights in Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. AmaWaterways’ Travel Advisor Portal at www.amawaterways.com/agent-home holds the key to selling these itineraries for every segment of your client database, including past guests – in every season – within past webinar recordings and marketing toolkits.
The Rhine, Main and Moselle: Your Clients’ “Once Upon a Time”
What do your clients experience when they choose a sailing that includes Europe’s fairytale Rhine River? Medieval villages, exceptional wines and the scenic cruise of a lifetime that includes gliding past more than 40 storybook castles through Germany’s renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Rhine Gorge. With AmaWaterways, this is always accompanied by a knowledgeable Cruise Manager commenting on the legends and history associated with the fortresses, a glass of local wine or a heartwarming Rüdesheimer coffee with their compliments.
One of their signature 7-night itineraries is the Captivating Rhine, which sails from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland, venturing through four countries. Your clients may cruise beneath the bridges along Amsterdam’s canals, taste distinctive Kölsch beer in Cologne, hike through Germany’s Black Forest and roam along the cobbled lanes of charming Riquewihr, the inspiration for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, in France’s Alsace region. AmaWaterways’ award-winning river cruise ships on the Rhine feature the line’s signature twin-balcony staterooms, with both a French balcony and outside balcony to optimize each incredible view.
For guests who would like to maximize the number of rivers visited during their journey, the line offers several 7-, 10- and 11-night itineraries that combine the Rhine with the “best-kept secret in river cruising” – its breathtaking tributary, the Moselle, or the meandering Main River. You can also boost your commission while encouraging your clients to take advantage of AmaWaterways’ Combination Cruise Savings (10% on their second consecutive sailing) as it is easy to combine back-to-back cruises on these rivers.
Fine Art and Fine Wine on Five French Rivers
With five unique river cruise itineraries gliding through the heart of France in 2023, AmaWaterways warmly welcomes your clients to delight in the charms of Paris and historic Normandy or follow in the footsteps of the great Impressionists while cruising the Seine River. They may also choose to venture off the beaten path to the South of France, hunt for truffles and explore the Provencal haunting grounds of Van Gogh along the Rhône and Saône or discover the differences between Bordeaux’s Right Bank and Left Bank wines on the Garonne and Dordogne rivers.
AmaWaterways French river cruises include visits to iconic vineyards and historic châteaux as guests sail aboard an award-winning ship featuring French balconies. One of the line’s most award-winning ships, AmaKristina, named for Co-Founder Kristin Karst, boasts twin-balcony staterooms while sailing the Rhône River on its 7-night Colors of Provence itinerary sailing between Lyon – the “Culinary Capital of France” – and Arles. This itinerary is operated from spring through winter with special Christmastime departures available that include excursions to Christmas Markets and opportunities to view the region’s famous crèches (nativity scenes). Since most journeys through France depart on the same day of the week, this is also a wonderful destination for your clients to reserve longer journeys with back-to-back sailings and save. A France toolkit filled with videos, blogs, recipes and more is available within AmaWaterways’ robust Travel Advisor Portal, so you can engage with and inspire your clients to book now.
New for 2023: Extended Season on Portugal’s Douro River
Portugal also tops many charts of where travelers should vacation next. AmaWaterways has extended their 2023 sailing season on the Douro River through the heart of Port Country, offering guests both experienced and new to the region a chance to see the changing of the seasons into autumn and even winter. On select itineraries, your clients will be able to experience intimate holiday markets in cities such as Porto (and Lisbon if they add an optional land package with AmaWaterways). But no matter which season your clients cruise the Douro with AmaWaterways, they will have a chance to dine at local quintas (wine estates) on shore with special experiences included in the price, immersing them in Portuguese culture, music, food and, of course, Port wine!
Egypt and the Nile River
With Cairo appearing on quite a few lists of best places to travel in 2023, this is the perfect time to capitalize on its popularity. AmaWaterways’ 11-night Secrets of Egypt & the Nile itinerary includes three nights pre-cruise and one night post-cruise in Cairo as part of the standard itinerary. Not only are overnights at either the luxurious Four Seasons at the First Residence or The St. Regis Cairo included in the price, but your clients will harken back to the days of the early explorers on multiple included excursions. In fact, this year marks 100 years since Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb – and with visits to see King Tut’s treasures, the Pyramids of Giza, the Alabaster Mosque and more, your clients will live their dreams before even boarding their stunning river cruise ship for their journey roundtrip from Luxor. Proving that sometimes “the best is yet to come,” AmaWaterways has also reserved one of the itinerary’s exclusive experiences for the final day of the itinerary, offering an exclusive private tour and lunch at Abdeen Presidential Palace, considered one of the most luxurious palaces in the world. Upsell your clients on exceptional land packages to Dubai, Jordan and Israel to ensure they have the most comprehensive and culturally enriching experience in the region.
Vietnam and Cambodia’s Mighty Mekong River
To the delight of many river cruisers, AmaWaterways triumphantly made its return last year to the mighty Mekong River, cruising through the heart of Vietnam and Cambodia. Your clients will glide along this majestic river, discovering a glimpse into another era; one where people still happily honor the timeless traditions passed down through the centuries from their ancestors. Throughout their journey, they will be immersed in the culture and heritage with visits to rural villages, historic pagodas and colorful markets. Guests will also be treated to a special blessing by monks in Buddhist monastery and witness skilled artisans who create exquisite handicrafts and delicacies.
There is no river cruise ship on the Mekong quote like the beautiful AmaDara, which boasts intricately carved woods reflecting the region’s French colonial history as well as handmade art and artifacts. On board the ship, guests may tempt their palates with local cuisine such as Vietnamese pho bo and spring rolls, as well as participate in AmaWaterways’ complimentary Wellness Program, during which a professional Wellness Host leads regionally inspired activities such as yoga, tai chi and meditation.
Although AmaWaterways’ land packages are optional, no Mekong River journey is truly complete without extending one’s journey into fascinating destinations such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, ethereal Ha Long Bay and Siem Reap, gateway to the great Angkor Archaeological Complex. Of course, encouraging your clients to reserve these packages boosts your commission and ensures they have an unforgettable experience through Southeast Asia.
Once-in-a-Lifetime Africa Safaris & Wildlife Cruises
Your most well-traveled clientele may be seeking a more adventurous journey where they can stare wide-eyed as Africa’s largest population of elephants freely swim and splash about, listen to the grunt of the hippo resting nearby or spot zebras and giraffes roaming by the water. AmaWaterways’ five unique Africa Safaris and Wildlife Cruise itineraries each include a 4-night cruise along the Chobe River with incredible safari boat excursions, a visit to Zimbabwe’s UNESCO-designated Victoria Falls – one of the largest waterfalls in the world, and their choice of a 6- to 12-night land package that explores national parks and/or game reserves like South Africa’s 7,500 square-mile Greater Kruger National Park, as well as city tours, wine tastings and visits to local villages. Your clients may ride the historic Rovos Rail steam train and can even add an extension to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park to trek with the “gorillas in the mist” and golden monkeys.
Sign into AmaWaterways’ Travel Advisor Portal to review recent webinars and their Africa Toolkit to begin sharing more about these transformative river cruise and land journeys with your clients.
When Your Clients Can’t Just Pick One River: History-Making Seven River Journeys
For the first time ever, AmaWaterways will be embarking on their epic Seven River Journeys this year. Exploring 14 European countries across three award-winning ships and a diverse array of well-loved rivers such as the Rhine, Danube, and Seine, these incredible 45- and 46- night sailings will leave a lasting impression on your clients. They will witness the castles of the Rhine Gorge, taste the famous apricots of the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley, tour the vineyards of Provence and sail through the Iron Gates of Serbia – all together in one spectacular itinerary.
Guests will be treated to specially curated experiences, exceptional amenities such as complimentary laundry services and exclusive excursions just for those embarking on these once-in-a-lifetime sailings. With delights such as a unique excursion to the historic towns of Delft and Gouda in the Netherlands, a classical music concert in Vienna, and an exploration of Koenigsbourg Castle in Strasbourg waiting for your clients on board this European journey of a lifetime, they will never find a dull moment. Plus, your clients will be under the attentive care of one of AmaWaterways’ extraordinary Cruise Managers throughout their entire itinerary who will travel with them across all ships, ensuring their every need will be met.
Learn more about these amazing opportunities by visiting AmaWaterways’ website or watching the in-depth videos of this itinerary on their YouTube channel.
Limited-Time Savings on Longer Journeys
As previously mentioned, AmaWaterways recently announced the extension of their unprecedented Complimentary Land Package offer. Available on select Europe or Nile River cruises reserved before March 31, 2023, this incredible offer enables your clients to add a 2-, 3- or 4-night package before or after their river cruise with AmaWaterways’ compliments. Whether your clients wish to explore Prague, the “City of Spires,” romantic Paris or even Dubai, they will stay at a leading 4- or 5-star hotel and receive daily breakfast, guided excursions, transfers and luggage handling as well as the services of a wonderful Cruise Manager – all at no extra cost. This offer is also combinable with AmaWaterways’ Combination Cruise Savings of 10% when your clients reserve a second consecutive river cruise – as well as savings of $100 per person for loyal past guests.
Not only is this offer available to FIT guests and Group bookings on select 2023 sailings, it is also available exclusively for Group bookings in 2024, giving you the perfect opportunity to get a head start on building your Group business.
For all the tools you need to inspire clients to take advantage of their Complimentary Land Package Offer, including online booking tutorials, webinars and marketing toolkits, visit your Travel Advisor Portal at www.amawaterways.com/agent-home.