AMAWATERWAYS welcomes new MS Amadolce

AMAWATERWAYS has christened its sixth new ship in three years – the luxurious 148-passenger MS Amadolce.

AMAWATERWAYS has christened its sixth new ship in three years – the luxurious 148-passenger MS Amadolce. The ceremony comes six weeks after the christening of MS Amadolce’s sister ship, the MS Amalyra, in Vilshofen, Germany.

The breathtaking and historic town of Durnstein, Austria served as the backdrop for the MS Amadolce’s christening. Located on the Danube in the renowned Wachau wine-growing region, Durnstein is one of the area’s most-visited tourist sites. It is also an extremely popular destination on several of AMAWATERWAYS’ Danube river itineraries, known for its iconic hilltop castle fortress dating back to the days of Richard the Lion-Hearted.

The May 20 festivities for MS Amadolce included regional touches, such as folk music from a local school group, a performance by the “Dürnsteiner Bläsersextett” brass instrumentalists, and a choir and folk-dance performance. Adding to the local flavor, numerous invited guests arrived in traditional costume from the lower Austrian region.

AMAWATERWAYS president Rudi Schreiner (himself a native of Vienna) presided over the ceremony, which also included a welcome by Durnstein deputy mayor Knoll Emmerich and a convocation by a local priest. AMAWATERWAYS chairman Jimmy Murphy also attended the christening, along with key international travel partners and local dignitaries.

Geoff McGeary, owner of Australia Pacific Touring (which has chartered the vessel for the Australian market for most of 2009), delivered the keynote speech. After the traditional breaking of the champagne bottle against the ship’s hull by travel agents Karen Broadhurst and Joanne Morgan (serving as proxies for godmother Anne McGeary), the celebrations continued onboard the Amadolce.

Like her sister ships, MS Amadolce features a sleek, upscale décor, highlighted by its own distinctively bold color palette. MS Amadolce also boasts the innovative features and complimentary extras that have garnered accolades for the line since its formation in 2002. Foremost among those features are complimentary Wi-Fi; spacious, 170-square-foot standard cabins, with over eighty-two percent boasting French balconies; plush bedding with down duvets; flat-screen TVs; in-room “Infotainment system” with complimentary stateroom Internet access; marble-appointed bathrooms; spa-quality bath amenities; terry robes; and slippers. Gourmet meals in the restaurant are accompanied by free-flowing complimentary local wines, and specialty coffees are always available in the main lounge or at meals (and always complimentary). AMAWATERWAYS vessels also feature a fitness center, beauty salon, whirlpool, walking track on the Sun Deck, and a fleet of bicycles for passenger use. A professional cruise director accompanies passengers throughout their entire cruise and land experience, and expert local guides conduct complimentary city tours at every destination.

ABOUT AMAWATERWAYS

AMAWATERWAYS is the fastest-growing river cruise line in Europe, known for its innovative product and state-of-the art vessels. The MS Amadolce and MS Amalyra join a luxurious fleet that includes MS Amacello (2008), MS Amadante (2008), MS Amalegro (2007), and MS Amadagio (2006). Another brand-new vessel, MS Amabella, is set for delivery in 2010.

Additionally, AMAWATERWAYS operates unique Destination Cruises on the Volga-Baltic Waterway from Moscow to St. Petersburg in Russia aboard the MS Tolstoy; Portugal’s bucolic Douro River Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, aboard the MS Amadouro; and the enchanting Rhone river in Southern France on MS Swiss Pearl.

Beginning in September 2009, the line will introduce its exclusive “Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong” program in southeast Asia, which will include a 7-night Mekong river cruise on the brand-new, luxurious MS La Marguerite.

For more information about AMAWATERWAYS’ exciting fleet of vessels and new itineraries, visit the line’s website at www.amawaterways.com or call 1-800-626-0126.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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