It’s been a year like no other but our teams have used the time wisely! We can hardly wait to share all the new experiences we have prepared for 2021 – new ships, new itineraries and new onboard amenities.
I am very excited about our new 11-night Secrets of Egypt & The Nile river cruise and land itinerary beginning in September 2021. Our newly designed AmaDahlia, crafted by Rudi and our design team, is a stunning beauty as you can see from the artist renderings. In true AmaWaterways tradition, our guests will enjoy excellent cuisine, warm service and elegantly appointed suites on board this intimate, 68-guest ship. I distinctly remember my first trip to Egypt – learning so much about its fascinating history, relishing in the magical sunsets and being mesmerized by the spectacular colors on display in the local markets. I cannot wait to return and for our guests to meet the welcoming Egyptian people who so proudly share their stories. Accompanying the river cruise journey, our guests will spend three nights pre-cruise and one-night post-cruise at the five-star Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence, providing a truly luxurious and unforgettable experience that will showcase Egypt’s most iconic wonders along with its hidden treasures.
Our European family continues to grow next year! AmaSiena and her sister ship AmaLucia will join our fleet on the Rhine River in Spring 2021 allowing us to reposition AmaDante and AmaKristina!
AmaDante is moving over to the Seine River to sail Impressions of the Seine & Paris which has been designed as our most leisurely French itinerary (Paris to Le Havre or reverse). The Seine River is like a French Impressionist painting – quiet and beautiful with many spectacular biking trails to enjoy Gothic architecture, châteaux and magnificent gardens. With overnight stays in six ports, it’s a true immersion into the beautiful culture and scenery of Normandy. Another unique feature of this itinerary is the 3-night pre- or post-river cruise land program in Brittany, plus one night in Paris. The landscape in Brittany is unique, very green like Ireland and mystical with Celtic traditions (bagpipes, druids and dolmens). A not-to-be-missed highlight is our full-day excursion to Mont St. Michel – a UNESCO World Heritage Site perched on a rocky islet in the midst of vast sandbanks, exposed to powerful tides between Normandy and Brittany.
I’m also very excited that spring 2021 will see my namesake ship, AmaKristina, moving over to the Rhône River, where she will sail the delectable cruise between Lyon and Avignon, France. This will permit AmaCello to take on a new cruise, Essence of Burgundy & Provence, sailing north from Lyon on the Saône River into the renowned wine region of Burgundy.
For those interested in the technicalities of repositioning a river cruise ship, I hope to have some photos of AmaKristina and AmaDante on their ocean voyages from Amsterdam to France to share with you very soon.
We were fortunate to have been able to operate one ship on the Rhine River since July 5th for the local market in collaboration with a German tour operator. The past four months of experience with our enhanced safety protocols have shown that we can cruise with confidence and safeguard the health of our guests and crew while still delivering a memorable river cruise experience. If you haven’t had an opportunity to see first-hand the enhanced measures in place, please watch our short video filmed on board AmaKristina this summer.
We know you are longing to reconnect with family and friends and continue exploring the world safely again. Whether its back on a familiar ship and favorite itinerary or trying a totally new experience, rest assured that our wonderful crew will be ready to welcome you and ensure that 2021 will be one of your most memorable vacations ever!