AmaWaterways christened its newest river cruise ship, AmaDouro, with a festive ceremony in Porto, Portugal. The christening marked the culmination of AmaDouro's inaugural cruise – which began in Porto and returned for a special evening hosted by AmaWaterways founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst. Guest of honor, Advantage Travel Partnership CEO and AmaDouro godmother Julia Lo Bue-Said was joined by respected industry partners, international press, and other guests for the celebration.
“The arrival of each new ship is exciting for us at AmaWaterways, but we are especially thrilled to add the AmaDouro to this spectacular region, which we proudly helped to introduce when its sister ship, AmaVida, was launched in 2013,” said Schreiner. “We are delighted to have our friends and partners with us here today as this 21st ship in our fleet marks the beginning of a historic year for our company.”
Following a long tradition associated with the christening of ships that originated more than 4,000 years ago, a priest blessed the ship and its crew, and Captain Pedro Sardo helped godmother Lo Bue-Said break a bottle of champagne against the hull of the AmaDouro, as a wish for good luck on its voyage.
“We are delighted to have Julia officially welcoming this newest member of our family,” said Karst. “It’s our way of celebrating incredible growth and our strong commitment to the UK travel agent community as we work together to bring more guests from around the world to this unspoiled European region.”
Reflecting the true values of AmaFamily, Schreiner and Karst surprised their first British godmother, who was accompanied by her husband and youngest son, by bringing their eldest son to the ceremony as well. Passengers joined in the festivities, which included speeches by Schreiner, Karst, and Lo Bue-Said, performances of local folklore and fado singers, as well as regionally inspired cocktails and a gala dinner.
“I am so proud to be the godmother of this incredible ship,” said Lo Bue-Said. “AmaDouro has truly exceeded my expectations for river cruises, from the ship itself to the unparalleled service and excursions. Traveling through Portugal and welcoming this ship with my family has been an unforgettable experience.”
AmaDouro offers 51 elegant and spacious cabins, most with balconies overlooking the vineyards of the UNESCO-protected Douro Valley. The ship also features a panoramic lounge, a heated pool on the sundeck, a small gym, a massage cabin, and the company's renowned cuisine in the main restaurant, serving dishes inspired by local ingredients and paired with fine wines.
Along with its sister ship, AmaVida, it will sail between Porto and Vega de Terón, based in Porto and offering 7-night cruises with 3-night pre-cruise programs in Lisbon. AmaDouro is the first of three ships to join the AmaWaterways fleet this year. Other ships debuting include AmaMora, sister to AmaLea and AmaKristina, sailing on the Rhine, and the revolutionary AmaMagna on the Danube.
