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In European river cruising, there is a trade-off between size and accessibility. Most river cruise ships are built to certain dimensions so they can access destinations along the river that require passing through locks and under bridges that constrain their height, width and length to very exacting measurements.
But AmaWaterways earlier this month decided to do something no river cruise company has done in awhile: It will sacrifice access to build a ship nearly twice the width of its existing vessels in order to significantly augment the onboard amenities.
Scheduled to launch in 2019, the AmaMagna will be 72 feet wide, compared with 38 feet for AmaWaterways’ existing vessels, and it will have a passenger capacity of 194, compared with about 160 on most of company’s current ships.
Since the greater width of the vessel means it won’t be able to sail through the locks on the Main-Danube Canal, Rudi Schreiner, president and co-owner of AmaWaterways, said the AmaMagna will sail only on the Danube.
But according to Schreiner, the trade-off will be worth it for those guests looking for a unique river cruise experience.
“We think the AmaMagna will provide the best of both worlds: more options to choose from on the ship, with a ton to do off the ship,” Schreiner said. “For those guests who are looking for a bit more space, the AmaMagna design will enhance the overall experience by giving our guests different ways of experiencing a destination.”
As one example, Schreiner said, the company is looking into offering AmaMagna passengers the option to canoe along a stretch of the Danube.
The extra space will enable the company to install a watersports platform on the ship, which will give guests access to Zodiac boats, canoes and Jet Skis. The vessel will also feature larger staterooms, averaging 300 square feet; multiple dining venues, including a glass-enclosed restaurant; a larger spa and gym area; and enhanced evening entertainment.
“I have had plans for a double-wide ship of this nature on the drawing board for several years,” Schreiner said. He added that AmaWaterways finally decided to build the bigger ship because of a shift in booking trends away from smaller, less expensive cabins to larger cabins and suites.
When it launches, the AmaMagna will not be the only extra-wide vessel plying Europe’s rivers. The 203-passenger Crystal Mozart, a former Peter Deilmann Cruises vessel built in 1987, is 75 feet wide. Crystal Cruises relaunched it last year after an extensive renovation and it features suites that range from 200 to 860 square feet. It also has multiple dining venues, a spa and fitness center, an indoor pool, a beauty salon and a library.
Asked why AmaWaterways is introducing a wider river ship 30 years after the Mozart launched, Schreiner said competition is heating up and the market is expanding, which means there is a need for new and innovative products.
“We are starting to have more and more repeat clients who are looking for something new, and we are also attracting a younger clientele who are looking for active options while they discover new destinations,” he said. “As the market continues to grow, we need to remain at the leading edge of industry innovation.”
Pete Larson, owner of river cruise specialist agency River Cruise Guru, said the added amenities stand to attract a younger audience as well as ocean cruisers who are accustomed to having more onboard amenities.
“At first, I thought, why?” Larson said. “People seem to love the intimacy of small ships. But when you look at some of the things you give up in order to cruise a smaller ship, it makes perfect sense for Ama to try upsizing in this market.”
He added, “A ship like this will attract passengers in a younger demographic. [A] watersports platform, pools, hot tubs, expanded entertainment and more choices may prove popular among millennials and even children. Activities and facilities like this will give more options for everyone. I’m liking this idea and think it will be a popular ship.”
Sоurсе: travelweekly.com
