European river cruise line AmaWaterways, with APT, announced plans to add three vessels to its fleet next year. It’s the most number of ships the company has launched since 2002 and they will be the biggest ships to date.

The AmaMagna, which is sold through APT in Australia, has the capacity for 194-passengers will be 72 feet wide which is almost twice the size as the line’s existing river ship.

More than half of the 98 staterooms will be suites between 355 and 710 square feet which features step-out balconies, seating areas as well as bathrooms with double vanities.

Also onboard will be four dining venues which include the main restaurant, the Chef’s Table that offers guests a special trademark tasting menu, a healthy alfresco restaurant and Jimmy’s Wine Bar.

Also onboard will be the Zen Wellness Studio which has a large exercise area for groups focused on stretching, cardio, core strength and there is also a juice bar, massage treatment rooms as well as a separate manicure and pedicure area and a hair salon.

The sun deck will have a large heated pool, a hot tub as well as a pop-up bar. There will also be a watersports platform and will be at the rear of the ship where guests can kayak and try stand up paddle boarding in a bid to convert ocean cruisers to the river.

“With the AmaMagna, we also now want to attract ocean cruisers who have never looked at the rivers because [the ships were] too small, there were not enough options. So now, hopefully, with the regular cabins being 350 square feet, which is a suite here, they will come because now they feel they have the space,” said Kristin Karst, the executive vice president for AmaWaterways.

The line is also branching by partnering with a number of different groups.
“We have a couple of very unique, new-to-cruise groups. One, I would say, is Adventures by Disney families who enjoy it, and hopefully the kids will stick with cruising and continue doing it,” said AmaWaterways president Rudi Schreiner.

Adventures by Disney launched in 2015 and focuses on family-focused itineraries while the partnership with touring company Backroads, offers active cycling and biking holidays.

For the 40s to 50s, Mr Schneider said that their wine-themed cruises hosted by a U.S.-based winemaker has been increasingly popular. In 2019, there will be 60 dedicated wine cruises – up from 50 this year.

AmaWaterways are sold through APT in Australia.