Amadeus Waterways, under president Rudi Schreiner, a veteran of the
river cruise business and former president of Viking River Cruises,
said it will begin operations April 13 in Amsterdam with a new
ship.
Amadeus Waterways will charter the Amadeus Symphony, sister ship
to Intrav's Amadeus Classic, from Austrian company Lueftner
Cruises, Schreiner said, and start the season with seven-day tulip
cruises through the Netherlands and Belgium.
Three other itineraries are planned for 2003, including a Rhine
and Moselle cruise; a 14-night cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest,
Hungary; and a seven-night Danube cruise.
The line will pay agents 15% commission, Schreiner said, and is
working with tour operators, including Brendan Worldwide
Vacations.
Schreiner left Viking River Cruises earlier this year to join
the Amadeus startup, which, like competitors Viking and Uniworld,
will cater primarily to a North American clientele.