ONBOARD THE AMASOFIA -- AmaWaterways' newest ship, the AmaSofia, lost power on two of its three engines during its inaugural cruise on the Rhine River and on Wednesday was towed by cargo vessel to Koblenz, Germany, disrupting the itinerary.
Around 4 a.m. on March 18, the nautical team was alerted that the port-side engine lost power, followed by the starboard engine (both are at the stern of the ship). The details were communicated around 9 a.m. in an update by Captain Profirel Mosa. The ship anchored for a few hours just west of Urmitz-Bahnhof, Germany before the tow began; a shoreside technical team of engineers was on the way to assist.
Most of the guests onboard are U.S. travel advisors on a fam trip following ASTA's River Cruise Expo.
"We have people onboard who are working around the clock, doing the best they can at the moment to remove the malfunctions," Mosa said in an update to passengers. "We also invited the technical department from outside, so that they will come here and resolve the issue as soon as possible, so we will be able to continue to sail."
The ship had been approaching the Rhine Gorge, a heavily trafficked area of the Rhine River. Although the engine at the bow of the ship still has power, the team decided to anchor and wait for a shoreside team rather than risk losing power to all three engines.
The ship had a planned call in Rudesheim, Germany, later that day, but guests will participate in shore excursions during the stop in Koblenz.
If all goes as planned, the ship will resume sailing through the Rhine Gorge tomorrow.
"Our experienced crew responded quickly, and arrangements are in place so we can resume cruising with minimal impact," said Alex Pinelo, the chief sales officer for AmaWaterways, who was onboard the AmaSofia. "We're making arrangements to schedule shore excursions in Koblenz to make sure the guests are getting the most out of their stay. Once the repairs have been made, we can be on our way and [maintain] the daylight cruising through the Rhine Gorge tomorrow."
Pinelo and Leana Hardgrave, director of marketing, operations and events, decided to use the time while anchored to hold an educational panel for the travel advisors onboard.
"A mechanical stop is just the nature of the business," said Karin Viera, vice president of sales at Travel Leaders Network. "It's going to happen ... we're just happy to be here."
The AmaSofia is the newest ship from AmaWaterways, christened just four days prior by Godmother Sarah Little, who is also onboard. It is also the first ship in the AmaWaterways fleet to be fully unveiled with the line's new branding.
Update: This report was updated after the ship completed its tow to Koblenz, Germany.