In the increasingly competitive world of river cruising, AmaWaterways is staking its claim as the leader in active river cruising.
That's the descriptor it used in the lead of one of its latest news releases, and it comes as the company prepares for a 2019 season when it will have fitness directors on all of its ships.
While many other lines also have gyms and fitness experts onboard, AmaWaterways, which was also the first line to put bikes on all of its ships, claims to the be the only line that will offer multiple group fitness classes a day, including one pre-morning excursion class.
It's the little details, I have learned, that make the difference in river cruising, where the companies are constantly seeking to one-up each other in the race to attract a new generation of travelers.
Pam Hoffee, managing director of Avalon Waterways, which like most upscale lines today also has bikes and fitness instructors on board, said in a recent discussion about river cruise trends, that there "is definitely more competition and each of us has to live up to our brand standards and what our guests are looking for."
"Every brand has to have their own personality," she added. "In river cruising that was not the case five years ago. It really was about your fleet and what was different in your cabins. Over the last few years it's really been a different situation, where every brand is developing a personality."
Indeed, while AmaWaterways promotes itself as the leader in active cruising, Avalon promotes not only its activities but its unique cabin design with the beds facing floor-to-ceiling windows. Crystal considers itself the leader in fine onboard cuisine while Uniworld prides itself on its boutique design and royally trained-butler service. Viking remains laser-focus on the above 55-crowd.
Still, the brands also closely watch each other to match the latest twists, and that translates to a lot more options for travelers.
And one thing everyone seems to be doing for 2019 is adding more and often shorter itineraries with a wider variety of activities for guests of all ages and activity levels.