This year’s river cruise season includes a lineup of interesting new ships designed to up the ante on luxury in river cruising.
Among the key features of the new generation of vessels are larger cabins and more public spaces. And while some companies are doing that by reducing the number of cabins on traditional-sized vessels, one of the most exciting changes comes with the May launch of the AmaMagna, which will be the largest ship on European rivers.
AmaWaterways last week released new photos and video of the ship, which is double the width of traditional European vessels, cruising the Danube to her winter home in Linz, Austria. There she will receive her final finishing touches before sailing seven-day Danube River cruises between Vilshofen to Budapest starting May 5.
“We first had the vision for AmaMagna nearly seven years ago,” said Rudi Schreiner, president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “Like the ship herself, her construction journey has been a one-of-a-kind experience and we are so pleased to be wrapping up the final details, preparing for her May debut. It’s an exciting time for AmaWaterways, and we’re proud to lead the industry by offering guests a new dimension on river cruising.”
The staterooms on the AmaMagna are comparable to ocean cruise ship suites, measuring between 355 and 710 square feet. The ship will also have four dining venues: Jimmy’s, a family-style dining room named for AmaWaterways’ late co-founder Jimmy Murphy; the Al Fresco restaurant with a retractable ceiling and windows; the main dining room; and a Chef’s Table Restaurant.
The ship will also have a sun deck with a heated swimming pool, a wellness studio with massage, hair and nail salon services and a water sports platform. New AmaWaterways programs available only on the new ship include a vow renewal package and a golf concierge.
Domestically, American Cruise Lines will launch the second of its new class of modern river ships, the American Harmony this season. It follows last year’s launch of the American Song. The ships are similar in style to, but larger than, traditional European ships, with grand suites as large as 900 square feet.
Among the other new launches this spring, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection will begin sailing its sixth super ship, the S.S. Bon Voyage, a top-to-bottom renovation of the former River Royale that added new restaurants, four new luxury suites, enhanced gym and spa facilities and an outdoor swimming pool.
Avalon Waterways and Amadeus River Cruises will also be launching new vessels this year that continue the trend of larger cabins and more public spaces.
The Amadeus Queen will also have an indoor pool and bar and sundeck area with a retractable roof that will be opened in nice weather.
And the new Avalon Envision boasts original art in common areas by Dutch artist Eelco Maan and cabin paintings by another Dutch artist, Sofia Fisher.
Riviera River Cruises launches two new ships, including the all-suite William Wordsworth, with 88 suites at a minimum of 183 square feet.
Viking River Cruises, meanwhile, adds seven new ships in Europe this year, six of which are its trademark long ships.
In August, Emerald Waterways will launch the Emerald Harmony on the Mekong. With a capacity of just 84 passengers, Emerald says she “will be one of the most luxurious ships on the river, raising the bar on all that makes an Emerald Waterways river cruise.”