Award-winning river cruise operator AMAWATERWAYS has announced a new addition to its river cruise fleet with the inclusion of the 212 passenger MS AMAKATARINA from May 2011. The AMAKATARINA will be featured in the company’s popular “Russian Waterways” program and her inaugural sailing will take place on May 10, 2011. Thereafter she will sail a total of fourteen 11- night voyages for the 2011 season between Moscow and St Petersburg.
The completely renovated ship will be the largest and most luxurious vessel sailing the Volga-Baltic Waterways, with each cabin on average 43% more spacious than those of rival cruise operators.
The 212-passenger ship has 24,025 square feet of space dedicated to 106 cabins spanning four decks, seventy-six of which have balconies. Four different suite categories offer luxurious accommodations ranging in size from 280 to 432 square feet. Public areas include a Restaurant, Panorama Lounge, Conference Hall, Sauna, Bar/Nightclub and Solarium.
Rudi Schreiner, president of AM Waterways, said “From the time that we first launched our Russian Waterways program, it has proven to be one of our most popular and successful itineraries. Now, we are taking Russian Waterways to the next level of luxury and comfort with the AMAKATARINA. We are overseeing every detail of the ship’s renovation. This will allow us to make sure the vessel is perfectly tailored to the high standards that AMAWATERWAYS passengers expect.”
Amakatarina replaces the line’s current vessel on Russia’s waterways, the MS Tolstoy, which itself is rated as one of the finest ships in the region and was once used by high-ranking Kremlin officials.
Steve Williams, managing director of Fred. Olsen Travel, which represents AMAWATERWAYS in the UK, said “Although MS Tolstoy is highly rated in terms of ships on the Volga, we wanted a newer, superior product which better represented the AMA experience and that is what Amakatarina is delivering.”
For 2011, the “Russian Waterways” program will feature an 11-night itinerary from Moscow to St. Petersburg, filled with the line’s trademark exclusive features and culturally-enriching tours. Highlights include two nights on board docked in Moscow, followed by a 6-night cruise along Russia’s colorful and historic waterways. Passengers will visit the enchanting Golden Ring cities of Uglich and Yaroslavl, then transit across Europe’s two largest lakes, Onega and Ladoga, to one of the world’s most beautiful cities, St. Petersburg, spread over 101 islands and 66 canals. The tour concludes with three nights on board the vessel in St. Petersburg.
Prices start from $3,299 (c. £2,199 plus port taxes of £125) for the 11-night cruise.
AMAWATERWAYS UK reservations: 0800 389-9811
email : enquiries@amawaterways.co.uk
Website: www.amawaterways.co.uk
About AMAWATERWAYS
AMAWATERWAYS offers all-inclusive river cruise vacations in Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. It’s luxurious, state-of-the art fleet in Europe consists of the MS Amadolce (2009), the MS Amalyra (2009), the MS Amacello (2008), the MS Amadante (2008), the MS Amalegro (2007) and the MS Amadagio (2006). The MS Amabella will join the fleet in the spring of 2010 and the MS Amaverde in 2011. The line introduced “Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong” in 2009, featuring a 7-night Mekong River cruise on the beautiful new MS La Marguerite. Due to the overwhelming success of the program, AMAWATERWAYS is constructing a new vessel to be introduced on the Mekong in Autumn 2011.
AMAWATERWAYS also offers destination cruises to the breathtaking Douro River Valley in Portugal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the MS Amadouro and a Provencal sojourn on the romantic Rhone River in France aboard the MS Swiss Pearl.
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