With record low water levels on the Danube, AmaWaterways says it’s relishing the opportunity to showcase its contingency planning to the Australasian agents on its inaugural charter cruise this week.
The current disruptions across the river cruise sector on the Rhine and Danube have been well-documented. But Ama is leaning into the strength of its fleet (with a smaller ship draft), its communications and its nimble operations team.
“We are keen to send the strong message that we handle these conditions, as good, if not better, than anyone,” says AmaWaterways md ANZ Steve Richards. “And we have not cancelled one cruise—we’ve just adapted to the conditions.”
Richards says Ama’s European based operations team closely monitors river conditions across the day, each day, and works to make any adjustments needed. “Rather than cancelling cruises, our focus is on adapting,” he adds. “Depending on conditions, this may include adjustments to the order of ports, alternative transportation between certain destinations or, in some cases, a
ship swap. Every decision is made with our guests’ comfort, safety, and overall experience in mind.”
Richards stresses that ‘good communication is key to a trust-based partnership’. “We don’t cancel, your guests’ long-planned holiday is safe with us. But if we need to adapt, we let the guests know as quickly as possible (often first if they are already in location) and then follow through with fast accurate communication to the booking agents.”
Ama’s local res team is equipped to field questions on individual itineraries and Richards says it often offers future cruise credits if an itinerary changes, but the cruise goes ahead.
. . . The Charter
Two years in the making, Richards says the River of Rewards charter cruise illustrates its commitment to the region—and to Kiwi agents.
There are 38 top selling Kiwi agents on the famil including Mairead Burke from HoT Kerikeri, Wanderlust’s Juanita Smart and Nicky Fowler from HoT Cruise (pictured).
Ama’s Kiwi sales manager Tracey Brennan also won the internal incentive for having the most agents on board. Richards says New Zealand over indexed in winners against Australia, and adds that the concept has been welcomed by the trade. “The trade are asking us to do this again…so stay tuned,” he hints. Ama is also celebrating its continued Kiwi growth. “We’re +48% up year on year in New Zealand and up 413% since our launch year in 2024,” says Richards.
The key Kiwi trends, he adds, has been the growth in its groups business each year as well as showcasing eastern and western Europe. Egypt has ranked second overall for the past two years, while for 2026 departures, Richards says the Douro River
is in second place.
