AmaWaterways has welcomed the 2022 European season with strong reservations and easing of entry requirements, with guests favouring longer cruises, exotic destinations and unique onshore events.
“After missing many celebrations with family and friends over the past two years, there is incredible pent-up demand, with travellers anxious to pack their bags and start fulfilling their travel ‘must do’ list,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice-president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “A desire to step away from the day-to-day and reconnect with the world is driving demand for longer cruises, itineraries that include exclusive events and those that take guests to more exotic destinations, like on our 11-night Secrets of Egypt & The Nile cruise and land itinerary, our Mekong River cruises or our Africa Safaris & Wildlife cruises.”
Highlights of AmaWaterways’ 2022 European season include an excursion to Floriade on nine different river cruise itineraries between April 14 and October 9. A highlight this year for all guests embarking or disembarking their river cruise in Amsterdam is a visit to the once-in-a-decade horticultural event, Floriade Expo. The flourishing city district of Almere will host The Netherlands’ largest public event with the theme "Growing Green Cities." This expo features stunning gardens, innovative sustainable gardening exhibits, live entertainment and food stalls while encouraging visitors to “explore, touch and change” as part of their journey through Floriade.
Other highlights include immersive experiences in France and Portugal. In high demand is the award-winning AmaKristina, the only twin-balcony ship in France, cruising for her first full season on the Rhône River between Lyon and Avignon. Also extremely popular are Portugal cruises on board AmaDouro and sister ship AmaVida, which kicked off the Douro River sailings on March 26.
A unique experience for 2022 is the Secrets of Egypt & The Nile itinerary on board AmaDahlia, which debuted this past fall.