AmaWaterways building Europe’s largest river cruise ship

AmaWaterways on Friday unveiled a mega river ship that
co-owner Rudi Schreiner said will be the largest in Europe.

The AmaMagna, scheduled to launch in 2019, will be twice as
wide as its current ships, enabling the construction of larger cabins.

Cabins will average 300 square feet, with the passenger
count increasing by just 34 from current ships, from 160 to 194, Schreiner
said. He said the emphasis will be on “lots of play room” in spaces like
the spa and gym.

The ship, which will sail the Danube, will also have more
restaurants, including al fresco dining, as well as an aft deck for water
activities such as kayaks and jet skis. 

“AmaMagna will provide guests with generous personal space, the freedom of multiple dining choices and exceptional stateroom comfort,” Schreiner said.

Schreiner says the industry has been considering such
projects for years, so AmaWaterways finally decided to push the envelope and
build the bigger ship because of a shift in booking trends away from the
smaller, less expensive cabins to the 235-square-foot double balcony cabins and
suites on current ships.

Asked if there were plans to build more than one mega river
ship, Schreiner said, “Let’s start with one for now and see how we go from
there.”