CALABASAS, Calif., July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- AmaWaterways (www.AmaWaterways.com), the world's leading river cruise line, this week celebrated the christening of its new 164-passenger vessel AmaSonata. AmaWaterways Co-Founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst joined the line's first-ever Canadian Godmother – Brenda Kyllo of the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) – for a series of festivities in Vilshofen, Germany at the conclusion of the ship's Melodies of the Danube sailing.

"We are honored to have celebrated yet another successful and very special christening this week, officially welcoming AmaSonata to our expanding family," said Kristin Karst, AmaWaterways' Executive Vice President and Co-Owner. "AmaWaterways is delighted to recognize Brenda Kyllo as Godmother to AmaSonata, as we so greatly value our relationship with CAA members and our Canadian travelers overall."

The day's ceremonies began with a traditional Bavarian lunch, live Bavarian music and waltzes.  A traditional Bavarian shoot by professional shooters off the ship's sundeck delighted the ship's guests, Vilshofen locals and government officials, and AmaWaterways owners and staff. Following an afternoon of continuing entertainment, Schreiner and Karst arrived with Kyllo in a horse drawn carriage. Traditions including the signing of the ship's guestbook, a prayer by the abbot, and the ship's official christening preceded a closing ceremony with fireworks.

AmaSonata joins the AmaWaterways fleet alongside sister ships AmaPrima and AmaCerto, as well as AmaReina, another newly built ship that debuted in March 2014. AmaSonata features spacious staterooms and suites, multiple dining venues, onboard massage and salon services, a heated swimming pool with swim-up bar, fitness room, complimentary bicycles and many other upscale amenities and innovative design elements. The ship is already being praised online, recently featured by Yahoo! News as one of the "Eight Cruise-Ship Pools that Make You Say Wow." 

AmaSonata's inaugural voyage set sail April 22 from Amsterdam on an unforgettable Tulip Time Cruise. The ship has since visited Prague, Budapest, and other top spots along the romantic Danube.  Future itineraries include The Legendary Danube, The Romantic Danube and The Melodies of the Danube, visiting Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and other incredible destinations.

The christening of a ship is a time-honored tradition that dates back more than 4,000 years. The Godmother is entrusted with blessing the ship and ceremonies often conclude with the breaking of a champagne bottle against the ship's hull.

For more information or to book an AmaWaterways river cruise, contact a travel professional, visit www.AmaWaterways.com or call (800) 626-0126.  Follow AmaWaterways on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmaWaterways and Twitter @AmaWaterways.

ABOUT AMAWATERWAYS
AmaWaterways offers award-winning river cruises around the world, including Europe, Russia, Southeast Asia and Africa. The company has received numerous honors and accolades over the years, including Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards, Cruise Critic's Editors' Pick Award and an overall 4-Star Plus rating the inaugural Berlitz: River Cruising in Europe. AmaWaterways' European fleet includes AmaVista (2015), AmaSerena (2015), AmaReina (2014), AmaSonata (2014), AmaPrima (2013), AmaCerto (2012), AmaVerde (2011), AmaBella (2010), AmaLyra (2009), AmaDolce (2009), AmaCello (2008), AmaDante (2008), AmaLegro (2007) and the AmaDagio (2006). The company's AmaVoyages division has a fleet of six ships that includes AmaPura (2014) on the Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar, AmaVida (2013) on the Douro River in Portugal, AmaKatarina (rebuilt 2011) on the Volga in Russia, AmaLotus (2011) and AmaDara (2015) on the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia, and the Zambezi Queen (2009) on the Chobe in Botswana.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Samantha Jacobs / Kristin Soto, Hemsworth Communications
(954) 716-7614 or AmaPR@HemsworthCommunications.com

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SOURCE AmaWaterways