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Disney to venture into river cruises
Disney is soon to dip its toes into the river cruising business following news of a partnership with AmaWaterways.
Adventures by Disney, the company’s tour operator unit, will operate family-focused river cruises using AmaWaterways’ new 170-passenger AmaViola ship when it launches in 2016.
It plans seven-night trips between Budapest, Hungary and Vilshofen, Germany on the vessel which is being custom built for families.
Features include several connecting staterooms and rooms and suites able to accommodate up to four people.
Disney will deploy a small team of Adventures by Disney guides on each sailing alongside to the existing AmaWaterways crew.
Sailings will have wine tastings, fine dining, and an onboard fitness center along with movies, karaoke, and themed nights for younger cruisers.
"We think the Disney brand will bring families to the river cruising category, and we think that’s a very exciting development for the industry, said Ken Potrock," senior vice president for Adventures by Disney.
Potrock said the river cruises will not have Disney characters or Disney movie-themed activities and excursions.
"We bring the stories of Europe to life, but not the stories of Disney," Potrock said.
Reservations open Tuesday for past Adventures by Disney customers and Disney Vacation Club members and then goes on general sale from Wednesday.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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