United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
River cruise market has huge potential
The market for river boat cruising has only scratched the surface and could represent as little as 5% of future demand, believes Kristin Karst, co-owner and vice president of the California-based Amadeus Waterways.
“We’ll be adding two more ships in 2008, 2009 and 2010,” she said. The cruise line’s oldest ship is circa 2006.
Twelve different itineraries are being operated this year. They include a 7-night Holland and Belgium Tulip Time Cruise, two Rhine and Moselle cruises, several Danube cruises combined with Prague, plus three cruises of Central Europe featuring Serbia, Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria, with a 3-night extension program to Istanbul.
She says one reason for the cruise line’s popularity is its luxury features that include:
- Free internet.
- Free bicycles and the possibility for passengers to get off the ship and peddle to the next stop.
- All staterooms have an Infotainment System with Internet, Movie and Music Library & English Language TV stations.
- The cruises are all-English with a non-smoking environment.
- Free and unlimited wine and beer with meals.
- About 83% of the rooms have balconies.
Rudi Schreiner, the former President of Viking River Cruises Inc. and Jim Murphy, the former owner and CEO of Brendan Worldwide Vacations, launched Amadeus Waterways in 2002.
The company focuses on maintaining a strong business relationship with its select and well-known tour operators and specialized travel agents in the US, Canada, Ireland, UK, Scandinavia and Australia.
The cruise line is popular with tour operators and agents.
“We’re a family run business and also we are known as a luxury product at a low price,” said Ms Karst.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
British Airways passengers endure 11-hour 'flight to nowhere'
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’
Gatwick braces for strike