First AmaWaterways ship in Europe to feature the company’s refreshed branding and colours christened in Amsterdam
AmaSofia, was officially christened on 14 March 2026 during a special ceremony on the Rhine held alongside the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam. More than 1,200 travel advisors were invited to join the celebrations, which were hosted across AmaPrima, AmaVenita and AmaSofia, underscoring the central role the advisor community continues to play in AmaWaterways’ growth story.
The vessel accommodates up to 154 guests across 76 staterooms, with suites reaching 32 square metres, and offers the line’s signature touches including twin balconies and The Chef’s Table speciality dining experience. After beginning the 2026 season on the Rhine, the ship is scheduled to reposition to the Danube in June, where it will operate itineraries including Romantic Danube, Melodies of the Danube and Christmas Markets on the Danube, primarily between Budapest and Vilshofen. That makes the August famil not only a trade reward, but also a timely showcase of one of AmaWaterways’ most in-demand European deployments.
AmaWaterways CEO Catherine Powell said the christening marked not only the arrival of a beautiful new ship, but also a celebration of the shared journey the company is on with its travel partners.
AmaWaterways has also set the stage for one of the most anticipated trade incentives on the 2026 calendar when AmaSofia hosts a full-ship takeover for the River of Rewards Mega Famil in August, giving a select group of lucky New Zealand travel agents the chance to sail on one of the line’s newest river ships celebrating the Danube from Budapest to Vilshofen.