AmaWaterways is delaying its European sailing season with a new scheduled start of April 26, 2020, and in addition, is ensuring commission protection.
“The health, safety, and well-being of our guests and crew are of the utmost importance to everyone on the AmaWaterways team. With the latest travel warnings and restrictions imposed by the U.S., Canadian and UK governments, we must continue to be vigilant in protecting the health of those on board our ships,” says Rudi Schreiner, president and co-founder, AmaWaterways in a statement. “As a result, we are voluntarily suspending the operations of our European river cruise fleet and delaying the start of our 2020 European sailing season until April 26, 2020. We will also suspend our Mekong River cruises starting March 23. This is not an easy decision, as we know how much our guests were looking forward to their vacations, but we must follow all precautionary measures put in place by governing authorities.”
AmaWaterways has also updated its cancellation policy applicable to these canceled sailings, adding new details to protect vacations. Guests who were booked on a cruise that is being canceled have the option of receiving a Future Cruise Credit equal to 115% of the value of all services purchased through AmaWaterways or receiving a full monetary refund. The Future Cruise Credit is applicable on all Europe or Mekong River cruise sailings any time before December 31, 2022.
Additionally, the company will fully protect the commission of travel advisors whose clients opt for a Future Cruise Credit, as well as pay an additional 10% commission on the value of the future booking. Plus, the company will pay full commission on the fare difference, if applicable.
“We understand the immediate implications that these unavoidable travel cancellations are having on our valued travel advisors, who have been the foundation of our family-owned and operated business. We recognize the important role they play in encouraging our guests to rebook, therefore, paying commission now on the canceled arrangements and again on the future bookings seems very much the right thing to do,” adds Schreiner.
A family-owned company celebrating 18 years on the river, AmaWaterways offers river cruises with 25 ships sailing Europe’s Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhône, Seine, Garonne, Dordogne, Dutch and Belgian Waterways and Douro Rivers, Southeast Asia’s Mekong, Africa’s Chobe River and Egypt’s Nile River (2021). Led by river cruise co-founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst, the company is known for its stateroom design featuring unique “twin balconies;” its wellness activities including a wide choice of included shore excursions featuring biking and hiking options for the active traveler; and its award-winning dining—including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant as well as complimentary fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner.
For more information, go to amawaterways.com. Viking Cruises suspends cruises until May 1, while Princess Cruises suspends operations for 60 days—read it here and here, respectively.
