AmaWaterways Reveals Details on New-Build Nile River Cruise Ship, Hints at Follow Up to AmaMagna

(10:05 a.m.) -- AmaWaterways has announced that its new-build Nile river ship will carry 70 passengers -- the majority in suites -- and has hinted at a follow up to the double-width Europe-based AmaMagna.

The news came during a presentation by the line's Executive Vice President and co-owner, Kristin Karst, at the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) annual U.K. & Ireland River Cruise Conference 2019 in Amsterdam at the weekend.

In September AmaWaterways revealed that it would be launching a ship in Egypt as passengers began returning to the destination following the political unrest of the 'Arab Spring' which saw river cruise bookings plummet.

Karst confirmed that the as-yet-unnamed ship is scheduled to launch in 2021 and will operate from September through May.

She told conference delegates the vessel would appeal to "soft adventurer" passengers who were attracted to other exotic rivers such as the Mekong. In line with other modern river vessels, she said the ship would have a 24-hour security guard and key card entry system.

"I know there are still customers who say they are not yet ready for the Nile, but there are other customers who are," she added.

The move follows growing confidence in the Nile which has seen other lines, including CroisiEurope and Uniworld, increase capacity on the river in 2020.

In her presentation Karst also hinted that the line could launch another new supersize ship in Europe.

This year AmaWaterways launched the revolutionary AmaMagna, which is double the width of conventional river cruise vessels. Although no formal plans have been announced, she said that many sailings had already sold out and indicated it could be joined by a sister ship in the future.

"There is enough potential to fill another AmaMagna," she said. "Ten years ago river cruising was much more regimented and it was one size fits all. Now we are offering different ships and experiences and this is what is attracting more passengers and will continue to do so in the future."