Figueroa
We have a lot of exciting news from Amadeus Waterways right now.
First of all, we’re introducing two new vessels, the MS Amacello
and MS Amadante. Both will be in service on European waterways this
season. We’re also looking forward to our Portugal and Spain
program, which gets underway this May. It includes three nights in
Lisbon, plus a cruise through the Douro River Valley, which is a
real hidden gem in Europe.
Any travel-agent promotions coming up?
Yes, we are offering two special fam opportunities for agents
interested in experiencing our Portugal sailings. The cruises are
scheduled for May 17-24 and June 7-14. The June sailing will
feature an Amadeus Waterways seminar on how to become a European
River Specialist.
: How is the company changing their position in the
market this year?
I wouldn’t say we’re changing our position so much as
reaffirming our role as the most innovative river cruise operator
in Europe. We’re garnering awards for our personalized service and
extras such as complimentary wine, specialty coffees and Wi-Fi.
Additionally, we’re operating the youngest and most luxurious fleet
of river vessels in Europe. In addition to our two ships launching
this year, we have two vessels, the MS Amalyra and the MS Amadolce,
set to debut in 2009 and two more on order for 2010.
Any new destinations that agents should be aware
of?
We’re pretty excited about our Portugal and Spain program, which
explores the historic Douro River valley, the birthplace of the
world-renowned port wines. We offer complimentary port wines with
dinner each night. Another great program is our Provence and Spain
cruise. It begins with three nights in Paris, ends with three
nights in Barcelona and includes an amazing river journey through
Provence in between.
How does Amadeus plan to stay strong despite the
economic downturn?
Of course, anyone operating in Europe has been slammed by the
declining value of the dollar.
Some of our competitors have introduced currency surcharges
ranging from $20 to $195 per person. We decided not to follow suit.
Nor have we implemented a fuel surcharge, which is at this point a
standard feature in the cruise industry.
We believe that sticking to our announced pricing structure
makes Amadeus Waterways an even more attractive option for
travelers looking for an all-inclusive river cruise experience.
