European river cruise executive Rudi Schreiner, a veteran of both
Uniworld and Viking River Cruises, has formed a new company called
Amadeus Waterways.
Amadeus will kick off operations in April with the new
146-passenger Amadeus Symphony, now under construction in The
Netherlands.
Schreiner, who opened an office in Westlake Village, Calif.,
said there is room in the industry for another river cruise
company.
“There is tremendous potential right now,” said Schreiner, who
plans to position his new company differently from Uniworld and
Viking River, both also headquartered in Los Angeles. “Our focus
will be mainly alumni, nonprofit and the group market in general,”
he said. “I don’t even go after FITs.”
Schreiner is starting with one vessel and plans to add more but
not too many.
“I would like to keep it as a niche market with a few ships with
high-quality service,” he said. “I really don’t have the intention
of competing with Viking River and Uniworld.”
About half of Schreiner’s 2003 capacity will be sold by Los
Angeles-based Brendan Worldwide Vacations.
Other tour operators also are selling space on the Amadeus
Symphony, including Maupintour and Sunny Land Tours.
Schreiner said the Amadeus Symphony is one of seven vessels
owned by W. Luftner Reisen GmbH. Four ships carry the Amadeus name
the Amadeus, the Amadeus Rhapsody (also known as Amadeus II), the
Amadeus Classic and the Amadeus Symphony.
“They have a good name in the United States,” he said. “One
primary feature of the ships is the focus on enjoying the scenery.
The restaurant in the back has three totally glass sides with no
obstructions in the middle. Even if you sit on one side, you can
see the shores on the other side.”
The ship will have two lounges the main lounge and a 50-person
Club Lounge that can be used for meetings for groups. The 69 cabins
are 161 square feet in size with 90-by-42-inch windows. Four suites
measure 236 square feet and have two 75-by-42-inch windows.
Bathrooms have showers only but are enclosed by a sliding glass
door. Suites have full bathtubs.
The Amadeus Symphony will have a physician onboard. Other
features include a 100-meter walking track and a large hot tub on
the top deck, a small gym and a salon with hair services, massage,
manicures and pedicures.
Wine will be included with dinner. Schreiner hopes to add
nightly entertainment of local musicians, and artists.
All shore excursions are included. Groups of 25 or more can
arrange for their own motorcoach for shore excursions, including
deviations from the set schedule, at no extra cost, Schreiner
said.
A range of itineraries are offered in 2003, including
seven-night Tulip Time cruises in the Netherlands and Belgium, a
Rhine and Moselle cruise with Munich, a seven-night Danube cruise
with two nights in Prague, and a 14-night journey from Amsterdam to
Budapest. Prices range from $1,498 to $2,898 (not including
air).
Call 800-626-0126. A Web site is under development at
www.amadeuswater ways.com.
