The coronavirus pandemic has paused most travel including river cruises, but Rudi Schreiner, co-founder and president of AmaWaterways, says the company wasn’t caught unaware by the pandemic.
Below, Schreiner also explains how AmaWaterways is assisting travel advisors to get ahead during this time.
How can AmaWaterways and advisors get positive messages out in order to sooner jumpstart the market?
Experience has shown me that travel will rebound quickly, as it has in the past. In fact, recent research predicts that the travel industry will be quickest to recover because of pent-up demand. No matter how the times change, the reasons people travel stay the same. They want to connect with others, have immersive experiences and discover different cultures, which they can only do by seeing the world. And what better way to see the world than by sailing its rivers?
Given that co-founders Kristin Karst, Jimmy Murphy and I started the business so soon after 9/11, we built the company on the foundation of a conservative growth plan, which would ensure our strength in the face of any future challenges that came our way. While we never predicted something like the coronavirus, we did anticipate and fully prepare for an extended period of time when our ships couldn’t sail. Our preparedness has been a source of encouragement for our valued travel partners. It’s important to remind travelers that this too shall pass.
While we never predicted something like the coronavirus, we did anticipate and fully prepare for an extended period of time when our ships couldn’t sail.
While operations have temporarily paused, the rivers continue to flow. We are committed to continuing to work with and engage guests and travel advisors, until we’re ready to cruise again. We’re encouraging our travel partners to do the same — stay connected to clients while they’re at home dreaming of future vacations. Personal connection is one of our core values at AmaWaterways, and a phone call or FaceTime call will help to build relationships and keep the conversations going until clients are ready to travel again. When they are ready, AmaWaterways will welcome guests back to the rivers with open arms.
Regarding the spread of illness in general, what is your perspective on river cruising in comparison to ocean cruising?
Advisors and their clients can rest assured knowing that the health and safety of our guests is of the utmost importance, always.
We have very high standards of hygiene onboard our ships, and we are continuing to work closely with our partners in the destinations we sail through to ensure that all our screening, onboard sanitation procedures and excursions will be operated in strict accordance with the most up-to-date recommended guidelines.
Rudi Schreiner, co-founder and president of AmaWaterways
Credit: 2020 AmaWaterwaysOn the river, our ships are always within a country and not coming from international waters, so if medical attention is required for some reason or another, we are able to dock within a few kilometers from the nearest hospital.
On the river, our ships are always within a country and not coming from international waters, so if medical attention is required for some reason or another, we are able to dock within a few kilometers from the nearest hospital.
River ships are intimate vessels accommodating only 156 guests on average. Even on our largest ship — AmaMagna, who is twice the width of traditional river cruise ships — guest capacity is a maximum of 196. Additionally, our itineraries include a choice of up to 20 small group shore excursions and exclusive experiences, providing plenty of options for guests of all activity levels to enjoy time off their floating boutique hotel. The wide variety of options ensures each experience is comfortable and without crowds.
What is AmaWaterways doing to support advisors during this difficult time?
The travel advisor community has been the foundation of our company, and I’ve been impressed by the way they have stepped up to assist their clients who have been impacted by this recent cruise suspension.
In order to support our valued advisor partners, we are issuing future cruise credits (FCC) valued at 115% of what they paid for AmaWaterways purchased services to their clients whose vacations were disrupted. This is a powerful message for the advisor to deliver to their clients and helps them in retaining the business and moving the booking forward to a later date.
Not only will the FCC protect advisors’ full commission on their client’s canceled cruise, their commission is actually paid at the time of the original sailing date that was impacted, providing the advisors with much-needed cash flows at this time. We are also offering an additional 10% commission on the full value of the FCC for the new future sailing date their clients select plus their standard full commission on the difference, if applicable.
AmaWaterways will also continue to support these advisors with training, marketing tools and sales support they require during these times. Webinar Wednesdays are now scheduled every week and include AmaWaterways executives, advisors sharing best practices, live Q&A sessions and more. The entire staff at AmaWaterways is dedicated to help them succeed during these times.
This approach ensures that both our advisors who support us, and their clients who they have entrusted with us, are taken care of every step of the way. The situation continues to evolve, and the patience, support and understanding of our travel partners has been remarkable.
The Details
AmaWaterways
www.amawaterways.com
