LAST night saw a major celebration on the Danube River in the Austrian town of Grein, where AmaWaterways and its partner APT formally named the new mega-ship AmaMagna. The double-width vessel is the biggest ship to sail on the Danube, with AmaWaterways founder Rudi Schreiner admitting he’d “had this unique...
LAST night saw a major celebration on the Danube River in the Austrian town of Grein, where AmaWaterways and its partner APT formally named the new mega-ship AmaMagna.
The double-width vessel is the biggest ship to sail on the Danube, with AmaWaterways founder Rudi Schreiner admitting he’d “had this unique ship on my mind for years.
“I’m proud to welcome AmaMagna to the AmaWaterways fleet and family,” he said, before introducing the ship’s godmother, US TV personality Samantha Brown, who is the host of Emmy Award-winning travel show Places to Love.
It’s a match that was meant to be, with Brown noting that the “Ama” in AmaWaterways also means love, and the event certainly had a family feel.
AmaWaterways is owned by Schreiner and his wife and the company’s co-founder, Kristin Karst, along with the family of the late Jimmy Murphy, plus APT owner Geoff McGeary, who was represented at the event by Australia Pacific Holdings (APH)CEO Chris Hall.
The townsfolk turned out in force for the event, with many donning traditional dress and taking part in performances from bands, magicians and singers.
Brown formally blessed the ship before smashing the traditional bottle of bubbly on the side, and the evening wrapped up with a spectacular fireworks display.
Pictured at the ceremony are: Gary Hughes, Senior VP of Sales AmaWaterways; AmaMagna Captain Jan de Bruijn; Kristin Karst, AmaWaterways Executive Vice President; Samantha Brown; Chris Hall, APH; and Rudi Schreiner, AmaWaterways President.
![]()
