Celebrating a target-breaking first year in the Kiwi market, AmaWaterways is set to step it up a gear as it readies to add new ships and new destinations.
Per capita Kiwis are outperforming the Australian market for AmaWaterways, and visiting vp sales and co-owner Gary Murphy says the product has been ‘received very well’ here. “We listened to the market, we have a New Zealand brochure and we have [NZD] pricing to make it easier to sell-and it’s working.”
The company is adding capacity to meet the demand, and Murphy says its upper and lower Danube sailings are its Kiwi top sellers, which can be combined for a longer sailing. The Mekong itineraries continue to be popular, too, but have been selling out—so Murphy says AmaWaterways is adding another ship for the Mekong next year.
. . . Colombia
The cruise line is also about to sail its inaugural voyage along Colombia’s Magdalena River. AmaWaterways will be the first major river cruise company to operate on the route since 1961.“We’re starting up in a couple of weeks, and we’re really excited. The towns and the villages we’re visiting, once we’ve completed the docks, they got very excited,” says Murphy. The Colombia product is expected to resonate with the ‘more adventurous’ Kiwis, however it’s currently sold out until Jun.
. . . The Difference
In terms of the product Murphy says the company places a strong focus on its included shore excursions. There are up to six options offered at each port from biking to culinary options or different paced walking tours, and Murphy says this gives the product a wider appeal.
“Now our average age is 59…it’s getting younger and younger and what’s we’re really looking forward to is finding some wine hosts out of the New Zealand market for our wine cruises we do in Europe,” he adds.
For new-to-river cruise clients, Murphy says its larger AmaMagna ships that have strong appeal. “It’s a great entry-level product to introduce in the river cruising because we have those, you know, the large staterooms, four proper restaurants, a full spa with treatment rooms, a gym, you know, it even has a pickleball court onboard,” he adds.
. . . Earn A Cruise
AmaWaterways has a current ‘book five cruises earn one free’ offer for consultants, and agent rates are available. See HERE.
