By
Rebecca Gibson |
Adventures by Disney, a provider of guided group travel, has partnered with AmaWaterways to offer its first river cruise itineraries in 2016.
The four new Adventures by Disney river cruises will take place between 7 July and 4 August 2016. Eight Adventures by Disney guides will accompany each voyage.
Highlights of the eight-day itineraries include a night-time illuminations cruise in Budapest and a horse show at Lazar Equestrian Park in Hungary; medieval activities at Devin Castle in Bratislava, Slovakia; and a visit to Germany where guests will participate in a tree-top walk at an outdoor adventure centre in Kopfing and an Oktoberfest event at a local brewery. Guests will also visit Austria where they will be able to enjoy a falconry show at Hohenwerfen castle, a tour of the Mirabell Gardens and a salt mine in Salzburg, and a private marionette performance and strudel-making demonstration at Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna.
Adventures by Disney will also offer a themed sailing on 22 December, which will include visits to the Christmas markets in Budapest and Vienna, a Vienna Boys Choir performance in the Hofburg Palace Chapel and a holiday lunch.
“Celebrating ten years in the family tourism industry, Adventures by Disney is always looking for new ways to deliver extraordinary vacation experiences that are both memorable and effortless for our guests,” said Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Adventures by Disney. “Recognising the untapped potential and broadening appeal of the river cruising market, we worked with AmaWaterways to provide families with an immersive, personalised experience unlike anything we’ve presented before.”
Guests will sail onboard the 170-passenger AmaViola, which is set to debut in 2016. The newbuild has been designed with multiple family-friendly elements and features six sets of connecting staterooms, as well as some rooms and suites that accommodate three- and four-person families.
Younger passengers will be able to enjoy Special Adventures by Disney activities, such as movies, karaoke, relay games, life-size chess lessons, video games and more. Themed nights will also be organised for teenagers, while adults will be able to enjoy wine tasting, dancing and an onboard fitness centre.
“We are so very excited to bring the beauty of river cruising to the family market through these special sailings with Adventures by Disney,” said Kristin Karst, co-owner and executive vice president of AmaWaterways. “River cruising presents a terrific opportunity for immersion into the sights, history and culture of the world’s most magical destinations. We look forward to working together with Adventures by Disney to offer innovative experiences that help families create unforgettable memories.”
Guests can also add a three-day pre- or post-cruise adventure in Prague, Czech Republic. This includes a tour of Prague with a local guide, dinner at Folklore Garden with traditional music and dance performances, a river cruise, a guided walking tour of the medieval UNESCO World Heritage site of Cesky Krumlov, and more.