CHATSWORTH, Calif., Jan. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways today announced Valerie Wilson of Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. as the godmother of the line's newest ship, the AmaPrima. Wilson will bless the ship at a traditional christening ceremony in Vilshofen, Germany on August 6, 2013.

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"We are absolutely thrilled to have such a lovely and distinguished person as Valerie Wilson as the AmaPrima's godmother," said Kristin Karst, AmaWaterways' Executive Vice President and Co-Owner. "She owns one the world's most prestigious travel agencies and her many contributions to the travel profession are simply unparalleled. Valerie is the perfect match for the AmaPrima, one of the most beautiful and technologically advanced ships in service today."

As the New York City-based Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Valerie Wilson Travel, Wilson leads one of the largest privately owned and family-managed travel agencies in the United States. She has been honored with such prestigious awards as Travel Weekly's "Top Travel Agencies Power List" and Travel + Leisure's "A-List: World's Top Travel Agents." Travel Agent Magazine named her as one of the "Most Powerful Women in Travel" and both Luxury Travel Advisor and Travel Weekly have recognized her with Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Wilson also serves on numerous advisory boards and as a mentor to up-and-coming travel professionals. She shares her vast travel expertise with readers of such publications as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Crain's and Business Travel News, Town & Country and Travel + Leisure, and is the author of "Valerie Wilson's World…The Top Hotels & Resorts."

"Our clients and I love AmaWaterways for the unique and unforgettable experiences it offers around the globe," said Wilson. "I couldn't be more honored to be the godmother of such a magnificent ship as the AmaPrima."

The tradition of christening a ship originated more than 4,000 years ago. A respected and well-known woman is carefully selected to serve as the new ship's godmother, entrusted with blessing the vessel at a special christening ceremony. The blessing for the safety of the ship's passengers and crew typically concludes with the time-honored ritual of breaking a Champagne bottle against the ship's hull.

The AmaPrima, a sister ship to the AmaCerto, is a deluxe 164-feet passenger vessel  that incorporates many innovative design features, including Twin Balcony Staterooms and Suites, which measure up to 350 sq. feet. Guests will enjoy Chaîne des Rôtisseurs culinary creations with free-flowing fine wine and beer at a choice of dining venues.  The AmaPrima also features a heated pool with swim-up bar, massage and beauty salon, fitness center, and complimentary in-room Internet access and ship-wide Wi-Fi. The AmaPrima even carries a fleet of bicycles onboard so guests can enjoy Europe's many miles of scenic riverside bike paths on their own.

The AmaPrima will serve the Dutch and Belgium Waterways and the Danube and Rhine Rivers on 10 itineraries: Tulip Time Cruise; The Romantic Danube; Melodies of the Danube; The Legendary Danube; Blue Danube Discovery; Black Sea Voyage; Magnificent Europe; Grand Danube Cruise; Christmas Time Cruise; and Great Capitals & Vintages of the Danube.

For more information on AmaWaterways, please visit www.amawaterways.com. To book a cruise, please contact a travel professional or visit www.amawaterways.com. You may also Like Us on Facebook and Follow Us on Twitter.

About AmaWaterways
Founded in 2002 by river cruise pioneers Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy, AmaWaterways is the premier river cruise line on Europe's Danube, Douro, Main, Mosel, Seine, Rhine and Rhône rivers. Known for its custom-designed ships, extensive complimentary amenities and impeccable service, family-owned and -operated AmaWaterways consistently leads the way in river cruising. With itineraries in Europe, Russia, Africa, and S.E. Asia, AmaWaterways offers an enticing variety of authentic, in-depth experiences for the most discriminating travelers.

AmaWaterways' European fleet includes the AmaPrima (2013); AmaCerto (2012); AmaVerde (2011); AmaBella (2010); AmaLyra (2009); AmaDolce (2009); AmaCello (2008), AmaDante (2008); AmaLegro (2007) and the AmaDagio (2006). The line's newest ships feature Twin Balcony Staterooms, multiple dining venues, complimentary in-room Internet and Infotainment, a heated swimming pool or whirlpool, plus many more unique design elements.

AmaWaterways' separate and distinct AmaVoyages division operates the AmaVida (2013) in Portugal, the AmaLotus (2011) and La Marguerite (2009) in Vietnam and Cambodia,  the AmaKatarina (2011) in Russia,  and the Zambezi Queen (2009) in Africa.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mandev Khalsa / Nick Valente
310-395-5050
mkhalsa@blazepr.com / nvalente@blazepr.com

SOURCE AmaWaterways