AmaWaterways' river cruise vessel AmaSofia was formally christened on March 14th during a ceremony conducted on the Rhine in conjunction with the 2026 ASTA River Cruise Expo, held in Amsterdam. The occasion brought together more than a thousand travel advisors attending the industry event, with the ceremony distributed across several vessels in the fleet, including AmaPrima and AmaVenita, alongside the newly delivered ship.
The naming duties were carried out by Sarah Little, a senior executive within the American Society of Travel Advisors, whose appointment as godmother had been previously announced in advance of the vessel’s debut. The ceremony concluded with a coordinated aerial display above the river, marking both the christening and the close of the exhibition programme.
Company leadership indicated that the introduction of a vessel is shaped not only by its construction but by the individuals connected to its operation and promotion, including crew, passengers and the advisor community. It was further conveyed that the selection of the godmother reflected recognition of her role within the sector and her longstanding engagement with travel advisors, aligning with the company’s broader values.
Amasofia represents the first vessel in the fleet to display the company’s updated branding within Europe. Designed to accommodate 154 passengers in 76 staterooms, the ship incorporates established features associated with the operator, including dual-balcony configurations and a dedicated specialty dining venue.
The godmother was reported to have regarded the appointment as a professional distinction, noting the connection to her earlier experience within river cruising and the relevance of conducting the ceremony in the presence of industry peers at the Amsterdam gathering.
The vessel entered service on the Rhine at the outset of the 2026 season, with subsequent itineraries scheduled along that river system through the spring period. A repositioning to the Danube is planned for early June, from which point the ship will operate a series of established routes between Central European ports, including voyages linking Budapest and Vilshofen.
Company representatives indicated that the christening formed part of a broader development strategy, linking fleet expansion with continued engagement of travel partners. Following the event, a number of advisors were scheduled to embark on familiarisation sailings aboard the vessel, providing operational exposure to the ship’s design and service model.