Travel Agent was on the scene when CLIA President Christine Duffy christened the newest ship from river cruise line AmaWaterways, the AmaCerto, at a ceremony in the Danube town of Vilshofen, Germany.
“Christine Duffy is a prestigious godmother and we are thrilled to have our AmaCerto under her guidance,” said AmaWaterways President and Co-Owner Rudi Schreiner. “The AmaCerto was designed with the passenger in mind. AmaCerto is the most innovative ship available and we enjoyed celebrating its christening with the Vilshofen locals.”
The ceremony began with the “Triumphal March from Aida” while “stelzengehers” (stilt walkers) performed for the crowd. Remarks from Vilshofen Mayor Georg Krenn kicked off the ceremony, followed by speeches from Schreiner, AmaWaterways Co-Owner Kristin Karst and Duffy.
Duffy, acting as the ship’s godmother, christened the new ship by breaking a bottle of champagne against the hull as the crowd released balloons into the sky to the music of a traditional 10-gun salute.
The ceremony also featured a special blessing of the ship and convocation by Rev. and Mrs. Mark Kirchmeyer; a performance by the children’s dance group Trachtenverein D’Wolfachtaler; renditions of “Ave Maria” and “Hallelujah” by soprano Heidlinde Schmid and a signing of Vilshofen’s traditional “Golden Book.”
For more on initial impressions of the new AmaCerto, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/river-cruises/dispatch-from-danube-impressions-new-amacerto-35215