Award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways christened its newest ship, the AmaCerto, today in the scenic Danube town of Vilshofen, Germany. The traditional ceremony centered on the christening and blessing of the ship by its Godmother, Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) President Christine Duffy.

“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 day’s festivities began with a rendition of the “Triumphal March from Aida” while “stelzengehers” or stilt walkers welcomed the crowd as the AmaCerto sailed into view. Vilshofen Mayor Georg Krenn greeted the enthusiastic crowd of local dignitaries, river cruise executives and passengers, followed by remarks from AmaWaterways President and Co-Owner Rudi Schreiner & Executive Vice President and Co-Owner Kristin Karst, as well as Godmother Christine Duffy.

In preparation for the christening, local school children handed out celebratory balloons to the eager crowd. Amid a chorus of cheers, Duffy christened the AmaCerto by breaking a bottle of Champagne on the ship’s hull. Simultaneously, the crowd released their balloons and a traditional 10-gun salute sounded from a brigade of Vilshofen soldiers dressed in traditional Bavarian garb.

Additional highlights of the christening ceremony included 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; moving renditions of “Ave Maria” and “Hallelujah” by soprano Heidlinde Schmid and a signing of Vilshofen’s traditional “Golden Book.”

AmaWaterways’ new AmaCerto is a deluxe 164-passenger vessel that incorporates the most advanced river cruise ship design including Twin Balconies in the majority of its spacious staterooms and suites, which range up to 350 sq. feet. Passengers will enjoy gourmet dining with free-flowing local wine at the multiple fine dining venues available onboard. The AmaCerto also features a heated sun deck swimming pool with a ‘swim-up’ bar; fitness center and spa; complimentary Internet and Infotainment system in all staterooms plus Wi-Fi. For passengers wanting to explore the serene paths along the rivers, the AmaCerto offers a fleet of bicycles onboard (capacity controlled).

The AmaCerto will serve the Dutch and Belgium Waterways and the Danube and Rhine Rivers on nine itineraries: Tulip Time Cruise; The Romantic Danube; Melodies of the Danube; The Legendary Danube; Blue Danube Discovery; Magnificent Europe; Christmas Time Cruise; Legendary Danube Jewish Heritage; and Christmas on the Rhine.