Sarah Bretz, ContributorAmaWaterways has announced the launch of its new Stateroom Upgrade Program.
Guests who are already booked on a river cruise can now participate in an online auction system to request and bid for stateroom upgrades. The program is available to U.S. guests on all ships in Europe, Egypt, and the Mekong, following a successful soft launch on AmaMagna.
“At AmaWaterways, we are constantly striving to enhance our guests’ experiences by offering innovative and personalized options,” said Kristin Karst, co-founder and executive vice president of AmaWaterways. “By introducing this bidding process, we empower our guests to choose enhancements that best suit their desires and budget, ensuring a more personalized and memorable journey. This initiative reflects our commitment to continually evolving our offerings to meet and exceed the expectations of our valued travelers.”
Eligible guests will receive an email around 85 days prior to sailing, detailing the available upgrade options. They can then browse those options and place bids for the amount they’re willing to offer up until seven days prior to departure. Placing multiple bids for different categories increases the chances of an upgrade, though only one accepted bid will be charged.
A key feature of the program is the no-risk bidding process. If a bid is accepted, both guests and their travel agents are notified via email, and guests are charged for the upgrade. If the bid is not accepted, guests retain their original stateroom without any additional costs. This program not only benefits guests, but also travel advisors as they have the opportunity to earn additional commission.
Cruising with AmaWaterways includes fine dining in multiple venues, including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant; unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; and a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour with wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks. A daily variety of small group excursions includes hiking, biking and special interest tours; and the fare also includes high-quality Wi-Fi; a complimentary Wellness Program in Europe and on the Mekong with a variety of host-led fitness classes; and much more.
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