APT & AMAWaterways takes its Europe river cruising standards to Russia<\/p>\n
After creating a fleet of eight European riverships, the APT-AmaWaterways partnership is turning its attention to Russia with the 212-passenger ms AmaKatarina scheduled to enter service in 2011.<\/p>\n
It will be the most luxurious vessel sailing the Volga-Baltic Waterway, according to APT General Manager Marketing, Debra Fox.<\/p>\n
“The vessel is being stripped entirely and converted from a 400-passenger vessel to a 212 passenger ship and brings our Russian cruise product up to the standards of our Europe product,” she said. “We can ensure the ship is perfectly tailored to meet the high standards passengers expect from APT \u2026 all our trademark exclusive features and culturally-enriching tours.”<\/p>\n
“We’re striving to achieve uniform high standards across our product; it’s what our brand stands for,” she said.<\/p>\n
After AmaKatarina’s inaugural sailing on May 10, 2011, she will sail 14 11-night voyages for the 2011 season, between Moscow and St Petersburg.<\/p>\n
The ship boasts 24,025 square feet of space dedicated to 106 cabins, 76 of which feature balconies. Passengers can choose from 10 luxurious cabin categories spanning four decks. This includes 4 different suite categories — ranging from 280 to 432 square feet. On average ms AmaKatarina’s staterooms are 43% larger than other vessels on the Russian Waterways, and all staterooms feature a bathroom with a separate shower area, which is very unusual for Russian riverships.<\/p>\n
Public areas include a restaurant, panorama lounge, theatre, sauna and bar.<\/p>\n
At the end of their cruise, passengers can also choose to add a 15-day Trans-Siberian Adventure from Moscow to Vladivostok onboard the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express, the world’s most famous rail journey.<\/p>\n
In Europe, this May, APT launches ms Amabella and in 2011 ms Amaverde will become the eighth APT-AmaWaterways vessel in their fleet.<\/p>\n