AmaWaterways Receives AAA's 2016 River Cruise Company of the Year

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AmaWaterways today announced it was named 2016 River Cruise Company of the Year by AAA during the annual AAA Travel Conference held October 16-18, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. The company also earned the 2016 Best Member Service Award for the overall cruise category.

Each year, AAA Travel – one of the largest full-service leisure travel organizations – asks stakeholders from across the U.S. and Canada to rank preferred travel partners on multiple criteria. These awards honor the best companies in the travel industry and their commitment to providing AAA travel agents and members with exceptional travel products and services.

“Since becoming an AAA Preferred Travel Partner in 2015, AmaWaterways has worked hand in hand with all AAA Clubs to bring the best value vacation to their members,” said Kristin Karst, AmaWaterways’ executive vice president and co-owner. “We are so pleased to receive these awards that acknowledge the value we place on this partnership, as well as the service we deliver to AAA members onboard our vessels.”

According to a June 2016 AAA survey, 14% of respondents have enjoyed a river cruise, and approximately four in ten would consider a river cruise for an upcoming vacation. Building on this opportunity, AAA’s river cruise bookings have increased more than 16% in the last calendar year.

“AmaWaterways places great importance on personal service and flexibility with our travel partners and their guests,” said Gary Murphy, AmaWaterways’ vice president of sales and co-owner. “Earning AAA’s River Cruise Partner of The Year and Best Member Service – Cruise Category awards mean a great deal to our sales and operations teams and we look forward to building on the foundation of a superb relationship.”

The AAA accolades are the latest in a series of wins for AmaWaterways. Most recently, the company received 2016 River Cruise Company of the Year from the American Society of Travel Agents, three 2016 U.S. Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards, seven Travel Weekly Magellan Awards and was named Best River Cruise Line by both Virtuoso and ExpediaCruiseShipsCenters. In addition, AmaWaterways was selected as the American Express Cruise Supplier of the Year at The American Express Travel 2016 Preferred Supplier Forum and earned the ten highest-rated ships in Europe in the 2016 edition of Berlitz: River Cruising in Europe.