Little Bear and Lenny Meet the AmaWaterways Staff on the AmaMagna

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

Some of you may know how great the AmaWaterways’ Staff and Leadership Team are for curating luxury cruises for our guests and supporting those of us in the travel industry.

You might get tired of us telling you about their wonderful cruise line and why you should travel on it, so we have two unbiased friends, Little Bear and Lenny the Leopard, although very shy, to help us—they have agreed to tell you about the wonderful folks at AmaWaterways.

They have even decided to let you see their pictures on several river cruise ships and to tell you why the folks on AmaWaterways are special.

Both would also like to tell you about why they think the AmaMagna is the best rivership they have sailed on in Europe—and wanted you to see Den Mother Anne’s pictures of all the staterooms, so you might select the right den for your next cruise on the AmaMagna.

Leadership

Little Bear and Lenny knew about the warm leaders of AmaWaterways but weren’t quite sure if it was okay to meet them in person, as they think they aren’t very important, and these are busy, and important folks. But they found out how friendly and welcoming these key leaders are to all—even to our friends Little Bear and Lenny (they told us you would be treated the same way).

They just wish they could have met more folks, but sometimes, it is just too much for them to handle and they have to go back to the den.

Lenny the Leopard and Little bear enjoy a special drink made just for them on the AmaMagna

Lenny and Little Bear like to relax just before sleepy time—they like their nightcap drinks.

Here are some of the wonderful leaders they met:

Kristin Karst, with her sparkling smile and instant warm manner, greets all with the pride and love she has for those who river cruise with AmaWaterways. She is the co-founder of AmaWaterways and strives to make all who sail with her company surprised and delighted with their luxury vacation. They were so excited to meet her—they even ask for a photo so they could remember the occasion:

The radiant Kristin Karst, hosting a party on the AmaMagna in March 2023

Alex Pinelo is the VP of Sales, and very well respected in the travel industry. He loves working for AmaWaterways and always finds time to respond to all, despite his busy schedule. He is a passionate fan of AmaWaterways.

Alex enjoyed the company of Little Bear and Lenny

Diane Marie Horan has been working for AmaWaterways since 2011—our friends Hank and Anne met her early during their first trips on AmaWaterways. She is the director of Strategic Accounts and loves AmaWaterways—she has even written a book of how AmaWaterways seems to create lifelong love connections among the employees. Little Bear and Lenny love her book and rejoice in the stories she wrote about to share with others.

Alex and Diane relaxing with our two animal friends on the AmaMagna

Jazzmine Douse is the Director of National Accounts for AmaWaterways. Smart, vivacious, and full of energy, she helps bring an enthusiastic dynamic to AmaWaterways, helping all to enjoy these great vacations, especially to help diversify the clientele on AmaWaterways, where all are welcome.

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on the AmaMagna. From left to right, Diane, Jazzmine, Hank, Anne, Kristin, and Cesario (our cruise manager) Little Bear and Lenny are resting in their stateroom

Meeting the Bar Staff on the AmaMagna

The hard-working crew of the AmaMagna loved Little Bear and Lenny.

The bar staff on the AmaMagna loved Little Bear and Lenny

Our two heros are ready for a refreshing cocktail on the AmaMagna

Little Bear and Lenny love having their photo taken with the friendly staff

Little Bear Sometimes Ventures Out With Shy Lenny During the Day

Little Bear is very curious. He likes people, especially if he can learn more about their jobs. He especially likes seeing how the ship is steered, and how many warm, welcoming staff he can meet.

He got his Den Mother to take him out one day on the AmaMagna, with Lenny. It was very important to him to let you see these wonderful people, who take such great pride in their jobs, who wanted their pictures made with him.

The captain and first mate helped Little Bear and Lenny learn about how these skilled professionals steer the AmaMagna

The hard working gents in the reception area liked being introduced to Lenny and Little Bear

Our friendly onboard musician liked meeting Lenny and Little Bear

Little Bear Sometimes Goes Out on his Own

Little Bear likes to tour, especially if he can meet his other bear cousins in Europe. He most often gets to do it on an AmaWaterways ship, but sometimes he goes out during the pre or post trips. He wanted us to share some photos of him in action, before he goes to hibernate until his next trip.

Before his Christmas Markets cruise in December 2023, Little Bear cuddled with Lenny in Regensburg. He loves the Christmas Markets, but sometimes it is too cold for Lenny to go out.

Little Bear on the Treasures of the Main and Rhine Route in the summer of 2022.

While most folks would think that in Rothenberg is very picturesque, Little Bear was more thrilled to meet his giant cousin. He was proud his cousin lives in such a great place that lots of folks like to visit.

While this is a beautiful medieval town to tour, and it is very easy to do on the included tours on an AmaWaterways cruise, Little Bear liked the visit, but really liked meeting his cousin bear more.

Why They Like the AmaMagna Staterooms so Much

Little Bear and Lenny really felt safe, loved, and respected on the AmaMagna, as they have on other AmaWaterways 135m and 110m ships. They especially like the cozy staterooms, that are elegant, yet so functional. Both decided to share with you why it is a perfect den for them and for you.

Before we tour some of the staterooms on the Magna, Little Bear wanted you to see his sleeping bag, so here is a picture of him ready for a nap. He didn’t want to hibernate on his trip, because there is so much to do during the cruise on the included tours, so he was very careful to sleep well, but not sleep for the whole 7-day Upper Danube Cruise!

Little Bear in his sleeping bag—it is warm and cozy for him.

Little Bear wants you to see the different staterooms, so here they are:

Here is what the Grand Stateroom (474 square feet, GS category) looks like from Anne’s pictures:

It has an excellent tub and a separate shower.

Here is what the Suites SA/SB (355 square feet) looks like:

Wonderful luxury in stateroom 206 on the AmaMagna

Twin sinks and an excellent shower in this stateroom

Here is what the AA/AB Category (252 square feet) looks like:

Floor Plan of the AB Category Stateroom 230

The bathroom area that has an excellent shower

Here is what the fixed window category (205 square feet) looks like:

Lots of light in this fixed window stateroom

Our Final Thoughts

Little Bear and Lenny are home now and safe with Anne. They hope you enjoyed this report. They are ready for more adventures and new dens, especially on AmaWaterways. Maybe you should try this great river cruise company also—tell them Little Bear and Lenny sent you!

We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise specialists, and Europe destination experts. We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe. We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you. We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com. We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 52 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent

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