Sarah Little Named Godmother of AmaWaterways’ Upcoming Danube Ship

 

ASTA’s Sarah Little To Christen AmaSofia During 2026 ASTA River Cruise Expo

 

Calabasas, CA, June 2025 – Leading river cruise line AmaWaterways has named Sarah Little, Senior Vice President of Business Development for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), as Godmother of its upcoming ship, AmaSofia, set to launch on the Danube River in 2026. The official announcement was made during the Travel Leaders Network EDGE Conference in Las Vegas, with the christening ceremony scheduled for March 2026 during the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam.

 

“Sarah’s unwavering support of the advisor community and her deep-rooted passion for the industry make her an exceptional choice as Godmother of our beautiful AmaSofia,” said Kristin Karst, co-founder and chief brand ambassador of AmaWaterways. “We are thrilled to honor her with this special recognition. It will be incredibly meaningful to christen AmaSofia in front of more than 1,600 travel advisors during ASTA’s River Cruise Expo—there couldn’t be a more fitting setting or audience for this special celebration.”

 

Sarah Little has played a key role in elevating the organization’s mission and visibility within the travel industry. As a dedicated advocate for travel advisors, she has helped strengthen their voice both nationally and globally. Her enthusiasm for storytelling and commitment to building meaningful connections reflect the very essence of river cruising with AmaWaterways.

 

“I am truly honored to be named Godmother of AmaSofia, a ship that represents the incredible experiences that river cruising offers,” said Sarah Little, Senior Vice President of Business Development at ASTA. “Being part of this journey with AmaWaterways, a company that shares ASTA’s commitment to supporting travel advisors, is very meaningful to me. I look forward to christening AmaSofia alongside so many of my fellow advisors at ASTA’s River Cruise Expo and celebrating the future of travel together.” 

 

Launching in spring 2026, AmaSofia will sail a variety of seven-night itineraries along the Danube River, including guest favorites such as Melodies of the Danube and Romantic Danube. Guests aboard AmaSofia will enjoy immersive cultural experiences, award-winning cuisine, wellness activities, and the personalized service that distinguishes every AmaWaterways journey.

 

AmaSofia will mark AmaWaterways’ 10th ship on the Danube, further strengthening the company’s footprint in one of Europe’s most beloved and iconic river cruise destinations.

 

For more information or to reserve an AmaWaterways river cruise and land package for your client, call 1.800.626.0126 or visit AmaWaterways.com.

  

About AmaWaterways

Founded in 2002 by pioneering river cruise executives Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy, AmaWaterways offers unparalleled river cruise experiences with 31 custom-designed ships sailing Europe’s major rivers; Southeast Asia’s Mekong River; Africa’s Chobe River; Egypt’s Nile River and Colombia’s Magdalena River (2025). The company was recently voted “Best River Cruise Line” by the world’s leading cruise reviews site Cruise Critic, and is renowned for its warm and welcoming crew; innovative and sustainable ship design; wellness activities (including a wide choice of included small group shore excursions featuring biking and hiking options); and award-winning, locally sourced cuisine paired with complimentary fine wine. Modern, spacious, and tastefully decorated, most AmaWaterways ships welcome an average of just 150 guests and feature onboard amenities such as a stunning Main Lounge, specialty Chef’s Table restaurant, hair and massage salons, Sun Deck walking track and heated outdoor swimming pools with swim-up bars. AmaWaterways leads the river cruise industry in innovation, highlighted by the launch of the revolutionary AmaMagna. The company also offers a variety of themed sailings and brand relationships, with sailings geared towards active travelers and families, as well as group and charter options. https://www.amawaterways.com  

 

About The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA)

Founded in 1931, The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is the leading global advocate for travel advisors, the broader travel industry and the traveling public. Its members represent 80 percent of all travel sold in the United States through the travel agency distribution channel. Together with several hundred internationally based members and travel partners, ASTA champions the essential role of travel advisors through advocacy, education and professional development. In addition to serving as a professional resource for travel advisors, ASTA maintains a long-standing commitment to elevating the travel industry by promoting integrity, expertise and consumer confidence. Learn more at www.asta.org.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Perfect Pitch: Winning Travel Presentations That Close Sales (Part Two)

Image
  Mastering Visuals and Storytelling to Close the Sale   Written By: Tom Ogg, Co-Founder and Co-Owner - Travel Professional NEWS   Part Two   In part one of this article, we discussed how to qualify your audience and build an effective travel presentation. Part two will continue about how to present perfect presentations.      Creating the Perfect Presentation Visual travel presentation is paramount. Your materials should transport prospects to their destination before they even leave the room.   Use high-quality, professional images that showcase destinations and experiences. Maintain consistent branding throughout. Avoid clutter in your images. Use plenty of white space, fonts and colors that enhance readability. Avoid using beiges, pinks and other colors that those with color blindness cannot see. Highly contrasting colors are always the best choice. Try to avoid using small text on your slides. Infographics can be very helpful t...
Read more

OutsideAgents.com Wins 3 Gold Magellan Awards and Expands AI Capabilities with MAGgie

Image
  Outside Agents , America’s premier host travel agency, has earned recognition with 3 Gold Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly for innovation and excellence in the travel industry. These awards underscore their dedication to providing cutting-edge tools. training, and resources for travel advisors. One of the key innovations recognized is MAGgie™, an AI-powered assistant designed to streamline tasks and enhance productivity for travel advisors. This tool represents a significant advancement in how technology is transforming the travel industry. While making day-to-day operations more efficient and empowering advisors to better serve their clients. read more
Read more

How to Get High-End Clients as a Travel Agent: A Guide to Luxury Success

Image
The luxury travel market is thriving, and high-end clients are willing to spend thousands—sometimes millions—on bespoke travel experiences. But how do you attract these affluent travelers and position yourself as their go-to travel expert? The key is to build trust, establish authority, and create an irresistible service that speaks to their unique desires. In this guide, we’ll walk you through proven strategies to help you attract and retain high-end clients as a travel agent. 1. Define Your Luxury Niche High-end clients aren’t just looking for a vacation—they want a curated experience that aligns with their interests, status, and expectations. To stand out, define your luxury niche. Are you specializing in: Private yacht charters in the Mediterranean? Exclusive African safaris with private guides? Customized wellness retreats in remote locations? VIP access to major global events? By narrowing your focus, you position yourself as an expert rather than a generalist, making it easier t...
Read more