Latest news with #RudiSchreiner
Travel Weekly
09-07-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Why South America could emerge as a key river cruise destination
Brinley Hineman The big news in South America river cruising is AmaWaterways launching the first luxury river ship on the Magdalena River in Colombia, with plans to launch a second ship later this year. But it is not the only line with South America on its mind. I spoke in June with AmaWaterways co-founder Rudi Schreiner, ahead of him stepping down as company CEO. Though he didn't divulge company names, he told me in that other lines are considering joining them in Colombia -- now that the infrastructure has been built to support the budding industry. But outside of Colombia, the Amazon River has attracted river cruises. Many well-known brands are there, but perhaps most notable is Delfin Amazon Cruises, which is based in Iquitos, Peru. The company just took three months to renovate and relaunch its ship the Delfin I. Europe river cruising remains king of the river-cruise category, but I have repeatedly been told by river cruise executives and travel advisors that clients want to break the mold of a traditional river experience and explore off-the-beaten-path or "exotic" destinations. The Amazon, which flows through six countries, seems like it has the makings of a river poised to experience growth, and it's been years in the making, as Travel Weekly has reported. Especially in an era of overtourism dupes and European rivers becoming more crowded each year, it seems that the Amazon and other South American river could offer an alternative. What other lines are doing on the Amazon And there are plenty of options to choose from already. National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions charters Delfin Amazon Cruises' Delfin II and Delfin III to explore the Peruvian Amazon in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. With an expedition approach to cruising, the line aims to offer a luxury approach to the world's most biodiverse rainforest. Avalon Waterways, which has offered Amazon cruises since 2014, also charters the Delfin III to explore the Amazon. It offers six itineraries this year that include the South American waterway. Uniworld Boutique Luxury Cruises charters the Aria Amazon and offers two itineraries to explore the Peruvian Amazon. Though chartering is a popular way for brands to operate itineraries, some lines are going all-in by building their own ships. Abercrombie & Kent will debut a new ship, the Pure Amazon, on the river this year, while CroisiEurope will begin operating cruises on the Brazilian Amazon in 2027 on its Brasilian Dream.
Travel Weekly
30-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
With Rudi Schreiner passing the torch, a new era begins at AmaWaterways
It was Taco Tuesday, a weekly tradition Rudi Schreiner likes to observe when he's home in Calabasas, Calif., and not traveling the world. He was enjoying the Mexican fare at Sagebrush Cantina alongside Kristin Karst, his wife and a co-founder of AmaWaterways, and other company executives when he decided to spill the beans: He was stepping down as CEO. "We had a plan and step-by-step for how we were going to announce it, but I blurted it out and announced it," he said. "Even Kristin was surprised." Schreiner will stay involved with the company as board chairman, where he will discuss future opportunities and serve in an advisory role. Catherine Powell, who joined the river cruise line earlier this year as president, will become CEO on July 1. Karst, who had served as executive vice president until Powell's hiring, transitioned to chief brand ambassador earlier this year. "It really is the perfect time," Schreiner said during an interview. "I am 73. It is time for me to settle down a little bit. I started the company on July 1, 2002, so exactly 23 years later, on July 1, 2025, I'm stepping down." Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst in the first year of AmaWaterways' operations. They and the late Jimmy Murphy founded the river cruise line in 2002. Photo Credit: AmaWaterways Schreiner, who has been hailed as an industry godfather -- he and Karst received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Travel Weekly in 2019 -- has had a long career on the world's rivers. This has included time at Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Viking, which he left to launch AmaWaterways alongside Karst and the late Jimmy Murphy. He said he felt he was ending his career on a high note with the launch of river cruising in Colombia. AmaWaterways in April debuted the AmaMagdalena, the first luxury river ship on Colombia's Magdalena River. The line plans to launch a second ship on the river this fall. The introduction of river cruising in Colombia was challenging, Schreiner said, including with infrastructure and building relationships with officials. Pulling it off was a feat, he said. "I feel like that's the highlight of my career," he said. "I'm completed with this project. I don't want to start any major new projects." Though he said he does not want to launch any future projects at the company, he still has his eye on potential expansion, including possibly to India and the Congo. "The growth will continue," he said. Now, Powell will lead the company, which says it is already on track to break booking records in 2026, when it has two ships debuting. AmaWaterways co-founders Kristin Karst and Rudi Schreiner in 2022 on the AmaLucia. Photo Credit: AmaWaterways Powell joined a growing company that is poised for even more expansion. Before that, she was global head of hosting at Airbnb and also spent 15-plus years at the Walt Disney Co., including stints as president of Disney Parks Western Region and president of Disneyland Paris. In a statement, Powell called Schreiner an "icon in the industry" and praised his "passion and pioneering spirit," which "have shaped AmaWaterways into the exceptional brand it is today." "As I step into this role, I am committed to honoring their legacy by thoughtfully and sustainably growing the company -- driving innovation, expanding our global footprint and deepening connections with the local communities we visit," she said. "I'm excited to work with the talented AmaWaterways team to build on Rudi's legacy and welcome new generations of travelers to experience the magic and spirit of our cruises."
Travel Daily News
30-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
AmaWaterways announces new CEO
AmaWaterways appoints Catherine Powell as CEO, with co-founder Rudi Schreiner transitioning to Chairman, marking a leadership shift for future growth. CALABASAS, CA – AmaWaterways, a leading luxury river cruise line, announced that the current CEO and co-founder Rudi Schreiner is transitioning to a new role as Chairman of the Board. President Catherine Powell will step up as the company's Chief Executive Officer from July 1st with Mr. Schreiner continuing to support her in this new role. Company co-founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst will remain on the AmaWaterways board and Ms. Karst will continue in her role as Global Brand Ambassador. 'We are so excited about what we have been building – internationally with new markets, new passengers and, frankly, a whole new generation of river cruisers. I am delighted that we are investing in the kind of leadership Catherine brings to the company. It's a real inflection point, and I couldn't be prouder,' said Mr. Schreiner. 'Rudi and I poured our hearts into building AmaWaterways – a company shaped by passion, innovation and strong personal connections. As we take this next step forward, we're thrilled to welcome Catherine as CEO. Her global experience and leadership style reflect the values that have guided us from the beginning. I'm excited for the future and grateful to keep focusing on what I love most – nurturing the relationships with our travel partners, our guests and the local communities we visit, cultivating the shared success that comes from growing together,' said Ms. Karst 'This is a dynamic moment of both growth and transformation for AmaWaterways and for the river cruising industry writ large,' said Ms. Powell. 'Rudi is an icon in the industry, whose pioneering vision has shaped river cruising. From the design of the ships to every detail of the experience on board and on shore, Rudi has touched the lives of all the guests who have sailed with us. I am honored to be taking the mantle from Rudi and steering this incredible company into its next exciting chapter building on his legacy.' Ms. Powell was appointed President early this year, and brings an expansive view to the company, one that will continue to build on the evolution of AmaWaterways as a category pioneer and leader in this industry. AmaWaterways is widely recognized for its outstanding service both onboard and onshore. 'We extend our deepest appreciation for the remarkable vision and leadership that Rudi and Kristin have demonstrated in building AmaWaterways. Since the company's inception in 2002, they have established AmaWaterways as a beloved and highly coveted brand within the river cruising industry. Looking ahead, we foresee significant growth opportunities. The company is strategically expanding into new destinations and markets while making substantial investments in technology, digital platforms, and elevated customer experiences. These initiatives will ensure that AmaWaterways remains well-positioned for long-term success in the evolving landscape of travel,' said Jennifer Reid, Director of AmaWaterways and Partner at L Catterton. Director of AmaWaterways and Managing Partner at L Catterton, Marc Magliacano went on to say 'We are confident that Catherine's deep experience in the travel industry and track-record of growth and success from her roles at both Disney and Airbnb make her uniquely suited to guide the company forward into the next phase of its journey. She understands the changing customer landscape and shifting consumer demand regarding how people want to travel and to experience luxury in a way that will drive the company forward, and that will meet growing expectations and the market's demand for high-end travel experiences.'
Travel Weekly
29-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Rudi Schreiner is relinquishing the CEO role at AmaWaterways
After 23 years at the helm of AmaWaterways, co-founder and CEO Rudi Schreiner will give up that title and move to chairman of the board on July 1. Current president Kathleen Powell will assume the CEO title. Co-founder Kristin Karst will remain as brand ambassador and will continue reporting to the board. Powell was hired as president in February, when Karst was named brand ambassador. Schreiner, 73, said he had been looking at succession for the past several years. "I've had a fantastic time in the river cruise business for 33 years," he said. "It's time to find younger blood." Before Schreiner, Karst and the late Jimmy Murphy founded AmaWaterways in 2002, Schreiner already had 20 years experience as a tour operator, founding and running two companies that ran student tours in Europe and then joining Love Holidays, which focused on tours to Eastern Europe. That company had a heavy presence in former Yugoslavia, and he was hired to start new products after the civil war broke out there. He launched everything from Norwegian coastal cruises to ice breakers to the North Pole. But the product that really took off was a river cruise line, which operated under the name UniWorld. UniWorld had been chartering ships from Viking River Cruises, and Viking lured him away to open an office for them in the U.S. He did so and stayed with the company for two years before launching his own line with Karst and Murphy. It was originally called Amadeus Waterways (a different line than Amadeus River Cruises) but was challenged by the reservation system with the same name, so it was shortened to Ama. Schreiner said he'll still be involved to some extent as AmaWaterways' chairman. "I'll still be there advising at board meetings, but overall I feel very, very good about stepping aside a little bit. Maybe I'll travel a little less. I have two grandkids and want to spend more time with them."
