CAA's Kyllo christens the AmaSonata

AmaWaterways recently celebrated the christening of its new 164-passenger vessel AmaSonata, joined by the line’s first-ever Canadian Godmother, Brenda Kyllo of the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).

A series of festivities in Vilshofen, Germany took place at the conclusion of the ship’s Melodies of the Danube sailing in late July.

Ceremonies began with a traditional Bavarian lunch, live Bavarian music and waltzes. Following an afternoon of entertainment, AmaWaterways' Co-Founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst arrived with Kyllo in a horse-drawn carriage. Traditions including the signing of the ship’s guestbook, a prayer by the abbot, and the ship’s official christening preceded a closing ceremony with fireworks.

AmaSonata joins the AmaWaterways fleet alongside sister ships AmaPrima and AmaCerto, as well as AmaReina, another newly built ship that debuted in March 2014. 

The ship’s inaugural voyage set sail Apr. 22 from Amsterdam on a Tulip Time Cruise. It has since visited Prague, Budapest, and other top spots along the Danube. Future itineraries include The Legendary Danube, The Romantic Danube and The Melodies of the Danube, visiting Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and other incredible destinations. 

Kyllo is an experienced travel industry executive who took over as vice-president - Travel at CAA National Offices in July 2011. She works closely with the nine CAA Clubs, preferred travel partners and the American Automobile Association (AAA). With a career spanning over 30 years in the travel industry in North America, Asia and Europe, she has managed a full range of travel and tourism responsibilities within wholesale, retail, resort management and cruise ship marketing and operations including 26 years with Club Med plus a few years with Merit Travel Group in Toronto.