by Eric Bowman
Last updated: 8:35 PM ET, Sat March 14, 2026
AMSTERDAM – Godmother Sarah Little, the senior vice president of business development for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), has officially christened AmaWaterways’ newest ship, the AmaSofia.
The ceremony was held on the dock in Amsterdam during the 2026 ASTA River Cruise Expo, an event that hosted 1600 travel advisors.
As a rainbow shined behind her, AmaWaterways CEO Catherine Powell spoke to the crowd for her first cruise christening event.
“It is a very special day for a very special ship,” Powell said. “As we journey into the future, the AmaSofia will be our first ship christened and launched in our beautiful new brand with colors that represent the warmth, elegance and caring hospitality that AmaWaterways stands for.”
“It is truly a very, very moving moment,” said Kristin Karst, Chief Brand Ambassador & Co-Owner of AmaWaterways. “20 years ago, 2006, we christened our very first ship, the AmaDagio, here in Amsterdam. And today, it is my pleasure to have Sarah Little. She is your (the travel advisor) representative. We wouldn’t be here without you (the travel advisor). We are all stronger together, and this is what ASTA does. It is not just education; it is bringing us all together.”
Little thanked the team at AmaWaterways, her boss and mentors, and her husband, closing with a final message before officially christening the ship.
“Tonight, as we celebrate AmaSofia, I am reminded that rivers are powerful, not because they rush, but because they keep moving forward, curious about what lies beyond the next bend,” Little said. “May we all keep moving forward, may we stay curious, and may AmaSofia carry that spirit of discovery for many years to come.”
AmaSofia has 76 staterooms and can hold 152 passengers. It will offer seven-night European river cruises on the Danube River, representing the line’s 10th ship on the Danube and featuring the “Melodies of the Danube” and “Romantic Danube” itineraries.
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