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(L to R)AmaWaterways Executive Vice President and Co-Owner Kristin Karst, honorary ship “Godmother” and top travel industry executive Valerie Wilson, and AmaWaterways President and Co-Owner Rudi Schreiner at the christening of AmaWaterways’ newest ship, AmaPrima, on Aug. 6 in Vilshofen, Germany. APT and partner AmaWaterways Celebrate their Newest European Ship in Vilshofen, Germany 7 August 2013: Award-winning river cruise lines APT and AmaWaterways celebrated the christening of their newest ship in Vilshofen, Germany, yesterday, amid great fanfare provided by dancers, singers, musicians, stilt walkers and other local performers. The highlight of the event was the traditional christening of the Amaprima by its honorary godmother, Valerie Wilson, founder, chairman and CEO of New York City-based Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. Wilson christened the AmaPrima in the time-honored tradition, breaking a bottle of Champagne against the ship’s hull. Amid a chorus of cheers and applause, doves were released into the sky as the Vilshofen Fire Department sprayed a plume of water high over the river. Other highlights included a special blessing of the ship by a local pastor, songs by soprano Heidlinde Schmid and an Indiana Jones-like whipcracking demonstration (a Bavarian tradition). Children from a folkloric club preformed traditional dances and presented the Vilsofhen flag to the AmaPrima’s captain, Jan de Bruin, who also signed the town’s ceremonial “Golden Book” along with other VIPs in attendance. The tradition of christening a ship originated more than 4,000 years ago. A respected and well-known woman is selected to serve as a new ship’s honorary “godmother,” entrusted with blessing the vessel to ensure the safety of its passengers and crew. The Amaprima’s godmother, Valerie Wilson, heads one of the largest privately owned and family-managed travel agencies in the United States. She has been honored with many prestigious awards, serves on numerous advisory boards and has shared her expertise with readers of The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Town & Country and Travel + Leisure, among others. She is also the author of “Valerie Wilson’s World…The Top Hotels & Resorts.” |
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