by Jason Leppert
Last updated: 12:45 AM ET, Thu November 23, 2017
AmaWaterways is well regarded for the river cruise line's fine dining, and a new partnership is set to bolster its reputation.
The brand has announced a collaboration with James Beard Award-winning cookbook author and celebrity chef Joanne Weir, as well as lead sponsorship of the PBS show "Plates and Places with Joanne Weir."
"Food and wine have become such critical parts of the way travelers expect to experience a country or city that it is important that we continue to propose a diversity of culinary experiences on our ships and during our excursions," said Rudi Schreiner, president and co-owner of AmaWaterways, in a press release.
"Our culinary team, led by our award-winning Executive Chef Primus Perchtold, always strives to bring unique epicurean experiences to our guests. We are proud to be collaborating with Joanne as she not only brings a wealth of experience but a warm, engaging way of expressing and sharing her love of cooking with fresh ingredients paired with regional wines."
The partnership will be featured on two episodes of the television program, which will begin airing during February 2018. They were filmed onboard the line's newest AmaKristina on its Enchanting Rhine itinerary in Fall 2017, capturing culinary delights both onboard and off from Amsterdam to Basel.
While on the ship, Weir specifically conveyed her love of cooking with cruise guests at cooking demos as well as added her touch to The Chef's Table restaurant tasting menu-which I myself enjoyed and reviewed previously.
Weir added, "I am so excited to return in July to host the Bordeaux cruise as this region holds special personal memories for me. I can't think of a better way to experience the food and wine diversity of this region than on board an AmaWaterways ship."
The itinerary will additionally encompass complimentary culinary tours to vineyards and an AmaWaterways-exclusive wine festival. Highlighted destinations will include Saint-Émilion, Pauillac, Pomerol and Libourne, plus the 14th-century Château de Montaigne for wine tastings and more. An optional pre-cruise stay in Paris and post-cruise extension in the Loire Valley will also be available.
AmaWaterways teaming up with Weir mirrors other celebrity chef associations common to ocean cruises. Consider Guy Fieri on Carnival Cruise Line and Thomas Keller on Seabourn to name a few. Bringing the trend to river cruising elevates this market's guest experiences as well.
The only thing that would take this closer would be developing a whole restaurant specific to Weir, but riverboat size limitations are a factor.
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