Amadeus River Cruises Christens Newest Ship Amadeus Aurea in Amsterdam

by Laurie Baratti
Last updated: 4:05 PM ET, Tue May 12, 2026

Amadeus River Cruises just celebrated the christening of its newest vessel, Amadeus Aurea, in Amsterdam.

On May 12, the line’s owners and founders — Dr. Wolfgang and Mrs. Martina Lueftner and their three daughters, who help run the company — were joined by company executives, support staff, shipyard representatives, local dignitaries, business partners, select loyalty members and the ship’s godmother, Kristie Keller.

This occasion marks the first time in the company’s history that someone outside the Lueftner family, a travel advisor, has been honored with serving as a new vessel’s godmother.

A full day of festivities kicked off with a welcome reception in the Panorama Bar and Lounge, followed by the ship’s official christening ceremony, held dockside in the early afternoon, during which the traditional bottle of champagne was shattered over Aurea’s hull. As guests sat down to a sumptuous lunch, the ship sailed off on a brief maiden voyage around Amsterdam’s harbor. After the day guests disembarked, a smaller contingent departed for a second short sailing, during which there was a cocktail hour, a gala dinner and an after-hours party with music and dancing in the Panorama Lounge.

An international brand under the umbrella of Austria-based Lueftner Cruises, Amadeus River Cruises operates the youngest fleet on Europe’s rivers, with an average ship age of around three years. Aurea now becomes its 18^th vessel, but there are already two more in the development pipeline, scheduled to debut in 2027 and 2028. Despite the freshness of its vessels, the company has actually been around since the 1970s. While the brand was introduced to the American market a full decade ago, it doesn’t do a vast amount of marketing in the U.S. and therefore relies heavily on its relationships with travel advisors.

Amadeus Aurea's godmother, travel advisor Kristie Keller, poses with members of the Lueftner family following the ship's christening.

A New Kind of Godmother

Keller, owner of Addicted to Adventures in Rochester, New York, has shot to the top-seller spot at her host agency, Oasis Travel Network, after only four years of working in the industry. In that time, she has become one of the sector’s most successful river cruise advisors, often hosting large groups herself. At the 2023 ASTA River Cruise Expo, she met the Lueftners and Amadeus’ current president, Marcus Leskovar, and felt an immediate kinship. They became fast friends, and she began to work closely with the brand after also falling in love with the product.

When the Lueftners first approached her to be Aurea’s godmother, Keller says she was in disbelief. “When they asked me, I really thought it was a joke,” she told TravelPulse the day prior to the christening ceremony. “Like, ‘Wait, what? Me?.’ I know we have a strong relationship, but it was just an honor for them to choose me. Even now, I still feel like I haven't even wrapped my head around it. I'm just trying to take it all in.”

However, when the big day arrived, she appeared poised and well-prepared to address the group of attendees assembled beside the Aurea’s bow. “Standing here today as the godmother of this beautiful ship is truly one of the greatest honors of my life. My connection with Lueftner Cruises and Amadeus is both deeply personal and professional,” said Keller, adding that it’s “especially meaningful to me because I'm receiving this honor not only personally, but as a travel advisor representing our industry.” She noted, “The fact that Amadeus recognizes the value of travel advisors in such a significant way speaks volumes about who they are as a company.”

Ship's godmother, Kristie Keller, speaks to attendees during Amadeus Aurea's christening ceremony.

Keller continued, “Over the years, this partnership has become so much more than simply working together in the travel industry. It has become a relationship built on trust, friendship, shared values and unforgettable experiences. As a travel advisor, I'm incredibly proud to bring my groups on board Amadeus ships, because I know exactly what my clients will experience the moment they step on board. The ships are beautifully designed, elegant, and welcoming. The crew is consistently warm, gracious and attentive in a way that makes every guest feel genuinely cared for.”

Corina Leuftner, Deputy CEO for Lueftner Cruises, explained how the family came to select Keller as the first ship’s godmother who is not actually a blood relation. “ We slowly started to realize maybe it's time to widen the circle a little bit and go from the Lueftner family to the Amadeus family,” she said. “Choosing the godmother is something very personal to us. It has to be someone who is really close to us, who believes in river cruising, understands what we do and is just part of the Amadeus family. And today's godmother is exactly that person, and we cannot imagine anyone better for this role than the wonderful Kristie Keller.”

One of Amadeus Aurea's standard B-1 staterooms.

Inside Amadeus Aurea

Representing a “new generation on the river”, Aurea takes the line’s core value of advancing eco-friendly sailing to the next level with a state-of-the-art hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system that appreciably reduces CO2 emissions. The ship also features an advanced-efficiency control and positioning system, solar panels to self-generate power and a heat recovery system that conserves energy. Specially designed glass paneling also minimizes heat loss, keeping things comfortable onboard by reducing temperature fluctuations.

Measuring 443 long by 37.5 feet wide, Aurea can accommodate a maximum of 158 passengers and about 46 crew members. Its four decks encompass 67 exterior cabins, most of which boast drop-down panoramic windows and 188 square feet of interior space. Twelve spacious suites (284 square feet) feature walk-out balconies and a seating area with a small sectional sofa and an oversized bathroom. Even the smallest cabins on the first deck, which have stationary panoramic windows, offer best-in-class entry-level accommodations at a comfortable 172 square feet.

The Panorama Bar and Lounge aboard Amadeus Aurea.

The ship’s overall interior aesthetic is modern, stylish and sophisticated, with a soft-toned neutral color palette highlighted by pops of gold, bronze and wood-look accents. Inside most staterooms, guests will enjoy a plush Amadeus Signature bed (double or twin configuration); a walk-in wardrobe with a full-length mirror and ample space to hang or store attire and stash suitcases; a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower stocked with luxe Ritual bath products; a desk/vanity area; a refrigerated mini-bar; a flat-screen TV; an in-room safe; a telephone and a hair dryer.

Public spaces include the Panorama Restaurant, Panorama Bar and Lounge, Amadeus Club lounge, Café Vienna, the glass-shielded outdoor River Terrace (located on the bow) and a sun deck with Sun Deck Lounge, lounge chairs, shade awnings, putting green, oversized chess board and shuffleboard, as well as a heated swimming pool.

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