Emerald Astra Christened in Amsterdam — Advisor Named Godmother, Pipeline Confirmed Through 2028
Emerald Cruises christened its tenth Star-Ship, Emerald Astra, in Amsterdam on June 2, immediately adding bookable inventory on the Rhine, Main, and Danube. The headline move was commercial: Scenic Group named Toni Lanotte-Day — one of its top-producing US advisors — as the ship's godmother, breaking a convention usually reserved for celebrities. CEO Glen Moroney on record: "Naming Toni as godmother recognises the role travel advisors have played in building Scenic Group and the role they will continue to play." Advisors now have a quotable, brand-sanctioned statement to use with clients when positioning loyalty to the trade. Built by MKM Yachts with a "relaxed joy" design brief targeting first-time European river cruisers, Astra carries approximately 170–200 passengers.
Forward pipeline is confirmed: Emerald Lumi enters the Seine in 2027 on Paris roundtrips — the brand's first Seine sailings, a bucket-list market currently dominated by Viking and Uniworld — while Emerald Xara opens Asia, Australia, and South Pacific itineraries in 2028. Emerald Kaia launched in April, meaning two Star-Ships have entered service within six weeks.
AmaWaterways Appoints First Dedicated BDM for Quebec and Atlantic Canada
AmaWaterways has hired Mathieu Robert as Business Development Manager for Quebec and Atlantic Canada — the first time the line has assigned dedicated sales coverage to the region. Robert's background is directly relevant to advisors: he began his career as a travel advisor before transitioning into cruise-line sales leadership, giving him firsthand understanding of how advisors build itineraries and protect margin. Quebec-based advisors gain a Francophone-fluent contact for FAM requests, group block support, and co-op marketing inquiries; Atlantic Canada advisors fall within the same territory. Robert is reachable at MathieuRobert@amawaterways.com. For advisors who have been routing AmaWaterways inquiries through national channels, this appointment creates a shorter and more responsive path for sales support on a line whose European river pricing typically generates strong advisor margins.