AmaWaterways’ Black Heritage Cruise
By Anne Kalosh
AmaWaterways has paired a cruise through the south of France with a Black heritage focus, capped by a Paris land program.
This specially curated “A Soulful Epicurean Experience” is being offered in August 2023.
As AmaKristina sails through Provence along the Rhône River from Arles to Lyon, travelers can explore cultural history and attend musical performances onboard and ashore. A choice of varied excursions is included each day, ranging from guided hikes to bike rides and tastings.
Afterward, in Paris — where many Black artists, writers and entertainers have made their mark — AmaWaterways’ Black Heritage cruise program includes three nights at a luxury hotel with an exclusive Josephine Baker tour and a Black history tour showcasing landmarks, jazz, food and art.
AmaKristina’s weeklong Rhône cruise will sail from Arles to Lyon. * Photo: AmaWaterways
Connecting Black Travelers with Each Other & History
“Following ongoing dialogue between the AmaWaterways leadership team and our valued travel advisor partners in recent years, we identified significant demand for a curated experience that connects Black travelers both to each other and to international destinations rich with African-American history,” said Jazzmine Douse, director of national accounts at AmaWaterways and member of Northstar Travel Group’s Black Advisory Board.
“We believe our ‘Soulful Epicurean Experience’ on the river cruise is the perfect way to celebrate the heritage, traditions and cultures of our global family.”
“A Soulful Epicurean Experience” will connect Black travelers with each other and black history. * Photo: AmaWaterways
The 10-Night AmaWaterways Black Heritage Cruise Program
“A Soulful Epicurean Experience” begins Aug. 24, 2023, with a seven-night cruise on the 156-passenger AmaKristina, followed by the three-night Paris land package.
Travelers embark at Arles where the next morning they set off on a full-day Black heritage tour of Marseille. That evening, AmaKristina sails to Avignon, docking near the illuminated Pont d’Avignon.
The next day in Avignon, passengers can choose from a morning walking tour featuring the Papal Palace, a “Tastes of Avignon” tour or a bike tour, followed by an evening jazz performance.
At Viviers, AmaWaterways provides an excursion to Grignan for truffle hunting and a chateau visit. In Tournon, touring choices include an exclusive, private steam train ride, a red wine and chocolate tour or a Hermitage hike with wine tasting.
That evening in Vienne features a jazz performance, and the next morning in Vienne, travelers can choose from a Roman ruins walking tour, Mount Pipet hike or ViaRhôna bike tour.
At Vienne, travelers can choose a Roman ruins walking tour, Mount Pipet hike or ViaRhôna bike tour. * Photo: AmaWaterways
When AmaKristina arrives at the food capital of Lyon in the afternoon, excursion options are a city tour, Les Halles market tour or a bike tour.
A beaujolais excursion highlights the following day at Villefranche.
AmaKristina then returns to Lyon where travelers disembark and transfer to Paris by the high-speed TGV train.
The cruise ends at Lyon, where travelers will transfer onto the high-speed TGV train to Paris. * Photo: AmaWaterways
In Paris for 3 Days
Included and exclusive to this AmaWaterways Black Heritage cruise program is an excursion focused on the performer/resistance fighter Josephine Baker, the first Black woman and first person of American origin to be inducted into France’s Panthéon.
Read about Baker’s dynamic life and contributions here.
Also included is a “Black History of Paris” city tour that takes in the Arc de Triomphe and the Monument to the Abolition of Slavery, as guides tell about the Code Noir, a 1685 decree defining the conditions of slavery. The tour continues through Montmartre, where participants will hear about the cabarets and famous jazz musicians who made their mark there.
Participants will also walk through the African district, renowned for its food and street vendors, and visit Little Africa, a gallery space and cultural initiative in La Goutte d’or district.
The Latin Quarter and Panthéon Square are part of the tour, too.
Book AmaWaterways’ Black Heritage Cruise by Sept. 30, 2022 for Savings
Travelers who book “A Soulful Epicurean Experience” by Sept. 30, 2022 can take advantage of special introductory pricing, with savings of $1,180 per person.
This brings the starting price of the 10-night package to $4,499 per person, double occupancy, with the TGV transfer from Lyon to Paris and the hotel included.
Port charges and airfare are additional.
Aboard AmaKristina, wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, and the vessel hosts a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour. Wi-Fi is complimentary.
A daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour is hosted in AmaKristina’s lounge. * Photo: AmaWaterways
An AmaWaterways cruise manager will accompany the full trip.
Interested in this cruise?
HERE are details of AmaWaterways’ Black Heritage cruise — “A Soulful Epicurean Experience.”
Don’t miss a post about small-ship cruising, subscribe to QuirkyCruise.com for monthly updates & special offers!
© This article is protected by copyright, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the author. All Rights Reserved. QuirkyCruise.com.
HEIDI SARNA
