Actress Sharon Stone to christen new AmaWaterways ship
Fast-growing river line AmaWaterways has snagged a big name star to christen its latest ship: Sharon Stone.
The 54-year old actress, producer and philanthropist will serve as godmother of the 106-passenger AmaVida in a ceremony scheduled for March 22 in Portugal.
"We are thrilled to have such an accomplished and talented person (serve) as the AmaVida's godmother," AmaWaterways co-owner Kristin Karst tells USA TODAY. "Her beauty is clear to any generation."
Karst notes that AmaWaterways' river ship clientele, many of whom are Baby Boomers, have followed Stone's career from its beginnings in the 1980s, making her a good fit as the godmother for an AmaWaterways vessel.
Stone is perhaps best known for her starring role in the erotic thriller Basic Instinct, released in 1992, and she won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Martin Scorses's Casino in 1995. Other notable Stone films include The Quick and the Dead (1995) and Catwoman (2004).
The AmaVida will sail on Portugal's Douro River, a growing hot spot for river cruising.
AmaWaterways is one of two North American river lines adding sailings on the Douro this year. Also adding trips is Viking River Cruises. The two companies join Douro River pioneer Uniworld, which has been offering sailings for the North American market on the river since the late 1990s.
AmaWaterways offered trips on the Douro once before, during the second half of the last decade, but has not been on the river for several years.
The arrival of the upscale, modern AmaVida marks a new era for cruising on the Douro. The ship features spacious suites that measure up to 323 square feet as well as 36 cabins with walk-out balconies.
Public areas on the AmaWaterways include a sun deck; heated pool; massage and beauty salon; and fitness center. Amenities include complimentary Internet access and video on-demand in cabins, and wine and beer with dinner.
Flowing from Spain to the Atlantic Ocean, the Douro River passes through the Douro River Valley -- a UNESCO World Heritage site known for rambling vineyards clinging to steep slopes. The region is home to Portugal's famed Port wine.
The AmaVida will sail several itineraries on the Douro including seven-night trips from Porto that include visits to the Portuguese towns of Bitetos, Regua, Pinhao, Barca d'Alva and Castelo Rodrigo. The sailing is combined with several days in hotels in Lisbon to create a 10-night trip.
AmaWaterways also is offering a 13-night trip that includes a seven-night AmaVida sailing on the Douro, three nights in Lisbon, three nights in Madrid and a visit to the medieval Spanish city of Salamanca.
Karst says it's a lovely region that only now is beginning to get its due as a destination.
"We are in love with the Douro," she says. "It is such a pristine, unspoiled area, charming and not so touristy."