AmaWaterways has revealed that travel expert and television host Samantha Brown will serve as godmother of the AmaMagna.

Brown, who has hosted a range of travel television series for The Travel Channel, will christen the ship during a ceremony in Vilshofen, Germany, in July 2019.

The 196-passenger AmaMagna, launching in 2019, is twice the width of traditional river ships and will feature 98 staterooms, as well as two new dining venues – Jimmy’s Wine Bar Restaurant, named for AmaWaterways’ late co-founder Jimmy Murphy, and the Al Fresco Restaurant, with a retractable ceiling and side windows.

The ship will also include a large heated Sun Deck swimming pool, Zen Wellness Studio, and a concierge golf programme, providing the opportunity to experience five top-level golf courses in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic.

“For this incredibly innovative ship, we wanted to choose a godmother who shares our passion for innovation within the travel industry,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice-president and co-owner of AmaWaterways.

“Samantha is an icon in both the travel and television industries, known as much for her warm personality as for her expansive travel knowledge. We are so thrilled to welcome her to the AmaWaterways family as godmother of our 23rd ship, the stunning AmaMagna.”

Brown added: “I am so excited and honoured to have been asked to be the godmother of AmaMagna.

“I had the great pleasure of sailing on board AmaPrima this summer as we filmed an episode for my new PBS series. The total experience was remarkable but what impressed me the most was the incredible team on board the ship who took such good care of me, my film crew and my family who joined us during the cruise.”

AmaMagna’s inaugural season kicks on 5 May 2019, sailing the Romantic Danube itinerary from Vilshofen to Budapest. Other itineraries include Melodies of the Danube and the festive Christmas Markets on the Danube.