MONTREAL — Less than two weeks after starting his new role with his new employer, Mathieu Robert already feels right at home.

Recently Robert made the leap – or maybe more aptly, took the plunge – into a new role in the industry with AmaWaterways, after more than half a dozen years at one of the industry’s biggest ocean cruise lines. In his new role at AmaWaterways he’s responsible for business development for Quebec & Atlantic Canada.

For this seasoned traveller who found his connection with the cruise sector when he was (very) young, the effects seem permanent, regardless of the ship or destination. And he’s eager to show everyone just how satisfying a river voyage can be with AmaWaterways.

Mathieu Robert, at age 4, during a cruise stop in Grand Cayman (photo courtesy Mathieu Robert)

Q. What can you tell us about your first days at AmaWaterways?

Robert: “I’m very happy to have joined this fast-growing company. The people are very kind, there is strong potential for advancement, development opportunities and great financial stability. In fact, things are going very well because river cruising is a product I was already familiar with.”

Q. How did you become familiar with river cruising while working on the ocean cruise side?

Robert: “It’s important to understand that if I’ve worked in cruising for so long, it’s not just to have a job – it’s because I’m truly passionate about it, from A to Z. I took my first cruise at the age of four, and since then, it’s always been on my mind – it truly lives in me.

“Back when I was a travel advisor, I also escorted several groups on cruises, both ocean and river, so I already know the product well through that part of my experience. And since my former employer will be entering the river cruise market next year, I became even more interested in what competitors were offering, including AmaWaterways.”

Q. You spent eight years working in ocean cruising. How do you plan to promote river cruises?

Robert: “It’s not all that different. Of course, sales volume and the lead product are not the same, but there are many similarities. In my new role, my main goal will be to democratize AmaWaterways river cruises, change advisors’ perceptions and fight misconceptions.

“There are two main stereotypes. First, advisors often believe river cruises are too expensive; however, there are AmaWaterways cruises starting at $3,000 all-in, which is less than some ocean cruises.

“The other misconception is that river cruises are filled with older travellers. In reality, at AmaWaterways, the average age is around 45.

“I also want to highlight the many positive aspects of these cruises. Many of them include excursions at no extra cost, and in the evenings, the ships are docked in port, allowing guests to go out, explore cities, dine in restaurants, have drinks at bars, attend concerts or shows.

Q. How would you describe AmaWaterways ships?

Robert: “You could sum them up as warm and welcoming, designed in a family-luxury setting; that’s often what passengers say. In addition, the gastronomy is outstanding and specialty restaurants are always included in the price.

“We also cover destinations that others don’t – like Colombia, as mentioned – and we like to go off the beaten path, which I really enjoy. Furthermore, AmaWaterways already owns the largest river cruise ship in the world, AmaMagna, and next year its fleet will welcome another ship of similar size, AmaRudi.”

AmaSintra on the Douro River

Q. How will you reach advisors – will you be on the road, hosting webinars, organizing FAM trips?

Robert: “I’m already on the road. My new Facebook group is active, and I will be organizing webinars, training sessions and FAM trips, which are very important to me. You can talk about a product all you want, but there’s nothing like experiencing it to sell it properly.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to organize trips before the end of the year because my schedule is already nearly full, but I plan to make up for it next year with at least one, if not two FAM trips.”

Q. Should we expect fare increases at AmaWaterways due to higher fuel prices?

Robert: “Even though fuel costs are now significantly higher, no price increases are expected in the short term. It’s important to remember that river cruise ships are not always sailing – they spend a lot of time docked and consume much less fuel than large ocean liners.

“In addition, we offer included flights on certain destinations, and in many cases it is possible to choose an Air Plus option when booking a cruise, for a fixed price of around $800.”

Q. Any new developments coming up?

Robert: “After the AmaMagdalena – where I will soon be taking my 103rd cruise! – we recently launched a second ship in Colombia, AmaMelodia. And in addition to AmaRudi sailing the Danube next year, we will soon have a third ship on the Nile, AmaNubia, and a second one on the Mekong in 2027.

“Finally, several new destinations are being considered, and there are many rivers where AmaWaterways does not yet operate… to be continued!”

At Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany (photo courtesy Mathieu Robert)